CHAPTER 37

Adrian’s POV

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.

I kept telling myself that my desire was just a sick twist of fate. I only wanted her because she reminded me of my lost love, my Elara. But seeing her with Lucas, seeing how easily she trusted him, brought out something darker inside me. She wasn’t supposed to look at anyone else like that. She was supposed to be mine. Only mine.

And last night? Last night changed everything for me.

The night had taken on a life of its own. One moment, I had control. I had convinced myself that she was nothing more than a shadow of Elara. And the next moment, the mate bond had ripped that control away, leaving nothing but raw, undeniable need.

Isla wasn’t Elara. And I knew it better than anyone else. The feelings I had for her were extreme and surreal, something I had never experienced before. And it was, in many ways, fulfilling. Because she was mine.

The way her skin had felt against mine, how her soft gasps had matched my own... Damn it, it was more than just desire. It was something I hadn’t felt with anyone, not even Elara. I tried to deny it, tried to push it away, but the bond was too strong. Too real. I had never felt so out of control in my life.

But then, as I woke up this morning, nestled to Isla, for a brief second, my mind played a trick. Memories of Elara rushed back; her laughter, her smile, the way she had loved me unconditionally. The guilt hit me like a boulder.

I couldn’t love Isla. I shouldn’t. I wouldn’t betray Elara’s memory like that.

I heard Isla stir behind me. I didn’t have to look to know she was waking up, probably piecing together what had happened. My back remained stiff, muscles coiled with tension.

Before she could say something that would falter my determination, I spoke, my voice harsh and unyielding. “I won’t acknowledge you as my mate. If you tell anyone, I will publicly reject you.”

Her breath hitched, trying to figure out if I was serious.

“You will be her replacement,” I added, my voice cold, despite the fire burning inside me.

I saw the pain in her eyes, the way her face fell as my words sank in. For a moment, something inside me screamed to stop, to pull her close and apologize. But I crushed that instinct. I couldn’t let her in. I wouldn’t.

Being reckless and defiant, she chose to ignore me. She told me she would not tell anyone we were mates, but also not associate with me. My blood ran cold. I wondered if she was able to discard this bond so firmly because of Lucas, maybe even Stefan. But I couldn't let her slip away from me to any other male. She was mine, to love, to reject, or to protect. In a desperate attempt, though not very commendable, I threatened her with Lucas and Stefan. And to my horror, she was immediately submissive, agreeing to my wishes.

I wasn't really happy, honestly. Why did she care about them so much? Did I have to use them as bait to keep her around? Yet, a part of me finally felt relieved. She was at least going to be around me.

With that, she was about to leave, making me feel restless. That's when I realized she was still wearing Lucas's shirt, barely leaving anything to the imagination, and something primal snapped in me. My eyes darkened with lust, and every cell in my body wanted to hold her, kiss her, claim her. I grabbed my jacket and threw it over her, the possessiveness roaring to the surface despite everything I had just said.

“Wear this,” I muttered, avoiding her gaze. “There will be clothes waiting for you on the border of the forest.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I couldn’t. One more second in that room, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep my distance. Without another word, I turned and left, running as fast as I could. From her, from my desires, from everything overwhelming.

Isla's POV

The pain of his refusal was perhaps sharper than rejection.

I could still feel his touch from the night. The bond between us pulsed painfully, reminding me of what could have been, what should have been. But it was clear now. He didn’t see me. Not really. To him, I was nothing more than a substitute. A stand-in for Elara.

Now I was his slave. His secret lover. Or perhaps his entertainment.

As I watched his frame disappear into the treeline, all I felt was humiliation and heartbreak. How had everything gone so wrong so fast?

Tears threatened to spill over, but I forced them back, swallowing the lump in my throat. Crying wouldn’t help. Adrian didn’t care about my pain. He had made that perfectly clear.

I pulled his jacket tighter around me, the scent of him clinging to the fabric. Part of me wanted to tear it, but I couldn’t.

"He doesn’t love us," my wolf whimpered inside me, her voice laced with pain. "He will never love us."

I wanted to scream, to run far away from all of this. But I couldn’t. Not with everything happening in the pack. Not with the shadow that loomed over us, growing darker with each passing day.

When I finally made it to the borders of the forest, I saw Elara's old dress. Had she kept it with Adrian? I didn't want to wear it, but I couldn't walk half naked inside the pack, announcing my situation. Could I?

When I finally reached home, it was already noon. But Stefan was standing under the blazing sky, waiting for me impatiently on my doorstep. His face was tight with worry, but his eyes lit up when he saw me.

"Isla," he called out, rushing over. "Where were you? Lucas told me what happened. He is even wounded. The alpha ensured that he was treated in the best hospital in the pack. When you didn't return, I was worried sick."

My heart sank at the mention of Lucas. Adrian’s threat still lingered in the back of my mind, and I couldn’t afford to show weakness. Not now. “I am fine,” I lied, my voice unsteady. “I was tracking the person we saw near the woods. I just... lost track of time and then slept off somewhere out of exhaustion.”

Stefan’s eyes narrowed, clearly not buying my excuse. “Slept?” he echoed, crossing his arms. “You were gone all night, Isla. What really happened?”

I hesitated. Stefan had always been my friend, someone I trusted. But now, with Adrian’s in the picture, I felt like I couldn’t even confide in him. “It’s nothing, Stefan. I needed to be alone. There’s too much going on, with the pack... with the deaths...”

He stepped closer, his voice softening. “If you are scared, we can leave. You don’t have to stay here, Isla. We can go somewhere safe.”

I shook my head, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. “No,” I whispered. “I have to stay. I have to clear my name.”

Stefan watched me for a moment, his eyes filled with concern. “Just... be careful, okay?” he finally said, his voice quiet.

I nodded, bidding Stefan farewell. I knew he meant well. But even if I wanted to leave, to get away from this nightmare, I couldn’t. Not until I find the real murderer.

When I walked through the front door of my home, the same gloominess welcomed me. My family didn’t even notice that I had been gone all night. They were going by their day as if I didn't even exist.

No one looked up. No one asked where I had been.

It was always like this. I was the real ghost in this house, fading into the background while Elara had always been the shining star. Even now, after her death, it felt like it was still me they couldn’t see at all.

I shook off the feeling and headed to my room, my steps heavy. There was no time to dwell on the emptiness I felt here. I had more important things to focus on. At least now we had a lead and discovered a connection with the west fall pack.

I needed answers, and the one person I could trust to help was Lucas. The Alpha of the Black Mountain Pack had ensured he received the best care possible, a sign of how much Lucas meant to the pack. No wonder that jealous Adrian is bothered by him.

Despite everything Adrian had said, I knew Lucas had my back.

I made up my mind. I would visit him at the hospital.