Isla's POV"What are you doing?" I managed to mumble, confused, feeling something stir deep inside my heart.Adrian's expression had shifted, softening in a way I had never thought was possible. Unlike his usual harsh and distant touch, it was now gentle. He wiped my tears like he cared about me, his hands lingering too long, even after that. And his eyes narrowed with pain to see me hurt.And then, I could hear my heart pounding in my ears loudly. My stomach flip-flopped, forming a knot inside my chest. A wave of emotions that I couldn't even explain coursed through me, rampaging through my insides. Everything faded, and all I could focus on was him... his supple lips... his squared jaw...And the way he looked at me, made my wolf stir inside me, equally drawn to him.But then he pulled back and I knew better.He accused me of having feelings for Stefan. How could he after everything that happened between us? How could he after I told him so many times that Stefan was only my friend?
Isla's POV“What are you doing?” I yelled, shoving Adrian away from Stefan.I was shocked to see Adrian here, my heart pounding in my chest. And the way his gaze flickered between me and Stefan, as if accusing me of cheating, weighed heavy on my shoulders. The air was thick with tension. I could feel the raw, untamed rage radiating off him. But Stefan stood on the ground too, sneering at him, almost challenging him.Adrian growled, his eyes red with fury, to show his rage and panic surged through me. He was not going to let Stefan intimidate him. He glared at Stefan like a predator ready to pounce.“Didn’t I tell you not to even think about taking Isla with you?” Adrian’s voice was low and dangerous, dripping with possessiveness. His fists clenched at his sides as he stepped closer towards Stefan, which sent shivers down my spine.Stefan chuckled a bitter smile as if mocking him. He stood tall, unflinching. He looked straight into Adrian’s eyes and scoffed. “What right do you have to
Isla’s POVThe night had fallen by the time I made it back home. But as I made my way home, I began to feel more restless. Home should be a place for comfort, but for me, it was different. The familiar sense of deep emptiness settled in.But today was different.As I stepped through the door, the house, which had never truly felt like home, was surprisingly lit. I froze when I saw my parents waiting for me at the dining table.I blinked, confused. The way they looked at me... it felt different. And there, on the dining table, was a meal they had prepared. For me. Simple but intentional. The weight of their sudden attention tugged at something deep inside me. For a fleeting second, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time, a flicker of hope. I wondered if they had finally realized I was their only daughter now and had finally decided to appreciate me better.But that hope died quickly when I looked into their eyes. The same doubt. The same suspicion. My brother sat at the end of the ta
Isla’s POV"Adrian," my lips trembled as I spoke his name.Moonlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over Adrian, highlighting his features as he looked at me with an intensity that made my heart race.He stepped closer, his body towering over mine. And I didn't stop him. The heat of him wrapped around me like a blanket, pulling me in. When his fingers grazed my cheek, the roughness of his touch sent shivers down my spine. I pulled him closer, closing the gap for a kiss. And then as if teasing me, his thumb traced my bottom lip, his gaze darkening with desire.“You have no idea what you do to me,” Adrian murmured, his voice low. His hands slid down my arms, pulling me closer, his hot breath fanning the sides of my neck.Well, he had no idea what he was doing to me. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t think, and couldn't ignore this overwhelming feeling inside me.I gasped and taking this opportunity, he captured my lips in a sizzling kiss that made my vision blur. It wasn’t so
Isla's POV"Isla!" The moment Adrian called out my name, I felt like I was caught in the act. And when our eyes met, the memory of our brief kiss from last night and that from the dream this morning flooded my mind. His lips had felt so real that I could still feel them on mine. My heart skipped."Isla," Adrian called again, snapping me back to reality. I had been completely distracted since Chloe arrived with Adrian. She had been helping him to mark the scores with such grace that it left me and everyone watching confused.He stood across from me, his eyes narrowing. "You are not focused. I will test you myself. Let’s see if you’ve made any progress."My stomach churned. Here we go again. Why was he always so keen to partner up with me for a sparring match? Honestly, I felt like Adrian sparring with me always had an edge to it, like he was trying to prove something."She is going to fall flat and lose.""Serves her right! Traitor!"Opinions about me hadn't changed, and I didn't expec
Isla’s POVI clutched the file where I had documented every single thing that led to the finding of Chloe's involvement. Adrian had to stop trusting her. So, I hurried to his office, hoping to help him figure out the truth and also to stop Chloe. She was dangerous.But as I approached his door, I stopped, noticing the strange smell muffled in the air. My wolf stirred uneasily inside me. "Something is off!"I peeked through the crack in the door and froze.Chloe was draped over Adrian seductively as he sat on his chair. Her hands caressed his shoulders as she whispered something in his ear and then bit it slowly. The sight sent a jolt of rage through me. She was wearing a tight, body-hugging dress, flaunting herself around him, just like before. She then sat on his lap seductively and Adrian didn't stop her. I clenched my fists, fuming. When she was about to get bolder and kiss Adrian, something inside me snapped. My fists clenched as jealousy surged within me, hotter and sharper than
Isla's POVI stormed out of Adrian's office, my heart pounding in my chest. I screamed at the top of my lungs as soon as I was alone, my hands shaking from the argument. Why couldn't I control these gnawing feelings? Why couldn't I stop him from treating me like a toy?By the time I got home, all I wanted was some calm. But that was something too far from my life. Everything has been so overwhelming recently. How could Adrian lower his guard and fall prey to Chloe's manipulations again and again? He didn't ever care to listen to me. I wasn't sure if it was jealousy or helplessness, but I couldn't stop the anger surging inside me. Chloe was really sinister. But the worst part was, despite my irritation, I still couldn’t shake the feel of his touch, the way his hands had ignited every nerve in my body.I slammed the door behind me, frustration coiling in my heart. But then something caught my eye. An envelope was wedged under the door frame. Who could have put it here?I froze.The edge
Isla's POVI carried Ryan to the hospital, my arms trembling from the weight of him and the fear that clawed at my insides. His blood soaked my clothes, each step feeling heavier. I couldn’t lose him—not like this, not after Elara.Once we arrived, the nurses rushed him into emergency care, but I stayed close, not daring to leave his side. I couldn’t afford to. Even though Ryan, like everyone else, had seen me as a curse for a long time, he was still my brother. And at this moment, I could only think of the sweet memories we shared as kids.I paced the waiting room, my thoughts consumed by questions. Why did the people around me keep getting hurt? Why was it always my family? First Elara, now Ryan. Who was behind all of this?By the time my parents arrived, they had already bandaged and sutured Ryan's wound. Their eyes immediately found Ryan, lying pale and motionless on the bed. My mother’s gaze lingered on him before it slowly shifted to me, cold and accusing.“This is your fault, I
Isla’s POVThe past two days had been a blur of exhaustion and determination. I poured every ounce of my energy, consumed by the task of creating an antidote for the Alpha. Every herb I crushed, every mixture I made pushed me closer to hope. The list of ingredients in the old medicine book was daunting. But I still managed to get them and prepare them, except for this one rare plant that grew on the treacherous cliffs of the Black Mountain Pack.My wolf stirred uneasily as I prepared to leave. "Take Lucas with you. It's dangerous to go alone," she urged.“I will be fine. Let's not depend on Lucas for everything.” I reassured her, brushing off the concern.After all, I had scaled those cliffs countless times before without incident. Then I wasn't even aware of my powers, nor did I had my wolf. I was stronger now. So I was confident this would be no different. I should not bother Lucas with such a trivial task.The trek to the cliffs was uneventful, though the sky grew darker with each
Adrian’s POVAs soon as Isla, Ryan, and Lucas left, the oppressive silence in the house only deepened. My father’s condition had deteriorated too quickly for it to be natural. I always felt that but I couldn't confirm it until now. But the truth was staring me in the face was bitter. He was poisoned.Isla's words echoed in my head. I needed to find out the culprit. I needed to investigate this properly. I shoved the frustrating thoughts clouding my mind, focusing on the task at hand.I called all the servants together in the dining hall, my voice firm and unwavering as I addressed them. “Something has been going on in this house, and I want answers. Has anyone noticed anything unusual recently? Any unfamiliar scents, strange behavior, or unexpected visitors? Anything that could have led to this?”The servants exchanged uneasy, nervous glances. I questioned them together and separately. At first, their responses were vague, nothing unusual, just the usual daily routines. Most had nothi
Isla's POVRyan and I walked side by side to the Alpha’s house, Lucas trailing slightly behind us. There was a heavy silence, each one of us engrossed in our own thoughts. My nerves were on edge, but I kept my composure. The Alpha’s condition was critical, and I couldn’t let anything distract me.As we reached the heavy oak door of the Alpha's house, Ryan knocked firmly."Are you sure?" Lucas asked, his presence steady and reassuring."I am. " I need to check myself and see if I can help." I smiled, taking a deep breath. The door swung open, and there he was - Adrian. He seemed to have lost some weight, his face a mix of fatigue and wariness. For a brief moment, when his gaze fell on me, his face softened, and his eyes lit up with hope and relief, as if seeing me erased the weight of the world. And I couldn't help but look at him, frozen in my spot, something stirring inside my heart.He was about to say something when he closed his mouth as his eyes shifted to Lucas, standing protec
Adrian's POVThe tension in the room was palpable as I faced Beta Robert and his mate Linda. Their faces were etched with concern, while Elara sat silently, a satisfied glint in her eyes.“Adrian,” Robert began, his voice measured but firm, “there is something else we need to discuss now, and it can't wait.""What?" I asked, raising my brows. A storm was brewing inside my chest. What else was waiting for me to face it? I glanced at Elara, and her wide smile told me it wouldn't be anything good for me."Elara has come forward with news… she is pregnant. And she claims the child is yours.”The words hung in the air, the weight of the revelation crashing down on me. I struggled to form a coherent response. My father’s health was failing, and now this? It felt like every corner of my world was collapsing.“Pregnant?” I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. The memory of the night I slept with Elara after Isla's rejection flashed through my head. What did I do? I felt like running a
Isla’s POVMy mother’s gasp was the first sound that broke the silence. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stumbled back, gripping the edge of the dining table for support. My father's face turned pale, his mouth opening and closing as if he couldn’t find the words.“Who... Who is the father?” My mother finally managed to break the eerie silence, her voice barely above a whisper. Elara’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “It’s true,” she said, her tone trembling but resolute. “The child is Adrian’s. I swear it.”The revelation of Elara’s supposed pregnancy hit harder than I had expected. My parents stood frozen in disbelief, their Beta composure slipping for the first time in years.For me... I felt like my world collapsed at the very moment. Last night he came, promising me the moon and stars, while he was sleeping with Elara. But then, a part of me couldn't believe Elara. After all, she was a master of deception and manipulation. Doubt and confusion gnawed at me, as I s
Elara's POVI had been trying to reach Adrian for some time now, but when I saw him earlier pleading with Lucas to ask Isla to see him, I knew I had to meet him and remind him about our engagement. I tried to call him several times, but he wouldn't answer my calls or texts.I wished he would come to me, apologize, and reassure me of where I stood in his life after Isla's repeated rejections at least. Instead, I found myself standing outside his home, eavesdropping on a conversation that shattered any remaining illusion I held.Every word between him and his father was a dagger to my heart.They were discussing Isla's power and how she needed his protection and support. I clenched my fist, wanting to thrash out something. I was about to barge in when what I heard next, made me freeze in my place, a tight knot twisting my heart.“If she is really the one, you won’t let her go so easily. Otherwise, you will regret it for life.” The alpha said, loud and clear.And Adrian’s response...“I
Isla’s POVLucas knocked gently on the door of my hospital room, leaning casually against the frame. “Adrian wants to see you,” he said, his voice calm. But I knew he was against it. My stomach tightened at the mention of Adrian's name. I shook my head. “No, Lucas. Tell him I don’t want to see him.”Lucas frowned slightly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “You are sure about this? Maybe you should talk to him.”“No. I can't.” I said firmly, though my voice revealed the turmoil within my heart. I glanced away to avoid Lucas's prying eyes. “I want to leave already. When I leave, maybe all this chaos will leave with me. The Black Mountain Pack doesn’t need me here. It never did. My presence only endangers them and complicates things for everyone around me.”Lucas’s expression softened, as he sat beside me. He reached out for my hand and squeezed it gently. His presence had been reassuring and steady in this chaotic phase. “I am with you. You are making the right decision
Isla's POVBeing alone with Adrian was confusing, heartbreaking, and unsettling. I wanted to escape from this tension, to run away somewhere far where I wouldn't have to deal with these feelings I had developed for Adrian.So when I heard Lucas's voice, a wave of relief washed over me. "Let’s go," I said without wasting a second, my voice firmer now.Adrian's hand stopped from tending to my wounds, as he looked at us with gnawing jealousy when Lucas helped me up. Unexpectedly, Lucas lifted me into his arms, his touch gentle yet firm, ready to take me away. I clung to him momentarily, trying to steady my wavering resolve or perhaps hide the chaos in my mind. But as we moved, Adrian stepped into our way with such ferocity that it made my breath hitch. "You don’t have to do this, Isla," he said, his voice low but insistent.I swallowed the lump in my throat, my heart twisting at the raw emotion in his eyes. I met his gaze with as much determination as I could muster. "I want to go wit
Isla's POVMy heart pounded in my chest, as I looked at Adrian in shock. How could he be the stranger I had saved all those years ago? My mind couldn’t wrap itself around the idea. He was the injured and vulnerable boy who had stumbled into my little world by the waterfall, while I nursed him back to health?I stared at him, my eyes widening in disbelief. "You... you are the stranger?" My voice trembled, so faint I barely recognized it as my own.He nodded, his eyes searching mine, full of something I couldn’t quite name. Regret? Anger? Deceit? Pain? He seemed as shocked as me. "It was you, Isla. All this time... I thought it was..." He sighed heavily, shaking his head."Who?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.Did he think it was Elara? Of course, he did! Why would he believe something like that?I had long forgotten about it, but now, somehow, as I processed his revelation, a strange sense of guilt gnawed at me. Why had he never told me or asked me about this? Why would he conclu