CHAPTER 46

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 control Isla’s freedom?" he shot back, his voice laced with disdain. "Are you speaking as her future brother-in-law, or something more?”

 Adrian’s eyes flared with anger. For a terrifying moment, I thought Adrian would punch Stefan again. I felt like my chest would explode with all the unbearable tension. my mind racing with anticipation. But I couldn’t let them keep going like this.

“Stop! Both of you, just stop!” I shouted, stepping between them. My voice trembled, but I forced myself to stay strong and composed.

I turned to Stefan, my heart aching as I spoke. “You should leave, Stefan.”

Stefan’s eyes softened, his expression filled with sadness and understanding despite his trying to put up a brave face for me. It hurt me to see that even now he was only thinking about me. I felt selfish. His jaw tightened, and he reached out to touch my hand one last time. “Isla, you don’t have to do this. You don’t have to stay in a pack where you are unwanted and treated so badly.”

I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. “I... I have to,” I whispered, voice breaking

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the last of my savings from my summer job. Despite his unwillingness, I pressed the money into his hand. “You are free now,” I whispered, my voice barely holding steady. “Go find the life you want. You deserve it. Don’t stay here where they will never understand you, Stefan... Please.”

 He hugged me one last time, his arms tight around me as if he didn’t want to let go. “Take care of yourself, Isla,” he murmured before pulling away.

I immediately missed his warmth, the security of his arms. For a fleeting second, I really wanted to tell him not to leave me. To ask him to bear with everything injustice just to be with me. But I knew it was too much... too selfish. He had been my only friend, the one person who understood me when no one else did. And I had to let him go for his safety and a better life.

“I will miss you,” I whispered, holding back the sob threatening to escape. How could I falter and shake his resolve? I had to stay strong for him.

“I will come back for you one day,” he promised me again, his voice full of determination. And that made my heart ache even more.

I watched him drive off, his figure disappearing into the distance and in my life. A hollow emptiness settled in my chest. My tears fell silently as I stood there, not sure if I would ever see him again.

But before I could even process the grief, Adrian’s hand gripped my arm roughly. “Get in the car,” he commanded, dragging me toward his vehicle.

“Adrian, stop!” I protested, trying to pull away.

But he didn't listen. His grip was firm, unyielding as he drove us deep into the forest, the silence between us suffocating. The intensity in his eyes was too terrifying. He was dragging me into his world, a world where everything revolved around him, and I wasn’t sure I had the strength to resist.

When we arrived at the secluded cabin by the waterfall, he pulled me towards him with roughness, his grip still tight, as though he couldn’t let me go.

Before I could say a word, Adrian’s lips crashed onto mine. The kiss wasn’t tender like that night. Instead, it was desperate, angry, filled with everything he wasn’t saying. His hands were on me, possessive and frantic, like he was trying to claim me, to make sure no part of me ever belonged to anyone else. My heart pounded in fear and confusion as I pushed at his chest in protest. But my hits and slaps died down on his firm chest. He was too strong. The more I struggled, the more determined he became.

His lips moved against mine, fierce and overwhelming, his breath hot as he whispered against my mouth, “You are mine, Isla. Only mine.”

I gasped, trying to pull away, my hands trembling as I pushed against his chest. “Adrian, stop! Please!” But it was like he couldn’t hear me, lost in his own battle between desire and fury.

I felt despair rising in me, helplessness flooding every inch of my body as my wolf whimpered inside me.

"We are nothing but his play thing," I told my wolf bitterly, the realization sinking deep into my bones. Tears blurred my vision as I struggled to catch my breath, my heart heavy with hopelessness.

As if he was not done after ravaging my mouth, he was about to tear down my clothes, consumed by madness to claim me.

But then, something shifted in him. Adrian suddenly stopped, his hands freezing mid-motion. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, as he looked at me with lust and desire. It was hard for him to control, to let go of me. But then his eyes softened as if he realized what he was doing. For a moment, I thought I saw regret flashing through his eyes. His hands trembled as if he didn't want to let go of me. But then he took a deep breath and pulled back.

“Damn it,” he cursed under his breath, running his hands through his hair. He slammed his fist into the cabin wall. “Forget it. I won’t force you.”

His voice was filled with frustration, regret, and yearning. He stood there for a moment, looking at me intensely as if I was something too precious. Or as if I was something too devastating. I couldn't tell. But he stood there, fighting his own demons. Then he threw his jacket at me and without another word, he stormed out of the cabin, leaving me alone with my broken heart and wild thoughts.

I gasped, relief washing covering me. But then when the weight of everything pressed on me, I collapsed onto the floor. Tears that I had been holding back finally spilled over.

Stefan was gone.

And Adrian was a storm I couldn’t escape.

I was stuck in the middle, lost and powerless.