Isla's POVI stood at the edge of the room, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. I wanted to look away, pretend like it didn't matter to me. Like I was not irritated by their closeness. But watching Elara with Adrian, them so close as nothing had changed, made my blood boil. A wave of discomfort rolled through me as my wolf stirred, her voice calm but firm. "Adrian is not worth the heartache, Isla. Even if he is your mate, we still have the power to refuse him. We are stronger than this."Yet I could not ignore how her hand rested on his arm as she rested her head on his chest. It felt like a punch to my stomach. How could they look so effortlessly comfortable as she leaned into him? With me... it has always been a push and pull of tension bubbling between us."Isla, don't falter. We are stronger than this..." My wolf tried to uplift my spirits.I swallowed hard, focusing on my wolf’s words. She was right. She had to be. Still, the sight of them together cut deeper than I would lik
Adrian's POVThe air grew heavier as I heard Elara’s request for an engagement. She stood there, with hopeful eyes. But I couldn’t allow her emotions to cloud the reality of the situation. She wanted us to resume from where she left off, but too much had changed. My heart was torn between loyalty to her, my new feelings for Isla, and the growing doubts surrounding her return.When I didn't reply or act with equal excitement immediately as she had hoped, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Earlier I would have done anything when she looked at me with those vulnerable eyes, but this time somehow I knew she was trying to tug at the bond we shared. And I felt pressured. But I couldn’t ignore the other, heavier weight in my heart. My feelings for Isla. So, there was no way I could give an immediate response to the commitment she was looking for from me now.I kept my tone measured as I replied, “I will organize a grand celebration for your return, Elara. It’s what you deserve. But as fo
Isla’s POV"Aaaaaa" I shrieked in unbearable pain, tears rolling down my eyes.The pain was deeper than I had imagined; the cracking of my bones, the feeling of my skin tearing apart...The moonlight filtered through the trees, sprinkling my naked body as I collapsed under the ancient oak tree, my body still shivering and trembling, my skin slick with sweat. The night air had been particularly colder, making it even more painful. I had successfully endured the breaking of every bone in my body as I shifted into my wolf and back to my human form. The pain still coursed through me, like fire burning under my skin. But despite the agony, I felt happy.I could finally feel it. My wolf. After waiting for six long years... Tonight, on the eve of my eighteenth birthday, I finally transformed. My wolf was just like me - wild and untamed. It finally surged forward and took control, breaking free of the chains that had held her back for so long.Only I knew how hard it had been. Well, harder...
Isla’s POVToday was my eighteenth birthday. Yet nothing was ceremonious or happy.The air was thick with accusations, almost making it difficult to breathe without feeling suffocated. Even the silence was weighing down on me like a double-edged sword. Neither could I bear it, nor did I want them to open their mouths and put all the blame on me somehow. My place, my role, was clear. It had always been like this. So, why would anything be different today, especially when their precious Elara was dead?My father stood at the head of the table, with a grim expression, his lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. Ryan looked outside the window towards the main gate as if he expected Elara to walk through the gate any moment, his demeanor distant and unforgiving. My mother sat on the edge of her seat, still sobbing, her puffy red eyes full of accusation and more.But it was Adrian's presence that made me the most nervous, even when he stood still in a corner. His bloodshot, unblinking
Adrian’s PoVI watch sadly as they put Elara's charred cloth pieces wrapped in a fine fabric into the casket. We couldn't find her body. Yet everyone was in a rush to say goodbye already.But that was our pack's tradition. The sooner we say our goodbyes, the sooner our loved ones find peace and reincarnate as a werewolf. They believed this kept the bond between the wolf and the human soul intact beyond their death.But for me, I was not ready to let her go! How could I?Elara was my perfect, amazing girlfriend. I wiped a stray tear, steadying myself as I looked at the somber faces gathered around the casket in a tight circle. Her parents and her brother were in shock, trying to accept the harsh reality. But someone was missing. Isla.My doubts about her solidified. Even now, with everything that happened - the preparations, the explosion, the fire, and now her sister's funeral, she was missing. Why? What could be the reason? I can't get rid of this eerie feeling that she was somehow i
Isla’s POVAfter my family and Adrian had left to attend to the guests, the silence felt welcoming, my breathing coming in ragged gasps. I was overwhelmed to hear the accusations scarring my heart deeper. I stumbled backward to the window, leaning on it, trying to catch my breath.With the morning light, more and more pack members were swarming outside, gathering to say their goodbyes to Elara. She had been their favorite, their future Luna. Like always, everyone’s attention was focused on the beloved Elara, while I was left behind in the shadows, forgotten. I felt like a ghost in my own home, an unwanted presence. And it felt bitter. I was still alive.The heavy silence inside the house contrasted sharply with the noise beyond. The guests’ footsteps echoed in the hallway, their voices rising in a chorus of exaggerated grief and adoration. I felt like a ghost in my own home, an invisible presence amid the flurry of activity.I stared at the gate across the window, remembering the day
Adrian’s POVI stood at the back of the crowd, my body stiff and my heart heavy. I couldn't bring myself to stand close to her casket. This day was the gloomiest day of my entire life. The sounds of sobs and whispers filled the air. My hands trembled on my sides, clenched so tight that my nails bit into my palms. But the pain there was nothing compared to the hollowness in my chest."They couldn't even find her body!" Someone cried, making my chest tighter.“She was going to be such a good Luna,” someone sobbed nearby, their voice breaking with grief.Those words twisted my inside like a sharp knife. I glanced over, catching a group of Elara’s friends, their eyes puffy and red from crying.A good Luna. She was going to be my Luna. My fated mate. And now she is gone.How was I supposed to accept this? How was I supposed to let go of her?My mind drifted back to the first time I met her, a memory that felt so distant yet painfully clear. I was twelve, training day in and day out, pushin
Isla's POVDing!I stared at my phone as the screen lit up with Stefan’s message.“Are you alright? Have your parents been too harsh on you?”"Was... Adrian too intimidating?"I laughed, wiping out a stray tear. It was funny how well he knew my situation, even though he wasn't there. He knew me too well. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. One friend and I can't even keep my dignity intact in front of me.Just then, the door creaked open. My mother walked in. Her eyes widened in surprise and disdain when she saw me. As if she had seen a ghost, she scoffed, her voice cold as ice. “Isla, what are you still doing here? Haven't you done enough damage already? The pack is grieving, and here you are, sulking here like some victim."She picked up something she had left and was about to leave when she froze in the doorway. Her gaze turned sharp as she glanced at me with suspicion and disgust as she tried to control the tears in her puffy eyes. "Just let my daughter go in peace. Today is not about
Adrian's POVThe air grew heavier as I heard Elara’s request for an engagement. She stood there, with hopeful eyes. But I couldn’t allow her emotions to cloud the reality of the situation. She wanted us to resume from where she left off, but too much had changed. My heart was torn between loyalty to her, my new feelings for Isla, and the growing doubts surrounding her return.When I didn't reply or act with equal excitement immediately as she had hoped, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Earlier I would have done anything when she looked at me with those vulnerable eyes, but this time somehow I knew she was trying to tug at the bond we shared. And I felt pressured. But I couldn’t ignore the other, heavier weight in my heart. My feelings for Isla. So, there was no way I could give an immediate response to the commitment she was looking for from me now.I kept my tone measured as I replied, “I will organize a grand celebration for your return, Elara. It’s what you deserve. But as fo
Isla's POVI stood at the edge of the room, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. I wanted to look away, pretend like it didn't matter to me. Like I was not irritated by their closeness. But watching Elara with Adrian, them so close as nothing had changed, made my blood boil. A wave of discomfort rolled through me as my wolf stirred, her voice calm but firm. "Adrian is not worth the heartache, Isla. Even if he is your mate, we still have the power to refuse him. We are stronger than this."Yet I could not ignore how her hand rested on his arm as she rested her head on his chest. It felt like a punch to my stomach. How could they look so effortlessly comfortable as she leaned into him? With me... it has always been a push and pull of tension bubbling between us."Isla, don't falter. We are stronger than this..." My wolf tried to uplift my spirits.I swallowed hard, focusing on my wolf’s words. She was right. She had to be. Still, the sight of them together cut deeper than I would lik
Isla's POVI folded my arms across my chest, staring up at Adrian. For some reason, my heartbeat increased when the golden rays of the setting sun fell on his chiseled features, making him even more handsome, as if it were possible somehow. It wasn't the right time or right moment, given everything that had happened recently, to feel these things. Yet somehow, I was even partly happy and partly relieved to see him after a tiring night and a long day.The silence between Adrian and me was heavy, laced with unsaid words and emotions too tangled to unravel. I didn’t know what I expected when I asked him, “What do you want to talk about?”Adrian’s jaw tensed, his dark eyes searching mine as though looking for answers I hadn’t given. I turned away to avoid his eyes that were puzzling me. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around me from behind.The warmth of his body pressed against mine sent a jolt through me, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Isla's POVI folded my arms across my chest, staring up at Adrian. For some reason, my heartbeat increased when the golden rays of the setting sun fell on his chiseled features, making him even more handsome, as if it were possible somehow. It wasn't the right time or right moment, given everything that had happened recently, to feel these things. Yet somehow, I was even partly happy and partly relieved to see him after a tiring night and a long day.The silence between Adrian and me was heavy, laced with unsaid words and emotions too tangled to unravel. I didn’t know what I expected when I asked him, “What do you want to talk about?”Adrian’s jaw tensed, his dark eyes searching mine as though looking for answers I hadn’t given. I turned away to avoid his eyes that were puzzling me. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around me from behind.The warmth of his body pressed against mine sent a jolt through me, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Isla's POVI sat across from Ryan, the pale light of the hospital room washing over his tired yet anxious face. His gaze was steady, yet laced with hesitation when I didn't respond to him. How could I? What was I supposed to say? “That night... the night Elara died... Did you shift?” He repeated the question after connecting the dots, his voice quieter than I had ever heard it. The silence stretched between us, sharp and suffocating. My throat felt tight, but I forced the words out. “Yes.” My voice barely rose above a whisper. “I shifted.”For a moment, he was frozen, even shocked. Then he finally broke the eerie silence with his long and heavy breath. But his expression was still etched with regret. “I am sorry, Isla. I let myself believe... I believed those stories.” And then it hit me like a wave. My answer wasn’t what had shocked him; it was the weight of years of mistrust finally surfacing. What he was actually feeling was guilt. A part of him felt sad, but another part felt b
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 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 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 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