Chapter 5

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I stumbled back, the weight of his claim crashing down on me.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “I’m not yours anymore. I’m with James.”

Aiden’s eyes darkened, his face twisting with a mix of anger and something else, something possessive.

“James?” he sneered. “You think he can protect you? You think he can give you what I can’t?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Aiden grabbed my arm, pulling me against him.

The bond flared again, stronger this time, and I felt the overwhelming pull of our connection, something primal and undeniable.

“You will always be mine, Layla,” he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. “No matter what you do. No matter who you run to.”

I struggled to pull away, but his grip was firm, his strength overpowering. And despite the fear coursing through me, I couldn’t deny the way my body reacted to him, the way the bond still tied us together.

“Aiden, let me go,” I pleaded, my voice trembling.

I wrenched myself away from Aiden’s grip, the rush of adrenaline fueling my fight or flight response.

My heart raced, thrumming in my ears as I backed away, desperately seeking space between us.

“No! You can’t just claim me because you want to keep me for yourself!” I shouted, anger and fear mingling in my voice. “You rejected me! You don’t get to change the rules now!”

His expression shifted, an almost imperceptible flicker of pain crossing his features before his mask of control slipped back into place.

“You don’t understand what’s at stake, Layla,” he said, his tone low and urgent. “This isn’t just about you and me. This is about the pack.”

“This isn't just about you and I?” I echoed, incredulous. “You’ve made your choice, Aiden, and I’m not going to be your consolation prize!”

He stepped closer again, invading my personal space, his presence suffocating. “And you think being with James will solve anything?” His voice was laced with anger. “You think that’s safe?”

“It’s safer than being here with you!” I shot back, refusing to back down.

The tension between us crackled like electricity in the air.

For a heartbeat, I thought he might back down, but then Aiden surged forward, his hands gripping my shoulders.

“You think you can escape this?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re mine, Layla. And I won’t let you go.”

In that moment, a wave of emotion washed over me, rage, confusion, and a flicker of that old bond that kept pulling me toward him, even as my mind screamed to resist.

I had to be strong. I couldn’t let him manipulate me.

“Let me go!” I yelled, shoving him away with all my strength.

He stumbled back, surprise flickering across his face.

It was enough of a distraction for me to bolt toward the door, heart pounding in my chest.

I yanked it open, but Aiden’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Don’t do this, Layla! You’re making a mistake!”

I turned, fire in my eyes. “The only mistake was thinking you could control me.”

I dashed into the hallway.

I raced down the hall, ignoring the surprised looks of other pack members.

I needed to find James.

The distant sounds of training and laughter echoed in the corridors, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.

When I reached the common area, I spotted James talking with a few of his fellow Betas. He was laughing, and for a moment, the sight of him made everything feel okay. But then I remembered Aiden’s fierce gaze and his words.

“James!” I called, urgency spilling from my lips.

He turned, a smile breaking out on his face that quickly faded when he saw the panic in my eyes. “Layla, what’s wrong?”

Before I could answer, I caught sight of Aiden emerging from the Alpha’s wing, his expression stormy.

Panic surged through me again, and I rushed toward James, grabbing his arm.

“We need to go. Now,” I said, my voice low but insistent.

James frowned, looking from me to Aiden. “What happened?”

“Aiden...” I started, but my words faltered as Aiden approached us, his posture radiating authority and barely contained fury.

My heart raced.

I stepped around him, moving toward the door.

James took my hand, and we moved through the packhouse.

I could still feel Aiden’s presence behind me.

“Are you okay?” James asked softly, concern etched on his face as he glanced back at the packhouse.

I nodded, though I could feel my heart still pounding in my chest. “I will be.”

..................

It had been days since Aiden rejected me in private, and yet the weight of that moment lingered, pulling me down with every breath I took.

The rejection wasn’t just an action, it was a slow, suffocating silence that hung between us like a noose.

I could still feel his presence in the packhouse, every time he walked by, every meeting where his voice rang out, authoritative and commanding.

It was impossible to avoid him, he was the Alpha, after all, but we pretended.

Pretended that nothing had ever connected us.

Pretended that he didn’t rip apart my soul the night he rejected me.

I had James now, and I should be grateful. I was grateful.

He was kind, patient, loving. Everything Aiden was not.

Being with James gave me a sense of normalcy, like the storm inside me could be quieted, at least for a while.

But in the dark hours of the night, when I lay in bed beside James, the void left by Aiden’s rejection gnawed at me.

I knew I wasn’t supposed to feel this way.

I wasn’t supposed to want the Alpha who had made it clear that his Luna to be, Zara, was all he cared about. But the bond wasn’t something I could simply erase.

As I pulled my sweater tighter around me and walked through the forest trails near the packhouse, my mind wandered.

I had been coming to this spot for days now, hoping the cool air and the quiet of the woods would clear my thoughts.

I could feel the earth beneath my feet, solid and grounding, but it did little to settle the storm swirling inside.

"Layla," a voice called from behind.

I turned, already recognizing the familiar scent before I saw him.

James jogged up to me, concern etched into his face. "I've been looking for you. You disappeared from the packhouse, and... I was worried."

"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just needed some fresh air."

James wasn’t fooled. He knew me too well.

He stepped closer, his hands gently gripping my arms as he studied my face. "You’ve been distant lately," he murmured, his brown eyes softening. "What’s going on?"

I swallowed hard, feeling guilt wash over me.

I had been distant, but it wasn’t because of James. It was the bond that haunted me, the rejection I couldn’t get over no matter how hard I tried.

“It’s nothing,” I whispered, avoiding his gaze.

James tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “I know you’ve been through a lot, Layla. You don’t have to keep everything bottled up. Talk to me. I’m here for you.”

His voice was sincere, filled with the kind of love that should have made me feel safe, comforted. And in many ways, it did. But there was still something missing.

“I’m trying,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “It’s just… it’s hard.”

James exhaled softly, his thumb brushing against my cheek. “I know. But you don’t have to go through this alone.”

I nodded, leaning into his touch, grateful for his presence even though I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being unfair to him.

He deserved someone who could love him fully, without the shadow of a broken bond hanging over them.