Chapter 6

Later that night, as I lay in bed, sleep eluded me.

The moonlight streamed through the curtains, casting shadows on the walls, and all I could think about was Aiden.

I couldn’t understand why he still had this hold on me.

He had Zara, a beautiful, powerful wolf who was destined to be the Luna. And I had James, who loved me with every fiber of his being. Yet the bond, even broken, still pulsed beneath my skin, like a heartbeat that wouldn’t fade.

I slipped out of bed and moved to the window.

The cool night air brushed against my skin as I stared out into the darkness, my thoughts churning.

That’s when I felt it...

A presence.

My heart pounded in my chest as I turned, half expecting to see nothing. But there he was, standing in the shadows near the edge of the woods. Aiden.

His eyes glowed in the darkness, fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

Why was he here?

Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?

I didn’t move, didn’t dare breathe as we locked eyes, the air thick with unspoken tension.

For a moment, it felt like time had stopped, like the world had shrunk to just the two of us, bound together by something neither of us could control.

Then, just as quickly as he had appeared, Aiden turned and disappeared into the woods, leaving me standing there, trembling.

The morning after Aiden’s silent appearance, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled deep inside me.

I went through my day like a ghost, my thoughts consumed by the memory of his eyes piercing through the night, watching me. It was like he was always there, lurking in the background, waiting.

James had noticed my restlessness over breakfast. He didn’t press me with questions, but I could see the concern etched in his face, the way his eyes followed my every move. He knew something was wrong, but he didn’t push.

For that, I was grateful. The last thing I needed was to burden him with my confusion about Aiden.

I spent most of the day in the packhouse kitchen, helping with the preparations for an upcoming feast.

It was a distraction, and I threw myself into it.

Mixing ingredients, chopping vegetables, and preparing meals kept my hands busy, but it didn’t stop my mind from wandering.

It wasn’t until late in the afternoon that Zara appeared.

The future Luna swept into the room like a storm, her presence demanding attention.

She was beautiful, as always, with her sleek black hair pulled back into an elegant bun and her sharp blue eyes scanning the room as if she were already the Luna.

The other omegas straightened immediately, their movements more deliberate, more careful.

Zara’s gaze fell on me, and I braced myself.

“Layla,” she said smoothly, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I need to speak with you. Alone.”

I nodded, wiping my hands on my apron before following her out of the kitchen.

My heart pounded in my chest as we walked down the hall toward the pack’s meeting room.

Zara had never sought me out before, and I had a sinking feeling that this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.

Once we were alone in the room, Zara turned to face me, her arms crossed over her chest.

She didn’t waste any time. “I’ve noticed the way Aiden looks at you,” she said, her voice low and cutting.

My stomach dropped. “I.. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Zara raised an eyebrow, her smile twisting into something darker. “Don’t play dumb, Layla. I may be his chosen Luna, but I’m not blind. Aiden rejected you, didn’t he? But that doesn’t mean the bond just disappears.”

I swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling over me like a heavy cloak.

Of course, she knew.

She had probably known from the start.

“I don’t want any trouble,” I said quietly, my eyes dropping to the floor. “I’m not trying to come between you two.”

Zara let out a short, humorless laugh. “Of course, you’re not. You’re just a little omega who happened to get tangled up with the Alpha. But let me make something clear.” She stepped closer, her blue eyes narrowing. “Aiden is mine. Whatever bond you two had, it’s over. Do you understand?”

I nodded, my throat tight. “I understand.”

“Good.” Zara’s smile returned, but it was just as cold as before. “Keep it that way.”

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving me standing there, trembling.

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

The encounter with Zara left me feeling even more unsettled. She had confirmed what I had feared, that Aiden wasn’t letting go, even after rejecting me.

But what could I do?

I was just an omega, powerless in the face of his dominance, and now I had Zara breathing down my neck.

That night, I found myself walking again, unable to sleep.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the forest as I made my way to my usual spot.

The cool night air did little to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

I needed answers.

I needed to understand why the bond still felt so strong, why Aiden still seemed to have this invisible hold over me.

As I walked deeper into the woods, I felt it again, his presence.

Aiden stepped out from the shadows, his tall, broad form illuminated by the moonlight.

My heart clenched in my chest as our eyes met, the tension between us thick and suffocating.

“What do you want, Aiden?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he closed the distance between us in slow, deliberate steps, his eyes never leaving mine.

When he was close enough, I could feel the heat radiating from his body, the electric pull of the bond that refused to die.

“You know why I’m here,” he said quietly, his voice rough.

I shook my head, backing away slightly. “You rejected me, Aiden. You have Zara. Why are you doing this?”

A muscle in his jaw twitched, and he reached out, grabbing my wrist gently but firmly, pulling me closer.

The moment his skin touched mine, the bond flared to life, sending a wave of heat through my body.

“You think I want this?” he growled, his eyes darkening. “You think I can just ignore the bond?”

“You rejected me,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “You chose Zara.”

Aiden’s grip tightened on my wrist, his frustration palpable. “I did what was best for the pack. Zara is the Luna we need. But that doesn’t change what we are, Layla.”

I tried to pull away, but he held me firmly in place. “You made your choice,” I said, my voice stronger now. “I’ve moved on. I’m with James.”

A flicker of something, anger, jealousy, crossed his face, and for a moment, I thought he might lose control. But then he took a deep breath, releasing my wrist and stepping back, his gaze hardening.

“I won’t let you be with him,” Aiden said, his voice low and dangerous. “You belong to me, Layla. No one else.”