All Chapters of Secret Infatuation : Chapter 21 - Chapter 29

Last night, I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was the rain, the warmth of Liam’s presence, or the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world. But for the first time, I let go of my reservations and showed him a side of me I usually kept hidden. Now, staring at the note he left behind—See you next week. Be ready for the charity ball. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Liam was up to something. Was he planning to show up and rescue me from Nathan? The thought sent a rush of anticipation through me, but at the same time, it left me uneasy. Nathan had been relentless since last week, constantly finding ways to be around me—whether at the gym or the restaurant where I worked. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but I wasn’t naive. He was trying to wear me down, to make me see him as an option. I wasn’t going to lie—Nathan was a generous tipper. But money wasn

“When I met your mother, I was already bound to my pack’s laws,” he began. “Our kind, Liam, we don’t just marry who we want. We don’t love freely without consequences. Wolves are bound by rules and traditions that go back centuries. And one of the biggest laws of all?” He met my gaze, his golden-hazel eyes burning with something unreadable. “We don’t mate with humans; however, your mother was my fated mate.” I tensed, my grip on the glass tightening. “So, what? You knew that and still pursued her?” He nodded. “I did. Because I was selfish. Because I thought I could have it all. Your mother was unlike anyone I’d ever met. Strong, beautiful, intelligent. She challenged me in ways no wolf ever could. I loved her, Liam.” “Then why did you treat her like she was less than you? Like she was property?” Pain

I decided to stay in the pack’s territory for a few more days, immersing myself in a world I had never been a part of yet was undeniably connected to. Walking through the village nestled within the dense forest, where homes blended seamlessly into nature, built from stone and wood, reinforced with the strength of a pack united. Despite my initial reservations, I saw how deeply the people respected Marcus. Wolves of all ages greeted him with deference, their gazes full of admiration. Elders approached to share stories of battles fought alongside my father, of victories that ensured their survival. Children peeked out from behind their mothers’ skirts, their eyes filled with innocent curiosity as they sensed something different about him. I found myself studying them, trying to understand this life that had been meant for me to inherit. They lived by rules, rituals of unity, training regimens, and the unspoken

I could feel Emma’s heated stare burning into me, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary while we drove in silence. Just say it already, Emma. “You’re not gonna talk?” she finally snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. “Fine, I’ll do it for you.” I swallowed hard, already bracing myself. “Is he the reason you dropped everything and moved three states away?” she demanded. “Where you didn’t know anyone? Where you didn’t even have a pot to piss in? Was it because of him?” Her voice trembled on the last word, anger barely concealing the pain beneath it. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Because everything she said was true. My silence was her answer. The car was too quiet, save for the occasional sound of the road beneath us. And then, like a dam breaking, tears bega

The next morning, I went back to the gym as usual, half-hoping—no, expecting—to find Alex there. I needed to talk to him. To explain. To fix the damage before it was too late. But when I walked in, Brandon was standing by the weights instead. Not Alex. Brandon gave me a polite nod. “Morning, Mr. Kane. Ready to get started?” I frowned, scanning the gym, my wolf restless beneath my skin. “Where’s Alex?” Brandon hesitated, adjusting the strap on his gloves before answering. “He… requested a leave of absence. Said there was a family emergency.” I stilled. A family emergency? Bullshit. It was too convenient. I clenched my jaw, inhaling deeply to steady myself. I knew Brandon wasn’t lying. He had no reason to; but Alex was. He was running. Again. And I had no intention of letting him slip away this time. I went through the motions of my workout, but my mind wasn’t in it. My body burned from the exertion, but it was nothing compared to the frustration clawing at my chest. As