Chapter 3
585 Words
The next morning, Isla was back, bustling in the kitchen like nothing happened. "I learned a new dish!" she called, all smiles. "It's good for your stomach. Try it!"
I sat at the table, staring at her. "Where'd you go last night?"
Her smile froze, and she looked away before recovering. "Work emergency. I didn't want to wake you. Bad dream?"
Her concern looked real, but I wasn't buying it. Not with the faint kiss mark on her jaw. She was dressed conservatively today, hiding her figure—and the marks on her arms I glimpsed when her sleeve shifted. I knew exactly how those got there.
She slid a bowl in front of me. The sweet smell hit, and my stomach turned. I bolted to the bathroom, heaving. Isla followed, worry etched on her face. When she reached to wipe my mouth, I snapped, "Don't touch me!"
She froze, hand mid-air, hurt flashing in her eyes. "Evan, did I do something wrong?"
I caught my breath, forcing calm. "Nah, just got caught up in a book. Mixed you up with a character."
Relief washed over her. "Since when do you read novels? What's it about?"
I met her gaze. "A couple everyone envies. The she-wolf betrays her mate, wanting both him and someone else. In the end, she loses everything." I paused. "Isla, would you ever…?"
Her fingers twitched, but she hugged me tight, burying her face in my chest. "It's just a story, Evan. No one's coming between us. I'd never love anyone else."
Her words were firm, but I didn't know if she was convincing me or herself. She stuck close after that, taking me to healers, hovering like she sensed my distance. By the charity gala, she was glued to my side, picking out a suit for me. My eyes landed on an inky-black one.
"Like it?" she asked softly.
Before I could answer, the clerk piped up. "Sorry, Mr. Rivers, that one's reserved. I can show you others."
Isla's face hardened. "Ask the buyer if they'll let it go. I'll cover a new suit for them."
The clerk hesitated, then whispered, "It's Mr. Wade's."
I caught Isla's expression shift—guilt, maybe panic. "Just a suit," I said, shrugging. "I don't take what's not mine, whether it's a thing or a wolf."
Her brow furrowed, like my words hit deeper than I meant. I picked a navy suit instead, and as I changed, my phone flashed a reminder: Seven days left.
Isla noticed the countdown on my phone, her eyes narrowing. "What's that about?"
I covered fast. "The ceremony's in seven days. Forgot already?"
Her guilt flickered, but she let it go. At the gala, the crowd swarmed us, praising our bond. "No one in Joravia Town's as devoted as Isla," one said. "You're a lucky wolf, Evan."
I forced a smile, their words stinging like salt in a wound. Isla soaked it up, her icy demeanor softening. But I was done with the noise. She led me to a quieter corner—until Nathaniel strolled up in that black suit.
"Isla, Mr. Rivers, been a while," he said, all smug.
I ignored him, scrolling my phone. He stepped closer. "Still mad about last time? I'm sorry. I was desperate, asking Isla to fake a binding with me. But she said no, and I've got a mate now. Water under the bridge?"
His tone dripped with mockery. Isla's face tightened. "Know your place, Nathaniel. Evan doesn't like you. Back off."
- Writer
