Chapter 4
503 Words
He smirked, eyes on her. "Doesn't matter if he doesn't like me, as long as the one I care about does." He winked at her.
Isla's throat bobbed as she downed her drink. I stood, heading for the bathroom, unable to watch their game. She followed, but Nathaniel was swarmed by admirers. "That suit's killer, Mr. Wade!" one said. "And those earrings—same jade as Mr. Rivers' ring, huh?"
I froze, glancing at the jade ring on my finger. I yanked it off, gripping it so hard it bit into my palm.
In the bathroom, I heard Isla's phone ring outside. She answered fast. "Meet me at the small garden."
Her footsteps faded. I knew that garden—tucked away, private. I slipped out, heading to a storage room with a view of the spot. Through a c***k in the window, I saw Isla rush in, straight into Nathaniel's arms. She melted into him, arms tight around his waist.
"You're gonna kill me," she teased. "The healer said I'm worn out from all this."
My jaw clenched. She'd been with me nonstop—except that night after the old den, when she vanished till morning, covered in marks.
Nathaniel tilted her chin up, and she kissed him hard, their sounds loud in the quiet garden. He bit her lip, drawing blood. She pulled back, glaring. "I told you, no marks where Evan can see!"
"He won't suspect a thing," Nathaniel said, rubbing her back. "You always cover it up."
I stood frozen, my heart like ice. I'd known, but seeing it burned worse than I'd imagined. I barely held it together as I left the storage room. Isla was already looking for me, sweating. "Where were you? I was freaking out!"
I stared at her bleeding lip. "Went to the garden after the bathroom. What happened to your mouth?"
Her face paled. "Which garden?"
"The main one," I lied, smirking. "Why so jumpy?"
She relaxed. "Just worried I lost you. My lip? Just a stress sore. No big deal."
I scoffed under my breath and walked out. "I'm beat. Heading home."
She grabbed my wrist. "Wait, I'll tell my folks we're leaving. Let's crash at the old den tonight."
I didn't argue. At the den, I crashed, exhausted. Isla's typing and soft laughs kept me half-awake. Eventually, she shook me gently. "Mom needs me. I'll be back. Call if you need me."
I mumbled, pretending to sleep. Once she left, I followed, stopping outside the study. Grace's angry voice leaked through the door. "I told you to keep it clean, Isla! Evan's a good wolf, and you're tangled up with Nathaniel. What if someone tells him? You're chasing thrills, and it'll ruin you!"
My blood ran cold. Grace knew. Others in the pack knew. I was the only fool in the dark, thinking Isla's love was mine alone. Their blessings were just veiled mockery. I stumbled back to bed, curling up, trying to find warmth in a world that felt like ice.
- Writer
