Chapter 4
1118 Words
Nova’s POV.
I barely heard Troy, my pulse thundered louder than the music as Logan stopped right at the edge of the dance floor, his gaze fixed entirely on me.
His green eyes were darker now stormy, wild, and dangerous.
“Nova,” he said, low and controlled.
He didn’t look at Troy, he didn’t even acknowledge him.
I blinked, feigning confusion. “Logan.”
“You’re dancing,” he said flatly.
I glanced down at the obvious truth. “That’s what people do at a ball.”
“With him?”
“Is there a rule against it?” I asked sweetly, tilting my head.
His jaw flexed. “Come with me. Now.”
Troy let out a quiet whistle. “Possessive huh? I was just dancing with your stepsister, did I do something wrong?”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Logan snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.
I gently pulled my hand from Troy’s and faced Logan with mock innocence.
“Is something wrong, Logan?”
“Yes. You don’t belong here. Not with him.”
My heart fluttered, but I locked it down.
“I will go get us a drink, come to the bar when you are done here.” Tory winked at me and I smiled.
I turned back to Logan, “And where do I belong, exactly? Hiding in my room because my mate can’t stomach the idea of being bonded to me?”
I saw it then, the cracks in his armour. The way his eyes flicked to where Troy had touched my waist.
The way his breathing was just a little too fast, he was jealous and boiling. Exactly what I wanted!
I stepped forward, closing the space between us until I had to tilt my head up to meet his eyes.
“If you don’t want me,” I whispered, “don’t act like you do.”
“I don’t,” he growled.
“Then why are you trembling?”
His hand twitched, like he wanted to grab me, shake me, or kiss me.
“I told you to stay away from me, Nova,” he hissed.
“No,” I said, chin lifting.
“You rejected me and asked me to forget you. But here’s the thing, Logan, wolves don’t forget their mates. We feel, and you can deny it all you want, but your scent gives you away.”
He inhaled sharply, nostrils flaring.
“You’re angry because I’m not curled up crying anymore. You’re angry because someone else looked at me like I wanted. And maybe I liked that. Maybe I wanted to be seen for once.”
“I never…”
“You rejected me,” I cut in, voice shaking now.
“You broke the bond. You made your choice. So don’t come running now that someone else is willing to pick up the pieces you shattered.”
He stood in front of me silent.
People were starting to glance our way.
Whispers rippled through the crowd, but I didn’t care. Let them watch.
Logan’s eyes bore into mine, and for a terrifying second, I thought he might kiss me right here, in front of everyone.
But then he turned on his heel and stormed away, fists clenched at his sides.
I stood frozen, breath caught in my chest, until I felt Troy step beside me.
“Well,” he said with a low laugh, “that was… intense.”
“I’m sorry,” I muttered, blinking fast. “That was messy.”
He shrugged. “I like messy, but I won’t lie, I didn't expect that you would stand up to him,”
“Why won't I? He is just a spoiled little brat,” I said softly.
Troy studied me for a moment. “Do you want me to escort you back?”
“Yes please,” I answered without hesitation.
My bare feet barely made a sound on the marble staircase as Troy walked me back to my room.
The packhouse was quieter now, humming with the lingering energy of the night’s celebration, but most of the guests had already left or retreated to their quarters.
“Thanks for tonight,” I said softly as we stopped outside my door. “I had fun.”
“I noticed,” Troy teased, grinning. “You light up when you’re dancing. Remind me to ask you for another one soon.”
I smiled, and my heart fluttered.
“I’m just across the hall if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me,” he added, nodding toward the room next to Logan’s.
“Actually,” I said, glancing past him.
Logan was coming up the stairs, slow and deliberate.
He paused when he saw us, his jaw tightening, eyes narrowing in a storm of barely concealed rage.
I turned to Troy with a playful smirk. “Do you mind if I input my number into your phone? In case I do need something?”
Troy raised a brow but handed it over with a shrug. “Be my guest.”
I typed my number in with care, then making sure Logan was still watching, I wrapped my arms around Troy’s neck and pulled him into a hug.
A long, slow hug, one of those hugs that said more than words ever could.
Troy chuckled against my ear. “Didn’t know you as the clingy type.”
“I’m not,” I whispered, eyes locked on Logan’s the entire time. “Just grateful.”
Logan didn’t say a word but he didn’t have to.
He turned sharply, marched to his door, and slammed it shut behind him so hard the frame rattled.
I smiled like I had just won a war.
“Goodnight, Troy,” I said sweetly, pulling back.
“Night, Nova.”
I stepped into my room and leaned against the door as it clicked shut behind me, the echoes of that slam still ringing in my ears like a victory song.
He saw, he felt and it burned him
I twirled once in the centre of my room, still in my midnight-blue dress, giggling like a girl who just got crowned queen of a secret empire.
Logan Wyatt wasn’t as in control as he thought he was.
There was a soft knock, followed by the gentle voice I always recognised.
“Nova?”
“Come in, Mom.”
She pushed the door open, already dressed in her sleeping robe, her face glowing with excitement and a little nervousness.
She crossed the room and took both of my hands in hers.
“I came to say goodnight and goodbye,” she said, brushing my hair back.
- Writer
