Moonlit Hearts

Chapter 2

"I just told you, you are disturbing. If no one has told you, you have the voice that could send men off to their deaths. I've been listening to your horrible voice right behind you, and it gets worse by the hour. If you're not interested in keeping it down, shut the hell up."

The guy drew his eyebrows, frowning deeply; she saw three straight lines across his forehead. Isabella hadn't anticipated his quick leap and towering height, forcing her to blink rapidly. Her pounding heart hadn't recovered from speaking her mind, and her knees wobbled at the danger emanating from him, but she wouldn't be disrespected.

“You said what?” he growled, lowering his gaze to hers. Steadying her breath, she looked straight into his eyes and repeated the part of his disturbing voice. His biceps seemed to be begging for space in his tartan jacket. She watched his solid jaw harden.

“Miss, I would advise you to get out of my way…”

“Or what? Inflict harm on a woman for saying her mind. What is f*****g wrong with you?”

His chest heaved up and down, and his twinkling eyes had lost their luster. "Get out of my way."

Isabella widened her stance, "Make me. You can be arrogant all you want, but I won't be a victim of your ill manners."

"You're just looking for trouble; all you had to do was be an obedient girl and sit back, minding your f*****g business."

Aside from the driver inquiring about the commotion in the bus, all activities ceased. Isabella could read the thoughts plastered on the passenger’s shocked faces about how someone so small could challenge a terrifying d**k.

"You don't f*****g lay a finger on her. If you can't help singing with your tuneless songs. You hop out of the bus." The salt and pepper grandma poked a finger at the guy.

"He's such a bully." The disdain on the female passengers' faces made his nose twitch. Insults were thrown at him, and he wasn't handling them well. Five large men rose to support Isabella, standing behind her. Surprisingly, she was gaining much support, driving the bully to a defeating grunt. The teenagers rubbed more salt over his wound by calling him names and shaming his talents. The day couldn’t have gotten worse for him.

"I'll get off here." He raged to the driver, muscles strained and tense. The bus was packed by the roadside. He grabbed his duffel bag on his seat and was on his way when he stepped so close that Isabella could feel his warm breath violating her face. She held her breath. Her protectors quickened their steps, surrounding her.

"Hey, missy," the mockery in his tone with his gaze trailing over her body. He irked her, and she summoned so much control that she would have slapped him. "I tell you, we'll meet again. I won't forget today. Silverwood is a small town, and I'm dying to meet you again. Then, you won't have anyone to support you.” He spoke so loud for her ears alone, yet low that others couldn't hear. The threat had left her flummoxed, tightening her hold around the standee. She didn't look behind her when he left, to give him the satisfaction of her terror. She was new in the town, and she had an enemy.

**Adrian**

What was about the day that Adrian's wolf couldn't get off its excitement? His head had been pounding for hours. Everyone within a mile radius could hear it. He had to gain control before he lost his mind.

There was paperwork about expanding their real estate companies in other parts of town, and he would be having an hour-long meeting with human business associates. There wasn't a way in hell his wolf would ruin this for me. He slipped out of his seat and walked over to the mirror walls, overseeing the affairs of his company. When it started, he was proud of the yearly eight-figure profit for five years. Blackwood Realty was Adrian's brainchild and a company that spiked his billionaire status. He ran a dozen branches worldwide but loved to work in his town.

He sacrificed everything to keep this afloat and a source of income for his pack.

He sincerely doubted his destined role a decade ago, creating a rift between him and his father. A part of him denied being a wolf despite growing among humans. His father had decided it was best to study among them to create an unfathomable wealth. He surpassed his father in leadership and resource management. His clan flourished beyond measure since he became their alpha. Everyone was allotted roles to contribute to the development. It was one of the reasons the pack was greatly envied. His father's warning still dinged loudly, "Never show them the real part of you, of us."

Rubbing his large hands over his face, he had been so close to revealing himself. The image of a lady's fiery hair and attitude tugged at the corner of his mind. His chest tightened, drinking the view of her sparkling eyes that haunted him when he trod the forest under the night sky. Her pale, flawless skin submitted to him; he feared he would hurt her with the slightest touch. Every Fall was punishment, surrounded by red leaves that reminded him of a red silky mane that effortlessly floated in the wind. A pain like no other clawed at his heart, closely ripping it in two. His aches deepened his growl as he shut his eyes, forcing them to stop. A tingling sensation followed, coursing through his vein heading southwards with a quickened breathing as if he had surfaced from underneath a river "f**k,."

His wolf went wild as a wave of excitement coursed through him. Regardless of his thoughts, shutting his eyes, he deadened the memories. They grew stronger when they returned. Five years, and he hadn't, couldn't get her out of his system. Adrian had never felt so alone. He was a steel wall that was difficult to drill through. Isabella had broken through, stealing his heart. His wolf quieted, mirroring his darkened mood. He could never have her. Isabella, his soulmate.

Generation after generation, the Blackwood clan had never gone out of their way to encourage the wolf-human s****l relationship. It was an abomination. Tasked with the pack's future, his father's declining health, and the rogue pack lurking for the right time to gain his founding father's years of hard work, he had to return from Seattle.

“Adrian, I have the team working on the…”