THE MAN WHO WANTED ME
1051 Words
I couldn’t even remember how I made it back to Silver Creek.
One minute I was standing in the woods, staring at a dead wolf—next thing I knew, I was walking through the pack gates, dried blood all over my hands.
Not mine. Kael’s. The stranger’s.
And I just couldn’t shake his words: The Lost Luna must die.
My gaze kept slipping to my wrist. That crescent-shaped mark hadn’t faded. Looked normal enough, but I still felt it burning under my skin.
“Elara?”
I stopped dead in my tracks.
Adrian stood a few feet away, and his expression changed the second he saw me.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I blurted, way too fast.
His eyes dropped to my ripped sleeve. Then the blood.
“Elara.”
“I’m fine.”
He didn’t push back. Just walked toward me. “You’re shaking.”
I looked down. My hands were trembling so badly I almost laughed.
Adrian gently took one in his own. “Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere quiet.”
I wanted to say no, but my legs took over. I followed him.
He brought me to a little room next to the clinic—warm and empty. He pulled out a chair. “Sit.”
So I did.
Adrian crouched in front of me, studying my hand. There was a small cut across my palm. I hadn’t even realized I’d been hurt.
“You’re bleeding.”
“It’s nothing.”
He looked up at me. “You and the rest of the pack seem to have decided that bleeding is nothing tonight.”
I let out a shaky laugh, surprised at myself.
Adrian smiled. “There. That’s better.”
“What?”
“You just laughed.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Yeah, you did.”
I glanced away, embarrassed. He grabbed a clean cloth and gently wiped the dried blood from my palm. His hands were so careful. Completely unlike the chaos I’d just survived.
I watched him, not bothering to hide it.
“Why are you helping me?”
He looked at me, honest as ever. “Because you need help.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
I swallowed hard. “Most people don’t care.”
“I do,” he said softly.
Those two words hit harder than I expected.
He wasn’t looking at me like I was some sad, rejected Omega. Not even a hint of pity. He just looked.
Like I mattered.
Suddenly, my eyes started to sting. I blinked furiously, refusing to cry—not again, not in front of him.
Adrian noticed, though. “You can cry, you know.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have to be strong right now.”
I shook my head and tried to smile. “I’ve already cried enough.”
“Then cry a little more.”
One tear slid down my cheek. Then another. Suddenly, I was sobbing so hard I could barely breathe.
Adrian just sat next to me, quiet. Never told me to stop, never asked why.
When I finally calmed down, I whispered, “He rejected me.”
Adrian’s face softened. “I know.”
“You all saw it, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. I did.”
I covered my face, feeling stupid. “I was so stupid.”
“No you weren’t.”
I tried to argue, but he cut me off. “Being rejected doesn’t mean you’re worthless, Elara.”
I just stared at him.
“You have no idea who I am,” I muttered.
He shook his head, smiling a little. “I know what I saw tonight.”
“What did you see?”
“A woman who deserved so much better than being humiliated in front of everyone.”
My throat closed up. “Don’t say things like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I might believe you.”
He smiled. “Then believe me.”
Something eased inside me. I actually smiled—a real one—and Adrian saw it.
“There it is again,” he said.
“What?”
“That smile.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re annoying.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Yeah. You’re calling me annoying instead of crying. I’ll take that as an upgrade.”
I laughed in spite of myself. The room felt lighter, like I could finally breathe.
For the first time since Kael rejected me, I didn’t feel unwanted. I felt like maybe I could be someone worth wanting.
Adrian finished wrapping my hand. “All done.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I looked at the clean bandage, then at him. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
He was quiet for a second, then said, “Because I like you.”
My heart skipped a beat. I stared at him. “You hardly know me.”
He grinned. “Then let me get to know you.”
No pressure. Just honesty. I didn’t know how to answer.
The door opened before I could say anything.
Kael stood in the doorway. My heart tried to jump out of my chest.
His eyes moved from me to Adrian. To the bandage on my hand. His face went cold.
Adrian stood up. “Your Majesty.”
Kael ignored him. He looked right at me. “Are you hurt?”
“I’ll be fine,” I said.
His jaw clenched. “I asked if you’re hurt.”
Adrian answered for me, all calm. “She cut her hand. I’ve taken care of it.”
Kael’s gaze sharpened. “I didn’t ask you.”
Adrian didn’t back down. “And she didn’t ask you to come after her.”
The room went dead quiet.
“Adrian…” I started, nervous.
Kael took a step closer. He noticed Adrian’s hand—still resting gently on my shoulder.
Kael’s whole demeanor changed, voice dangerous. “Take your hand off my mate.”
Everything stopped. Adrian slowly did as Kael asked, but he never broke eye contact.
And it clicked—Kael might’ve rejected me, but he didn’t like the thought of someone else wanting me. Not at all.
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