DIANA'S POV
—
I had prepared for revenge. For years I trained to be strong, rehearsing how this moment would play out. Never in my wildest thoughts did I imagine kissing Elijah would be part of it tonight.
My breath came hard, chest rising and falling. I could not bring myself to meet his eyes. Shame burned through me, especially because of Aj. My fiancé was only few feet away, yet I had just kissed another man.
"Damn you, Elijah," I spat. What else was I supposed to curse? "You can't keep ruling over my life after causing me this much pain."
He looked torn, raking his hand through his hair. His teeth pressed against his tongue as if holding back words, but in the end he stayed silent. If only he could be the stoic man I had always hated—then this would have been easier.
"I'm so sorry, Diana. I really am."
A low growl escaped my lips. I shook my head and laughed at myself. "I worked all these years, Elijah. I worked so hard to become the woman you could never have. I will never stoop so low again."
He nodded, as if he saw it burning in my eyes, yet he did not walk away. Instead, he looked at me like he wanted to kiss me again—and I hated that I wanted it too. Hated that my wolf only stirred for him, though she had been dormant for as long as I could remember.
I couldn't do this. I couldn't stay near Elijah, because I was starting to feel it—the surge, the heat between my legs. At first, I brushed it off, but every time I thought of his name it burned hotter… and all I wanted was his lips there.
No. I couldn't. I couldn't betray Aj like this.
Then I heard Elijah's wolf growl, as if he sensed the heat within me.
"Diana," he said, eyes burning with heat and concern. "Diana, you—"
"Don't." I lifted a hand to his face. Not now. Not ever. He felt it too, I knew—but I'd rather drown in this pain than let him claim me.
He drew in a harsh breath, the sound jagged, as if air itself resisted him. Good. Let him choke on it. Let him suffer all he wants—he will never have me.
"The mating ceremony is two months away," he whispered, voice trembling with care. "Diana, we..."
"We are nothing," I cut in, arms crossed, my gaze sharp enough to carve into him. He flinched. "Do you remember the mating ceremony five years ago?" I tilted my head, watching him recoil. "A certain someone denied his mate because she was deemed too weak."
Elijah ruffled his hair. "I'm sorry, okay?"
I shook my head. "Sorry won't change anything. I was humiliated." My eyes slipped shut, no use wasting breath on him. "You know what? This conversation is over. I never want to see you again."
I turned to leave, but his next words froze me in place.
"You know, Diana… your wolf will only awaken when I claim her."
A sharp breath tore through me. Slowly, I turned back, glaring. "I'm strong enough on my own."
He stepped toward me. Maybe I was a fool, because I didn't walk away. I waited for him, for his scent to surround me again, dragging me closer instead of pushing me away. I should have left. Being here with Elijah was unraveling me.
"I want to do this one thing right," he whispered, his hand hovering near my exposed neck. My eyes fluttered shut as sensation rushed through me. His voice was low, almost broken. "I want you to forgive me, even if I don't deserve it. I promise I'll make up for all those years."
A low laugh slipped past my lips. He was being ridiculous—and maybe I was even more ridiculous for not stepping away.
He leaned in, his breath brushing my ear, his deep voice crawling over my skin. "Your sister is a Beta. She'll try to break you again. But you'll only stop her when your wolf awakens."
My eyes flew open, and I jerked back. At the mention of Mariah, my blood ran cold. He thought I couldn't survive without him. My glare cut into him. "Elijah, I don't need you in my life."
He flinched, looking away. "I'm sorry."
I shook my head and turned, but froze in place. Standing right in front of me… was Aj.
Aj tilted his head, his eyes locked on Elijah with a heat I had never seen before. He was always calm, always composed, never like this. Damn. How long had he been standing there? Did he see us kiss? Did he watch Elijah's hand trace my neck? Did he hear every word we said?
Embarrassment churned inside me, but I forced a smile, my voice cracking. "Aj… when did you get here?"
He didn't look at me. Didn't answer. The sting cut deeper than a bee's bite—Aj had never ignored me. Not once. But right now, I couldn't bridge the distance between us. Maybe because he had already caught us.
I stayed frozen as he started moving toward us.
A low growl rumbled from Elijah's chest—or maybe it was his wolf. I couldn't tell. What I did know was that his eyes burned with a thousand glares aimed straight at Aj.
Aj reached me and did the unthinkable. His arm slid around my waist, his voice low and dark. Aj, who had always spoken with calm restraint, now cut straight into Elijah.
"You lost her the day you denied her."
Eight words, but they hit like a blade. Elijah inhaled sharply, his face torn with conflict. The sight twisted something inside me, and for a moment, I wanted to smooth his hair, to ease him. What the hell was wrong with me? I clenched my fists at my side instead.
"You know about our mate bond," Elijah whispered, his eyes flicking to Aj's hand on me. "She is mine."
Aj let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, come on, Elijah Thorn. Everyone knows that you killed that bond with your own choice."
Then he turned to me, brushing a strand of silver hair from my face. Elijah's eyes squeezed shut, unable to watch. It should have felt like victory, but instead, a pang spread through my chest.
And I hated it. I didn't come here to feel sorry for the man who broke me.
"Please," Elijah pleaded, his eyes locked on me instead of Aj. "Please… don't let him claim you."
I froze. Begging? That wasn't what I expected. His voice cracked, and for a heartbeat, I almost broke.
"Babe," Aj whispered, his gaze steady on mine. I forced myself to meet his eyes, shutting Elijah out. "Let's go. We have no business here."
I nodded, forcing a smile even as my chest ached. My wolf stirred restlessly, answering Elijah's call, and his wolf was growling low in return.
Aj squeezed my hand and pulled me with him. Elijah's pleas followed us, but I forced myself not to look back—until I caught sight of my stepsister gliding past us, straight to him.
"Elijah," she breathed softly, touching his arm. He didn't push her away. His eyes were still begging for me, but his silence told another story.
That hardened me. I turned my face, walked on with Aj, and left behind the man who no longer deserved me.