DIANA'S POV
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"You saw us."
The words slipped out, low and shaky.
Aj hadn't spoken once during the drive. His jaw was tight, his hand running over his chin now and then, while the other gripped the wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Say something, Aj," I pleaded, my voice barely above the sound of the rain. His silence pressed down on me, making my chest feel tight.
He pulled the car to a stop. I heard him exhale sharply, but I kept my eyes fixed on the rain-drenched road, on the blur of headlights and the cars rushing past the green light.
When I finally gathered the courage to glance his way, Aj was leaning against the window. Another long breath escaped him before he whispered, "Diana."
Nothing more.
My heart pounded so hard it drowned out the world. I didn't want to lose him—not like this. My palm smacked against my forehead as tears stung my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Aj. I feel like a fool."
Aj let out a sigh and turned toward me, but I only glanced at him from the corner of my eye, too ashamed to look straight at him.
"You're not a fool, Diana. He is."
A small smile tugged at my lips. This time I did face him. He wasn't smiling, but I knew then—he didn't hate me.
"The bond still exists. It's not your fault you can't resist it," he said gently, trying to spare me the blame. But I shook my head. If anyone deserved it, it was me.
"Still… that was very wrong of me."
Aj's mouth curved into a slow smile as his eyes lingered on me. "He's shitty. But you're not."
A laugh slipped out of me as I shook my head. Of course Aj would say that. He had always defended me, all these years. "Come on, just admit I was shitty tonight."
"Nope. Not my Diana."
He shifted the car into reverse and drove the other way, but I hardly noticed. My heart gave a wild little jolt at those words—not my Diana. I squeezed my eyes shut and turned to the window. I didn't want to hurt Aj. Not like this.
Unknowingly, his hand found mine, squeezing gently. A sharp inhale escaped me, though thoughts of Elijah still clouded my mind.
"Where are we going?" I asked suddenly, realizing we weren't headed toward my apartment. The road was lined with trees, only a few houses breaking the green.
"Family dinner. Mom made your favorite food."
I grinned. Ever since I left the park five years ago, his family had taken me in—fed me, treated me like I was their own daughter. Maybe it was because they didn't have one, or maybe… they wanted me for their son.
I swallowed hard. I knew how happy they'd be to see me, but somehow… my chest tightened. Aj and I weren't…
"Diana," he said, his voice soft but firm.
He spoke quietly, his voice like a passing breeze. Somehow, it made me flinch—but no matter how soft, it would never set me on fire the way Elijah's voice did.
I stared at him. His jaw was tight, brown eyes narrowed and fixed on the road. Something told me he was still thinking about it, even if he tried not to.
"What happened back there? Why did you kiss him?"
Damn. The one thing I wished I didn't have to talk about. I knew Aj would never let it go, but I hadn't expected the sharp edge in his tone, the way he exhaled loudly, like every breath was a struggle.
"Nothing. He's not important," I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the road ahead. I knew Aj deserved more than this half-truth I was giving. Dammit I was an asshole for making him feel this way. But it was true. There was nothing between Elijah and me.
Still, as the words left my lips, my wolf purred loudly—and I failed to notice the dark storm in Aj's gaze, fixed straight ahead.
—
ELIJAH'S POV
Just like that, I couldn't pursue her. Just like that, I let her… that fiancé of hers… take her away without doing a damn thing.
My wolf thrashed, demanding release, demanding clarity. I stood frozen, outside, unsure what to do, so still I didn't even notice when Mariah pressed herself against me.
I winced. My wolf couldn't find comfort in her—she wasn't the one it needed. And that made me shove her away. She was lucky she didn't hit her head on the tree.
A flash of anger crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a nervous smile.
"Elijah...."
"Alpha Elijah," I corrected, staring at her darkly. Damn, I didn't want to be anywhere except in Diana's arms. Dear goddess, I am growing more reckless by the day. I needed out of this madness.
She gasped, clearly not expecting the commanding tone.
"Elijah," she said stubbornly, refusing the title, daring me with those golden eyes, "You are making a fool of yourself, and as your Beta, I am here to correct it—correct what would not destroy the pack."
I smacked my lips. She really had no idea. To be in this situation, I knew she probably hadn't found her mate yet. That was why she didn't understand that this was a war dangerously close to madness.
"I have to be alone." I inhaled sharply, forcing myself not to lash out at her. I looked up at the half-glowing moon. Soon the mating ceremony would begin—the day of the full moon. A day I feared would push me to the edge of my madness.
I drew in a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm myself, but my wolf growled inside me, searching for a way out, for a way to claim her.
"Elijah…"
I barely heard Mariah. My thoughts were on Diana—her full lips, those hazel eyes, the way she looked at me, the way my wolf longed to claim her, to break free.
"You have to forget her."
Dammit, Diana. Why couldn't she forgive me? What lengths would I go to for her forgiveness? My wolf growled again, sensing something, but I pushed him down. I needed to stay in control.
And then it snapped. Just as Mariah touched my wrist, I growled, glaring down at her, fangs bared—a sharp warning to back off.
Horror flashed in her eyes. She spun and dashed away.
But my growling didn't stop. My fur bristled, my body shifting beyond my control.
"No, not now!"
"We need our mate, Elijah!"
My wolf thrashed, desperate to break free. It wanted her—badly—and nothing could stop it. I began the shift into my massive gray wolf.
"I am coming, Diana," I said shakily as the transformation completed. My wolf surged into the night, racing toward wherever she was.