HARDIN
I'd had enough embarrassment for one damn night. Lowering myself to apologize to that human, practically begging. That had done enough to already shred my pride. Mates had a way of making you do stupid, reckless things. Things that chipped away at your strength, your control, your carefully built aura, and worse… made you question your own damn logic.
So why the hell couldn't I drive away?
My grip tightened on the steering wheel until the leather creaked under my fingers, but my foot refused to press the gas. A heavy, insistent pull sat deep in my chest, like an invisible chain wrapped around my muscles, pulling me backward toward her building. I couldn't shake it no matter how hard I tried.
Deep down, I knew something was wrong with Elara. I felt it in my gut, like a sharp, uneasy twist that had nothing to do with logic or reason. It was different from my wolf instinct, more like this strange gut feeling… She had looked mostly fine when she slammed the door in my face, all fire and defiance and that infuriating spark that made Lyon sit up and take notice. But the feeling refused to go away. It gnawed at me, hot and irritating, making my skin feel too tight and my thoughts spiral in directions I hated.
After what she'd done, still worrying about her was the last thing I should be doing, yet… I couldn't even stop myself.
I dragged a hand through my hair and exhaled sharply. As if the pressure from Enor and the Aegis Court wasn't enough, now Elara had to be this complicated in a fiercely infuriating way.
Of course, I figured she wasn't an easy girl, but I didn't expect her to be this fearless, laying her hands on her future Alpha like it was nothing; stomping on my shoe, dragging me by the ear, shoving me out like some disobedient pup. Back in Vale, that kind of disrespect would've been punishable by something far harsher than the door she slammed in my face. And yet here I was, letting it slide. What the hell was even wrong with me?
Lyon's tail brushed along the inside of the walls in my stomach again, restless and insistent, making my muscles stiffen. He only did that when he was trying to get under my skin. He'd been doing it on and off all damn day.
Stop that, I warned silently, my voice tight even in my head. I don't have the patience for whatever lecture you're coming up with right now.
His deep, rumbling voice echoed through my skull, lazy and smug as ever. That's on you, man. You're the one feeling all this tension. I'm just along for the ride, doing my thing in here because you won't admit what we both already know.
"Shut the hell up, Lyon," I muttered out loud, my voice low and rough. "I'm serious."
Alright, alright, he replied, sounding far too amused for my liking. But I'm done being your excuse tonight. It's not that hard to admit you want our mate too. Hell, you're already questioning your own strength because of her. That's new for you, isn't it? The great Hardin, future Alpha, sitting in his car like a lovesick pup because your brain is screaming that something's wrong with her. And while you're busy arguing with yourself up here, you might want to get back upstairs… because I can feel it too. She's hurting. Like a hundred percent bad.
My jaw clenched hard enough to ache my gum. So I wasn't imagining the bond's warning. Hearing Lyon confirm it only made the unease I was feeling worse, sharpening it into something primal and urgent that clawed at my control.
Damn it. Was this what I'd become? Doubting my own instincts, second-guessing every move because one girl had me tied in knots? I was supposed to be dealing with other matters right now, not chasing after someone who clearly wanted nothing to do with me. Yet the thought of driving away felt… terribly wrong and impossible. Like I was abandoning what was mine.
I knew if I went back up there, I'd be walking straight into another mess I'd probably regret. That alone should've been enough to make me start the engine and get the hell out of her compound, back to my own business where I don't have to face this.
But the pull in my chest tightened, almost painful now, like a live wire humming under my skin. Lyon gave another lazy flick of his tail, twirling like he'd already won. I ignored him and shoved the car door open, stepped out into the night air, and slammed it shut behind me before locking it with a sharp beep.
By the time I climbed the stairs two at a time, my heart was pounding harder than it had any right to. I paused outside her door, my shoes planted on the worn carpet, hand hovering an inch from the handle. The bond thrummed louder here; hot and incredibly hard, mixing with the faint trace of her scent still clinging to the hallway.
My wolf pushed forward, his claws pricking at my control, urging me to knock, to fix whatever the hell was happening on the other side. I hesitated another beat, jaw working, my pride still definitely jarring me with that damn fight in my chest. This is ridiculous. You're the Alpha. Act like it, Hardin. But my hand didn't drop. I couldn't make it drop.
She needs us, Lyon murmured, quieter this time but still carrying that faint smug. Stop fighting it, man.
I exhaled through my nose, forced my shoulders to relax, and finally raised my hand. I knocked firmly trying not to make it aggressive. The sound echoed in the quiet hallway. I waited, every instinct impatient, the bond thrumming like a two negative current binded together under my skin.
I knocked again but I heard nothing. Not even her footsteps, or any rustle movement, or the faint sound of breathing. For a second, I considered walking away. Maybe she really was asleep. Maybe I was the one overreacting, letting the bond turn me into some paranoid fool imagining the worse.
I exhaled slowly, my jaw locked tight, then decided to try knocking one more time.
"Elara. Open the door." My voice came out firm and controlled, but it bounced off the wood like I was talking to a wall.
Then I caught her scent, closer now, more sharper. Stronger mint layered with something heavier, something definitely off. She was right there, on the other side. I could feel her presence through the scent like a strong ignition in my brain.
"Look, Elara," I said, my tone dropping lower, edged with warning, even though I was this close to losing it. "This isn't the time to shut me out. I need to check on you."
"Go… away, Hardin." Her voice finally came through the door, weak, strained, and barely more than a faint sound. Every instinct in me sharpened like a razor edge. Something was definitely not right.
"I don't care if I have to break this damn door down," I warned, my voice turning ice-cold. "I know you're not fine, and I'm not leaving until I make sure you are."
And I wasn't bluffing. Not this time. My muscles were already coiling, ready to rip the damn thing off its hinges if she didn't open it.
Lyon finally broke his silence, his deep voice hesitant but pointed. You breaking the door isn't exactly helping your image, man. You're just adding to the long list of red flags she already has on you. Just relax.
"You've got to be kidding me," I snapped under my breath. "She's hurting in there, and you want me to relax?"
I clenched my fist until my knuckles cracked. "Just shut the hell up, Lyon. I mean it."
He went quiet instantly. Exactly what I needed him to do.
I stepped back from the door, my shoulders squared, tension rippling through my body as I prepared to bring it down. Then I heard a sharp, pained cry from inside the room.
Everything in me froze in one second.
For one heartbeat, I hesitated. Not because of the door. Because of what I might find on the other side. The bond screamed louder now, a desperate tug in my chest that made my Lyon surge forward, his claws pricking subtly to hasten me. She needs me… Now. My brain rang.
Before my mind could catch up, my foot already moved on its own.
I slammed one powerful kick into the door. The handle tore clean off with a metallic screech, and the whole thing flew open like it weighed nothing, slamming against the wall with a full force that I didn't care if it even drew the attention of her neighbours.
The first thing that hit me was her scent. It hit me like a wall, strong, overwhelming, heavy with mint and something darker, almost metallic. The room was so dark I almost burst into her table. My fingers immediately fumbled for my phone; I turned on the flashlight, the beam cutting through the darkness instantly.
"Shit!" The light swept across the floor and landed on a dark smear.
My body froze. Blood?
"Fuck." My chest tightened violently, my heart slamming against my ribs like a war drum. "Elara!"
I moved fast, sweeping the light across the room. She wasn't on the bed. Panic crawled up my throat as I followed her strong scent now, mixed with pain and fear, until I reached the chair in the corner.
The sight that met me nearly snapped something deep inside.
Elara was crumpled on the floor beside the chair, curled in on herself, one hand pressed hard against her stomach. Sweat glistened on her skin, her breathing shallow and ragged. Fresh blood pooled the floor beneath her. Her face was twisted in agony, her eyes squeezed shut, lips parted on another silent gasp.
My veins tightened, a rush of brutal heat flooding my body as raw anger and something far darker surged to my skin. My wolf roared in my head, possessive and furious. I wasn't even gone for long. So… How…
Who did this? What the hell happened to her?
"How the hell did this happen?" I growled, my voice lower and dangerous, already dropping to one knee beside her.