CHAPTER TWO

Anabella’s Pov

Gaston’s hand brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers sending a jolt through my chest as he leaned in closer, our lips just inches apart. But before they could touch, I pulled away and gave his head a sharp tap. He flinched, rubbing the spot while I stifled a laugh.

"I’m only fifteen, dummy," I said, watching his face fall. "I can't kiss yet."

He grunted, and I grinned, reaching up to mess with his hair. With a playful smile, I added, "Don’t worry though. In three years, you can kiss me—and maybe even do other things."

His entire face lit up, his excitement undeniable as he raised his pinky, practically squealing, "Promise?" I wrapped my pinky around his, sealing the promise between us.

"Promise," I whispered, the word lingering between us like a vow.

—------------------------------------------------

Suddenly, I jolted awake, my head slamming into the wall behind me as I sat up, disoriented. The world around me came into focus, and memories came crashing back, overwhelming me like a tidal wave I couldn’t escape.

Seven years had passed since the day I first crossed paths with Gaston, a memory forever etched in my mind. My mother, on the brink of death, had been saved by him when we were at our lowest point. Barely clinging to life, we had found refuge in his pack, with Gaston offering us shelter in exchange for our loyalty to the pack. My mother, desperate for a chance at survival, agreed without hesitation. For two years, we lived within the walls of his grand manor, sheltered and secure. During that time, I had grown to admire him, to long for him in ways I never thought possible and he did same. The ache for his touch had been unbearable at times, yet we kept our distance, bound by some unspoken rule of decency. Not until I ran away with Theron, after he told me I was his mate on our first meeting—leaving nothing behind but a single letter behind for Gaston. I didn’t know why i did it then, or if i regret it.

Now, standing in the very play hut we used to escape to, memories of those days flooded back, each corner of the small structure soaked with nostalgia and regret. It wasn’t far from Theron’s pack, but it felt like a world away. This was the same hut Gaston had taken me to, the place I would hide whenever I snuck off to visit my father and sister secretly. A sharp pang of heartache cut through me but I pushed it down, burying the pain as I stumbled out of bed. My body was still sluggish from sleep, so I made my way to the window.

That’s when I saw him.

Gaston stood at the riverbank, water rushing over his body in a steady stream, his head tipped back as if he were savoring the moment. The sunlight danced off the water, highlighting every inch of his sculpted physique. His chest was broad and solid, muscles rippling beneath the skin as he moved, his abs defined with the precision of a sculptor's chisel. He was the embodiment of strength and power, a living, breathing temptation. His body seemed to glow, the droplets of water glistening on his skin as they traced down his form, following the hard lines of his torso, his body a masterpiece carved by nature itself. Even from this distance, the allure was undeniable—his presence, magnetic and impossible to ignore.

I couldn't look away.

Turning around, I made for the door, stepped outside as I moved slowly towards him, my feet barely making a sound on the grass, until I stood right in front of him.

I couldn't help but stare, and of course, Gaston noticed. He smirked without even opening his eyes. "Is the view enough, or should I step out of the water for you to have the full experience?" he teased.

Flushing hard, I turned away quickly. "Dream on," I muttered, trying to sound unaffected. "I wasn't staring at you. I actually came to talk to you... about Theron."

His face hardened slightly as he sighed and said, "I already gave you the antidote. it's on the table inside." I blinked in shock, wondering how he knew that was why I was here.

"When I found you half-dead in the forest," he continued, voice low, "I thought... maybe you came back for me. But your wolf told me otherwise. You came because of Theron…because you needed the antidote from me to save him." His gaze locked onto mine, and something about the way he looked at me made my heart ache.

"You’ve been unconscious for two days, Annabella," he said quietly.

"Theron must be something else, huh? You left me for him once, and now... you came back again, still for him."

Guilt twisted in my gut, but it was the mention of my wolf that made my head snap up. "Wait... you spoke to my wolf? Can you speak with her?" I asked, completely baffled.

Gaston nodded like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Since the first day you and your mother came into the pack."

"But..." My voice wavered. "But my wolf never spoke to me. I thought I was wolfless."

He shook his head. "You're not wolfless, Annabella. Your wolf’s always been there... she just doesn't accept Theron."

I stared at him, heart pounding, trying to make sense of his words. "What do you mean she doesn't accept Theron?"

Instead of answering, Gaston changed the subject. "Do you want to feel her?" he asked.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Without warning, he stepped out of the river, water dripping from his body, each movement of his muscles sending wild heat through my veins. He walked toward me, pulled me by the waist, and kissed me hard, taking my breath away.

Just then I heard a voice in my head, "Hello, Ann." Pure joy flooded me as I realized it was my wolf—but before I could even respond, she continued, her voice firm and angry.

"Do not mate Theron. He is not our mate."

My eyes snapped open wide.

What?

That couldn't be right! Theron had told me himself that I was his mate, from the first time we met behind the playhut. He promised me everything, and since he was my mate, I left with him on that day.

"Mark her now!" The voice roared in my mind, and before I could even react, Gaston's aura shifted, becoming dangerously intoxicating as his hands roamed my body, pressing me flush against him, his lips trailing hot kisses down my neck. I struggled to break free, but Gaston's grip was too strong, too desperate and panic surged through my system.

"Mark mate now!" the command slammed through my skull again.

Suddenly Gaston shoved me away, his chest heaving as he yelled, "Run!"

Without thinking, I grabbed the vial of antidote from the table and sprinted through the trees, not daring to look back.

I didn't stop until the familiar sight of the Manor loomed in front of me. My legs burned, my lungs screamed for air, but I pushed through, racing inside and heading straight for Theron's room.

I flung the door open, relief bursting through me, ready to save him—but the sight that greeted me shattered me completely.

Theron had Isabella pinned against the wall with his lips hungrily locked on hers, kissing her passionately, like long last lovers.

My whole world came to a standstill as pain shot through my heart.

The antidote slipped from my numb fingers, crashing to the floor, shattering into a thousand irreparable pieces just as they broke apart, turning to face me in horror.