Chapter 22

His eyes locked on me, jaw tight, the faintest flicker of some raw and unguarded emotion flashing across his face before he masked it again.

“You shouldn’t—” he started, but his voice was rougher now.

I turned, stepping closer.

“Shouldn’t what? Undress in my own room? Breathe? Exist?”

“ Why? For what reason exactly?” I hissed and the tension between us snapped taut, electric, unbearable.

He took one step, then another, and suddenly his hands were on my arms, pulling me against him.

I didn’t resist.

I didn’t want to.

The mate bond hummed, a live wire beneath my skin, my heart pounding so hard it hurt. His breath was warm against my face, his lips hovering so close that if I tilted just a little— And then he kissed me or maybe I kissed him. I wasn't sure who moved first.

His mouth was fierce, hungry, like he’d been starving for this. I melted against him, my fingers gripping his shirt as like it would anchor me. For a moment, there was no contract, no Viviana,—just this. Just us.

But just as quickly as it started,  it ended.

He tore himself away, shoving me back with a force that left me stumbling. His chest rose and fell hard, his fists clenched at his sides.

“No,” he said hoarsely.

“We can’t.”

I stared at him, my lips still tingling, my breath uneven.

“Why not?” I whispered, though I already knew.

His eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw the war raging in them. Desire, guilt, anger, and beneath it all I knew the reason why.

Viviana.

He ran a hand through his hair, cursing under his breath.

“We can’t be anything more than this arrangement. It was never meant to be you. And I won’t—” His voice broke off, his jaw tightening.

“I won’t betray her.” he hissed and then he was gone.

The door closed behind him not slamming completely closed, leaving me in the silence of the room, my heart aching with an emotion I didn’t want to name.

I let out a long, shuddering sigh, running my hands through my hair as the bond thrummed in protest, restless, angry, unsatisfied.

Why did he keep doing this? Why did he keep pulling me close just to shove me away?

I scoffed looking out the window, of course I knew the reason why, her name was like a  ghost between us, always unspoken but always there.

Viviana.

I had no doubt she would return. And when she did, I would be discarded, exactly as planned.

So why did my heart ache as though I hadn’t already known?

How long until Viviana came back? How long until I was discarded like the substitute I was always meant to be?

I sank onto the edge of the desk , pressing my palms into my eyes. I had to stop thinking about it, and him. I moved my hand to my earrings pulling off the clasp.

That was when I heard it.

A soft sound at first, barely audible over the pounding of my own heartbeat.  I stiffened, lifting my head.

“Tristan?” I called out, annoyance lacing my voice. The last thing I wanted was him lurking outside the door, watching, waiting, tormenting me with his mixed signals.

“If you’re trying to brood dramatically in the hallway, don’t bother. Just come in and say whatever cutting remark you’ve got lined up.”

Silence.

I frowned, pushing to my feet. The sound came again, this time it was louder, from the door

“Tristan?” I tried again, but my voice was softer now.

No answer.

The door shifted, and then I saw him, at the edge of the door a shadowed figure and my breath caught, a warning instinct sparking in my veins.

And when the moonlight finally caught his face, my heart stopped.

Kieran.

Isla POV

The moment moonlight brushed against Kieran's face, I realized why my chest tightened,recognition shot through me.

Kieran.

Tristan's brother and the man who had shoved past me in the hall without apology. I had no idea why he was here and what he was doing in my room,he stood in my bedroom, looking at me like I was prey—or something far more enticing than prey if they was.

His lips curved,into a slow and knowing smiles as his gaze dipped, roaming over the loose silk gown that barely clung to my shoulders.

“Well,” he murmured, his voice edged with amusement.

“Looks like the Ridge hasn’t changed. Still managing to hide the most beautiful treasures inside its walls.”

Heat curled low in my stomach, unwantedly infuriating me beyond belief.

My spine stiffened.

“Why are you here?” My tone was sharp, clipped, the last of my control anchoring me.

“Get to the point.”

He laughed— a low, mocking sound that vibrated through the room.

It was unsettling how he made me feel.

“Straightforward,” he said, tilting his head, watching me with the same kind of attention a wolf gives just before pouncing.

“I like that. But it’s a little rude, don’t you think? Especially when you and I… already know each other.”

I blinked, confusion sparking into anger.

“Know each other?” I repeated,scoffing slightly.

“With the way you ignored me, shoved past me like I was invisible, I’d been sure we didn’t.”

He smirked, teeth flashing in the silver light.

“Oh, I noticed you.” He began to walk toward me, slow steps deliberate, like he was savoring the space shrinking between us.

“Hard not to notice a woman like you. But acknowledging you? That’s a different thing entirely.”

I backed up a step before I realized what I was doing, cursing myself under my breath.

Goddess, why did my pulse feel like this? Why was the air thicker, charged, like even the blood in my veins was turning into honey, thick and syrupy. This wasn’t Tristan, he wasn't my mate.

So why did every part of me feel like I was meant to be with him as his.

“Stop,” I snapped, my voice cracking more than I wanted it to. I held my ground by the window, clutching the edge of the dresser like it could steady me.

“Whatever this is—leave. You need to get out. I’m your brother’s mate.”

For a second, his smile softened into something dangerous, his eyes gleaming darkly and I swore I could see hunger written there.

“My brother’s mate,” he echoed, voice mocking, like the words were a private joke. He leaned down just enough that his breath ghosted my cheek.

“Tell me, Isla. Do you actually believe that?”

My heart slammed hard against my ribs.

“Yes,” I lied.

He chuckled, the sound made my stomach twist a betrayal of my will. His fingers brushed against mine on the dresser before I could snatch them away, and fire shot up my arm.