Chapter 24 Strong Feelings
{Warren's POV}
My jaw clenched as I walked out of the building with Jane beside me. I still couldn’t believe Diana had refused my help so casually, like it meant nothing. I know I’m not supposed to care, but my heart had a mind of its own, and it was screaming that it did.
I didn’t expect her answer to hit me this hard.
The way she lifted her eyes and told me, voice low and shaking, that someone was coming to pick her… made my chest twist in a way I couldn’t ignore. I tried to hide it, to act like it didn’t matter, but it did. More than it should.
And that annoyed the hell out of me.
Jane stepped forward, holding the car door open, and I slid into the backseat. I rested my back against the leather, forcing myself to stop thinking about her. But the more I tried, the louder my wolf stirred within me.
I almost laughed at myself. I’m the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack. I don’t get rejected. People don’t tell me no.
Except she did.
And it burned.
Jane took the wheel, pulling out of the driveway, and my eyes caught a car sliding in behind us, the same one that had dropped her off that morning. I felt the urge to leap out and warn her mate to protect Diana at all costs. My wolf roared in frustration. But that would be too much, too obvious.
I let out a long breath, trying to calm myself, but the fire inside didn’t die down. I rubbed my hand over my forehead, hoping to clear my mind, yet the thought of her stayed.
I wasn’t happy about what she’d done. I felt like my emotions had taken the wheel, and I was just along for the ride. Sitting there, the city rushing past in a blur, I couldn’t stop thinking about Diana.
Her words—“someone’s coming”—kept looping in my head. Her mate. The thought should’ve made me step back, let her be. But it didn’t. Instead, it hurt. Deep. I could feel it gnawing at me.
The car moved in silence. Jane didn’t press, didn’t question. She didn’t need to. I could sense her picking up on my tension, the wolf simmering in my chest, ready to snap.
I rubbed my hand over my forehead again. Why did I care so much? Surely, her mate could take care of her. But somehow, I doubted he was capable. Something in my instincts knew it. Something in me wanted to be the one protecting her, wanted to make sure she was safe.
And yet… I shouldn’t.
When the car finally pulled into the mansion driveway, I slid out, every muscle still coiled. My mind wandered to my room, to lying down and trying to rest, to letting the heat in my chest settle. But as I walked toward it, my thoughts froze.
Layla.
She was on the bed, half-naked, lying across the sheets like she owned the space. The moment my eyes met hers, I felt that pull, the one I couldn’t resist. My wolf, usually so sharp, so fierce, felt intoxicated by her presence instead of empowered.
“You look like you’ve had a stressful day,” she murmured, her voice soft and teasing as she rose.
Before I could answer, she stepped closer, sliding her hand down the front of my suit jacket. Her touch brushed over my chest, and even though my mind was still clouded with thoughts of Diana, warmth and longing spread through me.
I tried to shake it off, tried to tell myself to focus. But my body betrayed me.
She unbuttoned my shirt, her fingers grazing my bare chest. Her touch sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn’t hide it, my arousal was obvious. I moved to push her hand away, but she only smiled, lips brushing against my skin as she whispered, “Don’t. You need this… to ease your stress.”
I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch. The thoughts of Diana, sharp and burning just moments ago, softened. The sting dulled, replaced by the heat of Layla’s presence.
I grabbed her, pulling her into me roughly, pressing my lips to hers. The kiss was fierce, claiming, and yet my mind couldn’t completely let go of Diana. I imagined her lips, soft and defiant, the way she looked at me when she said those words that cut deeper than any blade. I thought about how much I wanted to kiss her until she couldn’t breathe, to show her what it meant to be mine, to feel what my wolf screamed was right.
Layla’s hands roamed over me, and when she realized I was faltering, losing my hardness, she pulled back slightly, eyes searching mine.
“I’m not in the mood,” I admitted, my voice low.
She tilted her head, a mix of curiosity and amusement on her face. “Not in the mood?” she repeated, sliding over to the other side of the bed, sitting gracefully.
“I… I’m sorry,” I muttered, guilt curling in my chest. I shouldn’t be letting Diana’s rejection affect me like this. I shouldn’t feel torn.
“Don’t apologize,” she said softly. “You’ve had a rough day. I get it.”
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to settle my racing thoughts. Finally, I spoke, my voice quieter, almost hesitant. “How… how are you preparing for the Luna Ball?”
A spark of excitement lit her eyes. “Oh! The gowns, Warren! You wouldn’t believe the designs. Silk, velvet, some with intricate embroidery—”
I listened, the tension in my chest easing slightly. But surprisingly… I wasn’t excited about the ball. Not at all. Normally, I would’ve been eager, anticipating every detail. But the fire in my chest, the ache from Diana’s words, had dulled everything else.
She continued talking, unaware of the storm still brewing inside me, her voice light and bright. I leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, letting the sound soothe me even as my mind kept flicking back to Diana.