CHAPTER 28

Chapter 28

As she stood there, trying to calm her racing thoughts, a sound caught her attention. It was faint, almost silent, but it was there—a low, guttural growl. Estella’s blood ran cold. She turned her head slowly, her eyes scanning the darkness for the source of the sound.

At first, she saw nothing. But then, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows, staring directly at her. Estella’s breath hitched. She knew those eyes. They belonged to a wolf.

Panic surged through her as the creature stepped into the moonlight, revealing its massive form. It was a werewolf, its fur dark and matted, its teeth bared in a menacing snarl. Estella’s heart raced as she realized she was trapped. There was no way she could outrun it, not with her injured ankle. And even if she could, the wolf would catch her in seconds.

The werewolf took a step closer, its growl growing louder. Estella’s mind raced, searching for a way out, but she came up empty. She was defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of a creature that could tear her apart in an instant.

Just as the wolf lunged, a voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

“Enough!”

The wolf froze mid-motion, its body tensing as if it had been struck. Estella’s eyes widened as a figure stepped into the alley, his presence commanding and unmistakable.

Brian.

He stood tall, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly light, his expression fierce and unyielding. The werewolf turned to face him, its growl turning into a whimper as it backed away. Brian’s gaze never wavered, his dominance radiating through the alley like a force of nature.

“Leave,” he commanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The wolf hesitated for a moment, then turned and fled, disappearing into the shadows. Estella watched in stunned silence as Brian approached her, his expression softening as he reached her side.

“Ella,” he said, his voice filled with concern. “What are you doing out here? You could have been killed.”

Estella’s fear quickly turned to anger. “What am I doing out here? What are you doing out here? Were you following me?”

Brian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Of course I was following you. Do you think I would just let you wander off into the night, especially on a full moon? You’re my mate, Ella. I can’t lose you.”

Estella’s anger flared. “I’m not your mate, Brian. Not yet. And I won’t be if you keep lying to me, keeping secrets from me. I can’t trust you.”

Brian’s expression darkened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he reached out and gently took her hand. “I know I’ve made mistakes, Ella. And I know I’ve hurt you. But I’m trying to protect you. There are things you don’t understand, things I can’t explain yet. But I need you to trust me, just a little longer.”

Estella pulled her hand away, her eyes narrowing. “Trust you? How can I trust you when you won’t even tell me the truth? When you’re still keeping Vivian in the picture?”

Brian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned and gestured toward the end of the alley. “Come on. Let’s get you back to the mansion. It’s not safe out here.”

Estella hesitated, her mind torn between her anger and her fear. She didn’t want to go back, but she also didn’t want to stay in the alley, vulnerable and exposed. Reluctantly, she nodded, and Brian gently took her arm, guiding her out of the shadows.

As they walked back toward the mansion, the full moon casting its pale light over the city, Estella couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap. Brian’s presence was both comforting and unsettling, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she was making a mistake by trusting him, even just a little.

But as they reached the mansion’s gates, Estella realized that she had no other choice. For now, she would have to rely on Brian, even if it meant putting her heart on the line once more. The full moon was rising, and with it, the danger that lurked in the shadows. She could only hope that Brian’s intentions were true, and that he would keep her safe.

The mansion loomed ahead, its grand structure bathed in the silvery light of the full moon. Estella’s heart pounded as Brian guided her through the gates, his grip firm but gentle on her arm. She wanted to pull away, to demand answers, but the exhaustion from her escape and the adrenaline crash left her too weak to resist. Her crutch tapped softly against the cobblestone path, each step a reminder of her vulnerability.

Brian didn’t speak as they entered the mansion, his expression unreadable. The tension between them was palpable, a heavy silence that neither seemed willing to break. Estella’s mind raced, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of anger, fear, and confusion. She didn’t know what to believe anymore. Brian had saved her from the werewolf in the alley, but his secrecy and his connection to Vivian still gnawed at her.

As they reached the grand staircase, Brian finally broke the silence. “You should rest,” he said, his voice low but firm. “It’s been a long night.”

Estella stopped, turning to face him. Her eyes burned with a mixture of frustration and defiance. “Rest? How can I rest when I don’t even know what’s going on? You keep saying you’re protecting me, but from what? And why won’t you tell me the truth about Vivian? About Ethan? About everything?”

Brian’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Estella thought he might finally open up. But instead, he simply sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Ella, I can’t explain everything right now. But I need you to trust me. Just a little longer.”

“Trust you?” Estella’s voice rose, her frustration boiling over. “How can I trust you when you won’t even give me a straight answer? You keep saying you’re protecting me, but it feels like you’re just keeping me in the dark. I’m not a child, Brian. I deserve to know the truth.”

ps: I'm so sorry for the delay guys. xoxo.