Chapter 17 You're Falling For Him Again
"Ella…" Moore’s voice echoed through the hall, growing louder with each step.
Ella tensed, her instincts urging her to create distance between herself and Derek. She could feel the tension building, and the last thing she wanted was for Moore to find them like this. She shifted, trying to slip out of Derek’s grip, but Derek, sensing her intention, held her tighter, pulling her even closer to his chest.
Her eyes flared with frustration. "Alpha Derek, what are you doing?" she hissed, trying to keep her voice low and controlled.
Derek smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker. "What do you think I’m doing?"
Ella struggled more forcefully, her movements frantic as Moore’s voice grew nearer. In the scuffle, the strap of her dress slipped down her shoulder, leaving her skin bare and her breast partially exposed. Any further, and the situation would be beyond embarrassing. But Ella, too focused on escaping Derek’s grip, didn’t immediately realize what had happened.
Derek, on the other hand, noticed instantly. His eyes darkened, filled with raw, unfiltered lust as he took in the sight of her exposed skin. His gaze was intense as if he was ready to devour her right then and there.
When Ella finally caught the shift in his expression, she followed his gaze and gasped in horror as she saw the state of her dress. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, her face flushing with humiliation. She hurriedly reached to adjust the fallen strap, but Derek’s eyes still lingered on her, making no effort to look away. His brazen stare only infuriated her further.
Before she could fully compose herself, the curtains behind them parted, and Alpha Moore stepped into the room, his eyes immediately landing on the compromising scene before him. Ella froze, her wide eyes locking onto him like a deer caught in headlights. The sight of her disheveled appearance—her dress half-fallen, her lipstick smeared, and Derek’s possessive grip on her—left no room for doubt about what Moore believed he had just walked in on.
Moore’s gaze hardened as he quickly crossed the room, his jaw clenched in anger. Without hesitation, he grabbed Ella’s arm, pulling her out of Derek’s hold and adjusting her dress. His hands were gentle on her, but the fire in his eyes was directed entirely at Derek.
"Alpha Derek," Moore began, his voice low and furious, "I will fight you if you try to force my wife against her will."
Derek merely smiled, that same infuriatingly stubborn expression on his face. "Alpha Moore," he replied calmly, "your wife will have a new mate if you relax your guard. Then we’ll see where her true will lies."
His words hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken challenge. He brushed past Moore, their shoulders barely touching, but the tension between them was palpable. Derek paused at the door, turning to give Ella one last lingering look, his eyes still simmering with unvoiced desires before he exited the room.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Moore, still holding Ella’s arm, looked down at her with a mixture of concern and frustration. His voice softened, almost pleading. "You’re falling for him again, aren’t you?"
Ella swallowed hard, her mind reeling from the whirlwind of emotions she had been trying to contain. She shook her head, her voice unsteady. "Moore, it’s not what you think."
Moore’s eyes searched hers, his voice laced with worry. "Just be careful, Ella. I know I told you I’d respect whatever decision you make, but don’t forget what he did to you. Don’t let him betray you again."
Ella’s throat tightened as the memories of Derek’s rejection flashed painfully in her mind. She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay composed even as tears threatened to spill. She couldn’t let Moore see her like this. Not when she was so conflicted.
But Moore noticed the slight tremble in her shoulders, the way she was fighting to keep herself together. Without another word, he pulled her into his arms, his hand gently stroking her hair in silent comfort. He knew how much Derek’s reappearance had affected her, how much the resurfacing of the mate bond was weighing on her heart.
Ella stood there, leaning against him, trying to gather her emotions. Moore was right—she couldn’t deny the bond she had with Derek. It was an undeniable pull that seemed to grow stronger every time they crossed paths. But how could she forget? How could she ignore the fact that Derek had once rejected her, cast her aside, and… and besides he has Luna Clara by his side.
Ella closed her eyes, her heart a storm of emotions she wasn’t ready to confront. She would have to face Derek again soon, and when she did, she needed to be sure of what she truly wanted. But for now, all she could do was breathe and hold onto the fragile thread of control she still had left.
She inhaled sharply, trying to steady her breathing. She had to be strong. She couldn’t let Derek sweep her off her feet again, not when so much was at stake. Not with this plague looming everywhere threatening to start a war.
She can't lose focus. Not now–not Ever
Moore held her in silence, his touch gentle but firm, as if silently reassuring her that no matter what happened, he would be there. No words needed to be said between them. For now, it was enough to just stand together, the weight of their shared history and the looming threat of Derek’s presence hanging heavily in the air.