ELARA
I spun around so fast I nearly tripped, grabbing Hardin by the wrist before Silas could even open his mouth to talk.
"Out," I hissed under my breath, dragging him out the door.
To my surprise, he didn't argue. He just followed quietly, unbothered, like some toddler being led by his teacher.
Once we were outside, I turned to face him, waving my hands like I was trying to reason with a college kid on his fifth warning.
"Okay, listen carefully. You see that guy in there? I really don't want you messing with him. I mean it this time, Hardin."
He slid one hand into his pocket and cocked his head. "You're gonna have to clarify what you mean there, freckles—"
I raised my hand to cut him off. "No. We're starting with that. You're not calling me freckles or any of your annoying nicknames. Just use my name. And for the love of the goddess, don't bring up anything about mates in there. Not one word."
He scoffed. "Why? Is he some kind of president? Or your boyfriend now?"
I closed my eyes briefly, exhaling through my nose. "Just listen to me, Hardin! Don't argue, just do it. He's my ex-boyfriend. Technically, we didn't really date but… whatever. Just don't go in there acting all cocky and full of yourself, got it?"
He raised a brow but nodded once.
"Good."
With that settled—sort of—I turned back toward the house, plastering the most unconvincing smile I could manage before walking inside.
Silas was still there, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, his familiar brown eyes scanning me like I'd looked like a completely different person.
And just then, Gina came in, balancing a tray in her hands, her face glowing with excitement, the kind she never showed me before.
Great. Just perfect.
"Look who's here!" Gina exclaimed, setting the tray down on the table before hurrying over to hug me.
Her arms wrapped around me so tight I could barely breathe.
"Gina, you're killing me," I managed to choke out, squirming under her grip.
She finally pulled back, eyes shining. "I missed you so much! And it hurts that you didn't even call. Not once! And when I did, you didn't answer any of them. Anyway, I forgive yo—"
Her voice trailed off as her gaze shifted past me. I didn't need to turn around to know who she was staring at.
Her confidence faltered for a split second before she leaned close, her lips brushing my ear.
"What's going on, Elara? Why do hot guys keep showing up for you today? And who is this super hot guy behind you?"
I forced a smile, already crafting a believable lie in my head, but of course, Hardin had other plans.
"I'm her boyfriend," he said casually from behind me.
My heart dropped. Of course he heard what Enor whispered. That damn wolf hearing. Couldn't he just stay quiet for once?
"E–Elara?" Silas's voice cut through before I could turn around and murder Hardin with my glare.
"Hey!" I said quickly, spinning to face Silas with the fakest enthusiasm I could manage.
"Oh goodness," Gina interrupted, jumping back to her tray like she suddenly remembered she had a job. "I'm so sorry, Silas! We almost forgot about you. Don't worry, your food's still warm!"
She hurried around the table to serve him, while I sat in the chair beside him, silently wondering what the hell Hardin was thinking.
"So… what's up, Silas?" I started, tucking a loose strand of hair nervously behind my ear. "I didn't expect to see you here. Actually, I'm still trying to figure out how you even found my address."
He smiled, that familiar, charming smile that once made my teenage self melt inside. Back then, I thought he was the kind of guy every girl wanted. And of course, he was my greatest distraction from Jeremy.
But sitting across from him now, I realized the truth. I never for once loved him. I just didn't know how to turn him down when he asked me out.
Yeah. Teenage foolishness. I get it now.
"The truth is, I got your address from Enor. Let's say she told me herself willingly," he confessed.
My gaze snapped to him at once. "What? Enor? She gave you my address?"
"Yeah," he said, his tone a little too casual, leaning back like it was no big deal, let's say he was trying to act cool in front of Hardin which doesn't suit his kind of person. "She called me randomly, asking about work and life. Honestly, I found it strange too. You know we had a history."
Yeah, how could I forget? Enor had a way of obsessing over anyone who came close to me, just like Silas. She never stopped throwing herself at him the moment she realized he was into me. I could've easily let her have him if that's what she wanted so badly, but it was never really about Silas. It was about me. She was obsessed with taking everything that belonged to me.
That was Enor. So no, I wasn't entirely surprised she sold me out to Silas. I'd bet it had something to do with Aaron, the man who dumped her for his new-found mate.
"So… she just called you randomly, spilled stuff about me, and whoop! you decided to hop in your car and drive all the way down here just to do what exactly?" I asked firmly, my voice calm but laced with accusation.
His face changed, the fake calm slipping. Before he could reply, Gina, who'd been squirming like she was sitting on hot coal, finally broke the tension. I swear, I had no idea what had gotten into her today. Gina was never this talkative, but somehow she'd decided today was her official "talk till I die" day.
"I didn't know Elara had a boyfriend," she blurted.
"No, Gina. It's my ex-boyfriend," I corrected quickly.
"Yeah, right. Ex-boyfriend," she dragged on with an exaggerated tone and a teasing smile.
"If you ask me, I think the universe has a twisted sense of humor," she continued, grinning. "Your ex-boyfriend meets your new boyfriend in the same room. Perfect. I bet someone else might walk in next claiming to be your ex-husband."
She laughed, alone, of course. Because no one else did.
Hardin finally spoke, his voice a deep growl beneath his calm. "I'm sure you didn't just come down here like a puppy who'd missed its owner, just to check on her?"
Silas's eyes met his. I knew that look. It wasn't friendly. The air between them thickened, heavy and charged with testosterone. If looks could kill, one of them would already be buried.
"Yes," Silas said finally, his voice dropping low. "I was in town, so I figured, why not?"
Hardin scoffed, folding his arms. "Someone might actually think you've still got something for her. You know, to avoid misunderstanding."
Silas leaned slightly forward, his eyes still on Hardin. "If Elara hasn't officially introduced her presumed boyfriend, then I guess there's still hope."
My heart thudded once, but very hard, hammering inside my ears. Hardin's jaw clenched, the veins in his neck tightening. I knew that that look too well. One more word from Silas and this entire place would turn into a battleground.
I shot to my feet. "Get up," I said sharply, grabbing Silas's wrist before he could say another word. "Follow me."
My grip was firm. I didn't even bother to explain. I just pulled him toward the door, every step echoing in the thick silence.
By the time I reached the handle and swung it open, my breath caught midair.
Aaron was standing there, his hand raised, ready to knock, but I had beaten him to it.
His eyes looked like he'd been drained of water, but before I could even speak, he stepped forward, his body pressing into mine as his lips crashed against my mouth.
It wasn't a soft kiss. It was deep, urgent, hungry. The kind that stole your breath before your mind could catch up. My pulse roared in my ears, and for a split second, everything else; Gina's gasp, Hardin's unreadable stare, Silas's frozen expression, all faded into nothing.
His hands cupped my jaw, tilting my face upward as he deepened the kiss like he'd been starving for it.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes searched mine with that familiar intensity. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," he whispered hoarsely.
Behind us, the room had gone silent.
Gina's mouth was still hanging open, Silas looked like he'd just swallowed fire, and Hardin… Hardin was no longer standing where I left him.
He was by the window now, his hands fisted, jaw tight, eyes burning red like his brother now looked like a predator he needed to take down.
And in that second, I knew.
There was something dangerous lying ahead. But what could it be? Whichever the case, my heart was thundering inside my chest.