Chapter 5 #2
Elena didn’t notice because Leila made damn sure she wouldn’t.
She played it cool. Too cool. Like I meant nothing.
Like we weren’t once crazy in love with each other.
It infuriated me. And ultimately, it drove me to follow her into that bathroom just to see.
Because it couldn’t be just me losing my mind.
And it wasn’t.
I saw it in her eyes. Felt it in her body. I still had the same effect on her that I did five years ago.
And somehow, that made everything worse.
“You know Elena. Too self-absorbed to notice anything beyond herself.”
“Right,” Charles muttered. “But she’s not dumb. She’ll catch on soon, unless you do something about it.”
I looked up sharply. “Do what?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Should you even be feeling this way? I mean…you rejected her. You severed the bond. Tore it in half.”
“I thought so too,” I said quietly. “But the bond’s still there, Charles. That fucking Fated Mate bond. It’s like my wolf’s been asleep for years and someone just jammed a hot blade into his spine. He’s awake now. Furious. Desperate for her.”
“And you?”
“And me?” I let out a bitter laugh. “What do you think, Charles? One look from that woman—just one—and I wanted to claim her all over again.”
Charles leaned back, his expression softening into something dangerously close to pity. Like I was helpless in a goddamn storm.
I shot him a warning glare. And as quickly as it came, he wiped the look off his face.
For a moment, he said nothing. Then, in that low, steady voice of his, the voice of reason, he spoke. “Look, man. I get it. What you and Leila had…it was real. Maybe a part of you still feels that bond.”
He paused, then added, quieter. “But she betrayed you. Lied to your face. Stole from your company, cheated on you. And even if you could forgive all that, even if you were willing to gamble on her again…she’s still a half breed.
You know what the council would do with that.
Hell, you know what your father would do.
The pack wouldn’t just disapprove, they’d revolt if you named her Luna. ”
“I’m not naming her anything, Charles. I just told you I saw her again after five years. I didn’t say I was ready to burn down everything I’ve built for her.”
“Then stay away from her. Talk to Elena. Change the wedding planner. There are a thousand qualified people out there. I’ll even help you find one.
But it can’t be Leila. You say you’re not about to throw it all away, but I know you, Luca.
She's a walking time bomb and if you do not disarm that threat now, while you still can, you will detonate the bomb.”
I lowered my eyes on him. “Vivid illusion, Charles.”
He smirked. “That’s why I’m your head of security.”
“Look,” he continued, his voice turning serious again. “If you walk away from this wedding, or screw up this alliance in any way, Victor gets the title. Your birthright goes up in smoke.”
At the mention of that name, my jaws clenched. And as if summoned by pure and sheer disdain, the door opened again.
Victor strolled in. He dropped a file on my desk like it offended him.
“Monthly update from R&D,” he said. “Everything’s in there.”
Charles got up, and with a nod that said we’ll continue this conversation later, he left.
I flipped it open and skimmed. There were sloppy numbers, inflated projections, and a bunch of haphazardly done bullshit.
“You’re down four percent in logistics,” I said, not bothering to hide my displeasure.
Victor sank into the leather chair across from me, uninvited. “Supply chain delays. Nothing I could’ve done.”
I stared at him. “You could’ve forecasted better. You had the budget.”
He shrugged. “Or maybe you’re just determined to find fault in everything I do. Makes it easier to show Father that you’re the golden son and I’m what? Just an inconvenience.”
I set the folder down. “Right now, you are. With that work rate of yours, the only reason you still hold a position in this company is because of your last name.”
Victor’s nostrils flared, his jaws clenched so hard I could hear the faint grinding of teeth. “You think you’re so perfect, huh? You think you can parade yourself around like you’re some high and mighty person who’s got all his shit together?
“Well, brother, I can see the cracks in your facade. And you? You’re just one step away from blowing up everything.” Then he smirked, slow and smug. “I hear her father’s starting to wonder if you’re dragging your feet because there’s someone else in the picture.”
My jaws flexed.
Victor grinned. “Unless, of course, the rumors are true. That you’re stalling because you’re waiting—no, pining—for the mate who stole from you years ago.
” He paused, then his tone shifted—cool, but laced with something bitter.
“Funny how things work out. I met Leila first, remember? She was supposed to be mine. Before you showed up and did what you always do—take.” He gave a low chuckle, sharp and humorless.
“And now you’re circling back like she’s yours to have. ”
Was that a shot in the dark? Or did he know something?
His tone was too easy, too smooth—like he was fishing. Waiting for a reaction. Watching to see if he’d struck a nerve.
But if Victor had really seen her—if he knew Leila was back—he wouldn’t be playing coy. He’d be sharpening knives.
Which meant he didn’t know. Not yet.
I rose from my seat.
“Careful,” I said, my voice low. “You’re confusing ambition with permission.”
He rose too, but not as steadily.
We stared each other down. Victor was my younger brother, at least on paper. But he always felt like a stranger and not like a boy I’d spent all my life with. The final wedge in our fractured bond had been Leila.
It was his own fault for thinking he stood a chance her. With the only woman I ever wanted. My Mate.
Victor finally looked away, gathering the file from the table. “Looking forward to dinner with Father,” he said smoothly. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear how the wedding preparations are coming along. At least, one of us will.”
He turned and walked out.
Victor knew I was stalling about marrying Elena. And he knew exactly why. I’d never cared for Elena, but I’d spent the last couple of months pretending to. And now, with Leila back, there was no more pretending.
Because how do you settle when the one thing you truly wanted comes walking back in?
I was royally, undeniably, fucked.