Chapter 005

"I won't act as though I don't see what's going on here." Leaning against the doorframe of the room where I had been withdrawing to ponder, Declan spoke in a low, almost informal tone. His eyes, those once lovely green eyes, were now cold and calculating, but he understood how to look casual. observing.

"What's going on?" Even though I knew the answer, I still asked.

"Adeoye and you." As though it were something repulsive, something he couldn't bring himself to pronounce, he hissed the word. "You two are getting too... close."

My patience was wearing thin with every word he said, so I rolled my eyes. "Declan, we are conversing. There isn't a conspiracy.

He twisted his smirk. "You know as well as I do that it's not just talking." With slow, methodical steps, he pushed off the doorframe and entered the room. "Lola, you can't be serious. He is completely unlike me.

My voice remained firm, but I could feel the wrath swelling inside of me, simmering beneath the surface. "What does that even mean?"

There was a dark spark of possessiveness in his eyes that I had never seen before. "Lola, I recognize you. I am aware of your needs. Additionally, Adeoye will not provide it to you. He is not quite as strong as I am. His tone fell, brimming with disdain. "He’s not the alpha you think he is."

His remarks made me want to cry or shout, but I wasn't sure why. They brought up memories of our past interactions, the betrayal I had experienced, and the jumble of feelings I was still attempting to sort out.

"Declan, you no longer have control over me," I stated in a firm, uncompromising voice that was almost audible above a whisper. "You have no right to come in here and insult me like you have a right to."

Silence filled the room for a minute. I was expecting him to lash out, but all he did was stare at me, the turmoil evident in his eyes.

At last, he added bluntly, "I never stopped caring about you." And I will not see you fail because you made a mistake. Whatever it is about him, this isn't real. You won't have a good ending.

I looked at him in disbelief. "You're correct. If I continue to hear your lies, things won't work out for me."

The walls were closing in on me, and I could feel Declan's presence bearing down on me. However, his attitude abruptly changed, and I noticed a slight fracture in the mask.

His voice had become softer, almost desperate, as he continued, "I'm trying to protect you." "Lola, you're not thinking clearly. Please.

My heart was thumping in my chest, torn between the uncertain future and the past I couldn't leave behind. Even though I felt the sting of my words, I continued, "You lost that right the moment you walked away," in a cutting tone.

Declan winced. I could see the strain in his neck muscles as his jaw tightened. He reiterated, "You're making a mistake," but this time there was more vulnerability and less assurance.

I didn't respond to him. I didn't have to.

The days that followed seemed to be a weird, warped blur. No matter where I went, Declan's cautions followed me like an unseen cloud. However, I no longer intended to flee from Declan or Adeoye. I had finished manipulating. I'm beyond being caught between two different universes.

Both physically and symbolically, I was perched on the precipice. The sky was becoming pink and orange as the sun was just starting to set, but I was too preoccupied to notice how beautiful it was.

"What are your thoughts?" Adeoye was almost like a shadow behind me, and his voice was sweet.

As I turned to face him, my breath caught in my throat, but I wasn't startled. With obvious frustration in my voice, I said, "I don't know how to navigate all of this." "You, Declan, the pack... I feel as though all of these expectations are drowning me.

His eyes were softer than ever as he took a step closer. I couldn't quite place the understanding that replaced the dominance in his gaze. "You don't have to go through it by yourself."

Like a promise I wasn't sure I could keep, the offer hovered between us. I wasn't sure I could afford to turn it down, though.

To myself, I remarked, "You're too... different." Really, I have no idea who you are. what you desire. Why are you here?

Adeoye grinned, but it was an uncommon, sincere grin. It's not necessary for you to know everything at once. But know that whatever is going on between us is genuine. No manipulation, no games. Just the truth.

His voice struck me in the chest with its genuineness. I was at a loss for words. His candor left me unsure of how to react. However, I came to a realization at that same moment. All of the information I believed to be true about him and myself was in flux. Everything is a mystery.

Adeoye remarked, taking a small step back, "Lola, I'm not asking for anything." However, I am present. And you know where to look for me if you ever need someone who doesn't want to take advantage of you.

Strange silences and even weirder moments characterized the days that followed. Declan's presence was felt throughout the pack's territory, and his jealousy was growing more noticeable. Even when he thought I wasn't looking, he kept an eye on me. I couldn't get his previous statement out of my head: "He's not the alpha you think he is."

However, I couldn't help but wonder if Declan was merely jealous or if I was missing something more in Adeoye. A dark thing? Something that might cause me harm?

Between Declan, Adeoye, and myself, I could feel the tension building and ready to explode at any second. I couldn't stop wondering: who could I trust?

I was standing at the edge of the clearing that night, looking into the dark woods after yet another uncomfortable encounter with Declan. The light was absorbed by the dense shadows.

Then I heard it, a distant but distinct sound. A howl.

However, it wasn't a lone wolf this time. They were in a chorus.

And they were drawing nearer.

My heart was pounding as I turned. Adeoye stood behind me, staring into the woods with narrowed eyes.

"What is it?" My voice was tremulous as I asked.

Without responding, he took hold of my arm and drew me close to him, his hold solid. With intensity in his voice, he commanded, "Stay near me." "And don’t trust anyone outside the pack."

I was about to ask him a question when I noticed a figure emerge from the trees. It wasn't a human. By no means.

It was a wolf. Not just any wolf, though.

This one clearly bore the fingerprints of someone from my past.

It was accompanied by the terrifying insight that Declan had misled me. And I was going to discover the full extent of his treachery.