Chapter 3 fractured longings

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the pack lands. The quiet of the evening was broken only by the occasional howl in the distance. Lila sat on the bench in the garden, her book open on her lap, but the words blurred together on the page.

Her mind was elsewhere.

It always was these days.

She sighed, tilting her head back to look at the stars. They seemed so far away, cold and unreachable—much like Damon.

Her heart ached at the thought of him. It always had, even when she was a girl. Damon had been her world, her silent protector, the strong and stoic Alpha who commanded respect with a single glance. She’d loved him then, and she loved him now, even though she knew it was foolish.

He barely looked at her, and when he did, it was with a guarded expression that made her feel small and insignificant.

But there were moments, fleeting and rare, when she thought she saw something more in his eyes. A flicker of emotion, quickly buried. Those moments kept her hope alive, even when she knew better.

Lila closed her book and rested her hands on her lap, her thoughts drifting to the night of the rogue attack. Damon had been so close to her, his presence commanding and overwhelming. She could still feel the heat of his hand on her arm, the way his voice, deep and rough, had sent shivers down her spine.

She pressed her thighs together at the memory, her cheeks heating.

It wasn’t just his strength that drew her—it was everything about him. The way his dark hair fell across his forehead, the sharp angles of his jaw, the intensity in his stormy gray eyes. He moved with a predator’s grace, his every step exuding power and control.

But it was more than physical attraction.

Lila wanted to know the man behind the Alpha. She wanted to see him smile, to hear him laugh. She wanted to feel his arms around her, not out of obligation, but because he wanted her there.

Her heart twisted painfully.

What would it be like if he loved me?

The thought was bittersweet. She imagined waking up beside him, his arms wrapped around her, his voice soft as he whispered her name. She imagined him looking at her with warmth instead of indifference, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that left no doubt of his feelings.

But reality was far from her dreams.

Lila stood, brushing the wrinkles from her dress. She needed to stop torturing herself with what-ifs. Damon didn’t see her that way, and he never would.

Yet as she turned to leave, she felt his presence before she saw him.

“Lila.”

His voice, low and commanding, sent a jolt through her. She looked up to find him standing a few feet away, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the moonlight.

“Damon,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. His gaze locked onto hers, and she felt exposed, as though he could see every thought, every longing she tried to hide.

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he said, his tone gruff.

“I needed some air,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Damon stepped closer, and the air between them grew charged. Lila’s heart raced as his scent—earthy and masculine—enveloped her. She clenched her fists at her sides, resisting the urge to reach out and touch him.

His eyes lingered on her face, then drifted lower, taking in the curve of her neck, the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Lila’s breath hitched. For a brief, dizzying moment, she thought she saw desire in his gaze.

But then he looked away, his expression hardening.

“You should go inside,” he said, his voice cold.

The abruptness of his tone stung, and Lila felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She nodded and turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

“Lila.”

She turned back to him, hope flaring in her chest.

His jaw was tight, his hands clenched at his sides. For a moment, he looked as though he wanted to say something—something important. But then he shook his head, his expression closing off.

“Never mind,” he said, his voice flat.

Disappointment crashed over her, but she forced a smile. “Goodnight, Damon.”

He didn’t reply, and Lila walked away, her heart heavy.

Damon watched her leave, his wolf growling in frustration. She was so close, yet so untouchable.

His gaze lingered on the sway of her hips, the way her dress clung to her curves. Erotic images flashed through his mind again—her body beneath his, her skin flushed with passion, her voice trembling as she whispered his name.

He shook his head, cursing under his breath.

This wasn’t him. He didn’t lose control. He didn’t let anyone get under his skin. But Lila was different. She wasn’t his mate, yet she consumed his thoughts in ways he couldn’t understand.

Why?

He leaned against the tree, his mind racing. He’d waited for years for the bond, for the one who was meant to be his. But with Lila, there was no bond. No electric connection tying their souls together.

So why did she feel like she belonged to him?

Damon clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms. He couldn’t afford to be distracted. The pack needed him strong, focused. Attachments were dangerous, a weakness he couldn’t afford.

But no matter how much he tried to push her away, the thought of Lila lingered, her scent and laughter haunting him long into the night

Lila sat in her room, staring out the window at the darkened forest. Her encounter with Damon replayed in her mind, her chest tightening with longing.

She pressed her hand to her lips, imagining what it would feel like to kiss him. Her skin burned with the thought, a mix of desire and despair.

What are you doing to me, Damon? she thought, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

In the depths of her heart, she knew she couldn’t stop loving him. Even if it broke her.