Chapter 5: TROUBLED HEART

ADRIEN ORION POV

I stepped back, releasing Celeste’s neck, but my body still hummed with tension. My chest felt tight, my pulse a drum I couldn’t slow.

I was stunned, she saw through me easily. She knew how much it would cost me if I proceeded with the divorce.

My hands itched to grab her again, to pull her close, but I forced myself to step away. I needed distance. I needed control. I was tired of arguing, tired of letting her stir emotions I wasn’t ready to face.

Yet, my eyes couldn’t leave her.

She stumbled.

The motion was slight at first, almost imperceptible, but my instincts screamed. She lost her balance, legs trembling beneath her, and then—she went down hard.

“Ouch!” The sharp cry tore through the quiet of the study, echoing off the walls.

I froze. My heart lurched, a sick twist in my gut. When had she become so vulnerable? So fragile?

My wolf, Alabaz, growled deep in my mind, raw and restless, pulling at my instincts. “She’s hurt! Help her!”

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to ignore it. She was stubborn. She wouldn’t want help. She never had. Let her struggle if she wanted to. But…I turned.

She was trying to rise, clutching the edge of the table for support. Her face was pale, flushed with effort, eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. I wanted to ignore her. I really did.

I had done it before, countless times. But my wolf would not allow it. Alabaz’s voice filled my head again, sharp and insistent. “You can’t leave her! She’s yours! Help her now!”

I stepped forward, reluctantly, and held out my hand. She shook her head violently, refusing the help.

“Don’t touch me! I don’t need your help!” Her voice was defiant, but weak. She tried to brush past me, limping toward the stairs.

I should have let her go. I wanted to. My pride screamed at me to retreat, to let her embarrass herself, to let her prove how independent she thought she was.

But then my gaze dropped to her ankles. Red, swollen, twisted slightly. The evidence was undeniable. She wasn’t faking.

Alabaz howled in triumph in my head, a sound of pure fury and insistence. “See! She’s ours! She’s in pain! Protect her!”

I cursed under my breath, moving faster than I realized I could. My arms wrapped around her just as she faltered again. Her weight pressed against me, soft and familiar, and my chest tightened at the feel of her. Her hair brushed my skin, her warmth radiated against me, and for a moment, I almost lost myself.

“See…she is our true mate.” Alabaz said again.

“Shut up! That's just what she wants you to believe. I know the truth.” I snapped at him.

“Damn it!” I muttered, low and rough, carrying her toward her room. She didn’t protest. Not this time. Her hand clung weakly to my shoulder, but she said nothing, let nothing escape her lips.

Every step reminded me of the way we had been before. Close. Intimate. Invincible together. But now… now it was fragile, raw, painful. And I wasn’t allowed to fall for it. I wouldn’t.

I placed her gently on the bed, adjusting the quilt beneath her. She leaned back, exhausted, the faint sheen of sweat on her brow catching the moonlight.

“Thank you,” she whispered, barely audible.

I didn’t respond.

My gaze fell to her legs again, and my hands clenched. Her ankles—red, swollen, delicate. She was in pain, and I was supposed to just walk away? My wolf howled again, angry, restless, a force pressing through my chest.

I grabbed the medicine box, rifled through it, and tossed the ointment next to her.

“Apply it yourself,” I muttered, forcing my words to sound neutral.

Alabaz roared in my head. “Neutral? You’re being an idiot! Help her yourself!”

I scowled at nothing, muttering, “I don’t have time for this.”

She picked up the ointment and tried to reach her twisted ankle. Her small hands shook. She struggled, leaning over, biting her lip to keep from crying out.

And I couldn’t take it anymore.

I stepped forward, lowering my hands to gently grasp her calf. “Here,” I said, voice softer than I intended. “Let me help.”

She flinched, but didn’t push me away this time.

I stared at her. Her skin looked soft under my gaze, and the scent of her, faint vanilla scent, wrapped around me, pulling at places I didn’t want to feel. My wolf snarled, growled, and begged.

“Claim her! Protect her! She’s ours!”

I closed my eyes for a second, trying to shut him out, trying to maintain control, trying not to remember how it felt to hold her like this before.

But then a knock sounded at the door. Sharp, urgent.

Both of us froze.

“Who’s there?” Celeste asked, voice weak but alert, still clutching at her ankle.

“I’m Maria, from Villa Hazel,” came the soft voice. “Alpha Adrien, lady Hazel's isn’t feeling well again. I—”

Alabaz’s roar erupted in my mind before I could even answer. “Back off! Don’t you dare say another word.” He roared, my aura pushed against the walls, against the door, against anyone who might try to approach.

Before I could even react, my wolf had already driven away Hazel's maid, and I focused my attention back at Celeste.