CHAPTER TWO

Arabella's POV

"I'm fine, thank you, Sir, for your help," I whispered; his touch was gentle, yet it ignited a burning sensation within my body.

My mouth dried up as my eyes roamed his strongly built body. His face closes in on me, sending a chill down my spine.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and focused on his blue eyes, which were deep and endless like the blue sea.

I wondered how a man's touch could be so soft, flooding me with warmth that took over my senses.

My breath hitched as his lips morph into a quirky smirk.

I held my breath and narrowed my gaze at him.

Alarm bells are sounding in my head, but my eyes are drawn to the rest of him like a magnet.

I inhaled his scent, which smelled like cinnamon mixed with honey; it pierced into my lungs and relaxed my muscles as he looked straight into my eyes.

My body shuddered with his penetrating eyes sizing me up. Silence fell between us.

Electricity cackled in the air, raising my temperature and speeding my breaths, with his dark gaze pinned on me, making me restless.

“Can you let go of me now?" I asked, my tone softened, and he immediately loosened his grip on me.

I adjusted the hem of my dress, and he placed me at the trunk of the tree; his expression remained unreadable, locking his eyes with mine.

He stepped away, and I frowned at him.

"It's Arabella, right?" he asked, and my lips parted in surprise as he casually mentioned my name as if we were mutual friends.

I feel my heartbeat quickening at the thought.

His aura is cold and indifferent enough to make me shudder with a vicious glare.

I felt uneasy and scared knowing I was utterly alone in the woods with this mysterious stranger.

Heat spreads in my belly as I stiffen in front of him, and his hesitant gaze lifts to my face.

“How does he know my name? "That was the question burning in my mind as he towered over me like a god. My chest tightened with different thoughts running through me.

He chuckled above his thick lips, drawing attention to his mysterious eyes.

“Fear not, I won't harm you," he murmured with a bemused smile curling on his lips at my reaction before sharply meeting my eyes.

His presence was commanding, yet he was calm.

“Happy birthday," he said with a faint smile on his lips. I didn't know this man, and yet he knew so much about me.

My heart began thumping wildly in my chest.

“Do you know me, and who are you?” I demanded to know, my voice trembling.

“I'm Alpha Edwin; your father adopted me as a son." He cleared his throat as he spoke.

My eyes widened. My cheeks flushed, stopping the train of my thoughts.

My heart clogged with different emotions.

My father had never approved of my union with Derek, and he was always on the lookout for me even when I went against his orders.

I swallowed hard, releasing a defeated breath, and let out a deep sigh.

Tears welled in my eyes as my father's words replayed in my head.

Edwin leaned closer, crouching to my level as he comforted me.

“Your father loves you, and you will always be his precious daughter,” Edwin said, patting my cold hands with his warm hands.

“Does he?” I asked amidst tears, as I had never heeded his warnings about Derek, whom he saw as a con artist and a playboy.

“Yes, he is always thinking about you," he stated, and my nerves lit up with electric current running in my body.

I felt comfort washing over me with his words, with warmth seeping into my body.

“I'm actually managing the Silver Moon pack on his behalf," he explained as I stared at him, trying to process everything.

“You are like my brother, right? " I blurted out. 

“Technically yes," he answered, and a small smirk tugged at his lips.

Relief washed over me at his words.

“I came here specifically to bring you home because your father has decided to make you the leader of the silver moon pack," he announced with a wild grin across his face.

My heart missed an odd beat.

“What?" I frowned slightly at him.

“You can finally stop hiding your identity," he said, his voice firm and resolute, leaving no room for argument.

I looked away, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my dress.

“I have been gone for three years; that's long enough," I exhaled, letting out a deep breath.

"Yes, you have to return to fulfill your duties," he urged me with a polite smile.

A lump clogged my throat.

“You have noble alpha blood; only you can lead a pack as strong as the Silver Moon pack," he mumbled softly, which made me release a soft breath. 

“You have always wanted to leave the hell, haven't you, Arabella?” he asked, narrowing his gaze on me.

I was taken aback by his question.

Of course he was right; I had missed home terribly, but I couldn't just admit it.

I swallowed my nervousness as he pressed me further.

My expression shifts and my facade of calmness vanishes.

“Tell my father I will be back," I said after a long moment of silence, lifting my head.

“But first I need to go back to the Blue Lake pack," I whisper, and his eyes soften.

“There is something I need to do; I need to end it with Derek once and for all." The words slipped out of my mouth, and I clenched my fists tightly with determination to make Derek pay a heavy price.