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Forced into Marriage by the Rescued Alpha

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Episode 11

I knock hesitantly on Zade's door.

Moments later, he opens it.

"What happened this morning?"

Dark: "As if asking now is going to solve anything," he grumbles.

"Come in," Zade says, stepping aside to let me in.

"Hey, Adrian, what's up?" Anne asks as soon as I enter.

"He wants to know what happened this morning..." Zade answers for me.

"Why? Did that gossip give you her version?" Anne asks.

I simply nod.

Anne lets out a tired sigh.

"She started causing a scene when she found out you dumped her for Ayla. Then she began to belittle Ayla, but Ayla didn’t stay quiet, so Melany threw her drink at Ayla, and Ayla knocked her to the ground, which, by the way, was the most satisfying thing ever," Anne says.

"She has attitude... It was like she had a wolf inside her... When Melany threw the drink at her, she had a terrifying expression," Zade adds with a light laugh.

Dark: "Should’ve taken that despicable being out with a salt shot."

"And what was that disgusting creature's version?" Anne asks.

I hesitate a bit before responding.

"She... said Ayla started provoking her and hit her first..." I murmur.

"And you didn’t believe her, right?" Anne asks.

"He not only believed her but also sided with her and blamed Ayla," Dark says.

"But are you seriously just going to keep snitching on me?!"

"WHAT?!" Anne shouts.

I feel a mix of shame and frustration.

I look at Anne and Zade, seeing their clear disapproval in their eyes. It was as if they were judging me, and I knew I deserved every inch of that judgment.

I knew I had messed up...

Then a low growl echoes through the room, followed by a tense silence.

I look at Anne and see her face growing increasingly tense, her muscles tightening, and her eyes starting to turn yellow...

My eyes widen.

"Adrian, run!" Zade shouts.

Without looking back, I bolt through the door...

Anne was a sweet and kind person, but when she got angry… her wolf could be terrifying...

Dark: "FOR THE LOVE OF THE SUPREME! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT JUST HAPPENED? That abominable creature tried to humiliate Ayla, and you still defend her? After everything that’s happened to her, all you do is hurt her more! That's enough for me!"

Then Dark starts fighting me for control.

Adrian: "Can you please stop?"

Dark: "No! I'm going to check on her and offer support since you're too weak to even do that!"

He’s becoming stronger...

I've never seen him like this.

Adrian: "FINE! I'LL GO AFTER HER!"

And then he stops...

What a mess... one worse than the other...

I walk through the streets, trying to find her.

Adrian: "I don’t know why everyone is on her side... Anne just met her and almost flew at my throat... You too, huh?"

Dark: "Ayla is special; just looking at her you can tell she’s different... only you can't see that..."

Adrian: "Just because she’s human?"

Dark doesn’t reply, just huffs, showing his indignation.

My heart pounds hard, echoing every step I take through the dark streets of the city.

Until I start to smell that sweet, unmistakable scent of vanilla.

As I walk, the scent grows stronger until I stop in front of the bar...

What I see somehow disturbs me, making something inside me stir.

That imbecile Taylor is leaning over her, closing in.

I walk into the bar, and Dark lets out a loud, fierce growl, causing everyone to tense up.

"You insolent bastard! If you breathe near her again, I will rip those alpha eyes out of your head with my own hands!" Dark says, his voice deep and threatening, making Taylor's eyes widen as he backs off.

"Sorry for the delay... dear," I say, glaring at Taylor, my expression far from pleasant.

Ayla freezes for a moment, then leans over the bar, looking at Jerry, the bar owner.

"Thank you for the drink," she says, and he responds with a slight smile and a nod.

She stands up, the gazes of everyone following her, and then she starts to walk out of the bar.

I cast one last look at Taylor, making it clear that I won’t tolerate something like this again.

Even if we’re not together out of feelings, I won’t allow someone else to hover over her; it could put her at risk of being discovered, and that would really be a problem for me...

I walk beside her in silence...

"What’s wrong? Feeling guilty after spewing a bunch of crap at me?" she says as we distance ourselves from the bar.

"You know that’s not it..." I start, my voice heavy with frustration. "I just... didn’t expect things to spiral out of control like this."

She is silent for a moment.

"So, how did you find me?"

"That unbearable scent of vanilla of yours permeated the place," I say, keeping a serious expression. "It was impossible not to notice."

Dark: "Hey! Her scent is delightful, and you know it!"

I look at her and see her face start to turn slightly red with pure anger, as if she's at the peak of her self-control.

"Oh, of course, it's my fault for having an appealing aroma," she responds mockingly. "Must be tough for you, since you’re so used to the smell of wet dog."

Dark starts to laugh and then stops.

Dark: "Wait a minute..." he says, confused.

I let out a bitter laugh, my eyes flashing with a mix of anger and disdain.

"You always have a comeback for everything, don’t you? So insolent..." I murmur.

"What’s the matter? If you want me to change, Adrian, then maybe you should start by changing your own behavior!" she retorts. "Do you think you can just barge into my life and act like a complete idiot, and I’ll just accept it?" she asks, her voice now heavy with indignation. "I’m not property of either of you. You don’t have the right to treat me like this."

I take a step closer to her.

"You have no idea what you’re talking about, Ayla. It’s not just about you! It’s about me. About what’s at stake here," I say, anger lacing every word. "You have no clue how hard this has been for me!"

"And what about me?!" she snaps. "What about how difficult it’s been for me? You're so wrapped up in your own issues that you have zero compassion!"

Her words hit me like a punch to the stomach, striking a nerve I wanted to ignore but couldn’t...

Dark: "She’s right..."

I roll my eyes internally, my expression hardening again.

"You don’t understand, Ayla. I’m trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" she repeats incredulously. "It’s funny how you use that excuse to justify treating me like I’m the worst burden in your life! Do you really think mistreating me and then trying to make it up with clothes or food is protecting me? I’m not a poor little thing that needs pity, but I do need at least a bit of support after what happened to me; it’s the most humane thing to do!"

My mind swirls in a turmoil of conflicting emotions, but one stands out above all: anger.

Anger for feeling guilty, anger for not knowing how to deal with these feelings, anger for her touching on a vulnerable spot inside me.

I raise my gaze to meet hers, but the words seem to escape my mouth, leaving only the heavy silence hanging between us.

Still feeling angry, she turns to walk away, but something inside me, an impulse, keeps me from letting her go.

My hand seems to act on its own, grabbing hers before she can take another step.

For a brief moment, a strange sensation courses through my body when our fingers touch.

An electric current flows through me, making my heart race slightly in response.

Our gazes lock, and for an instant, I lose myself in the depth of her eyes.

There was something in them that intrigued me, something I couldn’t quite identify, something I hadn’t noticed... until now...

But before I could fully process that feeling, she suddenly pulls her hand away, turning her back and walking away.

A mix of frustration and confusion settles within me.

Dark: "See? She was suffering, and you were being an idiot."

He doesn't waste any time.

Adrian: "Oh, to hell with you, Dark!"

Dark: "Just because you apparently have no feelings for her doesn’t mean you should be a jerk."

Adrian: "What do you mean, apparently no feelings for her?"

Dark: "You might not want to admit it, but your feelings are right there, beneath your nose. You can pretend all you want, but you can't fool yourself forever."

Adrian: "This is ridiculous. I hardly know her! I don't feel anything for her. She's just... an obligation."

Dark: "An obligation you're clearly avoiding facing. You can keep lying to yourself, but deep down, you know there's something more going on here."

Adrian: "Don’t tell me what I know or don’t know. I know what I’m doing."

Dark: "You want to know? You don’t want to face reality, Adrian? Do what you want. I’m tired of trying to open your eyes..."

For the first time, I felt not just from Dark but a sorrow so strong it felt like it was my own feelings...

A knot forms in my stomach, a sign that Dark's words struck me deeply, even if I try to deny it...

Adrian: "Come on, Dark... it's just that... I don’t like her... Dark... Dark!"

I let out a frustrated sigh.

Great...

No one wants to talk to me...

I keep looking at Ayla from afar...

That feeling... could Dark be speaking the truth?