Chapter 3 Incident

Chapter 3

***

It's Matt, all right. He's clad in a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, his hair disheveled. I despise the part of me that notes he looks good, even if his eyes are slightly bloodshot.

But the comfort in his voice, the way he seems to brighten up, confuses me completely. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you trying to say?"

I scrutinize him, noting he's likely feigning ignorance about what I already know. I press my lips together. "You should go to your new girl."

"New girl?" he asks slowly.

A tense silence stretches between us as I fix him with an intense stare.

I frown at him. "Morgan. Yes, I know you're sleeping with her, and you lied about her being your sister."

After a long pause, he asked, "Did someone tell you that?"

My body heats up with anger. What...the...heck? Is he serious right now? Is he really pretending not to know what I'm talking about? Forget this. If this jerk steps any closer, I'll spit in his face.

"Get away from me, Matt!"

"Bels..."

"Go away!" I shout, stepping closer and shoving his chest with all my strength, breathing heavily. He stumbles back, surprised. Panic fills his eyes, realizing I'm serious.

"Hold on, Bella. You're right. Okay, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Matt's words tumbled out in a rush. "You're right. I'm sorry, truly sorry. Morgan isn't my sister; she's a childhood friend. While waiting for you, I made a terrible mistake. I couldn't sleep all night, thinking about it. Please, I've never done this before, and I promise it won't happen again."

I want to be alone. I don't want to hear this. My unfaithful heart is absorbing it all, even as I want to kick him in the groin.

I begin to walk away, but Matt trails behind me. "No! I don't want to see you," I shout.

He doesn't listen. "Please, Bels, grant me another chance. I'm sorry. I realize how important you are to me. I see her as a toy, a plaything, but you, Bels, you... you're intelligent, gorgeous, compassionate, and... and I don't want to be without you. I want you. I need you. I truly love you, Belladonna."

I paused, and he takes that as a chance to wrap his arms around me. I feel myself weaken. How can he still feel so familiar, so much like home?

"I've been here this whole time. They wouldn't let me see you," he says, his voice unsteady. "Please, Bella, forgive me. I'll do anything you ask. Anything at all."

I find myself on the verge of uttering the words that could change everything. We could still escape together, leave all this behind, and find happiness once more.

I can't. He was with Morgan-of all people-just yesterday, when we were about to start anew. I step back, creating distance between us. "Just go. Leave. Please."

Matt steps closer, his eyes hardening with determination, a hint of mania flickering within them. I instinctively retreat as he speaks, "You don't believe me, do you? You think I'm joking when I say I'll do anything." Before I can respond, he seizes my arms, pulling me against him.

"Matt, let go of me," I say firmly, trying to keep my voice steady.

He's not even listening. I try to pull my arms free from his grasp, but he doesn't budge. "I'll make it up to you. I'll make you feel amazing, so amazing. You enjoy it when I please you. You'll forgive me."

He presses his lips to mine with an unexpected intensity, his tongue invading my mouth. This aggressive behavior is so unlike Matt. I try to pull away as his hands start to frantically explore my dress.

A wave of cold dread washes over me, causing me to tremble. I realize he's searching for the zipper on my dress.

I bite down on his lip, causing him to jerk back with a hiss, though his grip on me remains firm. "Fucking stop it, Matt!"

He gives up on the zipper and instead starts yanking my dress upward. I thrash, trying to break free, but he slams me against a tree. Panic surges through me. No, no, no! I scream, my nails clawing at his skin with all my strength, but he traps my wrists in one hand while the other fumbles desperately with my undergarments. "Matt, please. Stop. I don't want this..."

He slips his hand under my underwear, and loud sobs shake my body. I can't believe this is happening.

I try to move away. It hurts a lot, and tears run down my face. I want to escape from this monster. "Stop, please! You're hurting me."

Through tear-filled eyes, I notice a figure behind Matt. At first, I think I'm imagining it, but then Matt is suddenly pulled away from me, and I'm drawn into someone's embrace.

My heart beats faster as my inner wolf comes forward. I relax into him, feeling pleasant tingles on my skin.

Whoever it is, smells nice. Like sitting outside a park on a winter's day, the air tinted with cool breeze gently brushing your face.

I glance up and, for a brief moment, mistake him for the Lycan prince. However, after closely examining their photos yesterday, I can now spot subtle differences between them.

They are nearly indistinguishable, yet subtle differences set them apart. This man's eyes are darker, with small, swirling bits of white like a raging ocean. His raven-black hair is longer than his brother's, partially obscuring my view. His nose is long and slightly crooked, hinting at a past fracture. His physique is sturdy and tall, reminiscent of chiseled stone. His lips are full and plump, perhaps the only soft feature, even as they form a firm, straight line.

This is Aiden's twin, Jayden, the Lycan king.

And that's a problem because every fiber of my being is signaling that the most dangerous Lycan in the world, my future brother-in-law, is actually my destined mate.