Chapter 36 – Pain of my crushed heart

(From Luca's perspective)

I watched her, trying to keep my emotions in check, but it was impossible. Quinn was standing right there, close enough to touch, and I could feel everything—her confusion, her fear, the way her pulse raced as she processed the bond between us. The bond I'd tried so damn hard to ignore.

I let out a sigh, knowing this was it. There was no point pretending anymore. "It was me, Quinn," I told her, my voice steady even though my heart was pounding.

The look on her face was priceless. She actually thought I was joking, like this was some kind of game. Her laugh was sharp, almost mocking. "No way that was you, right, Luca? You can't seriously talk to me in my head."

I stayed silent, just staring at her, letting it sink in.

Then her eyes widened, and I saw the exact moment she realized I wasn't messing around. The disbelief turned into shock, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what was happening. "What... how are you doing that?" she asked, her voice laced with panic.

I sighed again, feeling the weight of what I had to say. "Since we kissed... everything changed. That's when I could feel you, hear you. The bond between us got stronger."

She was stunned, like I'd just slapped her in the face. "Bond? What bond?"

I braced myself. "We bonded, Quinn. The night we met. You're my mate—forever."

There it was, the truth out in the open. I watched her struggle with it, saw the way her face paled, the way her breath hitched. It was a lot to take in. I got that. But this was it. There was no running from it anymore.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she shot back, anger creeping into her voice. "Why did you hide this from me? Why did you treat me like garbage?"

I had to look away for a second. Damn, this was harder than I thought it'd be. "I'm sorry," I muttered, the words sounding pathetic even to me. "I didn't want to, but... I needed you to hate me."

Her confusion was palpable. "Hate you? Luca, I—"

"I'm an Alpha, Quinn," I interrupted, my voice rougher than I intended. "My clan will never accept this. My father... he was the Alpha before me. He'd never accept us. I thought if I made you hate me, it'd be easier. For both of us."

I was rambling, trying to explain something that made no sense, not even to me. But the truth was, I couldn't stand the thought of her being tied to me, stuck in this mess. So, yeah, I pushed her away. I was wrong—so damn wrong—but what else could I do?

She whispered my name, soft like she was starting to understand, but before she could say more, I moved. I couldn't hold back anymore. My wolf form faded, and there I was, standing in front of her as a man, vulnerable for the first time in... maybe ever.

I didn't get any closer though. I just stood there, waiting, watching her take it all in.

Quinn stood too, her legs shaking, but she kept moving toward me. "You don't have to protect me, Luca," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not scared."

I wanted to believe her. I really did. But how could she not be scared? She didn't even know half of what this bond would do to us, what it already had done. But when she stopped right in front of me, her body so close to mine, I lost it. I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight like I was afraid she'd disappear if I let go.

And maybe I was. Maybe that's exactly what I was scared of.

"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered into my chest, and I felt something in me break. How could she say that? After everything I'd done to push her away, after everything I'd done to make her hate me... she wasn't leaving?

"You're mine now," I murmured, more to myself than to her. "And you always will be."

It wasn't a question. It was a fact. She was mine, and no one could change that—not even her.

But before I could sink into the moment, a low growl sounded behind us. "What the hell is going on?"

Ethan. Of course, it had to be him.

I spun around to face him, still holding Quinn in my arms. His eyes were blazing with fury, his whole body tense like he was ready to tear me apart. His gaze bounced between us, and I knew the second it hit him—the realization. He wasn't stupid. He could see the bond, feel the tension. Hell, he probably knew something was off the second he walked in.

"Quinn," Ethan's voice was sharp, demanding. "What is this? What's happening?"

She just stared at him, frozen, like she didn't know how to answer. And how could she? How do you explain something like this?

I stepped closer to her, my presence towering over her, protective. Ethan's anger was building, I could see it. His fists clenched at his sides, his whole body trembling with rage. "He's my brother," he growled, his voice low. "Why are you standing there like that?"

I wanted to punch him. I wanted to tell him to back off, to stop making this harder for her. But I couldn't. This was between them now. As much as I hated it, Quinn had to make a choice. And I could feel her hesitation. She was torn, caught between the bond she had with me and whatever the hell she felt for Ethan.

Ethan stepped closer, his eyes flashing gold. "Quinn, tell me. Now."

She swallowed, looking between us, and I could see it in her eyes—the regret, remorse and hurt. Then I felt it. She was choosing him. Despite everything, despite the bond, she was choosing Ethan. Sensing her choice, pain surged through me like a knife to the gut.

And I knew why. I'd made her life hell since she got here. Ethan... he'd been kind, protective.

And now, she was going to pick him over me.