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Chapter 288
~Ella’s POV~
My mouth went dry. "I don’t... understand."
Noel let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, Ella. This isn’t easy for . I really like you, but the last few weeks have shown that we’re not ant to be. We just can’t."
"Styles, is sothing wrong? Did I do sothing wrong to you?"
"Yes. You fell in love, Ella. That wasn’t supposed to happen. So, it’s better if we go our separate ways."
I found it difficult to comprehend his words as they sliced through with a sharp edge.
"Wait, no, please, I’m sorry," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "I won’t bring it up again, I promise. Just don’t... please."
"I’m sorry, Ella," he said softly. "But this is the way it has to be."
I stood frozen, the tears rolling down my face as his words played over and over in my head.
"I’m sorry, Ella."
His voice seed far away now, and I could feel myself slipping into darkness.
"Ella?"
"Don’t leave," I choked out. "Please."
But there was no response. The line was dead.
I sat down, staring at the wall in a daze.
It was over.
My heart shattered, and I cried silently, unable to stop.
"Fuck!"
I needed air.
With that thought, I shifted and left, hoping the night would bring so solace.
The wind was cool on my fur, and the sky was clear, a million stars twinkling overhead. I ran until my lungs burned, then slowed to a walk, the trees towering above .
"Ella?"
I stiffened, the familiar voice sending a chill down my spine. Not again.
I could not tell if he was stalking or if it was just sothing else entirely.
"Go away," I growled, not turning to look at the source.
"Hey, Ella?" the male voice repeated, his tone softer now. "Ella," he called again and this ti I turned.
The softness in his eyes made my heart clench. How could he be so gentle and kind even when he wasn’t sure I was the one?
"I’m not going anywhere."
"Please," I begged, the tears falling freely as my chest tightened.
"I’m here for you, Ella. Talk to . Was it concerning what I did? I’m... I’m sorry."
A warm, strong hand gently rested on my shoulder, and I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.
I shifted back into my human form and crouched against the tall grass, away from him.
My body hurt but my heart hurt more. Why had I allowed myself to fall in love?
"El," Caleb’s voice broke the silence.
And all I had to say to him was... "It’s over," I whispered.
"What’s..."
"He doesn’t want .i was styupid. Too stupid."
Caleb hushed as he closed the distance between us and in the next second, I felt sothing warm envelop .
I looked up, my eyes locked on his bare chest and when I glanced at my shoulder, I noticed his big shirt had been placed over .
He looked away, giving room to do my thing. "Wear that."
"Thanks," I managed and quickly wore his clothes, letting his scent wrap around .
Once I was done, I stood up, grateful for how big his t-shirt was on .
"So, who’s the douchebag?" Caleb asked, his tone casual, though his expression remained hard.
"No one," I replied, wiping my tears. "Soone I used to be... involved with."
"Used to be?"
"I thought he was the one," I confessed, not able to et his gaze.
"He clearly doesn’t deserve you," Caleb said firmly. "You’re a beautiful, kind-hearted woman. Any man would be lucky to have you."
I shook my head, biting my lip to stop the tears. I just didn’t believe it. It was either that I was unlucky in love, my standards were low or I was doing sothing wrong altogether.
I thought having a friend with benefits was good. No attachnt, but what did I do? I went ahead and fell in love.
"Hey."
I whipped my head in his direction and cut him off before he could speak. "I just want to forget."
"Forget?"
"Everything. Us. Him. All of it."
"If that’s what you need," he said with a sigh, taking a step closer.
I bit my lip, fighting the urge to look away. He was too handso, and the fact that he wasn’t wearing a shirt didn’t help.
"How so?" From the way he stared at , I knew he knew what I being careful not to do sothing stupid.
Right now I didn’t care about stupid. Inact, I wanted it. I waned him.
"Drinking," I blurted and then cursed my stupid suggestion when a flicker of disappointnt crossed his features. "Umm, c-club-bing? Or..." I bit my lower lip and looked away.
I was a stuttering ss just looking at him. The only concurrent thing I did well was breathing and gulping.
’Fuck, El, get your head back,’ I groaned internally but my wolf pushed forward, tempting to make it happen.
"You know," Caleb began, his voice dropping lower. "We could pick up where we left off. If you want to, that is."
My eyes widened, and my cheeks flushed. "Oh."
"It would take your mind off him, at least for a little while," Caleb reasoned, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Maybe," I whispered, unable to et his gaze.
He chuckled softly, his fingers grazing my cheek as he tilted my chin. "Tell , Ella. Do you want ?"
My breath hitched, and I nodded. "I do. Yes, Caleb, very much."
"You sure?" he asked, as if to make sure even though he knew his very presence was seducing .
I nodded, unable to speak as my eyes stared deeply into his. My big mistake was, in the next mont, I lost myself in those eyes.
Caleb leaned in and kissed . It was soft, almost gentle.
"Then you can have as you please, little angel," he muttered against my lips.
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