"Over my dead body," Elijah spat.
I blinked at him, then let a slow, wry smile tug at my lips. Before Aj could open his mouth, I pressed a hand against his chest, holding him back, my gaze locked on Elijah's.
"Over your dead body?" I echoed, mocking him as I stepped closer. The cedarwood scent rolling off him clawed at my senses, but I forced myself to ignore it. "Are you really begging vultures to feast on you?"
His eyes darkened, narrowing with a sharp glint. "What are you doing, Diana? What is this? How can you just show up here—with a damn warrior—as your fiancé?"
The tension thickened, heavy enough for everyone to feel it. The hall fell into complete silence, every eye fixed on us, waiting. The weight of it churned my stomach.
"Listen to me," I whispered, careful that curious ears wouldn't catch my words. "We have no business, Elijah. Not anymore. I came here for Sarah—never for you."
Elijah stepped closer, so close our breaths tangled. His cedarwood scent sank deep into my bones, and heat coiled low in my body. My wolf stirred, purring for him of all people. Damn her. Dormant for so long, and now she wanted to react to him?
"I know you, Diana," Elijah said boldly, his blue eyes burning into me before sliding toward Aj. The moment his gaze landed on my fiancé, his eyes darkened. "You are my mate. You are mine. How dare you defy the bond by claiming another?"
"What?" I scoffed, stunned by his outburst. Then, to the crowd's shock, I began to clap. Loud, sharp claps that echoed through the silent hall. "Now I am your mate?" My voice slithered into every ear. "Now that I've changed, suddenly I am worthy of being your mate?"
Elijah's gaze faltered. "About that… I'm sorry. I've been searching for you all this..."
"Save it." I cut him off, raising my hand. Gasps rippled through the hall. "I have no business with you anymore."
Murmurs broke out at once.
"How can she speak to the Alpha like that?"
"She really is different now."
I ignored them. My steps carried me to Aj, and I rested my hand on his wrist. Both he and Sarah watched me with concern. Aj leaned closer, his voice a quiet murmur against my ear.
"Di, do you want to leave?"
My chest rose and fell as I held onto Aj, but when I looked up, his calm steadied me. With him, I didn't feel unwanted. With him, I wasn't judged.
"No," I whispered, shaking my head with a small smile. "We came for Sarah. We'll stay till the end."
I turned to her. She smiled back, though it never reached her eyes.
"Thank you, Diana. I'm sorry about..."
"Oh no," I cut her off gently. "Don't apologize. None of this is your fault."
I glanced over my shoulder. Elijah was still there, eyes dark and dangerous. I met his stare without flinching. His jaw tightened and then he stepped back, without a word.
A sigh slipped through me, it took everything to stand before him without breaking. I didn't understand. For years the mate bond had been faint, almost dead. I thought there was nothing left. Even though I never felt it with Aj, I never imagined the bond with Elijah would still burn the same.
There was no difference from five years ago, before the rejection. It began in my thighs, a heat so fierce it felt like fire, like only his bite could cool it. And now… that same fire still pulsed between my legs.
"A toast to my girlfriend, Sarah." I lifted my glass, clinking it against hers.
Sarah blushed. "Thank you, Diana."
"Oh look, here comes my Romeo," she giggled. "We'll meet again at the end of the event..or call me if I get lost in the crowd."
We hugged, and I patted her back. "Of course I will."
"See ya!" She waved and dashed toward a tall, dazzling man scouring the crowd for her. His face lit up when he spotted her, and he pulled her into his arms.
A sigh caught in my throat. I sipped my drink, trying to cool the rising anxiety. But nothing ever escaped Aj.
"You okay?" His voice was soft, his hand resting at my waist.
I looked into his calm brown eyes and nodded. "I am." He didn't have to care for me this much. I could take care of myself, yet he did. And that made me admire him more.
"You can tell me if it's too much and you want to get out of here," he suggested, eyes suddenly lighting up. "There's a new bar that just opened in town. I can take you there."
"Aj, darling." I turned to him, my hand brushing over his tie. "We came here for Sarah. Let's keep only that in mind."
My gaze lingered absentmindedly on his tie, and I failed to notice how his eyes softened, how he was about to run his hand through my hair, until a voice interrupted.
It came first as a cough, and then,
"So, you plan to leave without introducing your fiancé?"
"Father."
I didn't need to turn to recognize that voice. Curtis Stone stood tall and striking, his gray suit sharp against the dazzling charm of his steel eyes and cold expression. For a fleeting second, I wanted to run into his arms like I used to as a child—but I couldn't. Not after knowing he was well all these years and had never once looked for me, never fought for me against the hands that had maltreated me.
I gave him a small smile. I had thought maybe guilt would keep him from approaching me. But this was Curtis, a man of immense pride, a man who would rather bleed than beg for my forgiveness.
"I certainly was about to," I said slowly. Our eyes locked, and unlike before, when I would shrink back, I met his gaze without breaking. His eyes widened slightly. I knew they were all surprised.
"Meet Aj."
Aj stepped forward and made a slight bow. "Glad to make your acquaintance, sir."
They shook hands, though Aj didn't bother to smile.
"Hmm." My father only gave a short nod and stepped back. His gaze lingered on Aj, as if he wanted to say something, but he shook his head and turned to me instead. "I hope you're doing well, Diana."
"Never been better," I replied with a smug smile.
He nodded. For a fleeting moment, something shifted in his eyes. I was dying for that apology, waiting for it, aching for it. I thought this was where I'd finally get it. But he only shook his head and turned away.
My heart dropped. Of course. What had I been expecting? I was the child he had so desperately wanted to erase.
Before he walked off, he glanced back at me and murmured, "I hope you meet your sister and stepmother before you leave." And without another word, he was gone.
I clenched my jaw, cursing myself inwardly. Drat it. Why should I have to face those who had mocked me? I wouldn't meet them. They weren't important to me. No one who scorned me ever was.
"Your father is right, maybe you should just.."
"No." I cut Aj off, the word sharper than I intended. How could he even say that, knowing everything I've been through? Aj is kind, he wants me to reunite with my family. But he knows how deeply it cuts, and until now, he's always let me handle it. Seeing my father must have stirred second thoughts in him.
"I know," he said gently. "You don't want to. And I'm with you on that. But you're already here, Diana. Meet them. Show them you're better without any of them."
My eyes stung. I turned to him, clutching his hand. "Oh, Aj… thank you."
He nodded, smiling softly. "Anything for you, mi señorita."
The music shifted into a slow rhythm, and without another thought, I took his hand.
"No, I don't dance," Aj protested, laughing as I dragged him onto the floor.
When we reached the center, my eyes caught Elijah. He stood against the wall, sipping his drink slowly while his gaze stayed fixed on me.
I met his stare head-on. Without breaking eye contact, I guided Aj's hand around my waist, savoring the way Elijah's expression darkened.
A low growl rumbled inside my mind—his wolf, raw and possessive.
You are mine. Always mine. Not his.