Zander’s POV.
Even after Liam left my office, I couldn’t calm the storm raging inside me. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, each one louder and angrier than the last.
The image of Aria with someone else, smiling and happy, was unbearable. It twisted something deep inside me, something dark and primal that refused to be silenced.
My wolf paced restlessly in my mind, growling and snarling, demanding that I take action.
She had been mine. She was *still* mine, even if she didn’t realize it anymore. Even if she had convinced herself she could move on, I knew the truth. There was no moving on from the bond we shared. Not for me, and not for her. It didn’t matter how much time had passed or how far she tried to run. She was mine, and I couldn’t just stand by and watch her give her attention to someone else-especially a human.
I didn’t stop to think about what I was doing or what the consequences might be. I just acted. Within minutes, I was in my car, speeding toward the human college. The engine roared as I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. By the time I arrived, the campus was quiet, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the empty pathways. The silence was almost eerie, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t here to admire the scenery.
Subtlety wasn’t on my mind. I knew exactly where Aria lived-I had made sure of that. I had kept track of her, even when I told myself I wouldn’t, and now that information was leading me straight to her. My steps were quick and determined as I made my way to her dorm.
When I reached her door, I didn’t bother knocking. I didn’t hesitate for even a second. I pushed the door open with a force that startled even me, stepping inside without warning.
Aria was sitting on the floor, her legs crossed, laughing softly as she played with the dog-the mutt that idiot Ethan had gifted her. The sight of her smiling, looking so carefree, made my chest tighten painfully. Her laughter stopped abruptly when she looked up and saw me. Her eyes went wide with shock, confusion flashing across her face.
“Zander?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I didn’t answer her. I couldn’t. I didn’t trust myself to speak without letting my emotions take over.
The dog wagged its tail excitedly and barked, completely unaware of the tension filling the room. I crouched down, reaching for its collar, my movements sharp and deliberate.
“Zander, what are you doing?” Aria asked, her voice rising as she quickly stood up.
I still didn’t respond. My jaw was clenched so tightly that I thought it might snap. Without saying a word, I scooped the dog into my arms, holding it firmly as I turned toward the door.
“Wait!” she shouted, her voice full of panic as she ran after me. “What the hell are you doing? That’s my dog!”
I stopped at the doorway, my back to her, my shoulders tense. Slowly, I turned to face her, my eyes meeting hers. She was furious, her hands balled into fists at her sides, her chest rising and falling as she took quick, angry breaths.
“You don’t need this,” I said finally, my voice low and cold. Each word was heavy with meaning, though I wasn’t sure she would understand.
Her jaw dropped, and she stared at me like I’d just said something insane. “What are you talking about?” she snapped, her voice shaking with anger. “You can’t just barge into my room and take my dog, Zander! Are you out of your mind?”
I didn’t answer her. I couldn’t. The emotions swirling inside me were too dangerous, too volatile. I knew if I tried to explain myself, it would only make things worse. Instead, I turned without another word and walked out, ignoring her shouts as I carried the dog out of the building.
By the time I got back to the packhouse, the adrenaline that had been driving me was gone, leaving me feeling hollow and heavy. The weight of what I had done started to settle in, but I pushed it aside, refusing to let myself feel any guilt.
The dog wagged its tail happily, still excited and oblivious to the chaos it had caused. I handed it off to one of the housekeepers, instructing them to take care of it. I didn’t look at it again as I walked away.
Once I was alone in my office, I locked the door behind me and collapsed into my chair. My head fell into my hands as the reality of my actions hit me like a tidal wave.
What had I done?
I had no right to interfere in her life-not anymore. She wasn’t mine to control, and I knew that. But knowing it didn’t stop the feelings that consumed me. The thought of her moving on, of her finding happiness with someone else, was like a knife twisting in my chest. It was unbearable, and I didn’t know how to handle it.
I ran a hand through my hair, gripping it tightly as my chest tightened painfully. My emotions were a mess-anger, jealousy, regret, and something else I couldn’t quite name.
I didn’t even know what I wanted anymore.
Did I want her back? Did I want to fight for her, to prove to her that we were meant to be together?
Or did I just want to ruin her life the way she had ruined mine when she walked away? Did I want her to feel the same pain I felt every single day?
The truth was, I didn’t know. I had no answers, no clarity. All I had were my messy, conflicting emotions and the overwhelming need to keep her close, even if it was wrong.
But one thing was certain: I couldn’t let her go. Not yet.