Chapter 4 THE AWAKENING

For a moment, the world felt frozen.

Layla lay on the cold ground, breath caught in her throat, watching the impossible unfold right in front of her.

Adrian Black billionaire, human, logical, controlled was standing between her and two rogue wolves.

And his eyes...

Those silver eyes didn't belong to a man.

They belonged to royalty.

To a bloodline that shouldn't exist anymore.

To the heir she had been warned to fear.

The rogues hesitated, snarling low in their throats.

They weren't expecting resistance.

Definitely not from someone who smelled human.

Layla pushed herself up, wincing as pain shot through her ribs. "Adrian, listen to me"

He didn't move.

He didn't speak.

He just stood there, muscles coiled, chest rising and falling in fast, sharp breaths.

Layla's wolf whispered inside her, trembling with recognition.

He's awakening.

Adrian's hands curled into fists so tight his knuckles turned white. A faint crack echoed through the alley, and Layla's eyes widened.

"Adrian," she whispered, voice trembling. "You need to breathe. Slow down. Control it."

He didn't react.

His jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring as he took in the scent of the rogues. His breathing deepened, turning animalistic, primal.

He was slipping.

And Layla was the only one who could pull him back.

She crawled toward him slowly, fighting through the pain. "Adrian... look at me."

One of the rogues lunged suddenly.

Layla didn't even get the chance to scream.

Adrian moved first.

He didn't think.

He didn't hesitate.

He didn't act like a human.

He shifted his weight and slammed his forearm into the wolf's snout with such force the rogue skidded across the pavement, crashing into metal trash cans that toppled with a loud clang.

Layla gasped.

That wasn't strength.

That was supernatural power.

Full wolf power.

"Adrian, stop!" she cried.

But he wasn't listening.

The second rogue circled him, snarling, trying to figure out why a "human" could move like a trained Alpha.

Layla felt panic crawling up her throat. Adrian wasn't ready for this. Partial awakening was dangerous, it could break a wolf's mind if it happened too fast.

His voice came out low, almost a growl.

"Come near her again... and I'll rip you apart."

Layla's heart dropped.

That wasn't Adrian speaking.

That was his wolf.

She forced herself to stand, grabbing Adrian's arm. "Adrian. Please hear me. You're not in control. You have to breathe"

He jerked away from her touch like it burned him, staggering back with a harsh, shaking inhale.

He was struggling.

Fighting against instincts he never knew existed.

His veins glowed faintly beneath his skin. His shoulders trembled as if something inside him was trying to break free. The sound of bones shifting too soon, too fast slipped through the night.

Layla stepped toward him again, pushing through her fear. "Look at me. Adrian, look at me."

Finally his silver gaze snapped to hers.

For a second, she saw the man.

Just a second.

Pain flickered across his expression. Confusion. Fear. Desperation.

"Layla," he breathed, voice shaking. "I don't... I don't understand... What's happening to me?"

Her heart broke.

She reached up slowly, placing her hand on his cheek. His skin was burning hot, like fire raging beneath it.

"It's your bloodline," she whispered. "Your wolf is waking up."

His breath stuttered.

"My... wolf?" he repeated.

"Yes," Layla said gently. "And if you don't control it now, it will take over."

Adrian swallowed hard, but he didn't pull away.

The rogue wolves snarled behind them.

Adrian turned his head sharply, a guttural growl leaving his throat. Layla grabbed both sides of his face, forcing him to look at her again.

"No! Stay with me," she cried. "Focus on my voice."

His chest rose and fell in fast, uneven bursts.

"I can't..." he whispered. "I can feel everything. Every sound. Every breath. Every " He winced, gripping his chest. "I can feel you."

Layla's heart trembled.

The mate bond.

It was hitting him full force.

"Adrian," she whispered, voice soft but firm. "I'm right here. I'm not leaving you. Just breathe with me."

She placed her palm over his heart.

His breath shuddered.

For a moment, it worked.

His muscles loosened slightly.

His eyes dimmed from bright silver to a more muted gray.

He exhaled slowly, grounding himself against her touch.

But the moment threatened to shatter when one of the rogues leapt again.

Adrian turned, instinct taking control

But this time, Layla moved first.

She jumped between them, raising her arm, letting her wolf energy surge through her.

"BACK!" she snarled.

Her voice wasn't human.

The rogue froze.

Layla's eyes flared yellow for a second as her wolf peeked through.

The rogues hesitated, then retreated into the shadows, snarling before disappearing over the walls of the alley.

Layla staggered the moment they were gone, her strength draining instantly.

Adrian caught her before she hit the ground.

"Layla!"

She breathed hard, leaning against his chest. Her ribs hurt. Her legs trembled. But the moment she felt Adrian's arm around her waist, her wolf calmed.

Adrian stared at her, stunned.

"What... what did you just do?" he whispered.

Layla looked up at him slowly.

Her voice was soft, tired, trembling

"I saved you."

He swallowed, visibly shaken. "You... you faced those things alone. You didn't even hesitate."

"I had to," she whispered. "They were going to kill you."

Adrian's gaze softened for the first time since they met.

"Why?" he asked quietly. "Why risk yourself for me?"

Layla's throat tightened.

She didn't want to say it.

She wasn't ready.

He definitely wasn't ready.

But the truth slipped out anyway, barely a breath

"Because you're mine."

Adrian froze.

Layla's eyes widened immediately. "I I didn't mean to say that. I just"

He didn't let go of her.

He didn't move.

He didn't speak.

He just stared at her like she was the only thing anchoring him to reality.

"Layla," he whispered, voice rough, raw, almost broken. "What am I?"

Layla looked away, tears burning her eyes.

"You're something I was never supposed to touch," she whispered. "Something forbidden."

Adrian's fingers tightened slightly on her waist.

"And you?" he asked quietly.

"What are you?"

Layla looked back at him, the city lights reflecting in her eyes.

"I'm the one fate chose to ruin your life."

His breath caught.

Before he could respond, the mark on both their skins pulsed violently, sending a shock through them.

Adrian inhaled sharply.

Layla nearly collapsed.

The mate bond was tightening.

Growing.

Locking them to each other.

Adrian grabbed her shoulders, steadying her.

"Layla what's happening?" he demanded.

She stared at him, helpless.

"It's the beginning," she whispered. "The awakening has started."