Isabelle couldn't stop smiling because of everything that had taken place. After a long search; after living in solitary for centuries, finally, she had met the man he could call home.
The moment she rested her head into his chest, everything that bothered her had vanished away.
Agony, heartbreaks, and emptiness within her heart were shrouded by a single glimpse of Devin Mondragon. In his arms, she felt safe and there was nothing she could demand.
"Excuse me, but you can let go of me now," Isabelle told him as she quickly avoided his jaw-dropping gaze.
Devin, who savored the moment with Isabelle held back his breath for a moment. He couldn't believe that he let a stranger lay her fingers at him with yearning.
"Oh, forgive me, Isabelle! I almost forgot that we just met earlier!" he replied as he chuckled once again.
He then quickly let go of her hands and looked away from her tantalizing green eyes. Devin knew he could no longer escape from the truth— away from Isabelle Swain.
A long, deafening silence embraced two different souls as the wind blew up inside. Their empty hearts were filled with a burning sensation that brought them back to each other's arms.
After a long, long time, Isabelle felt what love meant to say. She lived in darkness when she had chosen the dangerous part.
She failed for how many times.
Her plans were all gone wrong.
She had almost lost her faith.
But in the end, her feet brought her closer to the alpha who had everything he wished for.
"I don't want to be a hopeless woman, like other girls out there. I just want you to know that even my heart filled with emptiness, still, I don't want to be thirsty of a man's touch, Devin!"
"Thirsty of a man's touch? Are you saying that you've been longing for a man's touch? Isn't it?" he asked her, furrowing his thick, black brows.
At some point, Devin found it a little bit insulting. His expectations were beyond and far from reality. He should have asked her first before he jumped to conclusions, then he shouldn't feel a disturbing feeling.
Isabelle realized what she just said. She knew Devin was hurt and misunderstood it.
She then sighed, thinking about what to say before he came back to his senses.
She said, "That's not what I meant to say!"
An explanation may be needed, but Devin took a deep breath as he slightly nodded his head in despair.
Without a single word coming out of his mouth, he turned around on him as he realized everything that just happened.
How could he let a stranger—a vampire entered and slept inside of his room that easily?
Why didn't notice that he was aggressive towards her? He acted like a thirsty man who had nothing, but only himself.
Devin has everything in his life. Women, power, family, and connection.
Despite being a fortunate alpha, there was something that his heart wanted to do. He was certain that only great love could ever fill the hollowness beneath his chest.
At that moment, without asking her permission, Devin walked away from her and went back to the wide, empty yard.
He gritted his teeth, trying to control himself. But before he took another step, Isabelle called his name.
"Devin!"
"Please, listen to me!"
Her voice was devoured by hungriness. She tried harder, but it seemed like Devin would no longer come to touch her again.
The bright, velvet night welcomed him the moment he continued to walk. The wind outside of the hut was colder unlike when he was inside of his room.
Millions of stars twinkled up above the sky, but he didn't appreciate it as he was occupied with something.
Devin frustratingly covered his face with his long, warm hands.
When the sun rose again, he must force Isabelle to leave his territory. No one should know that there was a female vampire aside from him or her life would be on the brink of death.
"I must tell her the truth!" he said under the sky. "I must warn her before it's too late!"
Little did he know; Isabelle was standing behind him. She heard everything, those painful words that had brought fear to her heart were too much to bear.
Instead of crying in silence, Isabelle shook her head in agreement. He was right. She wasn't supposed to be in his territory.
But for one last time, Isabelle wanted to stay beside him the whole night.
"I will leave before the sunrise, but would you grant my one, last request?" Isabelle spoke behind that caught his attention.
Out of desperation, Isabelle swallowed her pride and dignity. She thought he would embrace her despite their differences.
Yet, the truth was too cruel. An alpha was only born to the fated luna and a vampire was meant for a vampire.
"Let me sleep next to you. Before you open your eyes when the sun rises, you won't see me again. So please, I am begging you to say yes." she said firmly.
Once again, Isabelle took the risk to save her heart from drowning. It was the only way to keep him in her memory through the years, or she would forget Devin Mondragon forever.
The fortunate alpha turned around and faced her with millions of questions in her eyes. He knew her life would be in danger, but he could protect Isabelle—he would protect her from anyone.
"What did you say?" he asked.
Devin wanted to burst into anger, but he has no right to do so. He was merely a stranger to her and there were no strings attached between them.
He then gulped countless times, thinking for the best way before things became complicated.
A werewolf and a vampire weren't supposed to encounter as they were bound to hate and kill each other.
Both of them knew it, but for the last time, Devin took the risk as he abruptly grabbed her arms and ran back inside of the hut.
Anger and desire had devoured his soul and body. He surrendered when fate tested his faith and feelings.
And once in for all, he had chosen the dangerous path instead of running away from the consequences.
"What are you doing?" Isabelle tried to catch her breath, but suddenly, he carried her like a bride and laid her down to bed.
There was the only thing in his head and that was to own Isabelle for the first and last time.
He looked intently into her eyes. He said, "You are mine tonight! And yes, you will be sleeping next to me, Isabelle!"