Chapter 37

**ARIELLE'S POV**

“Hello,cutie.”

The words he said brought a nostalgic feeling to me and I was also filled with dread and regret. I stared at Adrian, my closest childhood friend and first love.

“How have you been?” He asked but I was unable to reply. I couldn't find the right words to say.

The weather began to change and I could feel a connection with it. It displayed my emotions perfectly.

He raised a brow as he stared at me and looked up at the sky,noticing the rain that was coming.

“I have no idea why you dont wanna give me a reply but if we stay here,the rain is gonna catch up to us,and I am not about to get myself wet.”

“What are you saying?” I asked,not fully understanding what he meant.

He groaned and rolled his eyes in frustration. “Are you seriously still this dumb?”

My nostrils flared at his comment.

“Are you gonna invite me in or take me to a restaurant or something? Keeping a guest outside and waiting isn't moral. It's rude, princess.”

There was no way I was taking him into the mansion. I knew he couldn't do anything but the more thought of him meeting Duncan brought shivers down my spine.

“I'll take you out.” I said in a business tone manner.”

I didn't have my car keys with me so we took his car. He drove a Black Bentley Bentayga. He handed his keys to me and sat at the back. I couldn't stop the remark that came out of my mouth.

“I am not your fucking driver!”

He shot me a look and proceeded to sit in the car anyways, paying no attention to my words. After he saw that I stood outside, making no attempt to drive,he poked his head out through the window.

“You're taking me out,do you still expect me to drive? I have no desire to drive but if you think you can't drive,you can always take me into this mansion of yours.” He pointed at the mansion and raised his brows.

I opened my mouth to speak but I could find no words to say. In the end,I entered the car and started the engine like a good,obedient wolf that I wasn't.

The drive was long and we both sat in comfortable silence, each of us having a conversation with ourselves in our minds.

I stole a glance at him and noticed his eyes,they were empty and dull. Nothing like they used to be. I was the cause for it.

“Do you think you can drop by the beach?” He asked as we approached a beach.

I narrowed my eyes at his request but still granted it nonetheless.

He got out of the car and removed his shoes,stepping into the beach sand. He walked and I followed behind him,making sure to stay a few feet away from him.

He approached the water gingerly. His steps were slow and deliberate, his back shook, and his shoulders heaved as he got closer to the water.

He was crying.

The waves came and he stood silently in the water,muttering words that couldn't be heard. I moved closer to him so I could hear the words he was saying but I couldn't. The one thing I was sure that I heard was revenge.

He stayed there for a while before we continued moving.

“Where exactly is this cafè that you're taking me to? It's taking too long for us to reach our destination.”

I rolled my eyes gently. “Shut it and keep quiet,unless you want to end up driving your cheap car.”

“Cheap!” He exclaimed, feigning hurt. “It's close to two hundred thousand dollars. It is by no means cheap.”

I shot him a glare. “Why?” I suddenly asked.

“No reason,it's just because I liked the car,that's why I bought it. No other reason.”

“No,not that. Why did you come to me?”

He kept quiet.

“Will you not give me an answer?”

“Not yet. I don't want an accident.” He started in his alpha tone and I had no choice but to keep quiet,not that I couldn't speak,but because I could see the storm brewing in his eyes.

Adrian was a gray wolf and the alpha of the Mountain pack. He had alpha genes running through his veins.

We arrived at a coffee shop secluded from the road. I opened the door and was greeted with indoor greenery. There were trees inside and flowers that gave off a soothing scent and added to the aesthetic feel of the place.

We chose a table and ordered our coffee. He picked up a magazine and read while we waited for the coffee to arrive.

I was annoyed with the way he was calm and relaxed while I was agitated. He suddenly raised his head from the magazine he was reading.

“Does this feel nostalgic to you?”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

The waitress brought our coffee and snacks to the table,but we didn't order any snacks.

“Uhm..I think there has been a mistake. We didn't ask for any snacks..”

She turned to me with a bored expression. “They're on the house,besides this isn't for you.” She faced Adrian with an inviting smile. “It's for the handsome young man with you.”

Adrian smiled gently as he watched her leave. His eyes on her perky butt. When did he become like that?

“Share the macarons with me,Arielle.” He called me by my name.

“Stop with the games,Adrian. Why did you suddenly contact me? I want the truth now.”

He dropped the cup of coffee in his hand on the table and looked me directly in the eye.

“I thought it was pretty obvious.”

“What do you mean?”

“The nervousness you're feeling, the tugging feeling in your chest. You're probably scared that you are alone with me right now. The guilt you cannot seem to let go of,or rather,you know you cannot let go off. My subtle remarks and calm demeanor.”

“What are you getting at?”

He chuckled dryly. “I am going to end you Arielle. The same way you ended my moon in cold blood because of your jealousy.”

His expression became dark and I felt murderous intent coming from him.

“I'll start by ending your precious alpha.”

“Duncan will kill you!” I retorted,my voice shaky.

He smiled softly.“That is not an issue of love. I have nothing left to do with my life.” He placed his hand on his chest. “My chest is empty,my heart is gone. You,you took it away from me.” He leaned back against his chair and sighed. “I do not care if I die,I am prepared to die.”

“You can always have a second chance mate.”

He scoffed. “Pathetic to the very end,right? This is the last time I will be using this approach when speaking to you. I am considering our friendship. This is my last act of kindness.” He stood up and chuckled. “There is a pretty lady who doesn't mind me ramming into her,so I'll go do my job as a gentleman.”

“When did you become like this?”

He laughed, long and hard. “Is that even a question? You made me who I am,which is why … I will make you suffer just like I have.”

He turned to leave but then abruptly stopped,turning back to me. “You can have the macarons, they're actually good.”