97. I like you, Elena.

Elena.

I couldn't sleep. My mind was racing with thoughts of Salvatore, Deangelo, and everything that was going on around me. I turned and tossed in my bed, but nothing seemed to help me drift off. I checked the time on my phone; it was past midnight. I knew I had to do something to tire myself out, or else I'd be up all night.

I got out of bed and went to my closet, pulling out my swimsuit. The mansion had an indoor swimming pool that was open twenty four hours, and I figured a swim might just do the trick. I quickly changed into my swimsuit and made my way to the pool area. The room was dimly lit, with the only source of light coming from the pool.

As I approached the pool, I could feel the cool breeze on my skin and the sound of the water gently splashing. I approached the pool quietly, hoping not to disturb anyone who might be sleeping. But then, I was surprised to find Luca swimming laps in the pool with such fervor, his strokes sharp and precise, as though he was trying to outrun something. It was like he was trying to escape from something, or perhaps someone.

I watched as he swam laps in the pool with intense focus, his movements quick and fluid.

When Luca noticed me, he started to step out of the water, but I quickly asked him if he was naked again, I remembered the last time I caught him without shorts on, and I did not want a repeat of that embarrassing moment.

He chuckled and shook his head, assuring me that he was wearing swim shorts, even though they were so short that I could not help but get embarrassed on seeing it and ended up looking away from him nonetheless.

“Are you being shy over a swimwear right now, Elena?” He asked with a tone of mischievousness but I did not answer. I just stood there, feeling uncomfortable and unsure of what to do. I was simply waiting for him to leave so that I could finally have some peace and quiet to myself.

But Luca did not seem to be in a hurry. He sat at the edge of the pool while splashing the water with his legs, occasionally looking up at me with a mischievous glint in his eye. I tried to ignore him and focus on the sound of the water, but it was just no use. His presence was too distracting.

Finally, I could not take it anymore. I turned to him and demanded to know why he was here. Was he avoiding Camila? Does he want to talk about something?

Luca just shrugged, “I am restless too. I could not find it in me to just fall asleep so I knew I needed to clear my head and that is why you met me here too. I have a lot going on in my head.” He said to me.

I could relate to that feeling, and I suddenly felt a little less alone. I decided to take a seat beside him and so we sat there in silence for a while longer, watching the water shimmer in the moonlight, but suddenly he broke the silence, “Elena, you know that I have a thing for you, right?”

I froze in shock as Luca's words hit me like a ton of bricks. Did he just say what I thought he said? I could not believe that this was happening. I had always thought of him as a friend and nothing more. Heck, I did not even ever think he liked me around the pack, much more as a woman or anything. What the actual heck? How did that even start?

"I like you, Elena. I want to be with you," Luca repeated, looking intently at me but I knew that I had to recover from my shock and let him know how I felt too because this was getting very uncomfortable.

His words hit me like a slap in the face. He likes me? What was he thinking? Did he not know that I had feelings for someone else? That it was even his alpha at that? How on earth would Deaangelo even feel about this? But before I could even articulate my thoughts, he moved closer and his hands were soon on my waist. I was taken aback, my body stiffening with discomfort.

"I'm so sorry, Luca. But I don't feel the same way at all," I said gently, trying to let him down as easy as possible. But suddenly, Luca's grip on my waist tightened, and I could feel his hot breath on my face.

"Let me go, Luca!" I yelled. But he did not listen. I struggled with all my might, trying to push him away. I tried to move away, but his grip tightened, and he forced his lips onto mine. I struggled to free myself, feeling angry and violated. How dare he? How could he think that it was okay to do that? I could feel the rage building inside me. I pushed him away with all my strength, and I finally managed to shove him into the pool then get off the floor we were seated on, and he came up spluttering and looking pissed.

"What's wrong, Elena?" He asked, his tone hinting at frustration.

"What’s wrong? Are you out of your darn mind? What do you mean whats wrong? I clearly told you to leave me alone, I clearly told you that I do not feel the same way about you. What the heck was that? Is that the real you? Do you go around grabbing women forcefully, can you imagine how the alpha would feel if he even heard that you did this?" I said firmly, trying to distance myself from him while he got out of the water and was moving closer to me.

But he did not seem to be listening. Instead, he grabbed me again, and I felt his lips on mine once more. I could not help but feel a wave of anger course through me. I pushed him back into the pool and glared at him. "If you ever try to touch me like that again, I'll get a knife and gut you!" I snapped at him, fueled by anger and fear. "Do you understand?"

I did not bother to wait for a response from him, instead, I turned around and started walking away, but I could hear Luca calling out to me, begging for forgiveness. But I could not listen to him. I could not believe that he would do something like that to me. It felt like a betrayal, and it stirred up all kinds of emotions in me.

My heart was racing and my mind spinning as I walked back to my room. I could not believe that I was once again in this kind of situation. I thought I had left all the drama behind, but it seemed like it had followed me here. I felt violated and vulnerable, but I also flt angry and determined. I would not let Salvatore, Luca or anyone else treat me like that again. Ever!

I was about to keep going to my room but as I passed by the alpha’s room, instead of going to my room like I wanted to, my feet took me to Deangelo’s room instead. As I stood outside the room, my heart was pounding with nerves and anticipation. I had no idea why my feet had led me here, but something in me knew that being with him was what I needed right now. I did not think that I could bring myself to tell him anything that just happened with Luca because they were more or less best friends and Luca was his trusted beta, I would hate to be the one to ruin their relationship, but I still needed Deangelo’s comfort nonetheless.

Deangelo's surprised expression quickly turned into a smirk as he let me in. "I see you can't stay away from me," he teased, but I could sense a hint of vulnerability in his voice. I rolled my eyes at his comment, trying to hide the fact that I was affected by it.

"I wonder why I never find you asleep no matter the time of the day, do you never sleep or something? Is that some sort of super power that you possess?" I retorted, walking closer to him.

"What do you want, Elena?" he asked, his tone serious.

"I want you," I blurted out, surprising even myself. Deangelo's eyes widened in shock, and I immediately regretted my boldness. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" But before I could finish my sentence, the alpha cut me off. "No, it's fine. I want you too," he said, pulling me into a passionate kiss.

We quickly became lost in each other, and for a moment, everything else faded away. But as we pulled away, I knew I had to make up for my previous behavior. "I'm sorry for the other night," I said, placing a soft kiss on his lips. "I was just overwhelmed, but I'd rather keep things simple." Deangelo nodded, accepting my apology. "I understand. I just want you to know that you can talk to me, Elena. I'm here for you." With his words, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.

For now, at least.

For now.