Chapter 81. A New Werewolf in Town

Valen slammed the door shut as he entered his study, his breathing ragged and his heart pounding. He leaned against the door, his eyes shut tightly as he tried to compose himself. His body was still reeling from the intimacy he had shared with Ella. Every moment in her presence was like standing at the edge of a cliff, teetering between restraint and giving in to the bond that tugged relentlessly at him.

He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. Why does it have to be this hard? The thought of claiming her was a constant whisper in his mind, but he held back. Ella deserved more than being caught in the heat of the moment. Her past was already riddled with betrayal and pain. She needed trust, stability, and openness—things he hadn’t fully given her yet.

“If I hadn’t left…” he muttered under his breath. The thought alone made his chest tighten. He wanted her—god, how he wanted her—but he couldn’t afford to let the bond dictate his actions. She deserved more tha