Chapter 10
The Bond's Chains
Nora~
I stared out the window as the evening sky slowly turned to dusk, making the sky in shades of orange and blue. My head rested lightly on Killian's shoulder, while Keal's arms encircled me from behind.
I tilted my head up slightly, stealing a glance at Killian. His face was relaxed, softened by sleep. For a moment, I was tempted to reach out, to touch his face and feel the warmth he radiated. He looked so different when he wasn't awake—calm, unguarded.
Before I could act on the thought, I felt Keal's arms tighten around me, pulling me closer to him. His breath was warm against my neck, and I turned to look at him. His face was peaceful as he slept, his usual coldness replaced by a vulnerability that left me frozen.
But Dorian's words echoed in my mind, breaking through the strange warmth I was feeling. "I can break the bond."
Could I really trust him? Was there another way to sever the connection besides rejection? I had tried so hard to reject them, but the bond wouldn't break unless they rejected me first. And Killian and Keal would never do that.
The thought was enough to send a fresh wave of frustration coursing through me. Slowly, I slid out of Keal's grasp, careful not to wake him. His hand twitched slightly, but he didn't stir.
Grabbing my robe, I tied it tightly around myself and tiptoed toward the door. The house was quiet, the only sounds coming from the occasional guard outside. Taking a deep breath, I slipped into the hallway and made my way out of the building.
The cool night air greeted me as I stepped into the woods, the silence broken only by the faint rustling of leaves. I walked until I found a large fallen branch to sit on, staring up at the stars above.
Dorian's offer swirled in my mind. If he could break the bond, I might finally be free. But could I trust him?
"What are you doing out here?"
The voice startled me, and I turned quickly to see Alex standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and her expression as sharp as ever.
"Why do you care?" I snapped, standing up. "Were you following me?"
She walked closer, her eyes filled with disgust. "It's my duty to make sure the Luna is safe," she said, her tone clipped. "The Alphas won't be pleased to know you're sneaking out at night."
I crossed my arms, glaring at her. "Do you have anything useful to say? If not, I'd appreciate some peace and quiet."
She didn't move, her gaze boring into me. I could feel her hostility, the way she seemed to seethe in my presence.
"What's your problem, Alex?" I asked finally, unable to hold back my irritation. "From the moment I became Luna, you've treated me like dirt. Do you really hate me that much, or do you have feelings for the Alphas?"
For the first time, Alex's cold expression faltered. She stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "You don't deserve them," she said. "You're disrespectful, stubborn, and completely unfit to be Luna."
Before I could respond, I felt Lara stirring within me. Her growl was low and dangerous, vibrating through my chest. "Let me handle her," Lara snarled.
"No, Lara," I whispered silently.
Alex grabbed my arm, her grip firm as she leaned in. "It's my job to take you back to the castle. You should be in bed with the Alphas, not out here making trouble."
I yanked my arm free, stepping closer to her. "You don't hate me because of who I am," I said, my voice sharp. "You hate me because I threaten your place here. Admit it—you're jealous."
Her lips curled into a sneer, but before she could respond, a familiar voice broke the tension.
"And what's going on here?"
I turned to see Killian approaching, his shirtless figure illuminated by the moonlight. His expression was unreadable, but the air around him practically crackled with authority.
Alex immediately bowed her head, her posture rigid with fear.
"I asked a question," Killian said, his tone sharp.
Before Alex could speak, I stepped forward. "I needed some fresh air," I said quickly, my voice steady despite the tension. "I asked her to come with me."
Killian's gaze shifted from Alex to me, softening slightly. He walked past her, stopping just inches away from me. His hand brushed against my shoulder as he leaned in.
"If you needed air, you could have woken me," he whispered, his voice low. "I would have come with you."
I pulled back slightly, meeting his eyes. "You were sleeping," I said softly. "I didn't want to bother you. I thought you would be upset."
He smirked, his hand sliding from my shoulder to rest lightly on my back. "You'll never bother me," he murmured.
Turning to Alex, he dismissed her with a single word. "Leave."
She bowed again, casting me one last hateful look before disappearing into the shadows.
As soon as she was gone, Killian's grip on me tightened. He guided me back until my back pressed against a tree, his hands resting on my shoulders.
His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I couldn't look away. His smirk softened, and he leaned in closer.
"You're mine," he whispered, his lips brushing against the curve of my neck.
My breath hitched as I felt his hands move to my waist. The bond pulsed between us, its pull impossible to ignore. No matter how much I wanted to push him away, I couldn't.
His gaze burned into mine, filled with an intensity that left me frozen. "Mate," he whispered again, his voice laced with longing.
But even as the bond tried to tie me closer to him, one thought burned in my mind.
No matter what it takes, I'll break this bond.
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