Describe

We didn’t waste any time after the attack. Zach pulled me back into the cabin, and for the first time since all of this began, I felt a creeping sense of dread gnawing at me. The idea that the bond between us was drawing these monsters felt like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

Zach paced back and forth, his fists clenching and unclenching as he muttered under his breath. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the sharpness in his movements. He wasn’t just angry—he was scared. That terrified me more than anything else.

“I need you to tell me everything,” I said, breaking the silence. My voice was firmer than I felt. “What does this bond mean? Why is it drawing them in?”

Zach stopped, his eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, he didn’t speak, and I thought he might brush me off like he had before. But then he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.

“It’s complicated,” he muttered, turning to look out the small window. “The bond between mates… it’s not just about attraction or some mystical connection. It’s power. Ancient power that runs through our bloodlines. It’s the reason vampires and wolves have been at war for centuries.”

He turned back to me, his gaze intense. “When you and I became connected, it wasn’t just a fluke. The moment our tattoos appeared, we were marked—claimed, in a way. And that claim makes us valuable. Dangerous. Anyone who controls us, controls that power.”

My stomach twisted. “So, they’re trying to control us?”

Zach nodded. “That’s what vampires do. They take what doesn’t belong to them, twist it to their advantage. If they can capture you, they’ll use the bond to siphon the power you carry and wield it against both vampires and wolves alike.”

The gravity of his words hit me like a truck. I sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, my mind racing. This was bigger than anything I’d imagined. And worse, I was a target. Zach wasn’t just protecting me out of some sense of duty. He was trying to save the entire supernatural world from falling into chaos.

“How do we stop them?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“There’s a way,” he said, sitting beside me. His closeness was grounding, even though the air between us was thick with tension. “But it’s risky. The only way to sever the bond is to meet with the High Council of Elders. They’re the only ones with the power to break a bond like this. But the council is… complicated.”

“Complicated how?”

Zach grimaced. “They don’t like hybrids like me. They’re old-fashioned. Purebloods only, no exceptions. They won’t be eager to help us unless we can offer them something in return. And even then, there’s no guarantee.”

I swallowed hard, a sense of hopelessness creeping into my chest. “So, we’re supposed to beg for their help and hope they don’t turn us away?”

“Pretty much,” Zach said, his jaw tight. “But it’s our only option if we want to stop the vampires from hunting you. If we don’t break the bond, they’ll never stop coming.”

I nodded, though the idea of facing the council filled me with unease. The thought of pleading with a group of ancient, powerful beings who despised Zach made my skin crawl. But I couldn’t see any other way out of this. Not if we wanted to survive.

“When do we leave?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady.

Zach stood, his face unreadable. “Soon. But first, we need to prepare. The council isn’t going to be easy to reach, and the vampires are going to try to stop us at every turn.”

I followed him to the small kitchen area, watching as he pulled out a map and spread it across the table. It was old and worn, covered in faded marks and symbols I didn’t recognize.

“The council is hidden deep in the mountains, far from any human or supernatural territories,” Zach explained, tracing a path with his finger. “It’ll take us at least two days to get there, and we’ll have to pass through dangerous territory. But if we’re careful, we can avoid detection.”

I studied the map, trying to wrap my mind around what was ahead of us. Every part of me wanted to panic, to run from this impossible situation. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. Not with the stakes this high.

“What about supplies?” I asked, trying to keep my mind focused on practical matters.

Zach glanced at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ll take care of it. You just need to rest. It’s going to be a long journey.”

I nodded, though I knew rest was the last thing I’d be able to do right now. My mind was racing with a thousand questions, a thousand fears. But I trusted Zach. Despite everything, despite the confusion and the chaos, I trusted him.

He started packing a small bag, moving with the efficiency of someone who had done this before. As I watched him, I couldn’t help but think about how much had changed in such a short time. I wasn’t the same person I’d been just a few days ago. I wasn’t even human anymore. And now, I was bound to someone I barely knew, fighting for survival in a world I didn’t fully understand.

I stood, walking over to Zach. “Hey,” I said softly, touching his arm. He stopped, looking down at me with a mix of surprise and curiosity. “I know this isn’t what either of us expected. But… I trust you. We’ll get through this. Together.”

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—something soft, vulnerable. But then it was gone, replaced by the steely determination I’d come to recognize.

“Together,” he agreed, his voice low.

The moment hung between us, charged with unspoken tension. And then, before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in, pressing my lips to his. It wasn’t fiery or desperate like the kiss before. It was soft, tentative, a promise rather than a demand.

Zach didn’t pull away. Instead, he kissed me back, his hand gently resting on the back of my neck, anchoring me to him. For the first time since all of this began, I felt safe.

But I knew this was just the calm before the storm.