Chapter 2: Bound by Fate

Jerome's mind reeled as the strange man's words echoed in her head: You are mine. The intensity of his gaze, the raw power radiating off him, left her shaken. She could feel an invisible force binding them together, something ancient and undeniable. But that didn't mean she had to accept it.

"Why me?" Jerome managed to whisper, her voice trembling. "What makes you think you can claim me like this?"

The man's eyes softened for a brief moment, something almost human flashing behind the silver. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the same dominating force she had felt from the start.

"You were always mine," he said, his voice firm. "You just didn't know it yet."

Jerome took a step back, but the man followed effortlessly, closing the distance between them once again. He moved with a grace and speed that made her heart race, like a predator stalking its prey.

"Stay away from me," Jerome warned, though her voice wavered with fear and confusion.

The man's smile turned dark, and in an instant, his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. His touch was electric, sending sparks through her skin. Jerome gasped, but instead of pulling away, her body responded to his presence, drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain.

"You're not going anywhere," he said softly, his grip firm but not painful. "You belong to me now, and I protect what's mine."

Jerome's breath quickened as panic surged through her. She wanted to run, to escape this man and the strange connection she felt to him, but something held her in place. It wasn't just fear—it was something deeper, something she didn't understand.

"I never asked for this," Jerome whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't want any of this."

The man's grip loosened slightly, but he didn't let go. "Fate doesn't care what you want," he said softly, his voice carrying an eerie calmness. "It has already been decided."

Jerome shook her head, her body trembling. "You don't even know me," she said, her voice shaky. "How can you say I'm yours?"

The man's smile returned, dark and possessive. "I've known you from the moment you stepped into my territory," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I've been watching you, waiting for you. And now that you're here, you're not leaving."

Jerome's stomach twisted in fear. This was madness—how could this man claim to know her, to own her? None of this made sense. But the longer she stood in his presence, the harder it was to deny the strange pull she felt toward him.

"You'll learn to accept it," he said, his hand moving from her wrist to her cheek, his touch sending shivers down her spine. "Soon, you'll crave it."

Jerome's heart pounded as his fingers brushed against her skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. She hated how her body responded to him, how the fear and panic were slowly being replaced by something darker, something more primal.

"I won't be controlled by you," she whispered, though even as she said it, she knew it was a lie. The bond between them was already taking hold, pulling her deeper into his world.

The man's smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You will, Jerome," he murmured, his voice soft but filled with certainty. "You will."

As his words hung in the air, Jerome realized with growing dread that there was no escape from this bond. Whether she wanted it or not, her fate had been sealed the moment she crossed into his territory.

To be continued…