Chapter : Make Me

Rain's fingers tightened around the edge of the window as he stared out at the darkened expanse of the Castellan lands. The Blood Moon's crimson glow seemed to seep into the earth itself, making everything feel more alive, more electric. The bond hummed in his chest, a persistent ache that refused to be ignored.

And at the center of it all was Nathaniel Castellan.

The Alpha King's presence had been maddening enough when Rain had been his captive. Now, with the mark tethering them together, it was unbearable. Every thought, every breath seemed to lead back to Nathaniel. The heat of his touch, the intensity of his gaze—it was like a wildfire consuming Rain from within.

Rain growled low in his throat, his claws extending involuntarily. He needed space. Air. Anything to escape the pull of the bond, even if just for a moment.

Without a second thought, he pushed away from the window and strode toward the door. Soren had gone to check on the pack's remnants, leaving Rain alone with his thoughts—a dangerous place to be.

The corridors of the stronghold were eerily quiet as Rain moved through them, his steps echoing softly against the stone. He didn't have a destination in mind, only the desperate need to escape the suffocating tension that had taken root in his chest.

But, as always, the bond had other plans.

The moment he rounded the corner, the air shifted. A familiar scent—powerful, rich, and infuriatingly intoxicating—hit him like a wave. His body tensed as he stopped in his tracks, his silver eyes narrowing.

Nathaniel.

The Alpha King stood at the far end of the corridor, his broad shoulders bathed in the soft light of a nearby torch. His dark amber eyes locked onto Rain's the moment he appeared, and the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Restless, are we?" Nathaniel's voice was smooth, low, and far too amused for Rain's liking.

Rain's jaw tightened as he forced himself to remain calm. "What do you want, Castellan?"

Nathaniel took a step closer, his movements deliberate, predatory. The bond flared to life between them, its heat radiating like a living thing.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" Nathaniel said, his tone laced with challenge. "You're the one wandering my halls in the dead of night."

Rain's claws flexed at his sides, his wolf bristling under the weight of Nathaniel's presence. "I needed air."

Nathaniel tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving Rain's. "And yet, here you are. Drawn to me like a moth to the flame."

The words ignited something in Rain, a spark of fury that burned hotter than the bond itself. He took a step forward, his silver eyes flashing. "Don't flatter yourself, Castellan. The only thing I'm drawn to is the idea of ripping that smug look off your face."

Nathaniel chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent an involuntary shiver down Rain's spine. "You have fire, I'll give you that. But we both know that's not what's keeping you here."

The space between them disappeared in an instant as Nathaniel closed the distance, his towering frame casting a shadow over Rain. The air crackled with tension, the bond pulling them closer even as Rain's instincts screamed to resist.

"You can fight it all you want," Nathaniel murmured, his voice low and intimate. "But the bond is stronger than both of us. And you feel it, don't you?"

Rain's breathing quickened as Nathaniel's words settled over him like a weighted blanket. The Alpha King was close—too close. Rain could feel the heat radiating from his body, the raw power that seemed to seep from his very skin.

"Back off," Rain growled, his voice rough.

Nathaniel didn't move. If anything, he leaned closer, his amber eyes glinting with something dark and dangerous. "Make me."

The challenge hung in the air like a live wire, daring Rain to act. His claws extended fully, his wolf howling for release. But the bond flared again, its heat consuming him, and Rain found himself frozen in place.

Nathaniel's gaze flickered to Rain's wrist, where the mark glowed faintly in the dim light. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the sensitive skin. The touch sent a jolt through Rain's body, his breath hitching as the bond roared to life.

"I told you before," Nathaniel said, his voice a whisper. "You're mine, Rain. Whether you want to be or not."

Rain snarled, his anger bubbling to the surface as he shoved Nathaniel back with all his strength. The Alpha King stumbled slightly, but his smirk only deepened, his amber eyes alight with amusement.

"You can keep fighting," Nathaniel said, his tone calm despite the force of Rain's push. "But the moon chose us for a reason. And sooner or later, you'll understand why."

Rain's chest heaved as he glared at Nathaniel, his silver eyes blazing. "I don't care what the moon chose. I'll never be yours."

Nathaniel's smirk faded, replaced by a look of quiet determination. "We'll see."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Rain standing in the corridor, his heart pounding and his body trembling with a mixture of rage and something far more dangerous.

Rain returned to his quarters, slamming the door shut behind him. His hands trembled as he leaned against the wall, his thoughts a chaotic mess.

He hated Nathaniel. Hated the bond. Hated the way his wolf seemed to betray him every time the Alpha King was near.

But no matter how much he fought, no matter how hard he tried to deny it, the bond was there.

And it was winning.

To Be Continued...