Nathaniel stormed down the dimly lit hallway, his breaths ragged, his hands shaking.
He didn't look back.
Couldn't look back.
Because if he did—if he saw Rain standing there, lips swollen, body trembling from the kiss they just shared—
He would break all over again.
The bond was ruthless, relentless. It gnawed at his sanity, at his control, whispering in his mind like a siren's call, urging him to go back, to claim what was his.
But he couldn't.
Not yet.
Not like this.
His fists clenched, nails biting into his palms as he forced his wolf back, tamping down the sheer need that burned through him like wildfire.
He reached his study, slamming the door shut behind him.
For a long moment, he stood there, chest heaving, the silence pressing in on him like a noose.
His reflection in the glass cabinet across the room was a stranger's—eyes wild, hair disheveled, lips red from the way he had devoured Rain just moments ago.
Nathaniel exhaled sharply and pressed his forehead against the cool wood of the door.
What the hell am I doing?
This was more than just the bond.
It was him.
Every instinct, every fiber of his being wanted Rain—not just as a mate, but as something deeper. Something primal. Something possessive.
And it scared him.
Because Rain wasn't ready.
And neither was he.
But if this continued…
If Rain pushed him further…
Nathaniel wasn't sure he would have the strength to hold back anymore.
Back in the room, Rain stood frozen, still pressed against the cold stone wall, his fingers brushing over his lips.
His chest heaved, his mind a tangled mess of emotions he couldn't even begin to unravel.
Nathaniel was gone.
But the heat of his touch, the roughness of his grip, the desperate way he had kissed him—it lingered, burned into Rain's skin.
His wolf howled in frustration, clawing at his control, furious at the sudden loss of warmth.
And worse—
His body ached.
Not just from the kiss. Not just from the bond.
But from the way Nathaniel had pulled away.
The way he had fled.
Rain's throat felt tight, his pulse thrumming wildly against his ribs.
This was dangerous.
This was something neither of them could afford.
And yet…
He didn't regret it.
Not even for a second.
He squeezed his eyes shut, dragging in a shaky breath.
Then, slowly, he pushed off the wall, his legs unsteady beneath him.
His mind was a warzone, his body still thrumming with need, but there was something sharper now, something colder beneath it all—
Determination.
Nathaniel thought he could just walk away?
That he could run from this?
From him?
A slow, dangerous smile curled at the edges of Rain's lips.
Fine.
Let him run.
But he wouldn't be able to hide for long.
Because Rain was done playing this game.
And soon—
Nathaniel would realize that too.
To Be Continued...