Chapter : Excuse Me

The room was thick with tension, the air charged with unspoken words and restrained desire.

Rain's body still trembled from Nathaniel's touch, his mind battling the overwhelming pull of the bond. Every nerve screamed at him to resist, but the heat in Nathaniel's gaze made it impossible to move.

Nathaniel's fingers traced over Rain's wrist, a possessive touch that sent a shiver down his spine. "You're still running from me," Nathaniel murmured, his voice dark and velvety. "Even when your body betrays you."

Rain's breath hitched. He hated how easily Nathaniel saw through him, how the Alpha King peeled away his defenses as if they were nothing but fragile glass. He jerked his hand away, eyes flashing. "You don't own me."

Nathaniel chuckled, low and knowing. "Don't I?" His lips brushed against Rain's temple, sending a rush of heat through his veins. "Then why do you react like this?"

Rain clenched his fists. The bond was suffocating, consuming, and no matter how much he wanted to deny it, Nathaniel's presence was like a wildfire, threatening to devour him whole.

Before he could respond, a sudden knock on the door shattered the thick atmosphere. Nathaniel's gaze darkened, irritation flickering across his features.

"Enter."

The door swung open again, and Soren stepped in, his sharp blue eyes assessing the scene before locking onto Rain in exasperation. "We have a problem, huge," he repeated again, his tone grave.

Rain seized the opportunity to step back, putting much-needed space between himself and Nathaniel. "What kind of problem?"

Soren's jaw tightened. "Althea has made her move. And it's not just a small one."

Nathaniel's expression hardened. "Explain."

Soren hesitated for a fraction of a second, then met Nathaniel's gaze. "She's targeting the bond."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Rain's stomach twisted. He wasn't sure what that meant, but the weight in Soren's voice told him it was nothing good.

Nathaniel's aura darkened, a dangerous energy rolling off him in waves. "She wouldn't dare."

"She already has," Soren countered. "And if we don't stop her now, the consequences will be irreversible."

Rain swallowed hard, a sense of unease creeping into his bones. The bond had already taken so much from him—what more could Althea do?

Nathaniel turned back to Rain, his golden eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his breath catch. "You're staying with me. No arguments."

Rain bristled. "Excuse me?"

Nathaniel's grip on his wrist was firm but not forceful. "I won't let her touch what's mine."

Rain's heart pounded. He wanted to fight, to resist—but deep down, a part of him whispered that there was no escaping this.

Not from the bond.

Not from Nathaniel.

To Be Continued...