Chapter 3: The Trouble with Bonds

Chapter 3: The Trouble with Bonds

Silvia's POV

Silvia wasn't sure what was more frustrating—the fact that she was now apparently magically bonded to a cocky, shapeshifting panther-man, or the way he seemed to be enjoying every second of it.

She marched through the dense forest, ignoring Dragon as he casually strolled beside her, hands behind his head, completely at ease. It was infuriating. She had no idea where they were, but he acted like this was some kind of casual morning walk.

Her fingers twitched at her sides. She wanted to strangle him. Or at the very least, wipe that damn smirk off his face.

"So, sweetheart," Dragon drawled. "What's our plan?"

Silvia halted, spinning on her heel to glare at him. "Our plan? No, no. You do NOT get to say 'our' like we're some kind of team."

Dragon tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming. "We're bonded, remember? That makes us a team whether you like it or not."

"Like hell it does." Silvia jabbed a finger at him. "I don't care what magic nonsense happened when you 'healed' me. I am getting back to the city, and you are staying out of my way."

Dragon hummed in thought. "Mmm. Nope. Can't do that."

Silvia groaned. "Of course not."

"You see," Dragon continued, "since we're bonded, we technically share energy now. If we separate too far, you'll start feeling it. Weakness, dizziness, maybe even hallucinations. Not fun."

Silvia clenched her jaw. "You're lying."

Dragon grinned. "Am I?"

She wanted to call his bluff. She really did. But the memory of waking up feeling different, stronger, and the way she could still sense him even without looking at him—it was too much to ignore.

A new wave of frustration surged inside her.

"Fine," she snapped. "Then stay out of my way while I figure out how to fix this."

Dragon's smirk widened. "Good luck with that."

She clenched her fists and kept walking, pretending she didn't see the way his golden eyes watched her every move.

Dragon's POV

By the gods, she was adorable when she was mad.

Dragon had expected some resistance—after all, learning you were suddenly mated to a Terran prince wasn't exactly a normal Tuesday for a human—but Silvia had fire.

He liked that.

As he strolled beside her, he watched her every movement. The way her silver hair caught in the light, the determination in her narrowed blue eyes, the way she kept gritting her teeth like she was physically restraining herself from attacking him.

It was fun.

She still didn't know the full extent of their bond. That was probably for the best— for now.

Because once she realized that this wasn't just some accidental magical mishap—that this bond meant forever—well…

He had a feeling she'd try to murder him.

And gods help him, he might actually let her.

Silvia's POV

After what felt like hours of walking, they finally reached a break in the dense forest. Ahead, the landscape stretched into rolling hills, with a faint outline of civilization in the far distance.

Thank the gods.

Silvia exhaled sharply. "There. See? I can find my way back just fine. No need for you to tag along."

Dragon crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. "That's a long walk, sweetheart. You sure you can handle it?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," she snapped. "Did I ask for your concern?"

He chuckled. "No, but you'll miss me when I'm gone."

Silvia groaned. "I won't."

"You will."

"I REALLY won't."

Dragon smirked. "Guess we'll see."

Silvia turned away before she could punch him and started walking.

But she had only made it a few steps before—

The ground trembled.

Silvia froze.

Dragon's playful demeanor vanished instantly, his muscles tensing. "That's not good."

A low, guttural growl echoed from the hills ahead. Then another.

Then dozens.

The air around them seemed to thicken as dark, hulking shapes appeared on the horizon. More monsters.

And not just any monsters.

Hunters.

Silvia's breath hitched. These things weren't like the S-tier monster she had fought before. These were the ones sent to track survivors. To clean up loose ends.

And they had found her.

Dragon stepped in front of her, his golden eyes darkening with something dangerous.

"Stay behind me."

Silvia tensed. "Excuse me?"

Dragon didn't look at her. His entire body shifted, energy crackling around him as his panther form began to take shape again.

"You're not ready for this fight."

Silvia's pride flared to life. "The hell I'm not—"

The first monster lunged.

Dragon moved like a shadow, intercepting the attack with impossible speed. He slammed into the beast, his claws raking across its thick hide.

Silvia didn't have time to argue. More were coming.

She gritted her teeth and summoned her magic.

Lightning crackled between her fingers, illuminating her determined face. She took a deep breath, centering her focus before launching a wave of fire and electricity at the incoming beasts. The blast sent two creatures hurtling backward, but more surged forward.

Dragon let out a deep growl, charging into the fray with raw, animalistic fury. Claws sliced through flesh, and monstrous roars filled the battlefield. Silvia's heartbeat pounded as she dodged an attack, pivoting quickly to hurl another bolt of searing magic.

The battle raged on, dust and sparks swirling in the air, each moment bringing Silvia closer to understanding just how deep this connection between them ran.

She wasn't just fighting with Dragon.

She was fighting as one with him.