Desmond stepped into the room, making the healer scurry out. His aura was still as menacing as his features, but it didn’t intimidate me anymore. I guess that was one of the bond’s effects, craving his presence despite how dangerous it was.
His piercing cold gaze was fixated on me. I knew that if I asked him so casually about helping me find a solution for my heart, he would refuse.
“I didn’t think you’d save me,” I said while avoiding his gaze.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t save you, I didn’t care if you died.” Desmond’s face was unreadable, his voice devoid of emotions. They said you’d share emotions and thoughts with your mate, but Desmond was good at keeping to himself.
“All I did was chain you to me, so don’t act all grateful now. You’re an important variable in the plans against me, and I only want to throw my enemies off. Make yourself useful, your life is in my hands now,” he continued.
I wondered how much of what he said was true as I recalled him holding me close, caressing my face ever so gently while I was on the brink of death.
I understood why he was cruel, especially to me. But it didn’t mean I’d be willing to be his puppet for the rest of my life. I want to leave them all behind and start somewhere else, but to do that I must fix this damned heart. It must be strong enough to reject him, and I had to do it before he marked me. Because once I was marked and the bond was sealed, we wouldn’t survive without each other anymore.
“Just so you know, I meant what I said in that cell. I didn’t know about their plans until recently. I found out the same day I got thrown into that prison,” I said to ease my guilt and maybe earn his trust a little.
“You don’t know the schemes that form in your own home? Are you that pathetic?” he sneered. “Right, you’re their spoiled and delicate daughter. You live in your little bubble–oblivious about the things that matter.”
What he said struck a nerve. My father never included me in serious discussions, saying my only purpose was to marry into power. Anger and hurt flashed in my eyes, but he stared me down like he didn’t care.
“You might be right about me being oblivious, but it wasn’t my choice! Do you think I wanted to be kept in the dark and manipulated?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the tears that burned my eyes. “All my life, everything I do has been dictated by my father. I followed Andro around because I trusted him more than myself. But now they’re not here to tell me what to do… but I’m still not free. Do you think I wanted to live that way?”
It was my first time lashing out at someone. The mate bond tugged on my emotions, guiding them toward him. I knew he felt them when he paused, reading my expression.
“I haven’t even marked you yet and you’re already throwing your useless emotions at me,” he said, jaw clenching. “You’re weak. I’ve seen kids with better control than you.”
“I’m sorry if I’m not an expert at this whole mate bond thing. If you protected your first mate better, maybe you wouldn't have to deal with a novice like me!”
Desmond’s eyebrows collided, clearly riled up at my remark. I was too pissed at him to take back what I said. I knew it was a topic I shouldn’t have touched, but he started it.
“What did you say?” Desmond motioned to grab me, but a commotion outside the room stole our attention.
Someone frantically knocked on the door, informing us that Andro had barged into the Alpha manor. When Desmond dashed out, I quickly got up to follow him. I struggled to keep up with his pace because my body had not fully recovered.
I arrived in the living room a little later and saw Andro grabbing Desmond’s collar.
“Why did you take her here!” Andro asked, his voice demanding and furious. “Where is my fiancée?!”
