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Chapter 16
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Darkbound Mate Chapter 17
Lynette’s POVThe smooth leather of Kassian’s chair glides under me as I twist back and forth, savoring the soft creak of the material with each shift of my weight. The faint aroma of his cologne clings to the air, a tantalizing mix of sage, cinnamon and rosewood that makes my cheeks heat, though I’d never admit it out loud.My phone rests in my hands, the screen glowing faintly in the muted light of the office. I’m half-heartedly typing out a reply to a message I should’ve answered hours ago, but my attention is elsewhere. It’s hard to focus when the thrill of rebellion hums through my veins, a quiet defiance that makes me grin despite myself.This wasn’t the plan.When I decided to drop by unannounced, my intentions were simple: surprise him, throw him off-balance, maybe even catch him smiling for once. But as soon as I stepped through the doors, his second secretary intercepted me with that practiced, tight-lipped smile.“He’s in a meeting,” she said, her voice too smooth, her eyes
Last Updated : 2024-12-14Darkbound Mate Chapter 18
The karaoke bar hums with life, a chaotic mix of pounding music, clinking glasses, and the rise and fall of laughter from a crowd that seems intent on leaving their inhibitions at the door. A faint haze of smoke lingers in the air, mingling with the sticky-sweet scent of spilled cocktails and the faint tang of fried food. The lights overhead pulse in sync with the music, casting shifting colors across the packed room, from warm golds to electric blues.I glance at Kassian standing stiffly beside me, his hood drawn low over his face and a baseball cap tilted just enough to hide his sharp features. He’s trying to blend into the shadows, his arms crossed so tightly over his chest that I can almost hear the fabric of his hoodie strain. His presence alone makes the space feel smaller, his quiet intensity a sharp contrast to the carefree atmosphere.“This is ridiculous,” he mutters, the gruffness in his voice almost lost in the music’s bassline.“Relax,” I reply, patting his arm. His muscle
Last Updated : 2024-12-15Darkbound Mate Chapter 19
Lynette’s POVI huff heavily, dropping into the soft yellow chair in the corner of my manager’s apartment. The cushion sinks beneath me, wrapping me in its plush embrace, but the comfort it offers does nothing to ease the tight knot in my chest. My head tilts back, my eyes fixing on the gray ceiling above as I let out a frustrated sigh. The room feels stiflingly quiet, save for the distant hum of traffic outside the window.Two days.Two days since the karaoke.The memory plays in my mind like a cruel tease. I can still see Kassian’s faint smile when he waved me goodbye, the way his lips quirked just enough to send my heart racing. He had insisted one of his bodyguards bring my car around since I’d left it at his office, and then we’d driven to the karaoke bar together in his sleek, spotless car.It wasn’t perfect. He grumbled, resisted, and acted like he’d rather be anywhere else, but I was certain—certain—he’d enjoyed himself in the end.And he’d promised to call.I swallow hard as
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Darkbound Mate Chapter 20
Elliott looks up from his tablet, his stride halting mid-step as his sharp eyes land on me. I’m sprawled on the yellow chair, my legs dangling over one arm and my head tilted back against the other.“You look like bullshit,” he says, his voice flat but edged with his usual sarcasm.A soft, jaded laugh escapes me. “I feel like bullshit.”He arches an eyebrow, places the tablet on the coffee table with a deliberate thud, and crosses the room with a steady, purposeful gait. There’s concern written across his face now, his brows drawn together as he stops just short of my chair.Elliott has this way of looking at people like he’s trying to figure out how to fix them, as if every problem is solvable with just the right touch of logic and kindness. It’s a maddeningly earnest quality, and one of the reasons I’ve grown so attached to him.I chuckle dryly, glancing up at him. “Meet Elliott, everyone. A man who cares far too much about humans for his own good. He’s excellent at his job, an even
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Darkbound Mate Chapter 21
Kassian’s POVThe boardroom is a study in perfection—cold, polished, and suffocatingly pristine. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in just enough light to give the illusion of openness, but the heavy, airtight stillness betrays the room’s true nature. The faint hum of the air conditioning blends with the occasional creak of leather chairs as board members shift in their seats. It is the kind of silence that demands submission, that wraps around you like a vice and dares you to disrupt it.And yet, the usual crisp order only amplifies the chaos in my mind.The presenter’s voice drones on, a steady stream of words describing revenue margins and strategic expansions. The click of her laser pointer punctuates each slide of the glowing pie chart, its rhythm as persistent as the dull ache in my chest.My gaze drops to the phone resting beside my notes, its black screen a taunting reminder of the unanswered messages. Lynette’s name is burned into my mind like a brand, each syllable dragging m
Last Updated : 2024-12-17Darkbound Mate Chapter 22
The meeting ends without me realizing it. One moment, I’m trapped in the whirlwind of my thoughts, and the next, chairs scrape across the polished floor, and people are gathering their papers.I stand slowly, unsure if I’ve agreed to the promotion plan or the contract involving Lynette. It all passed in a daze, leaving my chest heavy as I step out of the boardroom. The click of my shoes echoes off the glossy tile, the sound swallowed by the sterile chill of the hallway.I don’t have time to dwell on the meeting—or Lynette—for long. The next appointment, this one with associates in Asia, waits for me. I slip into my office, the familiar setup for a virtual conference already glowing on the large monitor.The screen flickers to life, revealing a series of sharp, composed faces. Their expressions, a blend of politeness and restrained impatience, set the tone for what’s to come. The meeting begins immediately, diving into logistics, profit margins, and the finer points of a new joint vent
Last Updated : 2024-12-17Darkbound Mate Chapter 23
Lynette’s POVEveryone on set tells me I’m glowing. Maybe I am. My skin seems brighter under the warm studio lights, the golden hues catching every curve and feature. There’s a hum in the air, punctuated by bursts of laughter, the snap of camera shutters, and the occasional shuffle of fabric as the stylists move props.The studio hums with life, a symphony of scattered chatter, the faint hum of fluorescent lights, and the rhythmic shuffle of equipment being moved across polished floors. The air is warm, filled with the faint tang of fresh paint and the lingering aroma of coffee cups left on every available surface. Everything feels alive with movement and sound, but I can’t bring myself to care.I’m not thinking about glowing, or their compliments.No. I’m thinking about him.Kassian.Despite promising myself this morning to stop obsessing, I’ve already broken that vow a dozen times. My phone is practically glued to my hand more often than I’d like to admit. My thumb hovers over his m
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Darkbound Mate Chapter 24
My body recognizes him instantly. Despite the tension crackling in the air, I melt into his embrace, my senses on high alert. The trembling in my limbs eases, replaced by an inexplicable sense of safety.His arms are strong, his grip firm, and his warmth seeps into my skin like a protective barrier against everything else in the room. And yet, the deadly aura radiating off him in waves keeps me on edge, a warning that the man holding me is far from safe.“Alpha,” Tyson murmurs quietly, the word loaded with respect and fear.The tone of his voice and the way he doesn’t meet Kassian’s eyes send a flicker of unease through me. Tyson’s broad shoulders shift subtly, his posture lowering into something that feels… submissive.But my focus isn’t on Tyson. It’s on the man holding me.The spicy undertones of Kassian’s scent—rosewood, sage, and cinnamon—wrap around me like a blanket. It’s intoxicating, familiar in a way I can’t explain, and I hate how my body instinctively leans into it. My han
Last Updated : 2024-12-18
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Darkbound Mate Chapter 67
Lynette is startled by the speed—and probably the desperation—in my voice and face. She hesitates, her hand gripping the edge of the doorframe, giving me just enough of a chance to wedge myself between the door and the frame.“So you see… um… I didn’t come here without a purpose.” My voice comes out rushed, almost frantic. “There’s an absolutely valuable reason why I’m here.” I hesitate, scrambling for something, anything, that sounds reasonable. “So, please, calm down and let me explain… I mean, talk! Yes! Haha.”What the hell am I doing?What am I? A damn teenage boy?“Dammit,” I mutter under my breath, dragging a hand roughly through my hair. The strands stick to my fingers, damp with sweat. My heart is pounding, not just from the mortifying awkwardness of this situation, but from everything she is. It’s too much. She’s too close, too intoxicating, too ‘her’.The reasons why my thoughts are tangled, my breathing shallow, and my control splintering pile up like a relentless avalanch
Darkbound Mate Chapter 66
I press the doorbell again, my thumb jamming down harder each time, the repetitive chime echoing in the still night air. I know she hears me. She has to. My persistence is a reminder that I’m still here, standing on her porch like a fool. At first, I think she’ll keep ignoring me, just as she has for the past hour. But then—faintly, almost too faintly to trust—my ears pick up the soft sound of her footsteps.My heart slams against my chest like a drumbeat, and a hopeful bliss surges through me, lighting up my senses like fireworks. Her scent grows stronger as she nears the door, flooding out from the small crack beneath it. It’s intoxicating—floral and sweet, like spring itself wrapped around my lungs. But with the hope comes a rush of anxiety that tightens its grip around my chest.What if she’s coming out just to slam the door in my face?What if she says something cruel?What if she despises me?The questions spiral uncontrollably, and my mind races to keep up with the dread clawin
Darkbound Mate Chapter 65
Kassian’s POVThe night sky stretches above me, a dark canvas speckled with faint stars. The crescent moon hangs weakly, its pale glow almost drowned by the vivid lights illuminating the mansion’s exterior. Strings of soft white, yellow, gold, pink, and lilac lights cast a dreamy haze over the grand facade, their glow reflecting off the neatly manicured garden below. The air hums with the constant chatter of crickets, their rhythmic song mingling with the occasional rustle of leaves as a gentle breeze passes through. The breeze carries a medley of floral scents, sweet and calming, from the meticulously arranged flowerbeds dotting the compound.But none of it compares to her.Lynette’s scent cuts through everything, rich and unmistakable. It’s as if she’s the embodiment of nature itself, her fragrance a symphony of fresh blooms and sunlit meadows. Sweet yet sharp, soothing yet overwhelming. It pulls me in like a tide, drowning out the world around me. Even here, standing on her porch,
Darkbound Mate Chapter 64
“Oh, you little—!” I choke on my own breath, breaking into laughter so hard my sides ache. “It’s not like that! We’re not there yet!” I protest between gasps, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.Ivanna just smirks knowingly, folding her arms as she leans back. She doesn’t need to say anything—her smug expression says it all. She knows exactly what’s going on, and she’s been waiting for the perfect moment to throw me off balance.Zalie collapses onto her bed, clutching her stomach as she laughs harder, and I can’t help but join her, the weight of my embarrassment dissolving into the infectious joy of the moment.“It’s really not like that,” I say softly, my voice tinged with shyness.“Mm-hm,” they chime in unison, their teasing smirks lighting up their faces. The room feels alive with their playful energy, a sharp contrast to the soft, cozy warmth that lingers from the blankets and faint jasmine and gardenia scent of fabric softener. I roll my eyes dramatically, stretching my ar
Darkbound Mate Chapter 63
Lynette’s POVI tap the bottom of my pen against my chin, the faint plastic click echoing in the stillness of my room. My legs sway lazily in the air, brushing against the soft, cool fabric of my sheets as I lie on my stomach. The warm glow of the bedside lamp casts a golden hue over the crumpled papers scattered haphazardly across my bed—lyric drafts and scribbles abandoned in creative frustration. On my laptop screen, Zalie mirrors my position, sprawled across her bed with a mischievous smile, her butterscotch hair spilling like ink across her pillow. Her room is no tidier than mine; sheets and notebooks are tossed around like the aftermath of a brainstorming storm.In the background of Zalie’s frame, Ivanna sits cross-legged on the edge of the bed, leaning heavily on a plastic table she’s clearly dragged into the scene for the sake of convenience. Her posture is casual but focused, one hand propping up her chin as she skims over notes. The subtle hum of life fills the shared spaces
Darkbound Mate Chapter 62
I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, and lean backward slightly. “Make her yours.”Kassian scoffs, the sound bitter and sharp. “And what about my identity as a werewolf? The fact that I’m not Ro—” His words cut off abruptly as he bites down on his bottom lip. His fists clench, and a low growl rumbles deep in his chest, vibrating through the air like distant thunder. He looks away, his gaze distant, his expression clouded with conflict.I wait, watching him carefully. The seconds stretch, his silence filling the room like a weight. Finally, he sinks back into the chair, the movement stiff and deliberate. “Even if it endangers her life?” he asks quietly, his voice carrying a note of resignation.“Life is a risk,” I reply softly, watching as he leans his head back against the chair, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. The faint light above casts shadows across his sharp features, highlighting the tension etched into every line of his face. I let the silence settle, hoping my words wil
Darkbound Mate Chapter 61
Kassian tilts his head, his expression unreadable. “That’s what makes her perfect for you.” I add cautiously.The air grows tense, the only sound the faint creak of wood as he shifts his stance. “She’s human,” he deadpans, his voice flat, yet there’s a flicker of something behind it—doubt, perhaps, or disbelief. He looks at me with a bored expression, but his eyes betray the storm churning within him.“And I’m a fish,” I snap back, sarcasm dripping from my tone as I wave my hand in mock dismissal. He scoffs, a short, sharp sound, but I catch the faint twitch of his lips as though he’s fighting a smile.The tension breaks slightly, like a taut string slackening. “Look, Rowan,” I say, leaning forward, the chair groaning beneath me. “I’ll tell you this from firsthand experience. A true mate is a gift—rare, incredible, and something not everyone gets to have. You’ve been given this chance, her. So, tell me, how do you feel when you’re around her?”For a moment, his mask slips. His brows k
Darkbound Mate Chapter 60
“Bloody Rowan,” Kassian snarls under his breath, the sharp edge in his voice cutting through the damp, cool air. The faint metallic scent of blood lingers in the room, mingling with the earthy smell of wood and the faint tang of old leather from the chair Kassian had kicked over earlier. My heart pounds in my chest, but that’s the least of my worries. His wolf’s eyes—blue? Since when? Last time I saw Fenrir, they were royal purple, like molten amethyst under the moonlight.Kassian’s wolf, Fenrir, is a stark contrast to Rowan’s Rune. Fenrir is larger, faster, stronger—an overwhelming force of raw power and ferocity that Rune, with his quieter, more agile presence, could never match. Yet, it isn’t just size or strength that sets them apart. It’s their eyes—those unmistakable marks of their deviance. Fenrir’s were a regal, commanding royal purple, while Rune’s shimmered a softer, almost ethereal lilac. Together, the Draven brothers were known for this rare and legendary trait. No shifter
Darkbound Mate Chapter 59
Lynette. Of course, it’s her.The realization lands heavily, though I can’t say it surprises me. It’s shocking, yes, but not unexpected. Anyone who had been paying attention could have guessed this was coming.Rowan’s obsession with her had always been suspicious, the way he watched her, talked about her. Once, he even mentioned he thought she might be his mate, but his stepmother had silenced him before he could say more. At the time, none of us could confirm it, not with Kassian missing and no tangible evidence to back up Rowan’s feelings.But now, with Kassian here and the mate bond undeniable, it all makes sense.“Damn,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair as I lean back in my chair. Thank the Moon Goddess the truth never came to light back then. If Kassian’s father had even suspected Lynette could be his son’s mate, he would have done everything in his power to destroy her—or worse, force Rowan to mark her.That’s how much that pathetic excuse for a father despises Kassian.
