chapter 21

The day had unfolded with an unusual sense of peace, a rare reprieve from the chaos that had become my life. I had asked Aliah earlier where everyone had gone—Emma mostly, and Alaric. Fortunately, they had both gone to the hospital for some errands, leaving me with a few hours to myself. I relished the solitude. After everything, I needed it.

I’d seen the large jacuzzi outside the lounging area several times but had never gotten the chance to use it. Today, I decided, was the day. I wasn’t required for anything, and I wasn’t in the mood for company. A dip in the hot water sounded like the perfect way to unwind and clear my mind.

I slipped into my bikini, the fabric cool against my skin, and walked outside, appreciating the quiet calm that surrounded the area. The soft hum of nature in the background, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the occasional bird call. I could almost forget for a moment where I was—and what I was stuck in. The deep warmth of the water wrapped around me as I eased into the jacuzzi, letting out a deep sigh as the heat immediately soothed the tension in my muscles.

I leaned back, my eyes fluttering closed as I surrendered to the soothing sensation. The water was perfect, and for the first time in a long time, I could breathe without the overwhelming weight of my thoughts and worries. An hour passed, but it felt like mere minutes, the calming warmth taking away my exhaustion and frustration.

I stretched lazily, reaching for my drink resting on the edge of the jacuzzi, but just as my hand closed around the glass, something unexpected happened. My bikini top tugged, pulled by the force of the water, and I gasped as it slipped from my shoulder.I scoffed as I held my breasts glaring at the top floating in the water. Before I could even react, I heard a low growl, deep and menacing, rip through the silence.

My heart stopped.

I quickly twisted around, my eyes locking on the shadowed figure standing at the edge of the jacuzzi. Alaric. His eyes gleamed in the dim light—shining like molten lava, dark and dangerous. His gaze was intense, predatory even, and every part of me froze.

“Alaric,” I whispered, barely able to form the word as my pulse quickened.

A smirk tugged at his lips, and with a single fluid movement, he stepped into the water, fully clothed. The sound of his footsteps was deliberate and heavy, echoing in the quiet night. He moved toward me with a confidence that made my chest tighten, his presence dominating the space around us.

I quickly gathered myself, trying to regain some semblance of control, but his eyes, dark and unwavering, never left mine. “Stop,” I murmured, trying to keep the tremor from my voice. “What are you doing?”

Alaric didn’t respond with words—he didn’t need to. His actions spoke louder than anything he could say. In a swift motion, his strong arms gripped my waist, pulling me against him. The heat between us was palpable, and my body instinctively responded, betraying me.

“You shouldn’t have come out here looking like that Vanessa,” he said, his voice low, rough. The air between us thickened, charged with something I couldn’t quite understand. “But now that you’re here…”

I sucked in a breath as his nose brushed against my neck, his lips dangerously close. My body betrayed me further, leaning into him even though every rational thought screamed for me to pull away. His scent—earthy, intoxicating, like fresh pine and something darker—surrounded me.

“Stop,” I said again, but it came out more like a plea. A need. I couldn’t think straight, couldn’t focus on anything except the electric pull between us. The mate bond—no matter how hard I tried to resist it—was undeniable. It was stronger than anything I had ever felt.

Alaric’s hands slid upward, his fingers brushing against the soft skin of my back, sending shivers all over my body. I gasped as the heat between us intensified. My breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear as he growled lightly.

I wanted to scream at him, push him away, but my body wouldn’t obey. His touch, the sound of his voice, the proximity—it was all too much. Too good. He squeezed my breasts rubbing my hardened nipples softly making me moan. My body was betraying me badly reacting to his touch .

He kissed my neck gently, then with a sharp, desperate urgency that left me breathless. My head swam with confusion, with longing, and I couldn’t tell if I was in control anymore.

I closed my eyes, trying to center myself, but everything felt too overwhelming. My body was on fire, every nerve alight. I hated that this bond was so strong. That it was pulling me toward him, making me want things I shouldn’t want. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way about him—he was dangerous, a monster, and I was supposed to hate him.

But I didn’t. Not now. Not in this moment.

His lips grazed mine—just a whisper of contact—and it was enough to send a jolt of heat straight to my core. I felt a surge of desire, something primal, something uncontrollable. I didn’t know how to handle it.

His hand cupped my face, tilting it upward to meet his gaze, and there was no denying what I saw there. His eyes were no longer just glowing—they were burning with something more intense. Something raw, carnal, and undeniable.

“You feel it too,” he murmured, his voice thick with need. “I can see it in your eyes. You can’t fight this, Vanessa. You’re mine.” he said but it wasn't his voice he sounded primal like it was his wolf talking . Maybe I was going crazy but I loved it.

I wanted to protest. To push him away. But every fiber of my being screamed that I couldn’t. The bond between us was too strong, too consuming.

Alaric closed the distance between us, his lips crashing into mine. This time, there was nothing gentle about it. It was fierce, desperate, and my body responded instantly. I was drowning in him, in the heat of his kiss, in the power of the bond that was pulling me under.

I tried to focus, to break free, but his hands moved to my hips, holding me close, pressing our bodies together. My heart raced, and every inch of me screamed for more, even though my mind was screaming at me to stop.

But it was too late. There was no going back now.

When we finally broke apart, both of us gasping for air, I felt like I was floating. My body hummed with energy, with a strange sense of belonging that terrified me. I couldn’t explain it. I couldn’t understand it. But I didn’t need to. Not now. I pushed him away lightly and grabbed my top quickly putting it on as I moved out of the jacuzzi praying he wouldn't follow me and thankfully he didn't.