All Chapters of Darkbound Mate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The clock ticks relentlessly, each metallic click ricocheting off the dark walls, grating against my already frayed nerves. It’s out of sync with my heartbeat, which thumps unevenly—harder and faster than normal, but not frantic. There’s a tension in my chest, a heaviness that I can’t shake as I sit here, waiting. My supposed best friend’s office feels like a stranger’s lair, foreign and uninviting.I exhale quietly, trying to calm the jittery rhythm of my breaths, but it’s a losing battle. My gaze roams the room, dissecting every detail, scrutinizing corners that once held memories—fun, embarrassing, even painful. This space used to feel alive, like a reflection of Rowan himself. Bright. Warm. Open. Now, it feels like a mausoleum, cold and sterile, drained of the life that once coursed through it.The walls are dark, almost oppressive, their muted tones casting shadows that seem to shift with the flickering light overhead. There’s a heaviness in the air, like grief painted into every

The cold water cascades over me, the icy droplets biting into my skin, soaking through my clothes, and chilling me to the bone. The sharp chill of the bathroom tiles against my legs seeps deeper, anchoring me in this numbing, unbearable moment. Every breath feels labored, shallow, and my sobs echo through the large, empty space, ricocheting off the sterile walls. The sound of my cries mingles with the relentless patter of the water, drowning everything else out, save for the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears—a deafening reminder of the pain that refuses to leave.I sit curled on the bathroom floor, my knees pulled tight to my chest, trying to make myself smaller as if I can shrink away from the torment clawing at my insides. One hand rests against my knees, separating my chin from pressing into them, while the other claws desperately at the floor. My fingers scrape against the tiles, futilely trying to find something solid to hold onto, something to ground me against the storm raging

I stop dead in my tracks, whipping around to stare at her. My eyes drop to her stomach, and for the first time, I notice the slight bulge beneath her loose, baggy gown. She beams, rubbing her stomach with a shy smile, and the realization hits me like a brick.“Wait.” My voice is sharp, incredulous. “How did you sneak in here with ‘that’… no, wait, who the fuck got you pregnant? Jerry? Kenzie? Old Man Dicktard?”Lyla rolls her eyes, exasperated. “I’ve told you to stop calling him that! And no, it’s Clayton.” Her fingers twist a lock of her glossy black hair around her index finger, her cheeks flushing as she says his name.“And Caleb,” Ivanna chirps, her voice bright and teasing as she strides past me into my room.I stand there, frozen, staring at Lyla with a mix of bewilderment, amusement, and sheer mortification. Clayton and Caleb. The infamous twins. One a renowned fashion designer, the other the owner of an entertainment empire. Both famous for their devotion to each other—and thei

Lynette’s POVI stand frozen, staring up at the towering building in front of me, lost in the chaos of my own thoughts. The air around me feels colder than it should, biting through the rose gold fleece hoodie I’ve pulled tightly over my head. For minutes—maybe longer—I’ve done nothing but gaze at the sleek exterior of Rowan’s company building. My breath clouds the air, shallow and uneven, but I barely notice. I didn’t plan to come here.I woke up this morning with every intention of taking a simple walk, hoping the fresh air would help me think. But somehow, I ended up in a cab, and now here I am—standing like a fool, staring up at the embodiment of a past I can’t seem to escape.Grief churns deep in my chest, but it’s not grief alone that has me rooted to this spot. My mind is a battlefield of conflicting emotions, each more chaotic than the last. This isn’t just about Rowan. It’s about Kassian. Rowan’s twin brother. My unrequited first love.No—it’s worse than that.Some people scof

Kassian’s POVThe day so far has been hell. Not because of work—I’m used to that. Work keeps me sane. It’s Fenrir that’s driving me to the edge, his constant nagging and complaining echoing in my skull like a relentless thunderclap. It’s been years since I’ve felt a headache like this, the kind that doesn’t just pulse behind your eyes but feels like your brain is being split into two. Worse, I’m forcing that fractured mind to work through the pain.I’d rip Fenrir out of my head if I could. Or shove him back into the void he crawled out from.“Oh, that’s rich,” Fenrir snarls, his voice sharp and biting. “That was my wish a long time ago, wasn’t it? But I didn’t get what I wanted. Now you can deal with me—or smash your head into a wall and die.”I scoff under my breath, tossing my pen across the desk with annoyance. “We’re one, you idiot,” I snap at him mentally. “If I die, you die too.”His growl rumbles like thunder, and I can almost feel it vibrate through my chest. “Better than being