Chapter 5: Bound by Fate, Shackled by Will
829 Words
Ruby
The night was still, but my world was in chaos.
I stood frozen in Manson’s grip, my pulse hammering so loud it drowned out everything else.
His golden eyes burned into mine, fierce and unyielding. He was so close, his warmth seeping through the thin fabric of my clothes, but I refused to give in to the pull of the mate bond.
I wasn’t his.
I couldn’t be.
I forced a breath into my lungs and pushed against his chest with all my strength. “Let me go.”
Manson didn’t budge. His grip was firm but not painful, his strength a quiet, undeniable force. “I already told you ” his voice was soft, yet deadly serious “I won’t.”
Frustration clawed at my throat. “You don’t get to decide that!”
His jaw ticked. “I do when you’re about to throw yourself into a life of danger and loneliness.”
I scoffed. “And being dragged away by you is supposed to be better?”
His expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes something darker.
“Yes.”
I stiffened.
He said it with such certainty. Like he wasn’t just claiming me he was convincing himself that I belonged with him.
I shook my head, my hands trembling against his chest. “I don’t want this.”
A beat of silence. Then
“I don’t care.”
The words knocked the breath out of me.
Manson’s gaze never wavered, his fingers tightening at my waist just slightly, possessively. “I told you before, Ruby. You’re mine. I won’t let you run. I won’t let you hide. And I won’t let you lie to yourself.”
My nails dug into his shirt. “I’m not lying.”
His lips curved into something dangerous. “Aren’t you?”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, he leaned in his scent overwhelming my senses, his voice a hushed growl.
“I felt the bond the moment I saw you.” His breath brushed against my cheek. “And so did you.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
I hated that he was right.
Hated that, even now, my body recognized him as my mate. That my wolf wanted nothing more than to give in.
But I wouldn’t.
I clenched my fists, forcing steel into my voice. “You can’t force me to love you.”
His expression softened, but there was something devastatingly certain in his gaze.
“I don’t have to.”
My breath hitched.
Because the way he said it the quiet confidence, the undeniable truth in his tone sent something dangerously close to doubt creeping into my chest.
I shook my head, trying to clear it.
This was what the mate bond did. It tried to trick you into believing you belonged to someone. But I had learned the hard way that mates weren’t always meant to be trusted.
“I’ll never be yours,” I whispered.
Manson’s fingers traced the curve of my jaw, his touch impossibly gentle for a man so feared. “We’ll see.”
I tried to pull away again, but this time, he didn’t stop me.
I stumbled back, breathing hard. “I won’t go with you.”
His eyes darkened. “You don’t have a choice.”
Anger burned through me. “You can’t just take me!”
Manson exhaled slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. “I won’t have to.”
I frowned. “What”
Then, suddenly, he lifted his head and howled.
A deep, powerful sound that shook the night.
I froze.
Within seconds, movement erupted around us. Wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming under the moonlight.
Manson’s pack.
My heart stopped.
This was why he hadn’t rushed to drag me away. Why he hadn’t forced me into submission?
Because he hadn’t needed to.
He had already planned everything.
The realization sent cold terror down my spine.
“Manson” My voice cracked.
His gaze softened just slightly, but his words were final.
“You’re coming with me, Ruby.”
I shook my head. “No ”
Before I could run, strong hands grabbed me from behind.
I fought thrashing, kicking, and snarling but it was useless. The warriors holding me were too strong, too well-trained.
Panic clawed at my throat.
Manson watched me struggle, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and started walking away.
The warriors dragged me after him.
“No!” I screamed, twisting in their grip. “Let me go!”
Manson didn’t stop. Didn’t turn around.
And as I was forced to follow him into the night, a terrible, undeniable truth settled deep in my chest.
I wasn’t escaping this.
I wasn’t escaping him.
Not now.
Not ever.
- Writer
