Chapter 53
1360 Words
Justin
The lights in my room flickered as I buttoned my shirt and straightened my hair. I’d waited long enough. Gwen had reached out. She wanted to see me.
I adjusted the talisman, now warm against my chest. Its magic pulsed with purpose. The closer I got to her, the stronger the bond felt. Soon, she’d understand. Soon, she’d choose me—as she was always meant to.
The air in the room thickened suddenly, like the room had swallowed a breath it didn’t want to exhale.
The witch materialized near the fireplace, her beauty dark and gleaming, like polished obsidian. “You’re not going,” she said coolly.
I didn’t flinch. “She reached out.”
“She isn’t ready. The spell hasn’t anchored. If you go too early, her wolf will sense you. She will sense you. And it will unravel.”
I shrugged, smirking. “She reached out to me. Not them. She’s already doubting them. The bond is weakening. This is working.”
“You fool,” she snapped, stepping closer. Her eyes glowed faintly violet. “You have two days until the full moon. That’s when the talisman completes the false bond. If you go now, and she sees through it—”
“She won’t.” I turned for the door. “She already wants me. I can feel it.”
“You’ll ruin everything,” she hissed.
I didn’t stop walking.
Gwen
My heart thundered even as I tried to steady my hands, brushing through my hair one last time before slipping my arms into a soft hoodie. My phone buzzed once. He’s waiting.
I grabbed it, swiped the message away. I knew it was reckless. But I had to see him.
A knock at the door startled me.
Cole stepped in, his soft hazel eyes narrowing slightly as they landed on me. “Where are you headed?”
I smiled, too sweet. “I’m going to hang with Jordan. She wants help with the nursery.”
He studied me for a beat too long. “Now?”
“She’s nesting. It’s a whole thing.”
I turned away before he could read my face too closely. But his voice followed.
“Gwen… if something’s wrong, you can talk to me.”
“I’m fine,” I said, forcing lightness into my voice. “Promise.”
He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded slowly. “Alright. Just… be careful.”
I slipped away as soon as I could, through a side hallway, cutting around the main building and out into the night. My feet moved quickly, following something deeper than logic. A pull in my chest that urged me forward.
The forest was quieter than usual, shadows wrapping me in a familiar hush as I approached the old hunting cabin on the edge of the Capital City Pack’s borders. I saw him then—standing with his back to me, tall and familiar.
The bond snapped into focus. Strong. Irresistible. It flooded through me, silencing doubt, washing me clean.
“Justin,” I breathed—and then I was running.
He turned just as I leapt into his arms, and the warmth of the false bond burned like truth.
The warmth of Justin's embrace still lingered on my skin, but as I made my way back through the forest, unease settled in my chest. The bond that had felt so compelling now left a hollow ache. The trees whispered secrets I couldn't decipher, and the moonlight seemed colder than before.
I reached the edge of the Capital City Pack's territory, my steps faltering. The familiar scent of pine and home should have been comforting, but it only intensified my confusion. I clutched the necklace around my neck, its presence now a source of doubt rather than solace.
As I approached the main house, the door creaked open, revealing Cain's silhouette. His eyes, usually filled with warmth, now held a storm of emotions—concern, hurt, and something else I couldn't place.
Cain
I had sensed her absence the moment she crossed the boundary. The mate bond, once a steady hum, had fluctuated, sending ripples of distress through me. Now, as Gwen stood before me, her scent mingled with another's, foreign and unsettling.
"Gwen," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Where have you been?"
She hesitated, her hand instinctively touching the necklace. "I was with Jordan," she replied, avoiding my gaze.
I stepped closer, the distance between us charged with unspoken questions. "Are you sure about that?"
Her eyes met mine, a flicker of guilt flashing before she looked away. "I... I needed some air."
I reached out, gently placing my hand over hers. "Gwen, something's wrong. The bond feels... strained."
She pulled away, retreating a step. "Maybe it's not the bond that's the problem. Maybe it's us."
The words hit harder than any physical blow. I searched her face for clarity, but she turned and walked away, leaving me with a growing sense of dread.
Cash
The suite was too quiet. Cain sat on the edge of the couch, bouncing his knee while Cole stood at the window, arms folded tight across his chest. I leaned forward, elbows on my thighs, staring at the floor like it might give us answers.
“She’s slipping further away,” Cain said quietly.
Cole didn’t look back. “She’s starting to think we’re the ones who manipulated her.”
“Because of that damn necklace,” I muttered. “We all feel it. It’s like… something is siphoning the bond.”
“We’ve tried talking,” Cain said. “Tried waiting. If we let this go on, we might lose her for good.”
I looked at my brothers and said what none of us wanted to say out loud. “Then we take it off. While she’s asleep.”
Cole turned, hesitant. “She’ll feel betrayed.”
“She already thinks we’re lying to her,” I shot back. “If this is a spell, if that necklace is the source—then we need to break it before it breaks her.”
Cain nodded. “Tonight then. We do it together.”
She was asleep on her side, her chest rising in slow, even breaths. Her skin glowed in the soft moonlight spilling through the window. For a moment, I hated myself for what we were about to do. But the bond—our bond—was fraying. I could feel it in my bones.
Cain leaned in first, fingers hovering near the silver chain around her neck.
Then her eyes snapped open.
She gasped, scrambling backward and knocking into the headboard. “What are you doing?”
“Gwen—” I started, raising my hands.
She clutched the necklace. “You were trying to take it! While I was sleeping!”
“We’re just trying to help,” Cole said, voice calm, palms up.
“You’re trying to control me—again!” she screamed, voice ragged, breaking. “Just like I thought!”
Cain reached for her, but she bolted—barefoot, wearing only one of Cain’s sweatshirts and a pair of shorts. “Gwen, stop!”
She shoved the door open and ran, wild and barefoot down the hallway, through the suite’s main room, and out into the frozen night.
“Dammit!” I cursed, chasing after her but stopping short of the icy steps that led into the snow-covered woods.
Third Person POV
She ran until her lungs burned. Then she dropped to her knees among the trees, her breath coming in harsh sobs.
With trembling fingers, she pulled out her phone and hit the contact.
“Justin,” she whispered when he answered. “Please… I need you. I think I made a mistake. I can’t be here anymore.”
“Where are you?” he asked, voice soothing, low, dangerous.
“I ran… I’m in the woods. Near the river.”
“Stay right where you are,” he said. “I’m coming. Don’t let them touch you again.”
She nodded into the night, clutching the phone and the necklace like lifelines.
- Writer
