Bound by Instinct

The Proposal: Temptation

Mira barely made it through the dinner without glancing in Andre’s direction. He sat at the head of the table next to his mother, exuding effortless power despite his youth. Every so often, she could feel his eyes on her, watching, waiting.

By the time the guests had left and the Packhouse had quieted, she was exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally. Emotionally. Andre had unsettled something inside her, and she hated that she couldn’t seem to push it away.

She was in the kitchen cleaning up when she sensed him again.

“I’m starting to think you enjoy sneaking up on me,” she muttered without turning.

Andre chuckled, the sound low and smooth. “I don’t sneak, Mira. You just always seem to know when I’m near.”

Her grip tightened on the dish she was drying, but she forced herself to stay composed. “Shouldn’t you be upstairs with your family?”

His footsteps were slow as he approached. “I’d rather be here.”

Mira turned, wiping her hands on a towel. “Why?”

Andre leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his golden eyes locked on hers. “Because I like the way you challenge me.”

She let out a dry laugh. “You mistake irritation for interest.”

“Do I?” His voice dipped slightly, and damn him, he knew what he was doing.

Mira met his gaze, refusing to back down. “You keep pressing like you think you’ll wear me down.”

He took a step forward, closing the space between them. “No, Mira. I press because I know you want to give in.”

Her breath caught.

Andre lifted a hand, slow, deliberate. He didn’t touch her, but the warmth of his palm hovered near her cheek, teasing, taunting. “Tell me something.” His voice was soft now, coaxing. “When was the last time you took something for yourself?”

She hated that her pulse quickened. Hated that he made her think about it.

Because the truth? She couldn’t remember.

She had given everything to this Pack. To a mate who had tossed her aside. To a role that wasn’t hers but one she had been forced to accept.

And now, Andre stood before her, offering something she didn’t even dare name.

Mira swallowed hard. “I can’t afford to take anything.”

Andre tilted his head. “Or maybe you’ve just been taught that you’re not allowed to.”

His words settled in her chest, heavy and uncomfortable.

This was dangerous. He was dangerous.

She stepped back, shaking her head. “This is a mistake.”

For the first time, his expression darkened. Not with anger, but something far more dangerous. Determination.

“I disagree,” he murmured.

Mira turned away, gripping the counter so hard her knuckles turned white. “Andre—”

“You’re afraid,” he interrupted.

She stiffened.

He took another step, his voice dropping lower. “You think I don’t see it? You want control, Mira. You need it.”

Her nails dug into her palm. “And you think you can give it to me?”

Andre didn’t hesitate. “I know I can.”

The silence between them crackled, thick and charged.

Then, just when she thought he might push further, he exhaled and took a step back.

“I’ll be in my room,” he said, his tone lighter now, almost teasing. “If you ever decide you want to stop running from yourself.”

And with that, he left.

Mira remained frozen in place, her mind spinning.

Because for the first time in years, she wasn’t just fighting against the world around her.

She was fighting against herself.