Bound to you

CHAPTER FIVE

NATALIA’S POV

“Arrrgh, my head hurts so much. Why does it hurt so much?” I muttered, clutching my forehead. “Last night… What happened last night?”

I jolted upright, panic crawling up my throat. My eyes darted around. “I’m in my room. How… how come?”

Before I could make sense of it, Aunt Maren rushed in, eyes wide with worry.

“What’s wrong, Nat?”

“How did I get home last night?” I asked. She stiffened—just slightly—but enough for me to notice.

“You walked home,” she said quickly, looking away as she shrugged.

“But… I don’t remember,” I murmured, eyes scanning my room like I was expecting a wolf to jump out from under my bed. “I only remember that scary wolf from my dreams…”

“What did you say, dear?”

“Nothing, Aunt,” I said quickly, forcing a smile.

“Alright then, get ready and come down for breakfast. You have work in a few hours.”

“Okay, Aunt Maren.”

She paused at the doorway. “Nat?”

I looked up.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Aunt.”

*****************************************************

After getting ready, I headed downstairs still trying to piece together what happened last night. I knew what I saw—but how did I get home? Did I really faint? That wolf… it felt too real. I couldn’t shake the fear clawing at my chest.

Aunt Maren and I ate in silence.

“What are your plans?” she asked suddenly, eyes on her plate.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

She looked up, then softened her expression.

“I mean… how long do you plan to work at the coffee shop and—” she paused, hesitating.

“And?”

She stiffened for a second, then cleared her throat. “And when do you plan to leave Hollowridge?”

“I came here to stay and clear my head before I resume college next year.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Are you tired of me? Like my dad?”

Before she could respond, I stood up, frustration boiling in my chest. “You don’t want me here?”

“No, it’s not that, my dear—”

“Then what is it?”

She sighed deeply. “I’m just… worried about you, honey.”

“I’ll be fine, Aunt Maren,” I said, avoiding her eyes. “I should be on my way to work.”

“Natalia—”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair soon. You don’t need to pretend like you love me.” I stormed out of the house, heart pounding.

Maybe coming to Hollowridge wasn’t such a good idea after all.

I strolled through town, still angry, still thinking about her. Aunt Maren had always begged me to visit when I was younger—so why now was she acting like I was some kind of burden?

Maybe I was just reading too much into it. Maybe she was just like my dad. Distant. Detached. Not really caring about me.

“Good morning, Nat,” Elara greeted as I approached the café.

I gave her a forced smile. “Morning.”

“Where’s everybody?” I looked around, but no one else was there.

“You’re early,” she said with a smile.

I paused, really taking her in. She was honestly too beautiful to be real. And no, it wasn’t that I was attracted to her—I was just… jealous. She was effortlessly stunning, like the girls who spoke to me the other day.

Elara had short golden hair, seductive eyes, and curves that turned heads. And me? I had boring red hair, average eyes, and no dramatic curves—just decent boobs and a passable ass.

“Hey, what’s up, y’all?” Jude walked in, and the room felt… different. The temperature dropped.

“Elara,” he greeted, but it came out more like a warning.

The moment he stepped in, something shifted in the air. Then, strangely, it settled. Like Jude had brought the tension, and then sucked it right back out again.

I frowned. What the hell was that?

“What?” he said, rolling his eyes. “It’s not my fault if the human is weak.”

My eyes darted between him and Elara. What did he mean by that?

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Hey, Natalia, right?”

“Yeah,” I replied, cautious.

“Cool name,” he said, grinning. He turned to Elara, and I followed, still confused.

“You don’t talk much, do you?” he said, frowning.

I looked down, embarrassed.

“Don’t mind him, Nat,” Elara said kindly. “He can be annoying.”

“What did I do now?” Jude asked, feigning innocence.

“It’s fine,” I muttered.

A few minutes later, Maisie and Rafa walked in, bringing a bit of normalcy with them.

“Good morning. What would you like to have?” I asked the man at the counter.

“Black coffee. Triple espresso.”

Triple? I blinked. Who drinks that kind of hell-brew this early?

Then I looked up—and froze.

His face was striking. Sharp jawline. Piercing eyes. Cold as winter.

He looked like he was in his early thirties but somehow even younger. There was something dark and commanding about him. Something… dangerous.

Snap out of it, Nat.

Seriously, why was everyone in this goddamn town so good-looking? It was hurting my self-esteem. I’d noticed it even as a kid, but now… it just felt unreal.

There was something familiar about him, though. Like I’d seen him before. But that made no sense—I only just came back to Hollowridge.

He turned his cold gaze on me, and I instantly froze. It was like he could break me in half with a single look.

“Coming right up, sir.” I practically bolted from the counter to get his order.

This town just keeps getting creepier.

Later that evening, I was walking home, still feeling uneasy.

Someone is following me.

I could feel it. A presence behind me. But when I turned, there was no one there.

I picked up my pace. “I’m almost home, I’m almost home,” I whispered, like a chant to keep myself from panicking.

Why would anyone follow me? What did anyone in this strange town want with me?

Last night it was a wolf. Tonight, someone stalking me? Maybe Aunt Maren was right. Maybe I should go back to my father.

But I couldn’t stand being in the same house as his wretched wife.

I missed a step and suddenly hit the ground.

“Ouch.”

“You should be more careful,” came a deep voice from behind me.