Running into them
1014 Words
SLOANE
For one deeply tempting second, I genuinely consider turning around and marching straight back upstairs to hide inside the second sitting room with Luna Elise forever.
Or at least until regionals end. Or graduation. Or death.
Whichever comes first honestly because the bond hitting this hard can only mean one thing.
They’re close.
Very close.
My fingers tighten slightly around the railing as warmth continues spreading annoyingly through my chest and for one horrifying second, I actually understand why people in romance novels dramatically faint.
This feels medically concerning.
Still—
I force myself to inhale slowly before continuing my way downstairs because my mama didn't raise a b***h.
Emotionally unstable? Maybe.
But not a b***h.
The lounge area comes into view seconds later and to my surprise, the place is almost empty with just Augustus standing near the entrance while holding one of the massive doors open for somebody.
Okay.
Weird.
My brows pull together slightly as I descend the last step.
Because if they aren’t here then, why the hell is the bond reacting like somebody plugged my nervous system into a power outlet?
Maybe they’re upstairs somewhere.
Hopefully very far upstairs.
Actually no. Hopefully in another country entirely.
The warmth in my chest pulses again anyway.
Annoying.
I quicken my pace slightly toward the entrance because suddenly escaping this mansion feels like the smartest decision I’ve made all week.
Unfortunately, the universe clearly hates me personally.
Because just before I reach the doors, voices begin filtering in from outside.
Loud and familiar voices.
And immediately, my stomach drops.
Oh no.
I slow to a stop a few strides away from the entrance as the conversation grows louder and then, they come into view.
Elara walks in first, Zion beside her, followed closely by Zeke and Zayden behind them.
My breath catches slightly.
They’re dressed in black and silver Halcyon jerseys, probably returning from practice because training bags hang from their shoulders while damp strands of hair cling slightly to their foreheads.
Zion has one slung carelessly over his shoulder.
Zayden’s carrying two because apparently anger probably builds upper body strength.
Zeke’s grip remains loose around his own bag, his expression unreadable as always.
Only Elara is dressed normally, perfectly styled like she simply tagged along for moral support and emotional surveillance.
Then, all four of them notice me and everything stops.
Their conversation dies instantly while the bond reacts so sharply my chest tightens.
For one terrifying second, nobody moves or speaks.
Zion’s entire body seems to go still while Zayden’s jaw tightens immediately.
Zeke’s eyes lock onto me quietly and something unreadable flashes through them so quickly I almost miss it.
Relief maybe.
Or recognition.
Or maybe I’m hallucinating from stress.
Honestly both are possible at this point.
Then Elara speaks first which unfortunately ruins the silence immediately.
“What’s this b***h doing here?”
The disgust in her voice is immediate, sharp and condescending like she genuinely thinks I tracked them down for fun.
My brows lift slowly.
“b***h?” I repeat flatly.
Elara folds her arms almost instantly, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her sleeves while she looks me up and down like she’s personally offended by my existence.
“Well, what else am I supposed to call someone who publicly rejects people then comes crawling back two days later?” she says mockingly.
Ah.
So that’s what she thinks this is.
Interesting.
Beside her, Zion’s expression darkens slightly but he says nothing.
Neither do the others.
Honestly? The silence from them is becoming increasingly concerning.
I let out a soft laugh before crossing my own arms.
“Elara,” I say sweetly, “if I ever decide to crawl toward a man, please put me down immediately because something has clearly possessed me.”
Her jaw tightens.
“How funny,” she says dryly.
“I know right? I surprise myself sometimes.”
Zayden snorts quietly behind her before immediately disguising it as a cough when Elara whips toward him.
Okay wow. That was slightly satisfying.
Elara’s eyes narrow dangerously before she looks back at me.
“You really think you’re special now because of that stunt you pulled?”
I blink once then smile politely, shaking my head.
“No,” I answer honestly. “Mostly just traumatized.”
That almost pulls another reaction from Zayden.
Almost.
The warmth in my chest pulses again suddenly, stronger this time and before I can process it properly—
A deep voice slides directly into my head.
‘Are you here to take back the rejection?’
I nearly choke on oxygen.
What the hell?!
My eyes snap instantly toward Zion.
His expression remains completely blank but his emerald gaze stays locked onto mine steadily.
The pack link.
I stare at him in anger for one long second before snorting softly.
‘In your f*****g dreams.’
Something flickers briefly across his face and I immediately shove the thought away before my brain starts doing something embarrassing like humanizing him.
Absolutely not.
And despite the fact that Luna Elise’s words are still sitting heavily in my chest, I keep my mouth shut.
I don’t tell them what she said upstairs.
Don’t mention the bond. Don’t mention the pain. Don’t mention the fact that apparently rejecting them back could permanently damage them.
Because somehow that information suddenly feels too personal to weaponize which is annoying.
Very annoying.
So instead, I simply sidestep them.
The second I move past Zion, the bond reacts violently again.
Heat rushes sharply through my chest while something deep and instinctive inside me seems to physically reach toward them before I aggressively shove the feeling down.
Nope. Don’t like that.
I keep walking anyway.
Past Elara’s glare. Past Zayden’s tense posture. Past Zeke’s quiet stare that somehow follows me all the way to the door.
Augustus politely steps aside immediately.
Outside, the Luna’s driver is already waiting beside the same black car that brought me here.
Thank the Goddess.
Because if I stay inside this house any longer, I might actually lose my remaining sanity.
- Writer
