Bound By The Moon's Curse

Chapter Five

The Bond

Arielle's POV

My breath hitched in my throat as I stared at him.

The man in front of me was beyond words. A presence so commanding that it felt as though the entire world had narrowed down to just the two of us. I felt my heart pounding in a rhythm I couldn’t control, like a drum summoned to war. His eyes locked onto mine piercing, unrelenting and I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

Mate.

There it was again,that voice. A soft whisper that echoed through my mind. My knees trembled as I staggered back a step, my chest tightening like an invisible hand was squeezing the life out of me.

What… What was happening to me?

His dark, perfectly tousled hair fell just above his stormy gray eyes. Eyes that glowed faintly, flickering like a flame on the verge of roaring to life. His jawline was sharp, his presence towering and predatory. He looked dangerous. Like a beast in human skin… and yet, my soul whispered to me.

Mate.

No.

I shook my head, trying to clear the haze clouding my mind.

I’m not like the others. I don’t have a wolf. I’m a cursed Omega. I’m nothing, a nobody .This… this can’t be happening. My hands fisted the sides of my worn-out dress, trying to steady the rush of emotions flooding me.

Why me?

I turned to run. That was the only instinct I trusted. Run before something worse happens.

But before I could move, his voice rang out, low and commanding.

“Stop.”

It wasn’t a yell. He didn’t need to yell. The single word sliced through me like a blade, rooting me to the spot. My body betrayed me, freezing in place even as my mind screamed at it to flee. My breathing quickened as I turned my head slightly to look back at him.

He was closer now. Much closer. I hadn’t even seen him move.

“What… what do you want?” I stammered, my voice trembling. I hated that I sounded weak. I hated that I felt so exposed under his piercing gaze.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as though he was studying me, as though he could see every thought, every secret I’d buried deep within me. His expression was unreadable, but something dark flickered behind his gaze.

And then he spoke again.

“What’s your name?”

His voice was smoother this time, but there was still that underlying edge to it, like a silent warning. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his question pressing down on me.

“Arielle,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

The second I said my name, his eyes darkened, a spark of something primal flashing across his face. He took another step closer, his presence overwhelming.

“Arielle,” he repeated, as though testing the name on his tongue.

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver down my spine. My body felt… strange. Alive in ways I didn’t know were possible. My chest rose and fell rapidly, heat pooling in my cheeks as I tried to look away from him, but I couldn’t.

And then, something shifted in his gaze.

Recognition.

“You feel it too, don’t you?” he asked softly, his tone almost accusing.

“Feel what?” I managed to croak out, though I already knew the answer. My body betrayed me with the pull—a magnetic force that threatened to swallow me whole.

He took another step forward, and I stumbled back, panic clawing at my chest.

“No. Stay away from me,” I blurted out, my voice shaking. “This… this isn’t real. It can’t be.”

But he didn’t stop.

He was in front of me now, his tall frame towering over mine. I clenched my fists at my sides, my whole body trembling. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I couldn’t move. It was as though I was rooted to him, bound by something I couldn’t understand, something I couldn’t fight.

His hand lifted slowly, and I flinched. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for whatever was about to happen.

But instead of pain, there was warmth.

His fingers brushed against my cheek, gentle, almost hesitant. My eyes shot open, wide with shock, as he tilted my chin upward to meet his gaze. The touch sent fire racing through my veins, and I bit my lip to hold back a gasp.

“You’re mine,” he said quietly, his voice laced with something possessive, something undeniable.

I shook my head violently, pulling back from his touch as though it burned me.

“No! I’m not… I’m not yours. You’re mistaken. I’m… I’m no one!” My voice cracked as the words tumbled out in a frantic rush.

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, his eyes softened slightly, but there was still that edge to him, sharp as a knife.

“You feel it,” he said, his tone firm. “You can deny it all you want, but it’s there. You’re mine, Arielle. My mate.”

The word hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Mate.”

No.

This can’t be happening. It’s impossible. I’m not supposed to have a mate. I’m cursed. I’m broken. The moon goddess doesn’t care about me—she never has. So why now? Why him?

Tears welled in my eyes as I turned and ran, my feet carrying me blindly through the darkened hallway. My vision blurred, and my heart pounded painfully in my chest. I didn’t know where I was going, but I didn’t care. I just needed to get away. Away from him. Away from everything.

But even as I ran, I could still feel it.

The bond.

A pull so strong it felt as though it was tethered to my very soul. And no matter how far I ran, I knew I couldn’t escape it.

I could still hear his voice in my head, like a h

aunting echo.

You’re mine.

And deep down, in the darkest corners of my heart, I feared he was right.