Chapter 16
1075 Words
The next morning feels different.
Charged.
Like the air before lightning strikes.
Miles drives her to campus in silence, but not the calm kind. His hand rests high on her thigh the entire way. Not wandering. Not teasing.
Claiming.
Every time she shifts, his fingers tighten slightly, reminding her he’s there.
Reminding her she’s his.
When he pulls up to campus, he doesn’t immediately let go.
“Two weeks,” he says quietly, eyes fixed on the building ahead.
Her pulse quickens. “I know.”
“You feel it getting stronger.”
It isn’t a question.
“Yes.”
His jaw flexes. “So do I.”
The bond hums between them, deeper than before. He leans in, brushing his lips just below her ear — not a kiss, just a promise.
“Be careful,” he murmurs.
“I always am.”
He gives her a look that says he knows she’s lying.
Molly is already waiting near the entrance, practically vibrating.
The second Casey steps out of the SUV, Molly’s eyes go wide.
“Oh my Goddess,” Molly whispers. “You look wrecked.”
Casey blushes. “I am not.”
“You absolutely are.”
Miles walks her to the doors, hand at the small of her back. He doesn’t rush. He doesn’t look around.
He walks like everyone already knows.
Molly watches him leave before grabbing Casey’s arm.
“Tell. Me. Everything.”
Casey exhales slowly. “He lost control.”
Molly’s mouth falls open.
“Not fully,” Casey adds quickly. “But… close.”
“How close?”
Casey lowers her voice. “He pinned me to the door. Said I don’t get to test his dominance in public.”
Molly gasps like she’s hearing sacred scripture.
“And?”
“And I liked it.”
Molly fans herself. “Of course you did.”
Casey presses her lips together, trying to steady herself. “The more he shows it… the more I want him.”
Molly softens slightly. “That’s the bond.”
“No,” Casey whispers. “It’s him.”
They only have one lecture today, and it drags. Casey feels restless the entire time. Her wolf stirs beneath her skin, alert.
Two weeks.
Every day closer to twenty-one feels like something inside her is waking up.
Hungry.
When class ends, she and Molly step outside together.
And he’s there.
The human from yesterday.
He looks nervous this time.
“Hey,” he says, holding his hands up slightly. “I just wanted to apologize if I disrespected you yesterday.”
Casey blinks, surprised. “You didn’t—”
“I didn’t know,” he continues quickly. “About… him.”
Before she can respond—
A familiar presence settles at her side.
Warm.
Solid.
Dominant.
Miles.
He doesn’t look at the human right away.
He looks at Casey.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
She nods.
The human clears his throat. “Look, man, I wasn’t trying to start anything. I just—”
Miles turns his head slowly.
And this time?
There’s no restraint in his eyes.
Only certainty.
“You didn’t start anything,” Miles says evenly.
The human exhales in relief.
But he relaxes too soon.
Because Miles slides his hand around Casey’s waist and pulls her flush against him.
Not gently.
Not subtly.
The human freezes.
Students nearby start watching.
And before anyone can react—
Miles lowers his mouth to Casey’s.
This is not the kiss from her bedroom.
Not soft.
Not testing.
This is deliberate.
His hand tangles in her hair, tilting her head back slightly as his mouth takes hers with undeniable authority.
Claiming.
Possessive.
Public.
There is no mistaking what this is.
His lips move slowly but firmly against hers — controlled, territorial, unashamed.
A low growl vibrates in his chest.
And she feels it.
Everywhere.
Heat rushes through her body so fast it makes her dizzy. The bond surges violently, fed by dominance and desire. Her knees weaken, but his grip tightens, holding her steady.
He isn’t asking.
He isn’t seducing.
He’s marking.
Without teeth.
Without blood.
But with certainty.
Mine.
Her body responds instantly.
She can’t help it.
The more he shows her — shows everyone — that she belongs with him, the more something deep inside her melts and ignites at the same time.
Two weeks.
The bond is stronger now.
Hungrier.
She gasps softly into his mouth.
And instead of pulling away—
She gives back.
Her hands slide up his chest, gripping his shirt. Then higher. Around his neck. Fingers threading into his hair.
She kisses him back with equal intent.
Not shy.
Not unsure.
Matching him.
Students whisper around them. Molly makes a strangled noise somewhere behind her.
But Casey doesn’t care.
She presses closer.
Rises onto her toes.
Her mouth moves against his with heat and want that surprises even her.
The bond roars between them.
Miles freezes for half a second — shocked.
Then his control fractures.
His hand slides lower along her back, fingers splaying possessively. His other hand tightens in her hair as the kiss deepens.
When he finally pulls back, both of them are breathing hard.
The human is long gone.
Miles’ forehead rests against hers.
“You’re testing me again,” he murmurs.
Her lips are swollen.
Her eyes dark.
“Maybe I don’t want you holding back anymore.”
His pupils dilate.
The bond pulses so hard she almost sways.
“Two weeks,” he reminds her quietly.
“I know.”
“And you’re already reacting like this.”
She swallows.
“What happens when I turn twenty-one?”
His voice drops lower.
“When you turn twenty-one,” he says slowly, “I won’t have to claim you in public.”
Her breath trembles.
“Why not?”
His thumb brushes over her bottom lip.
“Because you’ll be the one claiming me.”
The thought sends heat flooding through her again.
Stronger than yesterday.
Stronger than this morning.
She realizes something in that moment—
She’s not afraid of the bond anymore.
She’s craving it.
Miles straightens slightly, but his hand doesn’t leave her waist.
“Come on,” he says quietly. “Let’s go home.”
The way he says home makes her stomach flip.
Because home isn’t her parents’ house anymore.
It’s him.
And with every passing day…
The line between desire and destiny is disappearing.
- Writer
