Chapter 5 – The Bond Reacts
968 Words
Darius’s POV
The howl goes through the stone like thunder that has been trapped underground.
It comes from my heart.
From my wolf.
I stop moving.
The guards are looking at me and waiting. All of them are warriors. Strong. Faithful. Ready to go as soon as I say so.
I don't give any.
Because my wolf isn't paying attention to me.
He walks around inside my skin, heavy and sharp, with claws that scrape my bones. He pushes against my ribs like he wants to get out. Like he wants to break through flesh and stone to find her.
I turn my back so they can't see my face.
"Hold position," I say.
My voice is steady. It always is, but inside I am not.
I walked quickly through the halls, my boots hitting the stone. Every step pulls harder, like an unseen rope around my chest. It gets worse the closer I get to her room.
Warmth.
Pressure.
A low sound creeps up my throat. I swallow it.
This isn't happening.
I get to the door.
The guards stand up straight.
One says quickly, "She hasn't left." "She's inside."
Good.
I nod once and push the door open.
She's on the bed.
Small. Still. She wrapped her arms around herself.
She lifts her head as soon as I walk in.
My wolf is getting stronger.
The room leans.
I grab the door frame.
Our eyes meet.
Something snaps tight between us.
Not sound.
Not a vision, but feelings.
It hits me like a wave.
Fear. Cold and sharp. Not mine.
Lonely. Deep. Quiet. Like a kid who is left in the dark.
I can't catch my breath.
I slam the door behind me.
"What did you do?" I ask.
She jumps.
"I—I didn't do anything," she says. Her voice shakes. "I was just sitting here."
The fear goes up.
My wolf growls.
I put my hand on my chest. "Stop," I say in a low voice. Not at her.
At him.
He doesn't stop.
I step back. Then one more.
This has never happened before.
My wolf has always been mine. A part of me. Obedient. Yes, wild, but in control.
He pulls toward her now, like the moon pulls the tide.
Before I can stop myself, I say, "You're scared."
She blinks. "How did you…"
The fear goes away a little bit.
My wolf slows down as soon as it does.
I can feel it.
As clear as breath.
I look at her.
She puts her arms down. "You look like you're in pain."
I shake my head. "Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't care about me."
She looks upset. "I can't help it."
The room gets warmer.Not heat from a fire.From skin. From blood.
My wolf calms down, heavy and calm, like a beast putting its head down.
I take a deep breath.The pain goes away. just like that.I get stiff.
Nobody does this.No one has ever done this.
"What are you up to?" I ask softly.
She looks at her hands. "Nothing." I promise.
I see her chest rise and fall. Slow. Soft.My wolf hums.Satisfied.A sound of calm.Fear cuts through me. Sharp and hot.This is not safe.
I look away from her. "Stay back."
I move closer to the wall, which puts space between us. The calm goes away as soon as I do. My wolf is moving around again, restless.
I grit my teeth.I have been through war without shaking.
This..this makes my hands shake.
"You should be scared of me," I say.
She shakes her head. "I'm not."
"You should be."
She is standing.The pull snaps shut.
I growl softly, and I can't help it.
She stops moving.
"I don't understand," she whispers.
My wolf charges ahead, loud and angry.
Mine.The word rings in my head.I hit the wall with my fist.Cracks in the stone.
She takes a deep breath.
The fear comes back, and then something else happens.
Care.Soft and warm.It brushes against my wolf like a hand smoothing out fur.
He stops.Silence hits hard.I look at her.My chest rises too quickly.
"What are you?" I whisper.
She has bright eyes. "I don't know."
I trust her.
That makes it worse.
I step closer without meaning to. My body moves without me. Every part of me wants to be with her. To be in front of her. To protect her.
To claim…No!
I stop.
"I lost someone once," I say. The words hurt my throat. For years, I haven't said them out loud. "She stood where you are now."
She can't catch her breath.
"Because of me, she died."
"That wasn't your fault," she says in a soft voice.
"You don't know that."
"I know what it's like to be alone," she says. "And you are."
The truth hurts more than any knife.My wolf is whining.I shut my eyes.She is closer when I open them.Too close.
I can feel her warmth. Listen to her heart.Steady.Strong.
My wolf pushes on, his voice deep and sure.
Mine.I stagger back as if the word hit me.
"No," I say angrily.
She winces, and pain flashes across her face.
The calm is broken.
My wolf is angry and roaring now.
The walls shake.
I hear people yelling outside. Running feet.I turn away from her before I lose it.
I shout at the guards through the door, "Get out!" "Everyone."
The room clears.
It's just us.I face her again, my chest pounding.
I say, "This can't happen."
"But it is," she says.
I turn away.
I don't trust myself if I look at her again.My wolf is pacing, making a lot of noise.
The word comes back, this time dee
per.Mine.
I hold on tight and fight him with all my strength.
I'm not sure I can win for the first time in my life.
- Writer
