Mira has always lived in the shadows of despair. With a life full of pain and little hope, she's learned to survive but never to dream. For Jaxon, the scars of his first love run deep. The hollow void left by that lost connection makes it impossible for him to commit, and he drifts from one fleeting relationship to the next. But everything changes when Mira enters his life. Their meeting is anything but fateful. Hatred fills the air as Jaxon rejects the bond that should unite them, forcing Mira to endure his indifference. Jaxon loves her even as he resists, while Mira bears the weight of his inner turmoil. Can they conquer the trials that threaten to tear them apart, or will the shattered pieces of their bond destroy them forever?
Chapter 1 1
Mira sat by the cracked window, staring out at the darkened street. The neon lights from the corner store flickered weakly, casting an orange glow over the rain-slicked pavement. She had never been the type to long for things she could never have, but tonight, her thoughts lingered on a different kind of yearning-one that tasted like regret. The world outside was moving, while she remained stuck in the same routine, drowning in the silence that had always been her companion.
The pain of her past didn't leave her. It followed her around like an invisible weight that grew heavier with each passing year. She had no illusions about life. Dreams were for people who didn't know better. Reality was for survivors. And she was nothing if not a survivor.
Her phone buzzed, its shrill tone slicing through the stillness of the room. She ignored it. Whoever it was, whatever it was, it didn't matter. Nothing ever did. Mira had learned to block everything out-friends, family, feelings. They all only served to disappoint in the end.
But the phone didn't stop. It buzzed again, then again, until finally, with an irritated sigh, Mira reached for it. Her eyes flicked over the screen: **Jaxon**.
She didn't recognize the number, but she knew exactly who it was.
Jaxon. The name alone made her skin crawl. They had met once, briefly, but that brief encounter had stuck with her like a bad taste in her mouth. He was a man who had everything but gave nothing. His charm, his looks, the aura of mystery that surrounded him-it all made him irresistibly dangerous. But Mira wasn't fooled. Beneath that polished exterior lay a coldness that chilled her to her bones. He was trouble, and trouble was the last thing she needed in her life.
But, as usual, she was wrong. She had no control over the events that transpired that night.
The message popped up on her screen, his words blunt and to the point. **Meet me. I need to talk.**
Her thumb hovered over the reply box. What did he want? Why now?
Despite herself, she felt a spark of curiosity. Against her better judgment, she typed back: **Where?**
The reply came quickly: **The alley behind the bar.**
Mira frowned. She didn't like the sound of that. An alley. Of course, it had to be somewhere hidden, somewhere isolated. There was something about Jaxon that made people, especially women, want to run the other way, but she wasn't the type to give in to impulse. Still, something nagged at her. Maybe it was the thought of what he could offer, maybe it was just the lure of something new. Regardless, she couldn't ignore it.
The rain outside had intensified, pounding against the windows in rhythmic waves. Mira pulled on her jacket, grabbed her bag, and left her small apartment, locking the door behind her. The air was thick with moisture, and the scent of wet asphalt clung to everything as she made her way to the bar. It wasn't far, only a few blocks, but the walk gave her plenty of time to second-guess herself. Every step she took felt heavier than the last.
She had to admit, she didn't know what she expected from Jaxon. Every part of her screamed to turn back, but her feet continued moving forward.
The alley behind the bar was quiet, darker than the rest of the city. Neon lights cast harsh shadows on the wet ground, and Mira felt a shiver run down her spine. She stopped at the entrance, glancing around. There was no sign of Jaxon. For a moment, she wondered if he had sent her here just to toy with her.
Then, from the darkness, a figure stepped forward. His silhouette was unmistakable, tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a black leather jacket that looked expensive enough to make a statement. Jaxon.
He looked as perfect as ever, his dark hair falling just above his eyes, his features sharp and defined. The glow from the neon lights highlighted the tension in his jaw, the furrow in his brow. He hadn't noticed her yet, and Mira took a moment to study him, wondering what had brought him to this point. What could possibly be so important that he had to drag her into the dead of night, into a secluded alley?
"You came." His voice, rough and low, broke through her thoughts.
Mira crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive gesture. "What do you want, Jaxon?"
His gaze flickered to the ground, then back up to her. There was something different in his eyes. A flicker of uncertainty. Mira felt a knot form in her stomach, but she kept her expression impassive.
"Sit with me for a minute," he said, his tone softer than usual.
Reluctantly, Mira stepped forward and sat on the edge of a nearby crate. The rain had started to ease off, but the damp air still clung to everything. She glanced up at him, waiting for him to speak.
Jaxon hesitated, looking at her with an unreadable expression. Then, slowly, he lowered himself beside her, the distance between them now smaller than it had ever been. Mira felt a strange tension build between them, the kind that made her skin tingle with an unfamiliar energy. She didn't like it.
"I don't want to do this," he finally said, his voice almost a whisper. "But I have to."
"What are you talking about?" Mira asked, her patience running thin. "You called me here for what? Some late-night confession?"
Jaxon shook his head, his eyes darkening. "I didn't want this either, but it's not something I can ignore. Mira..." He paused, searching for the right words, as though the very act of speaking was difficult for him.
"You're making no sense," she snapped, standing up. "If you're not going to tell me what this is about, then I'm leaving."
"Wait." He reached out, grabbing her wrist gently. "Please, just listen. You don't know what it's like-what I've been through. I've never..." He trailed off, clearly frustrated with himself.
"Never what?" Mira asked, her voice softer now.
"I've never been in this situation before." He finally looked up at her, his eyes full of something raw. "I've never felt anything like this. Not for anyone. Not since-" He cut himself off, clearly not wanting to go further.
Mira felt a strange pull in her chest. This wasn't the cocky, untouchable Jaxon she had come to know. This was a man, vulnerable and open, perhaps for the first time. But why her? Why now?
"I don't know what you're trying to say, but I don't have time for games," she said, pulling her wrist free from his grasp.
Jaxon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dragged you into this. But I had to. I have to tell you something."
Mira felt a chill crawl up her spine. The way he spoke-like he was preparing for something big. Something life-altering.
"What?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jaxon stood up, his back to her as he looked toward the street. "Mira, I'm your mate."
The words hung in the air, impossible and surreal. Mira's heart skipped a beat, but she couldn't bring herself to believe him. It wasn't possible. He couldn't be.
"You're insane," she whispered, shaking her head. "You're not my mate. You don't even know what you're talking about."
He turned to face her, his gaze intense. "I know exactly what I'm talking about. I didn't ask for it, and I sure as hell don't want it. But I can't ignore it. I can't ignore you."
Mira's mind was reeling. This couldn't be happening. It had to be some kind of sick joke.
But his expression, the way he looked at her, told her it wasn't.
Chapter 1 1
30/12/2024
Chapter 2 2
30/12/2024
Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
30/12/2024
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