My Human Mate...

between frustration and something softer, something she wasn't sure she was ready to recognize. She didn't know what s

w, hollow, like she was admitting a secret to herself as much as to him. "Being trapped here, t

that hinted at regret. "You think I want to force you into anyth

You keep saying it's a bond... that it's fate. But you don't know me, Kael. You c

ter than she'd ever heard it. "Maybe you're right, Elena. Maybe I don't know you as well as I think I do. Bu

. But the truth was, there was something there, something she couldn't quite explain. A warmth that lingered in the spaces

ut it's not what you think. It's fear. It's anger. It's... confusion." She forced

r a moment she saw the hurt that her words inflicted.

"But I believe that will change, Elena. In time, you'll come

hat this bond is real, that I'll just... fall into place." Her voice rose, her fr

g himself. "What you need? Elena, don't y

"By locking me up? By holding me pri

h. "The people who would hunt you down, the ones who wouldn't hesitate to

e threat was real, she could tell. But she wouldn't allow herself

're the one who dragged me into this world. Y

es blazing. "Yes. And I'd do it a

m together and driving them apart at the same time. She could feel his presence like a storm

s or his intensity. She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as s

to convince her otherwise. But instead, he looked at her in silence, hi

thing. Not the bond, not me. But understand this, Elena..." He took a step closer, his gaze never wavering. "No matter how

ng her standing alone in the charged silence, her heart

er. She wanted to believe he was wrong, that she could resist whatever strange pull he claimed bound them

nd no matter how much she tried to fight it, she couldn't deny that part of

n't give in. Not now, not ever. She would find a wa

wash over her, she couldn't shake the memory of his gaze, th

e felt a shiver of doubt r