جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 8

Bella Quinn“Do you plan to work today or stand there daydreaming, Bella?”The voice echoed in the kitchens and it was so impatient, as I straightened immediately, my hands still wet from washing pans that had already been scrubbed twice. I turned toward Elder Marrow and lowered my head the way I had been taught to.“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I was just finishing.”“You were supposed to be here an hour ago,” he replied, glancing at the clock on the wall like it mattered more than the sweat on my skin. “We can replace you easily. Don’t forget that.”“I won’t,” I immediately said, even though I had arrived before dawn like I always did, even though I had already covered for two others who hadn’t shown up.He walked away without another word, already bored of the conversation, and I went back to work, my movements smooth and quiet, careful not to draw any attention to myself . This was my place, where for once in my life I felt useful, unnoticed and tolerated.I walked down to the pa

BellaWeeks passed, and Harry did not come to me and then I realized what he had said that night, he meant it.He didn’t look at me in the halls, didn’t acknowledge my presence, didn’t pretend we shared anything beyond pack space. It was like that night had been erased for him, sealed off and buried, while it stayed alive inside my chest, pulsing and demanding whether I wanted it or not.The bond never eased. It stayed tight and constant, a dull ache that flared whenever he was close and burned worse when he wasn’t. I learned how to breathe through it, how to keep my face neutral, how to function while carrying something that heavy alone.Brianna was everywhere again.She walked beside him during meetings, laughed with him at gatherings, touched his arm like it was already hers. People watched them and nodded like the future was still on schedule, but then, what could I do? Nothing but go get back to work.~Rogue activity picked up near the borders, and everyone was affected. Guards

HarryI keep seeing Brianna because it is easier than stopping.She fits into my life the way she always has, familiar, expected and not complicated, and I tell myself that matters. I tell myself this is what stability looks like, even though nothing about it feels solid anymore.She talks. I nod. She reaches for me and I let her. My hands move out of habit, not hunger, and I hate myself for noticing the difference.She notices too.“You’re not here,” she says eventually, her fingers sliding up my arm, her voice trying to sound light. “You’ve been distant.”“I’m busy,” I reply.She studies my face longer than usual. “You’ve always been busy.”I don’t answer.The silence stretches and I feel the bond stir under my skin, restless, irritated and pulling my attention somewhere else. I shift away from her without thinking, my jaw tightening.Her expression sharpens. “Is this about her.”I look at her then, too fast. “Don’t start.”That confirms it.She exhales, sitting back. “You won’t eve

HarryThe next morning passed quietly.Exactly how I preferred it.I had barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, flashes of yesterday forced their way into my mind.Bella's lips.Her voice.The way she had whispered my name.I rubbed a hand over my face, annoyed with myself.It meant nothing.The bond had acted on instinct.That was all.Nothing more.A knock interrupted my thoughts."Come in."One of the servants entered and bowed respectfully."My Lord, breakfast is ready."I nodded.I'll be there.The servant hesitated.My Lord"What is it?""Lady Bella asked if she could have her breakfast in her room."I frowned.Did she say why?No, Alpha.For a moment, I considered refusing. Then I remembered the rules. Separate lives. Minimal interaction. They were my rules.Let her.Yes, Alpha.The servant bowed again before leaving.I remained seated for another minute.Why had she asked?She had never avoided me before.No.That wasn't true.She wasn't avoiding me.She was respecting the