Chapter One #2
Kat drew in a breath of her own. “Do you remember when you found out about Emmett’s mark? When I told you there was more to talk about, but that I was waiting for you to finish the program first?”
The anger hit her all over again, sharp, sudden, and burning. Betrayal surged through her veins, hot and unforgiving.
“Wait.” Anabelle pushed to her feet abruptly. “You knew?”
Kat immediately held up a hand. “Ani. I think you’re forgetting just how overwhelmed you were.”
She stood as well, her tone firm but not unkind.
“You had just found out that supernaturals and magic were real. Your entire understanding of the world was shattered in one week. How do you think you would have reacted if, on top of that, you’d been told that the four males you were literally running away from were destined to be your soulmates? ”
Kat stepped closer, her voice steady. “No...really, Ani. Your whole world had been turned upside down. And I did what any sane person would do. I gave you a break.”
She softened slightly then. “A break to find yourself first. To maybe get to know them without the crushing pressure of the bond hanging over every interaction. To get to know who you are as a caster.” Her gaze sharpened just a touch.
“And let’s not forget, you had your status looming over you. You still do.”
Then Kat’s voice gentled even more, wrapping around Anabelle like a balm. “I told them not to tell you.”
Anabelle stilled.
“Granted,” Kat continued, “they could have gone against that. The bond should have overridden even an order from me. But I’m sure you can imagine how complicated their position was.”
She met Anabelle’s eyes. “They did want you, Ani. They do want you. No male on assignment from the council would ever have deviated from duty to approach a human unless the bond demanded it.”
Kat hesitated, then added, “Rian told me the bond slammed into place for him first. That’s why Dominik approached you.” She sighed. “Was it wrong? Yes. But they wanted you. They’ve been waiting for you for an extremely long time.”
Her voice softened further. “Please don’t hold this against them.
Blame me if you need to...but if you search your heart, really search it, Ani, you’ll know the truth was there long before you even knew what a bond was.
” Kat lifted her brows gently. “Tell me you haven’t already fallen in love with them. ”
Anabelle stared at her. Then she blinked.
And then the tears came again, silent at first, then shaking her shoulders as the truth she’d been fighting finally surfaced.
Kat stepped closer. “I know it feels like a betrayal,” she said quietly. “And in some ways, it is.”
She cupped Anabelle’s face, her thumbs warm against tear-damp skin. “But that pain you’re feeling? That’s not just you. That’s the bond itself rebelling against a violation.”
Her gaze was steady, unwavering. “You know they had the best intentions. And so did I.”
Kat brushed a strand of hair from Anabelle’s face. “You deserved a break, Ani. More than anyone.”
“I… I…” Anabelle’s voice caught, the words tangling as she pressed a hand to her chest. “You’re right. I know you’re right.” She shook her head slowly. “But it… it still hurts. They…”
She trailed off, the ache sitting heavy and unresolved inside her.
“I know it does,” Kat said softly, not trying to erase the pain, only to sit with it. “But they love you, Ani. Every one of them. They only wanted what was best for you, just like I do.”
Kat leaned back slightly, her gaze steady and certain. “They gave you time. Time to come to terms with everything. Time to find your footing. They’ve been putting your wishes and your well-being above their own from the very beginning.”
She paused, letting the words settle. “This, keeping it from you, was the right call. Even if you can’t see that yet.”
Kat tilted her head, one brow lifting faintly. “Do you really think you would’ve scored a ninety in your first week, or a ninety-two in your second, if you’d been dealing with the bond on top of everything else?”
Anabelle stared at her, mouth falling open. “You know…?”
Kat laughed, the sound unrestrained and warm. “Gods, of course I do. I am the queen. It’s my job to know.” She gave a playful shrug. “Though I’ll admit, I don’t usually run to check every caster’s scores. That particular honour belongs only to you.”
“Gods,” Anabelle breathed, shaking her head in disbelief.
Kat smiled, then clapped her hands lightly once, as if making a decision. “Alright. I know exactly what you need. Let’s go get some coffee, or hot chocolate, and just talk this out a bit more. Take the night off. The program will still be there in the morning.”
Anabelle drew in a shaky breath, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction. She nodded and slowly stood, feeling a little less like she might shatter.
But before they could move, Kat stilled as she thought of something, then gently, softly she spoke again. “Ani...before we go.” There was a hesitation there now, a rare flicker of nerves. “You should know....”
Anabelle stilled.
“The bond wasn’t the only thing we were waiting to tell you,” Kat said carefully.
“But some things… I was asked not to share myself. I think you’ll have to talk to them to get the full truth.
” She sighed. “I still maintain you should wait until after the program, but ultimately, that choice will be yours.”
Anabelle turned back toward the horizon, the quiet stretching between them. The night air felt cool against her skin, grounding. After a few long moments, she looked back at Kat.
“I appreciate you looking after me,” she said quietly. “I really do. I’ll… think about it.”
Kat nodded once, satisfied. “That’s all I ask.” Then her expression brightened, mischief slipping back in. “Now, come on. I think you should meet my sister. But fair warning...brace yourself. Mara is a whirlwind of a woman.”
Anabelle let out a small laugh, the first since she’d arrived. It surprised her, but she welcomed it all the same.