Chapter 14
WARRICK
The forest closes in around us, a suffocating embrace of greenery and shadows. Windy’s voice cuts through the silence like a knife, sharp and accusing.
“Why are you helping us?” she demands, her eyes narrow with suspicion.
I pause, caught off guard by her question.
Why indeed?
“I have my reasons,” I say evasively, trying to keep my tone casual.
Windy’s brow furrows, her frustration evident. “That’s not an answer,” she snaps. “Why are you here?”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m here to...” The words catch in my throat, a lump forming as I struggle to articulate the truth. “I’m here to take care of my... mate.”
The word slips out before I can stop it, a confession I never intended to make.
Windy’s eyes widen in shock, and I curse myself for letting my guard down.
“Mate?” she repeats, her voice incredulous. “What do you mean?”
I shake my head, trying to backtrack. “It’s nothing,” I say quickly. “Just... forget I said anything.”
Unfortunately, Windy isn’t so easily deterred. She steps closer, her gaze searching mine. “No, I want to know,” she insists. “What did you mean by mate?”
I swallow hard, feeling the weight of her scrutiny bearing down on me. “It’s complicated,” I admit, knowing it’s a gross understatement.
“Try me,” Windy says, her tone challenging.
I hesitate, unsure of how much to reveal. But there’s something about her, something that draws me in despite my better judgment. Maybe it’s her innocence, her naivety. Or maybe it’s the power that pulses within her, a beacon in the darkness.
“I feel a... connection,” I say finally, choosing my words carefully. “A bond.”
Windy’s eyes widen in understanding, though I can see the doubt lurking beneath the surface. “A bond?” she echoes, her voice tinged with disbelief. “With me?”
I nod, unable to tear my gaze away from hers. “Yes,” I say softly. “With you.”
“But why?” she presses, her confusion evident. “What could connect us?”
I struggle to find an answer, the truth is too raw and dangerous to reveal. “I don’t know,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I feel it. And I can’t ignore it.”
Windy’s expression softens, a flicker of sympathy in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she says gently. “But I don’t feel it. Whatever bond you think we have, it’s not real.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, a harsh reminder of the truth I’ve been trying to deny.
She doesn’t feel it.
She never will .
I’m not worth a fated mate bond.
I can’t shake the feeling that she’s the key to unlocking something greater.
“We should keep moving,” Wallace says suddenly, breaking the tense silence that hangs between us. His tone is light, almost cheerful, and I can’t help but resent him for it. He likes this, likes seeing us argue.
It’s sickening.
Windy turns away from me, her attention now focused on Wallace. “He knew about my curse before we even said anything?” she accuses him. “How is that?”
Wallace’s expression darkens, his gaze flicking to me briefly before returning to Windy.
“I have no idea,” he said, his tone cryptic. “Maybe a little birdy told him…”
I bristle at his words, a surge of anger rising within me. He’s playing with fire, and he doesn’t even realize it. But before I can respond, Windy turns back to me, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“What do you know?” she demands, her voice sharp.
I hesitate, unsure of how much to reveal. But something in her gaze tells me she won’t let this go until she gets an answer. And so, reluctantly, I begin to speak, careful to keep my secrets close to my chest.
“I know more than you think,” I say cryptically. “But some things are better left unsaid.”
Windy’s brow furrows, her frustration evident. “That’s not good enough,” she says firmly. “If you know something, you need to tell me.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I can’t,” I say finally. “Not yet.”
Windy glares at me, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. “Fine,” she says tightly. “But don’t expect me to trust you.”
With that, she turns on her heel and stalks off into the forest, leaving me alone with Wallace. He watches her go, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Well,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “Looks like you’ve made quite the impression.”
I scowl at him, resisting the urge to lash out. “Shut up, Wallace,” I growled, pushing past him and following after Windy.
This isn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
And I’ll be damned if I let anyone stand in my way.