(Alnilam)

The situation has gotten out of hand just as I had expected it would. But no one is going to get hurt and no one is going to know the truth about my mate.

Yes, I know we are planning a rejection, but for now, she is mine too.

I have already gotten a reprimand from my father. He was furious because I lied to him.

"We are coming with you," Alnitak declares, anger sitting on the tip of his nose.

"Absolutely not. No recruit is coming with me. You will be staying here and guarding Amaia." That was always a possibility that they would try to accompany me. It’s not their fight; they are still under training and not ready for full-fledged battles.

"Saiph, Jamina, Karna and Zabiel will accompany me," I inform them.

"And Amaia? You think she will stay behind knowing you are risking your life out there. She will blame herself," Mintaka adds, not backing down.

I exchange a glance with Saiph. We have already discussed this. My gaze returns to my worried brothers. Stepping closer, I place one hand on each of their shoulders.

"Trust me, I have a plan."

"What plan? You know we can’t lie to Amaia, she always knows," Alnitak huffs. They are horrible at lying, and with the mate bond, it’s easy for her to find the truth.

"You won’t have to. I am going to speak to her before leaving." An unease settles in my heart thinking of the plan we have formed but there is no other way.

"And you will say what? No words will hold her back, she will follow you and try to protect you just like she did before." Mintaka shakes his head.

"That’s why we are going to use magic-inhibiting cuffs on her and both of you will remain by her side." Their eyes widen at my words and they exchange an uneasy glance.

"We are not cuffing her," Alnitak blazes.

"You don’t have to. I will do it, since she already hates me. So I will be the bad guy."

Saiph lets a mocking snort out as if disagreeing with the hate part.

"She doesn’t hate you..." Mintaka quietly says, and in my heart, I know that it’s true, that’s why it hurts so deeply.

"We don’t have time. Go bring her here. This will be a safe place."

Alnitak gives me a despondent look before declaring, "I will bring her."

After Alnitak is gone, I turn towards Mintaka and hold both his shoulders. He offers me a forlorn look. Mintaka is less emotional between the two, he uses his brain more than his heart. Alnitak thinks with his heart and I can never say this to him.

"Remember, in case anything happens, you will have to step up. Take care of Mama..."

"Shut up, nothing is going to happen to you. You better come back in one piece, or I will never forgive you." Like a madman, he hugs me.

Mintaka hates the idea of

people near him dying after Kayla.

I return his embrace, and my heart settles. After the bond has formed in my heart, there is nothing I am afraid of and it’s because of Amaia.

Letting go of Mintaka, I open the partition so we can gather inside. That’s where I am planning to keep Amaia, in case things go south, they won’t be able to find her.

We walk inside, and I pick up the black handcuffs from the table, especially designed with magic inhibition crystals, the same ones we use to contain the magic, but the cuffs are also charmed. Every Enforcer carries them so when we capture unregistered magic users, we can cuff them. Mostly I use my hair, because they act the same way but they will no longer work on Amaia.

Mintaka stiffly stands in a corner. Saiph is using a handkerchief to clean his scythe. Handkerchiefs and a scythe stand in such contrast, and yet Saiph always carries them both.

I wanted to have a conversation with Saiph regarding Amaia being his mate too but there is no time. A part of me is so blatantly jealous of him, knowing he has never hurt her and he probably never will, unlike me. At least she will be in safe hands, if I am gone.

My mind is a mess. Jamina returned the ring to me this morning and now I don’t even know where we stand. Maybe it’s for the best. There will be less heartbreak for her, if I am not there.

My attention is snatched when the door opens and Alnitak carries Amaia inside.

Her scent, which reminds me of soft and warm things, hits me first.

Intentionally and unintentionally, I snatch in a deep breath, letting myself be soaked in it, carrying it with me to the battlefield.

Snow raises his head and watches our beautiful mate.

"Stunning, no woman is like my Amaia," he softly growls in my head and I agree.

Her hair is a mess and she appears dishevelled and disoriented. That’s why the bond has been so quiet. She has been sleeping.

She blinks, slowly, taking us in and then her gaze settles on me. Vulnerable and sad. It hurts seeing her like this.

A ragged breath she snatches in. Snow lets out a pained howl observing how our mate appears perturbed.

"I would like a word with her alone," I tell the others.

Alnitak settles her on the sofa, places a kiss on her and slowly leaves with Mintaka.

"I will check on others," Saiph says, casting a glance in Amaia’s direction before leaving.

Pressing the button, I close the partition so it’s just the two of us.

Confused, she watches me. "What’s happening?" Ezran’s scent clings to her. She seems to be wearing his clothes. They are black and three sizes too big for her. Snow doesn’t like that fact, one bit.

The handcuffs feel heavy in my right hand as I keep them behind me so she won’t see.

"Amaia!" Her name comes out so tender that her delicate throat moves. The desire to trace my index finger along that silky smooth skin of hers ravages my brain.

My hair reaches out, wrapping around her body, feeling the warmth she holds.

"Can you kiss her? We may not get a chance again?" Snow requests.

My eyes drop to her slightly parted lips; they appear dry, showing she hasn’t drunk any water for a while.

"Let’s make them wet," Snow continues to put ideas in my head.

Bending down, my left hand rests on her shoulder and she lets out a strangled breath. Her body shudders underneath my fingers. My left hand shifts and slowly grabs her neck.

Instantly she arches it, desperate for my touch, her eyes never leaving me.

I should seek permission but the bond thumping inside our chests is overflowing with our visceral and bare emotions. Both of us want this, no matter how many hindrances I try to create.

I would have never kissed her but today’s events changed my thinking. My thumbs press the soft spot on her neck, making her tremble in my hold.

Sparks fly, scents intensify, gazes lock. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

My head dips and with a practised tenderness I claim her lips, ceasing all the distance between us.