CHAPTER 3

IRIA’S POV

“No.”

“Yes.”

“That is not your decision.” I heard voices arguing through the light as I regained consciousness. Am I dead yet?

“It is!” The voices became louder and drew me fully back to consciousness. And I opened my eyes slowly, I was in a different room and sitting right in front me was Kael.

I looked around the room for a minute, white stone ceiling, with lines drawn into it. Lots of flaming torches along the walls.

And guards. Too many guards.

I tried to move but I was held back by two.chains.

What?!

I tried again and fully realized that I was restrained. My hands and my ankles.

“Easy.”

That voice.

I turned my head.

Alpha Kael stood near the foot of the bed. His arms were crossed. His face was blank, but the room felt smaller with him in it.

“I did not say she could wake yet,” Elder Rhex said.

“She is awake,” Kael replied. “So deal with it.”

Rhex clicked his tongue. “She is not stable.”

“I noticed,” Kael said. “But you bound her anyway.”

My throat felt dry. “Why am I tied.”

No one answered me.

I tried again. “Untie me.”

“Do not speak,” Rhex said.

I laughed, then coughed. “You dragged me into a ritual, broke half the hall, and now I should keep quiet.”

Kael looked at me then.

“Do you remember what happened,” he asked.

“I remember screaming,” I said. “And everyone pretending it was fine.”

“That is enough,” Rhex snapped. “You should not be speaking to her.”

“She is bonded to me,” Kael replied calmly. “She will speak.”

Bonded.

The word didn't quite come out right. Bonded!

I swallowed. “Bonded how?”

No one rushed to answer and somehow my body responded to my question, as I felt it the awareness of the bond. A pull that made no sense and yet felt undeniable. I looked up and it led straight to him.

I couldn't be more annoyed. “It’s you.”

Kael’s eyes did not move away from me. “Yes.”

I shook my head. “No. This can't be.”

“You were the conduit,” Rhex said. “The magic chose.”

“I did not agree to this,” I said.

“The magic does not require consent,” Rhex replied.

Kael stepped forward and the guards became stiffened.

“You used her,” he said. “This was never disclosed.”

“You were informed there would be risk,” another elder said.

“Risk is not this,” Kael said. “This is a forced bond.”

Rhex lifted his chin. “A necessary one.”

I pulled against the restraints. “Necessary for what huh?”

Silence.

“Answer me!” I said.

Kael looked over his shoulder. “Answer her.”

Rhex sighed in annoyance.“The convergence requires balance. Power cannot be summoned without an anchor.”

“And you chose her,” Kael said.

“She was available.”

I laughed again. “Say weak. That is the word you enjoy.”

Rhex did not deny it. “Your body could carry the strain. Barely.”

“And if she died,” Kael asked.

“Then we would adapt,” Rhex replied.

Kael’s voice dropped. “You would not survive adapting to that.”

The room became tense as guards adjusted their grip on their weapons.

Rhex smiled. “You overestimate her value.”

“No,” Kael said. “You underestimate the bond.”

I felt his reaction when he said that. My chest tightened in response. This was a very uninvited feeling.

I hated it.

“Get him away from me,” I said.

Kael turned. “Why.”

“Because I can feel you,” I snapped. “And I do not want to.”

“That is unfortunate,” Rhex said. “It will continue to deepen.”

I stared at him. “You will undo this.”

Rhex laughed softly. “There is no undoing this.”

Kael tightened his jaw, but he said nothing.

I looked at him. “You are just going to stand there.”

“This bond ties my strength to hers,” Kael said. “If I act rashly, she suffers.”

I scoffed. “So I am leverage.”

“Yes,” he said honestly. “Right now.”

That hurt more than I expected.

Rhex nodded. “You see. You understand.”

“No,” I said. “I see cowards.”

One of the elders moved toward me. “Mind your tone.”

“Untie me and make me,” I replied.

Kael held up a hand. “Enough.”

The elder stopped..

Kael turned to Rhex. “Explain the limits.”

Rhex studied him before answering. “The bond will stabilize over time. Until then, she must remain contained.”

“Contained?” I repeated.

“Yes,” Rhex said. “Your reactions affect the ritual chain.”

“I am not part of your chain,” I said.

“You are now.”

Kael looked at the restraints. “Release her hands.”

“No,” Rhex said.

“I was not asking,” Kael replied.

Rhex’s eyes narrowed towards him. “If you interfere, you endanger her.”

Kael exhaled slowly. “You planned this well.”

“We planned survival,” Rhex said.

I shook the chains again in anger. It wasn't just physically but also internally. My emotions were out of control.

Kael stiffened.

“You felt that,” Rhex said calmly. “Didn’t you, Alpha? The bond answers her first.”

Rhex continued, voice smooth. “She is already reaching you. Imagine her unbound.”

The room went silent.

Kael looked at me and for the first time I saw caution in his face.

I smiled weakly. “Looks like I am your problem now.”

“That is becoming clear.” He responded.

My head felt a little dizzy. I felt a pull in my chest again. This time stronger.

Rhex stepped back. “Secure the room.”

The chains rattled as the guards moved into position.

Kael did not move his eyes from me.

“Do not push it,” he said quietly.

“I am tied to a wall,” I replied. “You think I am pushing.”

“We need to stop her before anything happens.” Elder Rhex said quickly.

“I'm literally chained to a wall, how much of a threat can I be!” I shouted.

“Knock her out.” Elder Rhex signaled to the guards.

My eyes widened in shock as he ordered the guards. At the same time I turned to Kael, but he was looking away. “Wait no. No. Don't do—”

Before I could say anything further a heavy object hit my head and the last thing I saw was Kael reaching out to me.

And nothing.