98

~Aoife~

I was still hanging onto Xander’s chest, trying to process what had just happened.

“What was that?” I asked, my voice filled with confusion.

“It’s another dog,” he replied, gently setting me down on the ground. I turned to see a Siberian Husky sitting next to us. “But yes, it’s dangerous.”

A mix of shock and disbelief washed over me. I stepped away from him, feeling a rush of emotions coursing through me. I pressed my palm against my chest, fearing that my heart couldn’t handle any more of his tricks.

Seeing my fear, Xander pulled me close, his arms enveloping me in a comforting embrace. “Do you think I will allow you to leave me this time? You’re bound to me for your whole life, whether you want it or not. You are all mine, and I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”

His words struck a chord deep within me, stirring up a mix of emotions. Part of me wanted to hear those words, to feel that sense of belonging. Yet, another part of me resisted, wary of the intensity and poss