bonds

Chapter Five

I woke up to sunlight burning through my curtains.

My body ached. My lips still tingled from where he'd almost kissed me.

Almost.

I pressed my fingers to my mouth. Remembered the way he'd looked at me. The way his hands felt on my waist.

The way he'd pulled away like I was poison.

I sat up. Looked at the clock.

Nine AM.

I'd barely slept.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. Felt him. Heard his voice saying things he shouldn't say.

I got up. Showered. Put on jeans and a simple shirt.

Sprayed the perfume.

The chemical smell made my stomach turn.

I stared at myself in the mirror.

Five years. Five years and nothing changed.

I was still hiding. Still pretending. Still invisible.

I went downstairs.

Voices came from the dining room.

Laughter.

I stopped at the doorway.

They were all there.

Mom. Dad. Isabella. Daemon.

Having breakfast like a happy family.

Isabella was sitting next to Daemon. Her hand on his arm. Smiling up at him.

He was looking at his plate. Jaw tight.

"Irabella!" Mom's voice was sharp. "Don't just stand there. Sit down."

I walked to the table. Took the seat across from them.

As far away as possible.

Daemon's eyes flicked to me. Then away.

Like I wasn't there.

Like last night didn't happen.

"Did you sleep well, Ira?" Isabella asked.

Her voice was sweet. Innocent.

But her eyes were calculating.

"Fine," I said.

"You left the ball so early. We barely got to spend time together." She squeezed Daemon's arm. "Didn't we, darling?"

"Yes," he said.

His voice was flat. Empty.

"I wasn't feeling well," I lied.

"Oh no." Isabella's face filled with fake concern. "Are you sick? Should we call a doctor?"

"I'm fine now."

A maid brought me coffee. I took it. Grateful for something to do with my hands.

"We're planning a family dinner next week," Dad said. "The pack council will be there. Important people."

"Sounds nice," I said.

I didn't care.

"You'll be there," Mom said.

It wasn't a question.

"Of course."

Isabella leaned forward. "It'll be wonderful. Just like old times. The whole family together."

She looked at me when she said it.

Smiled.

I wanted to throw my coffee in her face.

"I'm thinking of redecorating the Luna suite," Isabella continued. "Daemon's been so busy with pack business, he barely notices the house anymore."

She laughed. Light. Musical.

Daemon said nothing.

Just cut his food. Ate. Didn't look up.

"Maybe Irabella can help," Isabella said. "She always had good taste."

"I'm not interested in decorating," I said.

"Oh, come on. It'll be fun. Sisters spending time together."

The word 'sisters' felt like a slap.

"I have other things to do," I said.

"Like what?" Mom asked.

"I need to get out. Run errands."

"Well, don't be gone too long," Dad said. "We're having dinner together tonight."

"All of us," Isabella added. She looked at Daemon. Then at me. "One big happy family."

I finished my coffee in silence.

Daemon still hadn't looked at me once.

After breakfast, I escaped upstairs.

I was halfway to my room when I heard footsteps behind me.

Mom.

"Irabella. Wait."

I stopped. Turned.

She was holding something.

More perfume bottles.

"Here." She pushed them into my hands. "You're running low."

I looked down at the bottles. Three of them.

"I have enough," I said.

"You can never have enough." Her eyes were sharp. "Isabella mentioned Daemon seemed distracted last night."

My heart jumped.

"So?"

"So." She stepped closer. Lowered her voice. "You didn't do anything, did you?"

"Like what?"

"Don't play stupid. You know exactly what I mean."

I met her gaze. "I didn't do anything."

"Good. Keep it that way." She glanced down the hallway. Made sure we were alone. "He's your brother-in-law now. Isabella's husband. You stay away from him."

"I am staying away from him."

"I mean it, Irabella. Don't ruin this for your sister. She's finally happy. Finally healthy. Don't you dare take that from her."

"I'm not taking anything from anyone."

"Just remember what I said." She turned to leave. Stopped. "And wear the perfume. Always."

She walked away.

I looked down at the bottles in my hands.

My cage.

I went to my room. Dropped them on the dresser with the others.

A whole row of them now. Like soldiers. Lined up to keep me hidden.

I grabbed my bag. My phone. My keys.

I needed to get out of this house.

I drove into town. Parked near Main Street.

The pack town was small. Quaint. Shops lined both sides of the street. People walked in and out. Talking. Laughing.

Normal people living normal lives.

I got out of the car. Started walking.

I passed a group of women. They stopped talking when they saw me.

Stared.

I kept walking.

"Is that her?"

"The one who attacked Luna Isabella?"

"I can't believe she's back."

Their voices carried. Loud enough for me to hear.

Loud enough for everyone to hear.

I walked faster.

The coffee shop was at the corner. I went inside.

The bell above the door chimed.

Everyone turned to look.

The barista's smile faded when she saw me.

"What can I get you?" she asked.

Her voice was cold.

"Coffee. Black. To go."

She made it in silence. Handed it to me.

I paid. She took my money without a word.

I left.

Walked to the bookstore across the street.

Maybe I could disappear in there for a while. Lose myself in books.

I pushed open the door.

A woman was at the counter. She looked up.

Her face hardened.

"We don't want any trouble," she said.

I stopped. "I'm just here to buy a book."

"I think you should leave."

"I haven't done anything."

"You attacked the Luna. That's enough." She crossed her arms. "Get out."

I stared at her.

Five years.

Five years and they still looked at me like I was a monster.

I turned around. Left.

Walked back to my car.

My hands were shaking.

My chest felt tight.

I couldn't stay here. Couldn't live in this town where everyone hated me.

Where everyone believed Isabella's lies.

I threw my coffee in a trash can. Got in my car.

Drove.

Didn't know where I was going. Didn't care.

I just needed to move. To breathe.

I ended up on the outskirts of town. Near the forest.

Pulled over. Got out.

Walked into the trees.

The quiet was better. No whispers. No stares.

Just me and the woods.

I walked until my legs hurt. Until I couldn't hear the road anymore.

Then I stopped.

Leaned against a tree.

Closed my eyes.

This was my life now.

Hated by the pack. Trapped in my parents' house. Watching my mate love my sister.

I opened my eyes.

Started walking back.

The walk took longer than I thought. The sun was lower when I got back to my car.

I drove back to town.

I was almost to the house when I saw it.

Daemon's car. Parked outside the pack council building.

My heart jumped.

I should drive past. Go home.

But I didn't.

I parked down the street. Got out.

Told myself I just needed to walk. Clear my head.

I walked past shops. Past people who stared.

Turned a corner.

And walked straight into someone.

Strong hands caught my arms. Steadied me.

I looked up.

Daemon.

We both froze.

His hands were still on my arms. His scent surrounded me.

Pine. Earth. Him.

The bond flared. Hot. Immediate.

I stepped back. His hands dropped.

"Sorry," I said.

My voice came out rough.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

His eyes searched my face.

"Fine."

"You don't look fine."

I looked away. "I'm fine."

"What are you doing here?"

"Just walking. You?"

"Council meeting." He gestured to the building behind him.

Of course.

Alpha duties.

We stood there. Silent.

The air between us felt heavy. Charged.

"You should get home," he said finally.

"I know."

But neither of us moved.

His eyes were on me. Intense. Searching.

Like he was trying to figure something out.

"Be careful," he said quietly.

I frowned. "Careful of what?"

He didn't answer right away.

Just looked at me.

"Just... be careful."

Then he turned.

Walked away.

Back toward the council building.

I stood there. Watching him go.

Be careful.

What did that mean?

Careful of the pack who hated me?

Careful of Isabella?

Or careful of him?

I didn't know.

I walked back to my car.

Drove home.

The house was quiet when I got back.

I went straight to my room.

Locked the door.

Sat on my bed.

Stared at the perfume bottles on my dresser.

Be careful.

His voice echoed in my head.

I lay back.

Stared at the ceiling.

This was day one.

Day one of being back.

Of pretending everything was normal.

Of hiding what I was.

Of watching him from a distance.

I closed my eyes.

This was going to kill me.

Slowly.

Painfully.

But I had no choice.

This was my life now.