Semua Bab Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine: Bab 201 - Bab 210

TESSAWoah. This place was better than before.The last time I’d seen it, the air was muddied with dust. Now, it was clear. It wasn’t stripped to the bone. The trees were still here, their roots holding the ground like guardians. However, their bark appeared brushed clean and not scarred. My steps slowed as I took it all in, my lungs pulling in air that was lighter than I remembered, yet somehow heavier in meaning. I arrived at the clearing, my breath catching when I saw that most of the attendees were already settled in their seats. Among them, an empty seat lay waiting.My heart leapt in ridiculous relief. I kept my head down, determined not to let my presence be known. Owen couldn’t come because he suddenly had a work trip in a neighboring country. Poor guy, really. He was still climbing the corporate ladder, so he couldn’t disregard his superior. He also told me that only close friends of Arden and Cade would be here. However, upon closer inspection, I saw that the leaders of

TESSA I told myself I wouldn’t stay. That was my condition for going. Spoiler! I stayed. How could I leave when Arden pleaded with me? I can’t just deny the bride’s request. And now, somehow, Arden was glued to my side instead of her groom, though it appeared they were both happy about it. Cade kept glancing at us from the head table, his grin so obnoxiously proud. “Arden,” I whispered, nudging her arm lightly with mine. “Shouldn’t you go back to your seat? You know, the one beside the man you just vowed forever to?”She shook her head without hesitation. “Oh, I’m going to sit here until the end of dinner. The speeches are done anyway. Besides, we’ll be together forever after this one.” I chuckled and shook my head in amusement. Her tone and way of speaking were still the same, which was comforting. It felt like the distance and time hadn’t changed us. Somehow, despite her tears earlier, her makeup hadn’t budged. Her lipstick was still untouched, her cheeks glowing with just the

TESSA I was already tired of her, but Zaria recklessly lunged again. Her nails barely grazed the air before I caught her wrist and twisted, forcing her to take a step back. The sound of her breath told me enough. She didn’t have the strength anymore, not the way she used to.“Goodness,” I exhaled, shoving her away. “You’re weak now.”Her eyes flared, but instead of charging again, she laughed like a lunatic. “Just go,” I sighed, rolling my shoulders. “I don’t have any plans of going between you and Rowan, if that’s what you’re worried about. I just came here for Arden.” Zaria smirked, appearing like she had been waiting for me to say that. “Good.” She crossed her arms, chin lifting high. “Because we’re happy now.”“He treats me well,” she added, her lips curving into a cruel little smile. “Even if you two are mates, he acts more like a mate to me than he ever will to you. And he—” she stepped closer, lowering her voice so her words could pierce deeper— “can use his body really wel

TESSA“Slow down, puppy,” I said, breathless after he had finished devouring my lips. He was still grinding against my body, and even though he wasn’t in his rut, it felt like he was. I looked down at his pants and saw that the tent had grown even bigger. I was sure my chest was flushed from embarrassment, reality hitting me all at once when I realized I was basically doing such intimate things with a man who thinks this is a dream. “More,” Rowan pleaded, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I want more.” I bit my lip and wondered if I should continue this. I let out a deep breath and gathered enough courage to say the next words. “Remove your clothes then,” I said, trying to smirk. He wasted no time sitting up, with me still on his lap. He removed his shirt and showed off his body. Did he get bigger? His once flawless skin, I once remembered, was also peppered with scars now. Then, he pulled me closer to his body, our bare chests touching each other. I gasped in shock when he took

ROWAN Since when have I had a good night’s sleep like this? Probably never.Not once in all the years I could remember. My nights had always been poisoned—restless, haunted, full of shadows that stayed with me even when my eyes were closed.When I was younger, it was the nightmares of comparison. I felt like I was never enough. Sometimes, I wondered what it would feel like if Elijah was gone. However, the day he actually died, the nightmares grew even more monstrous. I missed him so much that I wanted it to be me instead. When I met Ellana, the nights shifted. They were filled with a different fear—the gnawing doubt that she would leave and that she never truly loved me. I would lie awake next to her, looking at her, wondering if she was already planning her escape.And when Tessa left me, there was no comparison. It was her image that tormented me. Her laughter and her voice—and then her silence, her absence, like a thorn lodged deep into my chest. That was the cruelest nightmare o