All Chapters of Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine: Chapter 241 - Chapter 250

TESSA I woke up to a strange sound. The scraping of wood followed by a muffled clink made me open my eyes, looking for the source of the noise. I frowned, forcing myself out of bed, catching the soft snore that came from the couch in the living room. Owen was still asleep. His head was tilted awkwardly on the cushion, one arm dangling over the side. I’d teased Rowan before about Owen and me “sleeping together from time to time,” but this was the truth. Owen never shared my bed. When he stayed over, it was always the couch. He never pushed nor asked for more. He simply stayed even after my insistence, since this was his house. A small chuckle slipped out of me. His lips were parted, his breathing deep. He looked so tired—probably from his work trip. I made a mental note. I’d cook his favorite meal later. He deserved at least that much.The sound outside pulled me again, curiosity gnawing at me.I slipped quietly past him, tugging a sweater over my nightclothes as I stepped out int

TESSA If there were two people in the world I considered integral to what I have in my life right now, it would be Arden and Owen. Arden made me realize that I shouldn’t settle for getting hurt and continue fighting for what’s right. She showed me that scars weren’t something to hide, but proof that I was still here, still capable of taking back pieces of my life that I thought were forever gone.And Owen—well, Owen was different. He helped me find myself in the quiet moments. He allowed me into this house when I needed somewhere to stand still for once in my life. This house wasn’t mine, and it wasn’t even his in the way it should have been, but it became a strange sanctuary. Having him here always felt strange, though, because I knew how much he still felt out of place in his father’s walls. I could see it in the way his shoulders loosened whenever he prepared to leave. That sense of relief was something I recognized too well.That was what I felt now, standing by the door as he pa

TESSA I felt lighter as I moved around the house. It felt like the chain that was awkwardly bounding me to Owen was finally snapped in half. As much as I tried, I couldn’t see Owen in the way he wanted me to. I had turned it over in my mind countless times, wondering if perhaps I was being unfair, if perhaps love was something that grew quietly like ivy and not something that struck like lightning. But even if I pressed and pressed, the truth never bent. My heart simply didn’t respond in that way. I was glad he understood. I opened the fridge, scanning its shelves. Rowan still hadn’t come by. My brows furrowed as I tapped a finger against the cool edge of the door. He usually stopped in at least once during the afternoon, slipping into the kitchen with that familiar half-smile, always hunting for a light snack. A piece of bread, a slice of fruit—something quick before darting off to his next task.Had he been summoned again? It seemed like every hour of his day was pulled at by som

TESSAI didn’t sleep. All I could hear was his confession echoing in my mind. It was maddening. My chest ached, caught between the sharpness of old wounds and the unexpected softness that came when he said he loved me.I tossed and turned quietly, careful not to disturb Calla who slept peacefully between us. Finally, with a sharp exhale, I gathered enough courage to glance at him.Rowan’s features were calm at first glance, but as my eyes lingered, the illusion fell apart. His skin was flushed, a faint sheen of sweat dampening his hairline. My brows furrowed, and when I reached out to place my hand against his forehead, my heart sank. He was burning hot—even hotter than yesterday.I pulled my hand back quickly. How did it get this bad in just a single night?I sat up abruptly, the movement waking Calla. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at me sleepily. “Mommy?”“Sweetheart,” I said gently, brushing her hair back. “Go to your Aunt Noelle for a while, okay?”She frowned, concern colorin

TESSAI assessed the situation before saying those words. Kyle was still shaking, his fingers twitching with every fine movement. For a moment, I thought it was an act, but looking at him more closely, I knew I wasn’t mistaken. His breathing was uneven, the slight tremor in his hands too natural to fake. He appeared to be powerful, but that power came at a cost, and I could see it gnawing at him even as he stood there smirking. My eyes flicked to the one beside him—the girl who had conjured flames without hesitation. That was the reason why he asked her to show off her power instead. I studied the others behind him, cloaked in black. Even with the hoods shadowing their faces, I could read the hesitance in their posture. They didn’t look united. They looked… conflicted. A few even seemed regretful. That was my leverage, I realized. Kyle might have recruited them with promises, but not all of them had the stomach for this.Still, hesitation or not, they had magic.“Very well,” Kyle sa