Semua Bab Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine: Bab 261 - Bab 270

TESSA After breakfast, Francis enjoined us to monitor the damage that had happened. We went, of course, despite the others not wanting us to be here. That uneasiness clung to us as we made our way through the recovering village, the evidence of last night’s attack still evident in the streets. Children huddled against their mothers, staring at us with wide, uncertain eyes. Every step pressed heavier on my chest.Our first stop was the hospital. I had insisted we go there. A healer’s instinct is not something I can switch off. I needed to see if there were people poisoned and if I could lend my skills. The moment we stepped inside, the scent of ash gave way to antiseptic herbs and sweat. The hospital wasn’t overflowing, but there were still more patients than beds. I moved between rooms, offering what I could. Rowan never strayed far, always shadowing my steps. My hands glowed faintly with the healing salves I carried, but relief surged in me when I realized that all the wounds wer

TESSA I barely had time to catch my breath before Rowan’s lips were on mine again. He kissed me like he hadn’t seen me in years, his mouth hungry and insistent. His hand slid along my jaw, thumb brushing the corner of my lips as though he couldn’t get enough of touching me. He had been like this after the fiasco in his house involving his mom. Arden and Cade had gone back because of their duties, while Rowan and I were also preparing to go back to Ylarc.“Rowan,” I muttered against his lips, though my body betrayed me, tilting closer, craving his warmth.He ignored me, his breath hot against my skin, his kisses trailing along the curve of my cheek until he found my mouth again. “I can’t stop kissing you,” he murmured. “You were so hot… so commanding.”My face flushed instantly. “Rowan,” I hissed softly, pushing against his chest just a little. “We need to hurry up and leave. Your parents might kick us out of this pack. I don’t want to go through the trouble.”His lips curved into a

TESSA“Mommy will call you later, okay?” I murmured into the phone, and Calla’s small, disappointed noise was the last thing I heard. I ended the call abruptly, an apology lodged in my throat that never made its way out. I set the phone down, hands trembling slightly. The moment the screen went black, I felt the weight of their gazes pressing in once again.I absently poked a piece of bread, but it lodged in my throat, and I abruptly choked on a mouthful of water. In an instant, Rowan’s hand was there, appearing without a second thought, patting my back. For a moment, we were two people isolated in the midst of everyone else's shock. Then, Luna Mila slammed her utensils down on the table, capturing our attention with a jolt.“You have a child?” Her voice was brittle with surprise. Karl’s forehead creased into a tight line, the old tension returning. “With who?” he demanded. Rowan’s fingers wove through my hair, a calming gesture, before he cast a brief glance my way and spoke. “Befo

TESSACalla lifted her head to answer for me, her face blotchy with tears. “A man—” she hiccupped between words, the sound strangled by fear. “A man was going to take me, Mommy!”My heart stopped. My arms tightened around her, and I immediately looked up, my eyes sweeping over the soot-stained faces of the survivors huddled nearby. My voice trembled with urgency, but I forced it out.“Is that true?”For a moment, no one spoke. Then Winston, coming from behind the people with his shirt singed and torn, stepped forward. He gave one nod. “Yes.”My breath hitched. “She was playing as usual, just outside.” He swallowed hard, shaking his head. “We didn’t feel the presence. There was no scent, no sound. Whoever it was, they had the power to be undetectable.” “It’s a good thing your daughter is smart,” he continued. “The moment she cried, everyone was on alert. We rushed out, ready, but…” His voice broke off, his lips tightening as though he couldn’t bear to finish.“But what?” I pressed, m

TESSAIt seemed Rowan was sulking the entire walk from his parents’ house. His hand was in mine, but his grip was firmer than usual. I wanted to tease him and ease the tension—but something in his posture warned me to stay quiet.We finally reached his house after a long, dark walk. I had the keys, so I slipped them into the lock and turned it, pushing the door open with a soft creak. The air inside still smelled faintly of our scents, and I instinctively took a breath in. However, the moment I stepped inside, and before I could even exhale, I felt Rowan move behind me. The door slammed shut with a force that made me jump, rattling against the frame. Then, his hand was on me, his body pressing me back until I hit the wall. My eyes widened in shock, my lips parting.“Rowan?” I whispered, searching his face.But what stared back at me wasn’t the composed man I had come to know. His eyes burned a dark, stormy blue, their edges glowing in the dim light. His breathing was ragged, appeari