All Chapters of Bound to The Enemy of My Mate : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The lock’s click was a death knell. Elira stood frozen in the center of her opulent cage, the echo of Kael’s roar—"Find that wolf!"—still vibrating in the air. She lunged for the balcony, her claws, now receded, leaving half-moon indents in her palms. Below, five guards fell into position, their postures rigid, their eyes scanning the darkness. Not just guards; sentinels. The message was clear: she was a prisoner, and Thane was the prize. He’s going to die because of me. Back in The Wood Thane’s howl had been a mistake. A necessary one—a cry to let her know she wasn't alone—but a mistake all the same. The bond, a live wire newly awakened, screamed with Elira’s panic. But a sharper, more immediate signal overrode it: the scent of iron, oiled leather, and cold intent. Wolfhunters. He melted into the shadows just as the torches swarmed from the mansion. And at their head, moving with a predator's grace that made Thane’s hackles rise, was him. Kael Rennar. A memory, sharp as a silv

The moon’s light was a physical weight on her skin the night it arrived. She paced, a caged animal, the words from the book burning in her mind. Her chest tightened with the restless panic of a caged animal—the danger was close. Kael entered without knocking. The air in the room crackled, thick with impending change. Elira froze instantly. The scent of the hunter, her executor, filled the air. Her breathing grew loud and ragged, filling the empty quiet of the room. Her whole body became a stone, her eyes flickered, their human color shifting to gold and back in a rapid second. "Elira." Kael approached her cautiously. He knelt before her, his large frame making the space feel smaller. His calloused fingers, surprisingly gentle, brushed her feverish cheek. Her eyes were wide, wild, the human recognition in them fading. His hand moved to her throat, his palm pressing against her frantic, rabbit-quick pulse. Her skin was burning. For a single, heart-stopping second, her eyes flashed

The silver-neck glowed between them. Its smell—ozone and burning metal—triggered a primal fear in her. It promised the same pain as real silver, amplified by magic. Her body flinched back against the wall. A terrified whimper escaped her lips. The internal storm vanished, replaced by pure fear. She was just Elira again, horrified by his power. Kael saw the understanding in her eyes—the fear he caused. His jaw tightened. In one angry movement, he clenched his fist, extinguishing the silver light. Elira stared at him, breathing heavily. She understood its purpose. A leash. And he held the end. He straightened and placed a hand on her waist—not a claim, but a guide. He led her further down the balcony into the cold night air. "Better now?" he asked, his voice quiet. She watched the distant woods. "Almost." His fingers brushed hers. An electric jolt shot through her. His hand stayed firm at her spine. Grounding her. Containing her. "You didn't drink the suppressant, but you held,"

Kael found her by the fountain. Moonlight showed everything. The red mark on her cheek stood out like a brand. He moved fast. In seconds he was kneeling before her, his hand coming up—then stopping just inches from her skin. She flinched back. He saw it. That tiny recoil. His hand fell to his side, fist clenched. His eyes showed everything—not anger, but gut-punched guilt. "What happened?" His voice was rough. "I don't need your concern." Her words were ice shards. "Leave me alone." He stood stiffly. His gaze lowered. "Let's go home." Home. The word felt wrong coming from him. The Rennar mansion was a cage. But for a second, it sounded like shelter. When she didn't move, he took her hand and led her to the carriage. Back to the cage he called home. Kael's Room He collapsed onto his bed, arm over his eyes. But he couldn't block out the image of her cheek. The red mark. The flinch. And in second, his mind dragged him back to the day it all had began. —FLASHBACK— Two years ag

The North Palace dining room was a gilded cage. King Theron sat at the head of the table, his gaze heavy. Queen Liana’s smile was a sharp, unwelcoming thing. Kael was seated between Princess Ilyana—who was already touching his arm with a possessive familiarity—and Elira. This was an interrogation, not a dinner. King Theron spoke first. “Commander Kael. My scouts report your hunters were active in the Blackwood yesterday. I trust this means you have an update on the wolf problem?” All eyes turned to Kael. Elira’s blood ran cold. Kael’s posture was rigid. “The report is accurate, Your Majesty. We tracked the beast to a lodge. It was a clever creature. It laid false trails and used the terrain against us. It escaped.” The admission of failure was clipped, humiliated. The King’s expression darkened. “It escaped? So close to the capital? This is unacceptable.” “The creature is unusually intelligent,” Kael said, his jaw tight. “But it is alone. No pack.” “A lone wolf is often the mo