All Chapters of Bound by secrets, Broken by love: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Astrid The second Aiden carries me down the medical wing’s too-bright, too-quiet hallway, jaw clenched and eyes fixed forward, I know I’m in trouble. Not the kind I can get expelled for — the kind where my wolf won’t stop purring and my brain won’t stop noticing how warm, solid, and intoxicating he smells. His scent wraps around me. It’s woodsy pine, cool, dangerous. This close, it’s a little overwhelming. He kicks the door open with his foot. The nurse, mid-attention with another patient, barely glances up—until she sees us. Aiden lowers me onto one of the cold, sterile exam beds. He straightens and crosses his arms, poker-faced as usual, eyes fixed on the nurse now making her way over. I glance at him. The quiet tug between me and my wolf shifts into something heavier... comfortable. Like her silence is full of satisfaction just because he’s near. The nurse reaches us after a few seconds. Without waiting for her to ask, Aiden says flatly, “She twisted her ankle during dri

Astrid I can't believe I'm doing this. Or rather, I can't believe I've been bullied into this. My ankle still throbs, not as painful as earlier, but still enough to make me limp. Silent curses race through my head as I hobble my way out of the clinic. The cool morning air brushes my skin, crisp with the faint scent of damp grass and antiseptic that clings to my clothes. I’m not even sure where I’m headed. I can’t stay in the dorm—it’s the first place they’d look. The academic blocks are always swarming, and the gym? Definitely not. I tick off mental red flags, my fingers fluttering beside me in frustration like I’m physically crossing names off a list. Eva would know a perfect hideout. I shoot her a text: Astrid: where's the quietest place around? Somewhere no one ever goes. I need to clear my head. Eva: Old academic block. Down past the east hallway, past the trophy room. But seriously, don’t linger. It’s restricted. I type a quick thanks and hit send. When I reach the c

Astrid The walk back is quiet. Aiden doesn't speak, and I don't try to fill in the silence. It's better this way. The night air is cool against my skin, wrapping around me like the fog still clinging to my thoughts. Moonlight spills across the academic grounds, painting the gray walls in silver, the grass gray beneath our feet, the scent of pine lingering from the trees around us. Every one of Aiden's steps matches mine—not rushed, just steady. Cautious, but steady. Present is what I would call it. He walks close, like he’s making sure I make it all the way, even though I’m fine now. Even though I was pretending to be okay. When we reach the girls' dormitory, I expect him to turn left and head to his dormitory. He doesn’t. “Really, Aiden?” I say through an exasperated huff. A small smirk tilts his lips, and he shrugs, moving past me as he makes his way through the silent hallway like he owns it. It makes me wonder how many times he’s done this. “So now we’re speaking si

Astrid The Hall of Fame Wing is quiet when I arrive. It is along a wide corridor, lined with golden plaques and framed portraits of past warriors, alphas, and trailblazers. Faces frozen in time, immortalized by titles and glory. Students come here, gazing through history to feel inspired. I'm here for something else. It’s like an addiction—my newfound quest to solve this mystery. It’s like an obsession. I haven’t slept much. That photo. That face from the photo still drifts through my mind, like a ghost in the fall of my dreams. Nothing about two nights ago makes sense. People don’t just go missing. And it doesn’t help either that I awake to the feeling of unease every damn morning, and it clings to me, sitting heavily in my chest like unfinished sentences. Why the secrets? My unanswered questions blossom into more than curiosity. I am curious, but there’s anger in the mix. I will find answers. That’s why I’m here. I let my fingers brush over a polished trophy case. T

AstridThere’s only one solution. Call my mom.Nervousness wraps its claws around me as I pick up my phone. The first call goes through with no answer, and honestly, I’m not surprised.My mom is what I like to think of as busy and selective. I dial again. The phone rings twice before she picks up.“Ashley,” she says — tired, a bit irritated too. No hi, no how are you. I wasn’t expecting her to, anyway.I sigh. “Good evening, Mom.”“Look, I’m busy right now. I’m about to head to dinner with some investors. I believe you’re calling on a serious note?”“…Coach made an impromptu trial match. It’s me against someone named Greystone… it’s in four days, and I don’t think I’m ready, Mom.”“Already? That’s such short notice.” She sounds bored — I can almost imagine her rolling her eyes.“If I lose, I get kicked out of the academy,” I add.A pregnant, angry silence follows. I hear the click of her heels before she lets out a sharp breath.“This is on you, Astrid,” she says coldly. “How many tim