Bound By Duty Novels & Stories

“Tell me you didn’t just—” “I bound you.” His words were a blade, sharp and unflinching. His storm-dark gaze never wavered, not even with Councillors spitting outrage from their high seats. “No Council. No Sanctum. No one owns you but me.” For a heartbeat, I couldn’t breathe. My pulse skittered like a trapped animal. Bound. Not just protected. Not just claimed. Bound. The weight of it crushed me harder than any Council decree. “You can’t,” I said, my voice breaking, part fury, part terror. My throat felt raw, as if the Oath itself had scalded me from the inside. “That’s forbidden. It’s—”

“He’s not here. The nurse said he checked himself out early this morning against medical advice. That bitch Emily came and took him away. He’s gone, Father. Ran like the coward he is.” There was a long pause on the other end. I could practically hear my father grinding his teeth. “Find him,” he finally struggled to say. “Damien Voss is still waiting in our conference room, demanding to see your brother. If we lose this deal because of Elias’s nonsense, I will hold you personally responsible. Do whatever you need to do, just bring him back.” “I will,” I promised through clenched teeth. “He can’t hide forever.” I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. If Elias wasn’t in t

Daniel leans forward, his voice getting that edge it gets when he's about to say something I don't want to hear. You've ignored her calls for weeks, sent her away, had your lawyer communicate like she's some business associate, and now you're surprised she found someone who actually treats her well? "I was teaching her boundaries," I defend, knowing it sounds weak. "You were punishing her for having lunch with a friend," Daniel says flatly, "and now she's moved on to dinner, and you're sitting here drunk and alone watching her location on a tracker like some obsessed stalker." "Watch it," I warn, but there's no real heat behind it because he's right and we both know it.

“Perhaps. Yet even I never heard his thoughts as you do. That bond is new… dangerous.” Mira frowned. “Bond? You mean this voice-thing?” Seraphina’s image flickered. “It is a curse that binds souls tethered by unresolved fate. The more affection grows, the farther the distance extends. If you grow too close, you may disappear entirely.” “Disappear—like die again disappear?” “Yes.” Mira stared. “Fantastic. Love him and poof. Don’t love him and he hates me. Excellent options.” --- A knock jolted her out of the mirror conversation.

"So I'm desperate enough to be trusted? " "Precisely." At least he didn't pretend otherwise. Aria looked down at the contract, pages and pages of legalese that came to nothing but a swap of freedom for the life of her father. "What exactly does this mean? " "I mean you'd stay in my house. Go with me to things I need to do. Go out into the world and show off your devout wife. " He leaned forward slightly. "This shall not include sex services, frankly. "

“You say that as if it excuses everything. As if that bond breaks everything that we know.” “It does excuse everything,” I snapped. “It explains everything. It defines everything. The bond isn’t a suggestion. It isn’t a preference. It is law written in our blood. And you, rather than know your place as my Luna and value it, chose to disrespect me in the worst manner that you could have done.” She swallowed hard. Still, she dared to step closer. “And what of your duty to me as a woman? As your Luna? As your woman? What of your duties towards me, Alpha?” she asked, desperation trembling in every word. “Your promise to protect the Luna? Your nights with your Luna? You owe me that much.”

Alexander feels it too; I can see it in the tightening of his shoulders, the momentary falter in his step. His Beta moves closer to him, speaking in a low voice. "Alex, are you certain—" "I have a duty to my kingdom," Alexander interrupts, his voice carrying back to me. "This cannot happen. I have responsibilities larger than personal desire." The words are clearly meant for me to hear—a declaration of his intentions, his commitment to put duty before the mate bond. Pride keeps my spine straight, my chin lifted, even as pain lances through me. "We all have duties," I call after him. "Mine is to my people, as yours is to your kingdom."

“It isn’t.” “Then what is it about?” “Survival.” His jaw tightened. “You’re losing ground,” he said. “Am I?” He didn’t respond, so I stepped closer. “She’s using you.” That made him laugh.“Careful.” “I’m not insulting you,” I said calmly. “I’m stating a fact.” His expression hardened. “You don’t know what we have.” “I know exactly what you have,” I replied. “Duty.” He blinked. “Duty binds you, not love, not loyalty.” I continued

"I refuse to accept that, Max. I refuse to be reduced to a mere breeder. I am a person with hopes, dreams, and desires of my own. I deserve to be treated with dignity and love." He turned away, his gaze distant. "You don't understand the weight of my responsibilities, Dahlia. This is the way it has always been, and it's the way it will always be." I took a step towards him, my voice filled with determination. "No, Max. It doesn't have to be that way. We can forge our own path, create a relationship built on more than duty. But it requires you to see me as more than just a breeder." He hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "I don't know if I can do that, Dahlia. My duty to our pack

Why else would the Alpha king leave him to make the decisions? "Is there something you would like to tell us, Alice?" King Ren offered. There was resignation in his eyes, as if he couldn't wait for all this to be over. He hated that his son had been dragged into this. But well, it was customary to pay for the sins of one's ancestor. Alice shrugged. "One is bound means there is someone bound to the prince, and immune to his curse. Is she one of them?" Now it was Talon's turn to be surprised. "What are you talking about?"