Chapter 4 The Bond That Shouldn't Be

Mira stood in the arena, blood still dripping from her hands.

She didn't know what had come over her.

One second she was on the ground, the next... everything exploded. Her mind had gone blank - her vision had gone black - and when it cleared, Ashfang had been gasping like a dying animal under her boot.

Now, everyone watched her like she was the devil.

Liana was pale, gripping her friend's arm. Even the instructor looked unsure whether to applaud her or restrain her.

"Mira Thornveil," he finally said. "Report to the Headmistress' office. Now."

Mira didn't argue. She walked out of the ring with every eye trailing her - but no one dared speak.

They were afraid.

For the first time... that gave her power.

⸻

The Headmistress' office was a gothic chamber with tall glass windows, ancient tomes, and a glowing orb pulsing in the corner. The old wolf behind the desk, Headmistress Gorran, stared at Mira in silence.

She was blind - her eyes milk-white - but Mira knew she could see far more than most.

"I've waited a long time to feel that power again," Gorran said softly. "It's older than the packs. Older than the Alpha Laws."

Mira said nothing.

"You're dangerous," Gorran added. "But not because you're cursed. Because you're becoming who you were meant to be."

Mira's voice cracked. "And who is that?"

Gorran stood slowly. "A weapon. A queen. A mate."

⸻

Kade paced across the rooftop of the east tower, growling under his breath.

He couldn't get her out of his head. Her scent. Her eyes. The way his wolf snarled for her.

This wasn't just attraction. It was the bond - the sacred pull between mates. And it made no sense. Mira Thornveil wasn't just a mystery - she was cursed. An outcast. Someone his instincts should reject.

Instead, every bone in his body demanded he claim her.

His Beta, Lucien, appeared beside him. "You're shifting in your sleep again."

"Don't follow me."

"She's a danger."

"I know," Kade snapped.

Lucien hesitated. "And you still want her?"

Kade didn't answer. He only stared at the moon and let his claws dig into the stone.

⸻

That night, Mira returned to her dorm, exhausted. Keira was gone - probably hooking up with the vampire girl from Spell Theory again.

Mira peeled off her ruined top and stepped into the tiny shower. Hot water hit her back and mixed with the dried blood on her skin. She let herself breathe for the first time all day.

But she wasn't alone.

She felt it - a presence outside her door. A heat that slid beneath the cracks.

Then she heard it.

A voice. Deep. Low. Furious with need.

"Open the door, Mira."

She froze, heart slamming.

She recognized that voice. She'd only heard it once in person - in the distance - but she knew it like a second skin.

Alpha Kade.

She scrambled out of the shower and yanked on a towel, chest heaving. The door burst open without warning, his silhouette darkening the room.

He stepped in like he owned the world. Shirtless, eyes glowing silver. Covered in sweat and blood.

Mira's lips parted.

"You don't get to just barge in-"

"I felt it," he growled, voice shaking. "The bond."

"No," she said instantly. "We're not-"

"Yes. We are. You felt it too."

He was too close now. She could smell his scent - leather, smoke, pine - wrapping around her like a noose. Her wolf howled inside her.

"I'm not yours," she whispered, trying to back away.

But he followed her step for step, until her back hit the wall.

"Then why is your heart racing?" he said darkly, brushing his fingers across her collarbone.

Mira sucked in a breath.

Kade stared at her like a starving man. His lips were inches from hers.

And yet...

He pulled back.

"I don't want this," he hissed. "I don't do mates."

She stared at him, trembling.

"Then walk away."

He didn't.

He reached up - slowly - and pressed his palm against her cheek.

"Don't make me want you," he whispered.

Then he was gone.