** Harper''s POV **


    Fear trickles down my spine as I stand in the dark apartment. I''ve been slightly afraid of the dark since living in those underground tunnels, buy I refuse to let the fear control me. I take a steadying breath and let my eyes adjust to the darkness. With every passing heartbeat, more and more of the dorm roomes into focus. The furniture and doors are just about distinguishable. This is almost like when


    I turn and see a light switch on the wall and flick it on, illuminating the ce with false light. The dorm''s furnishings are surprisingly good, arge couch and two armchairs all face a t- screen TV.


    The ce is cleaner than I''d expect, considering four boys live here. There are five doors leading from the lounge area and all of them are closed. I guess I''ll just have to peek into each one to find out which is t


    I gently grip the handle and push open the door. A sweet, woodsy scent hits my nose, stirring something deep within me. Though I haven''t been close


    enough to Finley to take in his scent, I know without a doubt this is his room. I quickly close the door and move to the next. I can tell immediately this is a bathroom by the humidity and the aromatic scent of sha for me to make out the pull string for the light. I turn it on and shut myself in the bathroom. I''m surprised again at the cleanliness. It''s almost too perfect. Maybe they have professional cleaners in to keep on top


    After using the facilities, I make sure to fold the towel back on its rail as neatly as I found it and I pull the light string as I open the door, only to find myself in pitch darkness once again. Did the bulb go out? Or is


    I will not let him scare me, so I step out of the bathroom and into the dark lounge area. I know my way back to the main door and my eyes are adapting to


    the darkness quickly. All my bravado flies out of the window when a huge, dark figure moves in front of me. A small yip of fright escapes my mouth and I take a step back on instinct.


    "Are you lost, little girl? Because you certainly don''t live here," a deep voice rumbles so low that I swear I feel it in my chest. If I hadn''t just been to the toilet, I might have peed my pants a little.


    "S... sorry... Finn said I could use the bathroom," I stumble over my words as my eyes scan wildly in the darkness to locate the voice.


    "Who we let in here is not that little fuckers decision," the voice growls.


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t know. I''m leaving now," I say, my voice much squeakier than I''d like.


    Something in peripheral vision catches my attention and my heart plummets into my stomach as I recognise the shimmer of a fourth bond tether. "Please, no," I gasp and then quickly cover my mouth with a shaky hand.


    "Are you scared, little bird?" the gravely voice says, so close to my ear that I feel the warmth of his breath and his spicy scent seems to surround me.


    I spin to face the threat. I don''t want him at my back. Now that I can make out his silhouette, it''s clear he is big. Not especially tall, but solid. I take a step back, but I''m stopped with a hand


    around my waist. The brute pulls me close and inhales deeply with a low growl.


    "My wolf likes your scent. Are you mine, little bird?" He asks.


    I''m too scared to speak. There''s something about this man that terrifies me, and I hate that. I am the daughter of the most powerful bond group in the realm. I am supposed to be fearless. "W... what is your name?" I stutter.


    "That''s not how it works, Princess. I asked you a question first and I expect an answer. Are you mine?" He demands, lifting my face with a finger under my chin.


    blue glow res from his eyes and I try to make out his features, but it happened


    too fast for me to get a good look at him.


    "Yes," I breathe.


    "Good girl. It''s Chase," he says and before I can even process his words, he has lifted me and is carrying me.


    My instinct is to fight his hold, but I already know


    it''s useless. I have no chance of breaking out of


    his arms. That feels like tree trunks wrapped around me.


    My mind conjures up images of the tattooed blond man I''d seen in the dining hall. Dillon had said he was called Chase. This has to be the same one.


    Chase carries me through a


    doorway and kicks the door closed


    behind him, and my whole body


    trembles as heys me down on a soft bed, and his big body presses mine into the mattress as he dies on top of me.


    “Shh, little bird, it''s okay,” he whispers before soft lips press gently to mine in a brief kiss before he shifts down the bed a little to rest his head on my chest.


    Iy motionless in the dark with this


    immense man on top of me,


    cuddling me like I''m his long-lost teddy bear. Hadn''t Dillon said Chase had control issues with his wolf? Just how close is he to shifting right now? Will his wolf hurt me or will he recognise me as his mate, even though I don''t have my own wolf


    yet?


    "Harper?" I hear Dillon''s worried voice call out from somewhere in the apartment.


    I don''t dare respond, though. I barely even dare to breathe.


    "Harper," Chase hums, such a beautiful name.


    "Don''t go in there," I hear Finley warn a second before Chase''s door swings open and light floods into the room. Chase holds me tighter and lets out a warning growl and I look at Dillon, Archie, and Fintey. Pleading with them silently, I''m not sure what I want them to do though... Save me?... Get out?


    The only thing I do know is that Chase is right on the edge of his control and if he shifts, my bonds are in danger.