My trembling hand Ch 36_Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine

Chapter 36 Unintentionally Revealed

 Chapter 36 Unintentionally Revealed.

 ARDEN

 “It’s just you,” I sighed.

 It’s always you.

 s

 I unconsciously leaned my forehead against his chest, exhaling a deep breath. His fresh scent, mingled with the rain, felt even moreforting after our startling encounter.

 “Why were you acting like I was chasing you?” he asked.

 I looked up at him, a slight re crossing my face, though itcked any real heat. “Can you me me?” I muttered. “You were running”

 “That’s because the rain is getting heavier,” he retorted just as the sky opened up, the rain pouring down even more violently. He cursed under his breath.

 He grasped my wrist, making me gasp softly, and pulled me toward the gates of Elite and the bus stop, where a shade offered refuge. “The forecast didn’t mention anything about rain,” heined, his voiceced with annoyance as we stepped back into the cover.

 I couldn’t help but admire his side profile, the way his hair clung to his forehead, dampened by the rain. Normally, his hair was perfectly styled, always looking pristine and put–together. But in this slightly disheveled state, he appeared younger and more approachable, a side of him I didn’t mind seeing.

 Before I could stop myself, I reached out and poked his cheek with my finger. He turned to me instantly, a slight furrow appearing between his brows. It was only then that I realized what I had done, and I quickly retracted my hand.

 “Sorry,” I muttered, ncing away, feeling my cheeks warm despite the chill that seeped into my bones. The night was growing colder, the rain intensifying all around us

 “The bus isn’t for another fifteen minutes,” he said, stealing a nce at the schedule posted nearby.

 I nodded and settled onto the bench, wrapping my arms around myself in an effort to generate some warmth.

 Turning toward the direction of the Elite Mansions, I hesitated before turning back to him. “You should head out first,” I suggested softly. “Don’t you live here?” I was referring to the mansions sprawling behind us.

 He sighed, running his fingers through his hair in frustration, still not meeting my gaze. “I’m drying off,” he replied.

 I shrugged, scooting back on the bench until my legs dangled freely. I began swinging them back and forth in a bid to create more body heat.

 “Can you stop that?” he asked, his tone slightly exasperated as he clicked his tongue.

 1 frowned at him in disbelief. How could he hear it “You’re free to leave if you want,” I shot back, a hint of defiance creeping into my voice.

 He sighed again, shaking his head. his silence a wall between us.

 “You know–I really don’t get you.” I finally voiced the confusion that had lingered since our first meeting.

 dis silence encouraged me to continue, and I found myself pressing on “You’re the True Alpha of the North. Respect is jours, even from the other Alplus, because the North is truly a remarkable ce.”

 feel like I understand you, but then I don’t.”

 “You don’t have to understand me, he muttered, though I caught his words. “I’ve never asked anyone to try and understand me. It’s just futile.

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 Chapter 36 Unintentionally Revealed

 A lull enveloped us. Yet I waspelled to ask another question. “Why… did youe to Elite?”

 He finally turned to look at me. “You’re seriously asking that?”

 I pursed my lips, suppressing an instinctive response.

 s

 “Why don’t you answer it first?” he asked suddenly, his tone somber and darker than it had been a moment before. A chill ran down my spine, yet for reasons I couldn’t decipher, I found myself speaking.

 To… escape?” I finally ventured, my voice quivering slightly. “I want to prove myself and show that I’m worth something.”

 “Although,” I added, “it’s more difficult than I had anticipated.”

 A soft, almost bitter chuckle escaped my lips. “It must be nice to live in those mansions and studyfortably,” I continued. the words slipping out before I could stop myself.

 My mind raced to thoughts of my brother, those who had bullied Owen, and, of course, Sienna and Jaxon.

 “In the end, they only worry about the points they have. Those at the top–they create a division among everyone else simply because they have the privilege to do so.”

 I intended it as a general statement, but as I nced back at Cade, I noticed how his eyes darkened ominously.

 “That’s what you think, huh?” he muttered, shaking his head.

 My brows softened, and my spine unconsciously straightened. Yet before I could collect my thoughts, he was right in front of me, his hand pressed against the wall behind me.

 My eyes widened as his fare moved closer, allowing me to see the rage simmering in his gaze. Our bodies were mere centimeters apart, and the coldness that enveloped me became even more tangible.

 “It must be nice to think of escaping your reality when others are stuck here because they can’t escape it,” he said vaguely. furthering my confusion

 “Cade, what are ”

 “You act as if you understand me now just because we’ve crossed paths a couple of times.”

 “I didn’t say that,” I replied softly, my voice <bcking the conviction I wished it held.

 His eye twitched, and followed the movement as he bit his lip, drawing blood. I gasped instinctively, reaching out hun. but he turned away, as if I were a contagious disease to be avoided.

 My frown deepened, and I wondered where the conversation had derailed. I was about to speak again when I realized Cade’s gaze had sluited to my neck

 When he turned his head, the angle allowed him to see that sensitive spot–my scent nd. My breath caught in my throat as I noticed his dark eyes puddenly shifting to gold, intriguing yet rming.

 I quickly tried to cover my mark, but I knew it was too <bte. There were no remnants of the concealer I had applied thickly to hide it–it had been washed away by the harsh pelting of the rain, and the friction from my hair had betrayed me, leaving my mark exposed for Cade to ser

 His eyes lingered there for a second too long, and we stood frozen in that moment, unable to move or utter a single word.

 Finally, he broke the silence, and every racing thought within me was suddenly confirmed.

 You’re the virgin:

 Summoning every ounce of strength I possessed. I ced my hand against his chest and pushed him away with all my might. He moved back but remained steady, showing no signs of stumbling

 Yet, the force of my action made it seem as if I were far too fearful of his presence. And perhaps, I was

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 Chapter 36 Unintentionally Revealed.

 In that fleeting moment, I caught a glimmer of desire in his eyes–not of lust, but the fierce determination to win.

 That was when it hit me.

 In the end, my body was the prize, a possession that would elevate whoever imed it to the top.

 He leaned in closer, and I instinctively shut my eyes tight, raising my hand defensively in front of me.

 s

 At that instant. I felt a deep rumble emanate from him–a chuckle, but one devoid of humor, intensifying the already cold hight around us.

 “You’re scared,” he muttered, his voice oddly vulnerable, a tone I had never expected from him. I opened my eyes to meet his hard re, one filled with an unsettling mixture of disdain and something unspoken.

 Then, he stepped back, shaking his head as he ran his fingers through his hair.

 My heart skipped a dreaded beat as he slowly backed away. For a moment. I couldn’t quite decipher the expression on his face.

 However, as he turned and left the bus stop without uttering another word, the realization finally hit me.

 usation.

 Why did Cade look as though I had disappointed him?

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My trembling hand Ch 36