CHAPTER 5

The Bond Awakens

Serena’s POV

“You’ve seriously made up your mind not to tell me anything, are you?” Kale asked but not raising his voice, very calmly that I be never expected that. I have watched how his eyes softens each time I'm close to him.

I stood there, speechless. I couldn’t say a word to him. How could I bring myself to saying something? How could on earth was I supposed to open my mouth, and tell him that the reason my scent immediately drove him mad might possibly be because I was mated… no,no more mated but rejected and discarded like a trash. Totally humiliated, and to worsen it, also pregnant with another man's child?

“I don’t actually mean to corner you the way it appears,” he added very gently, stepping closer now. “But since your arrival, the more you kept silent, the more I crave so much to know you, to understand you more.”

His nearness attraction unsettled me, it was the usual, though not with fear, but this time, with something unfamiliar. I could feel it within me, something warm.

“I’m just… really not ready,” I finally answered in a whisper, though my voice was barely audible for anyone to hear.

Kale didn't mind, instead, he held my gaze for a beat, then nodded. “Alright the. You don’t have to force yourself and tell me. But if you need me or need anything, don't hesitate to beckon on me "

I swallowed the invisible lump forming on my throat. “Thank you.”

The following morning, I decided to join the training grounds. I had resolved within me to do my best and blend in as fast as possible, to grow stronger, not just for myself, but for the sake of the tiny life that might be growing inside me.

“Don’t try to overdo it,” that was Kale’s voice from behind. He had developed the habit of always watching me, and right now, he was watching again. “I’m not made of glass as you always see me to be.”

He smirked at the mention of glass “Then prove it to me.”

Challenge accepted with full chest..

To his shock, I threw myself into the drills, totally blocking off whispers from Lycans who constantly stared and whispered about the “outsider.” Their eyes were very sharp, and their stares penetrating, but I cared less. I didn't let it bother me, not even for a second. They didn’t have the slightest idea of what I had survived. They didn’t know how much strength I had to invest in, to be able to walk away from a man who once swore to genuinely love and protect me with his all, only to turn around and build a tower of suffering and shame for me.

I continued the challenge, but suddenly,vhalfway through the fifth round, my eyes started turning me.

My knees buckled greatly. The pain was unbearable, shooting through my ribs. My vision became blurred.

“Serena!”

Kale was t the first to notice, then rushed to my side. In seconds, his arms already scooped me up, like I was a leaf, weighing nothing. His scent was very fresh like that of pine.

“Breathe wrll. Serena, look at me and breathe,” he called out urgently, cupping my cheek with his right hand.

“I… I think…you should...” I struggled to form a proper sentence, but was unable to do that. The last thing I remembered was darkness taking over.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I woke up not knowing where I was. It took me seconds to notice that I was in a silver canopied room, a warm blanket carefully draped over me. The healer, whi h happens to be a small woman with gleaming golden eyes, hovered like a desperate cub near the bedside, and heard her whispering a chant I didn’t recognize the lyrics.

Kale was by the corner, pacing the room restlessly.

He noticed I was finally awake and conscious of my environment when I glanced at his direction. “You fainted during training. Don’t ever give me such panic attack again.”

I blinked at him, totally dazed at how much he was worried. “How long exactly was I out?”

“For four hours,” the healer responded, then leaned in closer to me gently. “You’re seriously dehydrated, and I must tell you that your body is under stress. But the most important news is… you’re with child.”

The room started rotating again, but it wasn't actually from the news. I already knew before she announced it.

But now, hearing her say it aloud was different. It came with Its own meaning.

Kale didn’t as much as flinch. His eyes focused on me, searched my eyes for answers. I tried to figure things out my own way, but his expression was unreadable for a moment… then he opened his eyes bewildered.

“You knew about this?” he asked softly.

“I suspected it before coming here”

There was silence again, a defeaning one.

“You are not obligated to tell me who the father is,” he said, carefully selecting his words, maybe not to get me angry. “But in all, I need you to understand something very important to me.”

He moved forward to my bed side, his voice lowering. “That child in your stomach... it doesn’t change anything, or how I look at you.”

My eyes flew wide in shock. “Kale, you...”

“No, just listen to me.” His voice shaking slightly. “Your presence was unexpected, you had walked into my life like a storm, and ever since your arrival, I haven’t been able to breathe the same. I have never been my normal self again. I don’t care and won't mind the blood running through the veins if that baby, all I want is to make you happy."

He sat on the edge of the bed. “I know you’re scared of everything happening right now. I know for sure something might have broken you. But if you let me in, I’ll not cause you pain, but rather help you rebuild.”

I turned away in shock, tears welling up my eyes. “You don’t even know anything about me.”

“Then let me know it because I'm dying to.” His tone was totally strange, very raw and soothing. “Let me in to know you, perhaps there might be a blversion of you still willing to learn how to smile again.”

“I am broken that don’t know how to trust again,” I whispered.

He took my hand into his. “Then, I'm ready to walk the steps with you while we learn together.”

My tight walls… were beginning to drift apart once more with promises even juicer than the first one. This is too good to be real. Ronan started in this sweet and caring way, but turned overnight. History is about to repeat itself, will Kale change, especially with my pregnancy with another man's child?