Colton's POV
I couldn't read anything.
The words on the page looked blurry. The letters moved like little ants on the paper. My mind kept thinking about yesterday. Axel's voice, his silly whistle, the way he leaned close to her bed while she was asleep.
"Miranda." Her name hit inside my chest like a loud drum.
I held the leather book so tight it made a sound under my fingers. My mind played the same things again—her chest moving as she slept, the small sound she made when I almost kissed her, her smell wrapping around me like warm smoke. Fuck.
I pushed the book away and rubbed my face. What's wrong with me?
She has no wolf. She's just a maid. She wasn't mine. But I was bonded to her. She should have never been mine. But even when I told myself that again and again, it still felt like a lie.
Then I imagined her in my mind near Axel. Laughing at something he said. He looked at her like she was some sweet food.
I couldn't take it anymore and shut the book. The sound was loud in the quiet room.
"Forget this," my mind advised. I needed to breathe. No. I needed her.
I walked out of the study fast and down the hall to her room. I knocked once. There was no answer. I knocked again. Still nothing. On the third knock, I didn't wait. I opened the door.
And stopped.
Miranda stood in the middle of the room, dancing in black lace underwear. She had headphones in. Her hips moved to the music. Her body moved like something I shouldn't watch. My wolf made a low sound inside me and at that moment, all I thought was: Mine.
I swallowed hard and made fists, trying to breathe. My body felt hot and tight.
"Miranda," I said out loud. My voice was rougher than I meant it to be.
She jumped, pulled out one earbud, and turned fast. Her eyes got big with shock. She ran to grab the bedsheet and wrapped it around herself.
I felt a little mad. Why hide now? You danced like you didn't care. But now you're shy? Because I'm here?
I looked away, my jaw tight.
"You're cleaning my study. Now. Get dressed immediately," I said with a cold voice, then walked out without saying more.
Ten minutes later, she came into the study. She wore a tight black dress that showed her long legs and flared at the bottom. Not a maid outfit. Of course not. I made sure her clothes were different from the rest.
She didn't talk. She walked past me, and her smell followed like a trap. I looked at my book like I was reading, but I wasn't.
I was watching her.
Her body moved like dark water as she dusted, stretched, and bent over the desk. My eyes moved to her legs, then up to her thighs. I still saw the lace in my mind.
Calm down, Colton.
I tried. I really tried.
Then she gasped.
I stood right away.
"What happened?" I asked, worried.
She held up her finger. A small line of blood showed. "I touched something in your drawer—a necklace. It poked me."
I walked over and took the small silver necklace from her hand. It wasn't sharp. It had no edges. Nothing that could cut her.
That was strange.
I looked at her finger. The blood came out slowly.
When I held her hand. She went still and so did I.
I don't know why but I didn't think. I slowly brought her hand to my mouth and sucked the blood.
She gasped. Her chest lifted. I felt it—a flash of heat between us like lightning in dry air. Her breath shook. My tongue touched her skin, and she made a soft sound.
Dear Goddess. That sound.
I pulled back, breathing fast.
She looked at me, lips open, her face red. "Colton…"
I held her face with one hand, not hard, and pressed my head to hers. Her breath was warm and not steady. My nose touched hers.
She was so close.
Her smell pulled me in, and I lost control. My pants felt tight. The feeling hurt. My wolf shouted inside me to take her. Now.
"Don't do this," I said, more to myself than her.
"Do what?" she whispered.
I let go of her slowly and stepped back. The air in my chest burned.
"Get out," I said, voice rough.
She waited.
"Miranda," I said louder, harsher.
She left fast. The door closed behind her.
I stood there, my fists tight, and heart beating fast.
What was happening to me?
This wasn't just wanting her. It was the bond. It wouldn't stop until I gave in. And the closer we were, the worse it got.
I wanted her.
But I couldn't have her.
Because if I took her—I would never let her go.
~
I couldn't stop thinking about Miranda. Not after how she looked in my room earlier, wearing that black dress that stuck to her like it was made to drive me crazy. I kept thinking about her—how her skin felt on my lips, the small sound she made when I sucked her finger. The thoughts stayed in my mind. I tried to stop them, but I couldn't.
My wolf didn't help at all. It kept growling and telling me to take her. But I said no. I didn't want to hurt her or use her like that.
I had to think about something else, so I set up a training session.
I was surprised when Miranda came too. I tried hard to stay calm.
And Axel. It was always Axel. He stood too close to her when she faced one of the fighters. He had that silly smile—the one he wore when he was joking. He shouldn't be here. But I still let him stay.
Axel looked at her all day. Every move she made, he watched. Like a hawk watching its prey. I saw it. Everyone saw it. And now, when she got ready to fight, he was near her again.
The fighter came at her first, but she moved fast and smoothly. My heart beat faster when she pulled out a sword and won, even though she was smaller and slower. She fought like she had done it forever.
Axel stepped closer. His hand touched her hair and moved it from her face. She didn't step away, but my stomach turned. I looked at her, grinding my teeth. She was mine. Not his.
Then Axel moved his hand lower and placed it on her back. I didn't think. I walked over fast and told everyone to stop training. My voice was sharp, and everyone left.
"What's wrong with you, Colton?" Axel asked, raising one eyebrow. That same silly smile was still there.
I had no patience left.
I walked straight to him, hands tight in fists. "Don't touch her."
He didn't even blink. He looked at me like I was a fool. "Then mark her, Colton."
My wolf jumped at that. It wanted to mark her. It growled inside me. But I didn't show it.
"Don't push me, Axel," I said, voice low and angry.
His smile grew wider. "Looks like you're the one pushing yourself."
I walked away, but each step felt heavy. My head was full, and the worst part was, he was right. I kept fighting myself. All day, every day.
That night, when it was all over, I returned outside. The cold air slammed me, but I didn't mind.
I saw her Miranda, by the trees, alone, and she shook from the cold.
I didn't say anything. I took off my jacket and put it around her.
She stared at me, surprised. I was grateful she didn't say anything.
"Why are you out here?" I asked, attempting to sound nonchalant and failing.
"I just needed a breath of fresh air," she said. Her voice was more muted than usual.
I looked at her, I watched her hair come over her face, I watched l her clutch her jacket and felt as if she was hiding from something more than the cold.
We were silent for some second before she broke it off.
"You must think I am some tool, right?" She asked. I didn't answer because I hadn't been expecting that. Her words hit something in me.
"It's okay. I feel the same way too," she added.
I wanted to say something to change her thoughts but I couldn't. I had bought her. Wouldn't anything I say contradict my actions?
I fought hard to keep a neutral look.
I wanted to tell her she wasn't just anything to me. That I thought of her all the time. That I needed her. But I didn't. The timing didn't feel right. What was I even thinking?
She started to leave, but I grabbed her arm and pushed her back against the house wall.
She gasped. Her chest rose and fell fast.
My heart beat hard as I leaned close. Our faces were just inches apart. I felt her warmth. My wolf moved inside me, feeling how near she was.
"You don't know what you mean to me," I said. My voice was rough.
She breathed hard but didn't move. She looked at me. Her lips were open. Her eyes were full of questions.
I wanted to kiss her. The feeling burned in me. But I couldn't. Not like this.
I stepped back before I made a mistake.
She didn't say anything. She didn't move. She just stood there.
I didn't wait for her to speak. I couldn't.
"Go inside," I said. My voice was rough as I turned and walked away, before I lost control completely.