No Strings Attached

The pain was so intense that he nearly forgot how to breathe.

He furrowed his brows and looked at Katherine. His voice was as gentle as a whisper. "Don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt him."

With his assurance, Katherine slowly released her grip on his arm. Her emotions gradually stabilized.

Brodie wrapped her in his arms. His eyes swirled with an uncommon depth of feeling.

Watching the scene, lan clenched the sheets in his hands. He could almost imagine the number of times Brodie and his mother had been hunted down in the past. And the hunter, he was almost certain, was his own mother, Sierra. That was why Katherine had such a visceral reaction at the sight of her.

lan's heart gave a fierce thud.

His gaze shifted back to Brodie. His voice was a low rumble. "Should we get a therapist?"

Brodie shook his head. "No need. She's calmed down now. It's just that each episode takes a lot out of her. She'll need half a day to recover."

Clara immediately helped Katherine to the bed. "Katherine, why don't you lie down for a bit?"

to the bed and lay

you.

so much since he was small. Don't leave him behind,

Clara's eyes instantly reddened. She nodded vigorously. "He's my dearest brother. I'll

as silk. "Get some sleep. I'll be

fell asleep. Clara held her hand tightly, afraid to

sense of déjà vu? It pierced the

one he

his feelings for Katherine feel like the flutters

lowered his voice, "Clara, let me stay with her. You go check on

and followed lan to the living

looking out. His tall figure seemed lonesome and tender in a way that tugged at

approached him and softly called

were slightly red. "I didn't scare

head.

curved into a faint smile. "I'm fine. I've gotten

you tell me about the times when you were being