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?"

the bed and lay

in, whispering, "We're all here with you. No one's going to harm

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

heared these words, Clara's eyes instantly reddened. She nodded vigorously. "He's my dearest brother. I'll never abandon

Katherine's forehead. Clara's voice was soft as silk.

before she fell asleep. Clara held her hand tightly, afraid to leave

feel this sense of déjà vu? It pierced

Sierra the one he loved

feelings for Katherine feel like the

bed and lowered his voice, "Clara, let

followed lan to the

tall figure seemed lonesome and tender in a way that

and softly

turned. His eyes were slightly red. "I didn't scare you, did

head.

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

about the times when you were being hunted?" lan suddenly asked