The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: My Mate

Selene’s POV ~

I followed him in silence, each step feeling heavier than the last.

The echo of our footsteps filled the corridor, the sound too loud in the hush that had settled after the madness of the hall. The laughter, the leering eyes, and Fenrik’s smug satisfaction were behind me now.

Aeron didn’t speak.

He walked like a shadow stretched too long, as if the silence bowed for him. And I—gods, I hated myself for how my legs moved, how I followed, like I didn’t have a choice. Like the cursed bond was already dragging me forward by the throat.

But I wasn’t helpless. I have not lost my mind completely to the mate bond.

My eyes darted to the side, searching for any path of escape. I’d escaped worse places. Fled more ruthless men. I could do it again.

I just needed the right moment.

I slowed my steps, just a little, measuring the distance, waiting for a turn...anywhere I could vanish into shadow.

And then...

"Don’t."

His voice sliced through the quietness between us. I stopped breathing for a second.

He didn’t turn and didn’t even raise his voice. Just that one word, dropped into the air like a guillotine. And somehow, it was enough.

"I told you," he said, voice like frost brushing bare skin, "running is futile."

I stood still, my pulse roaring in my ears. How does he know what’s going on in my mind when he hasn’t even looked back once? Does he have eyes in the back of his head?

And worst of all, his voice was enough for my heart to pour with delight.

My hands curled into fists as I forced my legs to move again. I hated this. Hated how my years of discipline meant nothing right now. Not against him or this cursed bond.

We finally stopped at a tall door made of obsidian, carved with ancient runes I couldn’t decipher, but it looked important.

Aeron pressed his palm against it, and the door was pushed open.

but

"In."

Just for a

in temperature, but in atmosphere. Empty and quiet. No furniture aside from two chairs and

it didn’t feel free. It felt like a

tall, windows covered in thick, dark drapes that swallowed the light. Everything about the space

bring me here? What

door shut behind me with a soft, clean

side of the room and stood near the window, arms folded behind his back, as if

with a pounding heart. Every part of me screamed

silence

knots. Was he toying with me? Did he know who I was? Had he

bring me here? What did

silence had stretched too

in my chest until it felt like my own heartbeat was betraying me—loud, wild, and

I kept my voice steady.

been handed over like some

I added calmly, even though every muscle in my body was braced to either run or attack. My

didn’t answer at

moving with ease. He shrugged off his black coat, tossed it over the back of the chair, and then sat

and the weight

voice that made my spine stiffen, "You’re more

could stop it. Useful? What kind of use could he

Is he going to

witches, draining them like vessels until there was nothing left

disgust washed over me, so sudden I nearly

didn’t change. But

he knew what I was

don’t have to think that," he said, his voice low and firm. "I don’t participate

cold

that made my

have an

face tensed. Offers from Alphas were rarely offers at all. But he

me," he said. "And I