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.

not looking at me, but I

"In."

hesitated. Just for a moment. Then

room beyond was colder than I expected. Not in temperature, but in atmosphere. Empty and quiet. No furniture aside from two chairs and a table pushed to

didn’t feel free. It felt

thick, dark drapes that swallowed the light. Everything about the space was wrong. It was

mind raced. Why bring me

door shut behind me

to the far side of the room and stood near the window, arms folded behind his back,

pounding heart. Every part of me screamed to move, to act, to do something to gain

the silence

was? Had he seen

he bring me

had stretched

of tension tighter in my chest until it felt like my own heartbeat was betraying me—loud,

I kept my voice steady. "Why did you bring me

Like I hadn’t just been handed over like some cursed offering. Like I

body was braced to either run or attack. My hands were relaxed

didn’t answer at

shrugged off his black coat, tossed it over the back of the chair, and

weight of

in that deep, unshakable voice that made my spine stiffen, "You’re more than

but my eyebrow lifted before I could stop it.

me. Is he going to use me?

power from witches, draining them like vessels until

idea made my stomach turn. A wave of disgust washed over me, so sudden

Aeron’s expression didn’t change. But something flickered

if he knew

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

a clear, almost cold certainty. He wasn’t trying

pause that made my skin prickle with

have an offer for

face tensed. Offers from Alphas were rarely offers

me," he said. "And I will