The morning sun streamed softly through the wide windows, casting golden lines across the bed. The room smelled faintly of cedarwood, warmth, and something else something that still clung to Luna’s skin… Kael.

She stirred slowly, her body aching in places that still remembered his touch. The memories of last night came back in fragments his breath against her neck, the way he said her name, the way she gave in even when she swore she wouldn’t.

Luna blinked and turned her head. Kael was lying beside her, bare-chested, his dark hair slightly tousled, his gaze fixed on her like she was the only thing he saw. His hand reached for hers under the sheets, tracing lazy circles against her skin.

“Good morning,” he said softly, his voice rough from sleep.

Luna’s heart stuttered. “Morning,” she whispered back, trying not to meet his eyes for too long.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The silence was heavy but tender filled with memories neither of them could erase. Then Kael broke it.

Kael’s hand moved, tracing small circles along her arm. “You were dreaming,” he said softly. “You called my name.”

“I did not,” she said too quickly.

A small smile played on his lips. “You did.”

She turned away. “You must have imagined it.”

He chuckled low in his chest, the sound deep and smooth. “You’re stubborn even in sleep.”

Luna sat up, trying to shake off the warmth curling in her stomach. “I’m serious, Kael. We can’t pretend like everything is normal.”

“I’m not pretending,” he said simply, sitting up too. His hand brushed hers, but she pulled back.

“You took me away from my life,” she said quietly. “From my job, my aunt, my friends. You didn’t even ask me.”

His jaw tensed. “I did what I had to do.”

“You mean what you wanted to do,” she shot back. “There’s a difference.”

Kael looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then his tone softened. “What do you want to do today?”

She blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

He leaned back, resting on one arm. “You said I never give you a choice. So I’m asking now — what do you want to do today?”

Luna hesitated. “I’d like to visit my aunt. And my friends. They must be worried.”

Kael nodded slowly. “Alright.”

She frowned. “Just like that?”

“Yes.”

She studied him, suspicious. “No tricks? No guards watching every move I make?”

A faint smirk curved his lips. “I didn’t say that.”

Luna sighed. “Of course.”

“I’ll have someone drive you,” he continued. “And Luna…”

“What?”

His gaze darkened, his voice dropping lower. “Be back before nightfall.”

“Why? Do I turn into a pumpkin at midnight?”

He smiled faintly. “Something like that.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he murmured, brushing his fingers against her cheek, “you’re still here.”

Her heart fluttered she hated that it did. “Only because you locked the doors.”

He leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin. “No, little one. Because part of you doesn’t want to leave.”

She looked away quickly, standing from the bed. “You don’t know me.”

Kael’s voice followed her, quiet but sure. “I know enough.”

Later that afternoon, Luna’s heart lifted the moment she saw her aunt’s small house. The air smelled of hibiscus and home.

Her aunt rushed out, arms wide. “Luna! Oh, my sweet girl!”

Luna hugged her tightly, blinking back sudden tears. “I missed you, Aunt Mary.”

Her aunt pulled back, eyes wide as she noticed the sleek black car and the driver waiting outside. “Good heavens, who brought you here? That car looks expensive!”

Luna smiled faintly. “A friend,” she said carefully.

Her aunt grinned knowingly. “A friend? Hmm. A handsome friend, perhaps?”

Luna laughed nervously. “Something like that.”

“Well,” Aunt Clara said, ushering her inside, “whoever he is, he must care for you. You look happier, brighter.”

Luna froze for half a second. “Do I?”

“Yes, dear. Though there’s something in your eyes…” Her aunt paused, squinting softly. “Like you’re carrying too much.”

“I’m fine, Aunt Clara,” Luna lied quickly. “Really.”

They spent hours talking or rather, her aunt talked while Luna tried to listen. Her mind kept drifting back to Kael’s last words, to the way he had looked at her when she left.

When she met her friends later that day, it was the same laughter, teasing, too many questions.

“Girl!” Nina squealed. “You didn’t tell us you’re dating a billionaire!”

“I’m not—” Luna started, but they cut her off with giggles.

“Come on, don’t even deny it,” Maya said, bumping her shoulder. “That car? That driver? Your glow? When do we get to meet him?”

Luna forced a laugh. “Maybe never.”

“What? Why not?”

“He’s… complicated,” she murmured.

“Complicated and rich? Girl, that’s not a problem,” Maya teased. “That’s a challenge.”

Luna smiled faintly but didn’t reply. Her mind wandered again to the mansion, to the portrait of a woman who looked too much like her, and the faint smear of blood she’d seen near it.

That night, she returned to find Kael waiting in his study. The room was dim, the firelight dancing against the glass in his hand.

He looked up when she entered. “You came back.”

She crossed her arms. “You sound surprised.”

He set his glass down. “Maybe I am.”

“Did you think I’d run?” she asked quietly.

“I knew you wouldn’t get far,” he said. “Not while the bond still ties us.”

Her chest tightened. “You talk about it like it’s a chain.”

“Maybe it is,” he admitted, stepping closer. “But it binds us both, Luna. You can hate me all you want it won’t change what we are.”

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with a mix of anger and confusion. “And what are we, Kael?”

He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering a moment too long. “Something neither of us can escape.”

Luna’s heart ached. She wanted to yell at him, to tell him he was wrong but when his gaze softened, she couldn’t move.

“Why do you look at me like that?” she whispered.

“Because,” Kael said quietly, “I’m afraid if I look away, you’ll disappear.”

Her breath caught, and for a brief moment, she hated how much those words made her chest ache.

She turned toward the door, needing space. “Goodnight, Kael.”

“Goodnight, Luna,” he said softly.

But when she walked away, his eyes followed her not with anger this time, but with a longing that frightened even him.