The sunlight seeped through the curtains, soft and golden, painting the room with warmth. Luna stirred, her body still heavy from the night before. She felt Kael’s arms wrapped around her, the steady heat of him pressed against her back.

Her heart raced, and her chest felt tight. She had surrendered to him last night, given in to the hunger and desire she could no longer fight but now, awake in the bright morning, clarity and panic collided inside her.

She shifted slightly, careful not to wake him. Her mind spun with a thousand thoughts: Why did I give in? Why does he have this power over me? She hated the way he owned her even in tenderness, he commanded her. But she couldn’t deny the ache that lingered in her body, the way she still yearned for him.

Kael stirred, his silver-gray eyes opening slowly. They found hers immediately, intense, possessive, and unyielding.

“Morning,” he murmured, his voice husky.

“Morning,” Luna said softly, turning her face toward the pillow. She wanted distance, but her body rebelled.

“You slept well?” His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer.

“I… I guess,” she admitted, voice trembling. “We…” She stopped, words failing her. We… made love. And I let it happen.

Kael pressed his lips to her shoulder, trailing a warm, slow kiss along her skin. “Yes. We did,” he said, as if claiming ownership again, but with a softer edge. “And you wanted it too. Don’t hide it from me.”

Her cheeks burned. “I don’t know if I wanted it,” she whispered. “I hate that you make me feel like this… and yet, I can’t stop.”

His laugh was low, amused, dangerous. “You can’t stop because you’re mine, Luna. In every sense. The mark… the bond… it ties you to me. But last night, you let your body feel what your heart refuses to admit.”

She shivered, torn between resentment and longing. “You’re impossible,” she said, though her voice was softer than she intended.

“I’m what you need, whether you like it or not,” he murmured, brushing hair from her face. “And I’ll protect you. Even from yourself.”

---

After a moment, Kael rose from the bed, stretching. “I need to handle some matters today,” he said. “You can stay here, or… I can take you out. You’ve been asking for some normalcy.”

Luna hesitated. “Normalcy?”

“Yes,” he said, running a hand through his dark hair. “I will take you to see your aunt, maybe your friends. If you want. Just… know you’re not leaving my side.”

She frowned, conflicted. “I… I want to see them,” she admitted, surprise at her own words. “But I still… I don’t trust you entirely.”

Kael’s lips curved into a faint, teasing smile. “That’s fine. You don’t need to trust me yet. But you’ll go with me. And you’ll see, I do not lie when it comes to you.”

---

Later that day, in town

Luna sat in the car beside him, nervous, fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. The streets were bustling, sunlight bouncing off windows, people chatting, laughing. She felt exposed in a way she never had before.

Kael’s hand rested lightly on hers, warm, steady, protective. She tried to pull away subtly but found it impossible. His presence overwhelmed her senses, grounding her even as it made her heart race.

They arrived at her aunt’s house. The moment they stepped inside, Luna felt the warm embrace of family. Her aunt gasped at the sight of Kael.

“My goodness! Luna, he’s… he’s so handsome her aunt exclaimed, eyes sparkling. “Where did you find this man?”

Luna forced a polite smile, hiding the tension in her chest. She didn’t tell her aunt about the mansion, the mark, or the bond. She couldn’t.

Kael smiled politely, nodding. “Your niece is wonderful,” he said. “I’m lucky to know her.”

Luna’s friends soon arrived. Their eyes widened as they saw him, gushing, Luna’s heart ached with guilt and frustration. She smiled, deflecting their questions, while inside, she thought of the dried blood in the portrait, the secrets she had yet to uncover, and the shadow of Aria’s curse looming over everything.

---

Back at the mansion

The sun had set, painting the sky with pinks and purples. Luna wandered the mansion, restless. The earlier day of smiles and polite conversation had done little to soothe her mind. She couldn’t stop thinking about Kael’s secrets, about Aria, about the mark and now, there was a new shadow.

She found herself in the study again, rifling through the books and papers. Nothing that gave her the answers she sought. Her fingers brushed against a locked drawer, and she tried to pick the lock with a paperclip. Frustration simmered in her chest.

“Why won’t you just tell me?” she muttered under her breath. “Why am I always in the dark?”

---

Kael had returned to his office after ensuring Luna was safe in town. The mansion was quiet now, the glow of lamps casting long shadows across the room. He thought of her her defiance, her fire, the way her body had given in to him yet her mind remained untamed.

He was battling two fronts: the group hunting him and the need to protect Luna from the truth of his past. Aria’s betrayal, the curse, and now a new, unexpected threat a powerful syndicate that knew of his curse and wanted to claim him, or destroy anyone tied to him.

His eyes fell on the locket Aria had worn, sitting on his desk. Memories of that night, the betrayal, and the blood ran through his mind. He couldn’t let Luna know. Not yet. She wouldn’t survive the knowledge, not the part about how he had killed once to protect what mattered and how the bond she bore mirrored that same curse.

He rubbed his face with his hand, the weight pressing down on him. He had to be careful. Every move could put her in danger. And yet… the way she looked at him, the fire in her defiance, the blush that betrayed her longing it made him ache. He wanted her, all of her, without reservation. And he would fight to keep her safe, even if it meant hiding the worst of himself.

---

That night, the mansion was bathed in soft silver moonlight. Luna lay in bed, restless, heart pounding. She could feel Kael’s presence outside her room, the weight of his gaze like heat pressing against her skin.

A soft knock.

“Luna,” he whispered, opening the door slowly. His eyes scanned her, dark and dangerous, and she shivered.

“You’re awake,” he murmured, stepping closer.

“Yes,” she breathed. “Kael…”

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I want to talk. I want to be honest… but not everything,” he admitted, voice low. “You need to trust me enough to let me protect you.”

She didn’t answer. Her body betrayed her, ache and desire making her tremble.

Kael came closer, hands brushing hers, lips finding hers. This time, she didn’t resist. She pressed against him, heart racing, breaths mingling. The kiss deepened, hungry, desperate. Her hands roamed his chest, memorizing the feel of him, the heat and strength she had longed for.

“I want you,” he murmured against her lips. “I’ve wanted you from the start.”

“I… I can’t,” she whispered, though her body screamed otherwise.

“Yes, you can,” he said, holding her close. “We seal this bond tonight. Not with words, but with our bodies, with our desire. With love.”

Her defenses crumbled. She had tried to fight, to resist, to reason. But now, in the safety of the night, in the heat of their connection, she gave in completely.

Their bodies moved together, rhythm and passion blending, hearts pounding in unison. Each touch, each kiss, each whispered word bound them tighter. Desire, hate, love, and obsession collided in a frenzy of heat and longing.

Hours later, they lay together, Luna pressed against him, her body trembling, mind spinning. She hated the way he possessed her, hated that she wanted him so badly but she could no longer deny it.

Kael’s hand rested on her waist, thumb brushing over the mark on her wrist. “You are mine,” he whispered. “And I will protect you, always. No matter what comes.”