Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 368

That was the first thought that crossed my mind the moment every head turned in my direction. I hadn’t meant to make such an entrance. I just wanted to bring him breakfast. He’d bid goodbye the moment I opened my eyes, and the thought of him leaving without eating had made me restless. So I packed up what I could, tied my hair back, slipped into the white dress he bought me, and walked all the way here. It was pretty easy to find this place because, for some reason, I could scent him.

But the stares…

Some looked at me with surprise, others with faint amusement, but a few had eyes like knives. They looked at me like I didn’t belong here.

Then I saw Abel turn toward me, walking urgently to where I was.

The first thing I noticed was the tension in his jaw. I expected him to scold me right there in front of everyone. But when our eyes met, his expression softened.

“So… surprise?” I said, hoping to ease his mood even more.

He sighed, like I’d both frustrated and relieved him at once. Then, his arm slipped around my waist, and before I could even speak, he hugged me.

I melted against him, letting out a small breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I heard a few gasps from around us, then someone whispered, “Alpha Abel is smiling.”

And just like that, the tension cracked.

“She’s so pretty”

“She’s the one he’s been hiding?”

“She looks soft–but do you see how he holds her?”

Their voices floated around me in a strange, surreal haze.

I peeked up at him. He was smiling widely, and that alone felt like a small miracle. I’d only ever seen him smile like that when we were alone. But here he was, in front of everyone, his arm still around me like a silent declaration.

Mine.

He took my hand and guided me forward.

I smiled shyly at a few wolves who were still watching. “Thank you,” I said when some of them complimented my dress or murmured small greetings.

Werewolves, for all their talk about dominance and ferocity, were actually kind of… cute.

The way they tried to hide their curiosity behind forced seriousness, even the quiet ones who pretended to be busy but were clearly eavesdropping–it was endearing.

I squeezed Abel’s hand gently, and he gave me a small look from the side.

We finally reached the center of the grounds, where Tyson was standing, his grin so wide it looked like it might split his face in half.

He was staring at us like he’d just witnessed the grand finale of a romance movie.

I laughed softly when I caught Abel’s slight glare in Tyson’s direction. However, my smile slightly dropped when those who were staring at me like I didn’t belong here walked closer to where we were.

Abel’s hand tightened around mine. “My cousins,” he murmured quietly.

Still, I smiled politely when they stood in front of me. “Hello,” I said, keeping my voice calm and warm. “Nice to meet you. I’m Abel’s mate.”

For a moment, there was silence, as if they couldn’t believe I was actually his mate.

But then, I recognized one of them stepping forward. It was the owner of the bar I was auctioned off to.

“Angel?” he asked.

Abel clicked his tongue sharply and stepped closer, his arm circling me,

“My angel,” he said, and that was enough to make them back off.

***

The training finally started, and they were still looking at me. No matter where I turned, I could feel their gazes brush against me. However, Abel stayed right beside me the whole time.

Every time I glanced around, his hand seemed to tighten protectively around my waist, reminding everyone watching that I wasn’t to be approached carelessly.

The warriors began sparring, the sound of bodies hitting the ground and the sharp crack of impact echoing through the open field. Tyson’s voice rose above it all, yelling commands.

I winced when I saw him dragging one poor trainee up by the arm. He looked absolutely miserable, his patience visibly thinning by the second.

“Is it okay to leave Tyson there?” I whispered to Abel. “He looks like he’s dying.”

“Let him,” Abel muttered.

I turned to look at him. “That’s cruel.”

“He deserves it,” he said simply. “He talked too much this morning.”

“I know,” he said. His tone softened. “You’re just too pretty. I want to pry their eyes out.”

“Luna.”

Abel was watching me with that quiet expression he always wore when he thought I wasn’t looking.

“I didn’t think about that,” he murmured after a moment.

“About what?” I asked.

“Luna Luna,” he said, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “It really is for you–the position.”

I felt my face heat up. “You mean being the Luna?”

He nodded. “It fits. More than you realize.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re flattering me.”

“I’m telling the truth,” he said simply, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

We stayed there for a while–just standing, talking softly as the sounds of training filled the air. The crowd’s attention had scattered, and it felt like I belonged in this place.

Then, without warning, Abel’s’arm around me stiffened.

I felt the change instantly.

“What is it?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat.

His grip around my waist tightened. “He’s here,” he muttered.

“Who?”

But he didn’t answer.

I turned, following his line of sight, and when I saw who stood there, my breath caught.

“Axe?” I muttered.

“Jaxon,” Abel said at the same time.

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.