Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 417

Chapter 417 The Man I Hate

MINA

I hated that man.

I have never felt this strongly before about someone. I didn’t even know him or his name. All I knew was that I hated him.

I ran for a while until the lights of the house entered my view through the trees. My heart was still pounding, not from fear, but from… whatever that was. I skidded to a stop behind the old shed, leaning against the damp wood, hood falling forward as I tried to catch my breath.

I stood there, shaking my head, trying to erase the memory of his lips on mine. Stupid werewolf. Stupid hot spring. Stupid… everything.

I lifted my fingers hesitantly to my mouth.

That was my very first kiss.

Why was it like that?

Why did it feel like the warmth had seeped under my skin and spread to my fingertips? Why had I frozen instead of pushing him away the moment he kissed me? Why had I let him lean in again? Why had I responded?

There were so many questions running through my mind; however, all of them had a single answer.

I shouldn’t have.

I never should have.

I sighed hard, pressing my palms against my burning cheeks. “I hope I never see him again,” I muttered.

I shoved the memories back and adjusted my cloak, trying to walk normally toward the back entrance of the house. I was just a few steps away when a voice cut through the shadows.

“Well, well. Sneaking out, are you?”

I stopped immediately and faced the culprit.

Calista.

I didn’t even need to turn around to feel her eyes raking over me. She stepped closer, crossing her arms as she looked down through her nose at me.

“Should I tell Mom?” she asked sweetly.

“No,” I said flatly.

I didn’t even bother with excuses. I knew the consequences of being caught outside alone this late, and

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frankly, I was too exhausted to be scolded.

Calista clicked her tongue, stepped closer, and tugged the hood off my head in one harsh pull. My hair spilled out in messy wet waves, and she grabbed a handful immediately, yanking it backward.

I didn’t flinch. I’d experienced worse.

“Must be nice to have that face,” she muttered, voice dripping with offense.

I pulled away from her grip easily. She hated when I didn’t react. It irritated her to no end.

“I’m going to sleep.” I said, brushing past her.

She stepped sideways to block me again, smiling wide enough that I could see the sharpness of her molars. Something in it was so self–satisfied that it immediately raised my suspicion.

“If you want me not to tell Mom,” she said lightly, “then you need to accompany me tomorrow.”

I stopped in my tracks.

“Why?”

She twirled a strand of her hair while smirking. “Now that the war is over, I am going to shop. We’re finally getting subsidies from the gold of the palace, and I need a new dress. Not just one, actually, but multiple.”

She leaned forward, her perfume washing over me. “I need to look my best if I’m going to seduce Elias.”

I felt bad for that Elias guy. It seemed Calista had already staked her claim on him.

“Why,” I asked, “would I need to follow after you?”

She waved her hand. “I need someone to take and carry my bags.”

I stared at her and sighed.

Her smirk widened. “You know you don’t have a choice.”

I pursed my lips. I wasn’t a fan of crowded places, and that was exactly why she wanted me to come.

***

Montrose was unexpectedly lively.

I had expected a gloomy, half–ruined city with residents still hiding in their homes after everything that happened. But instead, the streets felt warm, bright, and bustling.

We were in the city, and Calista was in her element.

My hood was worn as always. She made sure of it, saying I would cause chaos in the plaza if my face were out in the open. I changed to my black cloak before coming, though. Red demanded too much attention.

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Calista continued shopping like she had her own money to spend. She floated from shop to shop, touching everything and buying the most expensive ones.

I watched her with a blank expression. However, it was oddly calming. Montrose, for all its crowds, had a soothing element to it. A place that had suffered but found joy anyway.

I found myself smiling faintly.

I could feel the genuine, relieved happiness around us. People talking about rebuilding their livelihoods, couples excited to visit the hot springs, and children running with sticky fruit treats.

It was nice.

My arms were absolutely killing me, though.

Calista had already bought seven dresses, two pairs of shoes, and a limited edition palace gold hand mirror, which, as far as I could tell, was just a shiny mirror with a lion etched badly on the back. I had all of these hanging off one arm or another.

Calista, meanwhile, spun in front of a mirror in a boutique, lifting her curls and checking her neckline.

“How do I look?” she asked.

“Fine.” I said.

She scowled at me.

“What did you want me to say?” I asked, genuinely confused.

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