Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 422

**Chapter 422: Face Reveal**

**MINA**

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With the collapse of the Roses, chaos swept through our land, leaving a gaping void that demanded a strong leader to guide us into the future. In the midst of the turmoil, Elias emerged as the temporary figurehead, stepping into the role with an unexpected flair. His popularity soared across the nation, eclipsing even the beloved artists of yesteryears. In fact, he had amassed a following that rivaled theirs, with Calista being his most ardent supporter, practically glowing with admiration whenever his name was mentioned.

Yet, despite the adoration he garnered and his ability to orchestrate affairs from a distance, Montrose still craved its own dedicated leader.

Thus, in a flurry of urgency, an emergency election was called.

Campaigns erupted like wildflowers in spring. Posters were plastered on every conceivable surface, and rallies sprang forth in every corner of the districts. Elias and his team took the reins, ensuring that everything was meticulously organized. The citizens of Montrose appeared to place their faith in him, believing he could steer us through the storm.

I, on the other hand, found solace in the fact that I hadn’t seen him in what felt like an eternity. Although his voice echoed through the television each night and his face was plastered on the walls of our home—and even on the trunks of towering trees—his absence felt like a delightful gift, a reprieve from the chaos he often brought into my life.

The last time we had interacted, he had managed to vex me thoroughly. Not only had we shared an unexpected kiss, but he had also proven to be an enigma, a puzzle I struggled to piece together. And then there was that peculiar moment when he pilfered my hair tie as if it were a cherished trophy.

So, his absence was, without a doubt, the best present I could have asked for.

Today, Rowen, Corvin, and Calista had departed early, eager to partake in the lantern festival that was set to illuminate the plaza. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, as nearly everyone seemed to embrace the festivities with open arms.

Yet, as fate would have it, just as I was expressing gratitude to the heavens for keeping Elias at bay, he materialized right in front of me.

“Collection of ballots!” he called out, his voice ringing from just beyond the door.

A frown creased my brow at the sound of his voice.

Lucky me. Just my luck.

I let out a resigned sigh, finishing the last touches in the kitchen before retrieving the pre-filled ballots from the table. It was painfully obvious who everyone would choose; the Roses were a thing of the past, and no one desired any remnants of their influence near the helm of leadership ever again.

I quickly pulled my cloak over my head, cinching it tightly to obscure my hair and most of my face.

With a deep breath, I opened the door, only to freeze in place.

I had sensed his presence before even opening the door, yet I clung to a fleeting hope that I was mistaken. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.

Elias stood before me, towering and imposing, his dark hair appearing longer than I remembered. He wore glasses perched precariously on the bridge of his nose, and behind him stood several guards, all clad in uniform, a silent testament to his status.

I felt a groan rise within me. Why couldn’t he have shown up when Calista was home? She would have swooned with joy. But, of course, he had to choose this moment, when I was the only one present. So much for my peace and quiet.

Clearly, they had been moving with surprising speed today, arriving earlier than anticipated. They likely aimed to complete their rounds before the plaza became a chaotic sea of humanity.

Elias’s gaze lifted the moment he recognized me, even with the cloak obscuring my features.

He smiled—a grin that hinted at the mischief he was always ready to unleash.

The guards exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.

“Alpha, you know her?” one of them inquired, his brow furrowed in intrigue.

Another guard squinted at me, skepticism etched on his face. “Why is she wearing a cloak inside her own house?”

Elias chose not to respond to either question, his focus solely on me, amusement dancing in his eyes as he took a step closer.

“We’ve been out and about the entire day,” he declared theatrically, feigning a deep sigh. “We’re so tired.”

I chose to ignore his playful jab, thrusting the ballots toward him instead.

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