ELLA.

I was glad—truly glad—that they had saved me from the stress of wandering endlessly, searching for somewhere safe. At least here, I had a roof over my head, a place to rest... even if that "safety" came with its own dangers.

Because deep down, I knew better—I needed to be careful.

These men... I couldn’t read them. I couldn’t predict them. And there was no way, absolutely no way, they would just agree to let me keep my child so easily.

Especially Lurgard.

That thought alone made my chest tighten slightly.

Aside from that, with the sudden dreams I was having, I needed to get to the root and find out the truth.

And then...before I could even process everything, Lawrence had said it. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Mate."

The word echoed in my mind, heavy and undeniable.

Not only that... he was already planning to keep it a secret.

I blinked, staring at him, my thoughts racing.

So... he didn’t know.

He didn’t know that it wasn’t just him.

That I was bound to all three of them.

I had tried to speak earlier, tried to say something, but he hadn’t let me. He had cut me off so quickly, almost like he didn’t want to hear anything that might ruin whatever hope he was holding onto.

On second thought...Maybe this was better.

Yes.

If they didn’t know, then at least they wouldn’t pressure me. At least I wouldn’t be forced into choosing... or worse, dealing with whatever chaos that truth would bring.

I was already overwhelmed as it was.

And then there was Lawrence.

He kept asking, indirectly, but persistently, trying to know who I would choose among them.

It was exhausting, so I did the only thing I could think of....I tried to chase him away.

I told him I was tired, that I needed rest and he should leave but he didn’t listen.

Of course he never does.

Before I could react, he leaned forward, and his lips captured mine. The kiss was soft and unexpectedly gentle.

For a moment, my mind went blank.

And then...

Nyx stirred, strong, excited and hungry.

The sudden rush of emotion from her sent a wave of heat through me, pulling me deeper into the moment. She wanted more, pushing forward, urging me to give in, to respond, to lose control.

It took everything in me to hold her back.

I wanted to push him away, I really did but my hands...The needles were still connected, the drip flowing steadily, limiting my movement, making everything feel slower, heavier.

And Lawrence...He didn’t stop.

The kiss deepened, not aggressive, but persistent enough to make my thoughts blur at the edges.

I was losing myself and just for a second. Nyx surged forward again, almost breaking free this time, trying to take over completely, but I forced her back, clinging tightly to what little control I had left.

No.

I couldn’t...but his hands moved, lower, lingering in places that made my breath hitch involuntarily.

A dangerous line.

One I refused to cross.

A soft sound threatened to escape my lips, and in that instant, panic snapped through me.

Without thinking...I bit him hard. My teeth sank into his lower lip, enough to shock him, enough to force him to stop and finally...he pulled away.

"I’m sorry, Theresa."

The apology came so quickly, too quickly, that it left me momentarily stunned.

I struggled to steady my breathing, my chest rising and falling unevenly as I tried to regain control of myself. My lips still tingled from the kiss, my body still reacting in ways I didn’t want to acknowledge.

And yet...He was apologizing just like that.

My mind refused to process it.

How could he apologize so easily... as if nothing had just happened? As if he hadn’t just stirred something inside me that I couldn’t even begin to understand?

A tight knot formed in my chest, emotions curling and twisting within me with nowhere to go.

Because the truth was, I didn’t just feel anger, I felt frustration, confusion and something far more dangerous.

I wanted more.

That realization hit me hard, and I clenched my fists slightly, forcing the thought away almost immediately.

No.

I couldn’t allow that.

Getting entangled with men like him... like them... was the last thing I needed right now.

It was dangerous.

For me.

For my child.

"Get out, Lawrence," I said finally, my voice low but firm as I averted my gaze, refusing to look at him any longer.

There was no hesitation this time, no argument, no attempt to stay. He simply turned and left.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, and silence followed, heavy and overwhelming and only then did it truly sink in.

Just how hard this was going to be....staying here and being around them. Even being a few inches away from them...and not wanting them would be hard.

I let out a shaky breath, my fingers curling into the bedsheet beneath me.

Was this... normal?

Was this what the mate bond felt like?

Because I had never felt anything like this before,not even with Alex.

"Arrrghhhhhhhhhhhh!"

The scream tore out of me before I could stop it, frustration and confusion crashing together all at once.

It echoed louder than I expected because barely a second later...the door swung open and Lurgard stood there.

I froze.

Didn’t he storm out earlier?

So what was this now?

Concern?

I almost scoffed at the thought.

There was no need for him to pretend.

"Theresa, are you hurt?" he asked, stepping forward immediately, his eyes scanning me quickly. "Why did you scream?"

I didn’t respond, didn’t even look at him properly. Instead, I rolled my eyes, turning my face away.

Out of all of them...He was the last person I wanted to see right now.

The very last.

But he didn’t stop, as he didn’t take the hint. His steps slowed as he got closer, his gaze narrowing slightly as it settled on my face, more specifically... my lips.

"Theresa..." His voice changed,lower and tighter. "Tell me... why are your lips swollen?"

This time, there was no calmness in his tone. It was raised and when I finally glanced at him, I saw it clearly...his expression had darkened.