Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 244

Chapter 244 Ruins

“Mom and dad will have to leave, is that okay?” I asked softly, brushing Calla’s hair back from her damp cheeks. She was crying so hard, her fists clinging to me and Rowan like letting go would mean we’d vanish forever.

“It’s dangerous for you, baby,” Rowan said, crouching low so he was eye–level with her. His voice was gentler than I had ever heard it. “Mom and dad will be back.”

Her lip trembled. “You promise?”

Rowan didn’t hesitate. He kissed her wet cheek and whispered, “I promise.” He paused, then added, “And when I come back, I’ll buy you a lot of bears. A whole army of them if you want.”

Her eyes lit up, tears still clinging to her lashes. “Promise?” she asked again.

“Promise,” Rowan said firmly. He hooked his pinky with hers and sealed it.

Calla sniffled, nodded once, then leaned forward and kissed us both on the cheek. The sight broke me to the point that I almost told Rowan we couldn’t go. But I knew the South needed

1. us.

Just then, Noelle and Sol appeared at the door. Noelle looked immediately to Calla, her gaze softening before she turned to Rowan and me. “Do you think it’s Kyle again?” she asked, folding her arms.

“It’s not unlikely,” Rowan answered grimly. His hand lingered on Calla’s back until Noelle gently coaxed her away.

“They say the damage to the forest is extensive,” Rowan added with a heavy sigh, his brows knit.

“What is their objective, really?” Sol grumbled. “None of this makes sense anymore.”

“We don’t know yet,” I admitted. “But for now, we have to go and help them.” My eyes went toward Calla, who was nestled against Noelle, still sniffling but calmer.

Noelle gave me a nod. “I’ve got her.” That was the only reassurance I needed.

Soon, Rowan and I made our way down the narrow path to Winston’s boat. Rowan was the one who took the oar. He didn’t want to risk meeting others who might stir up more trouble. The last thing we needed was unnecessary conflict.

1/3

13:31 Tue, Sep 16 N

Chapter 244 Ruins

:

47

+10 Free Coins

As the boat cut across the water, Rowan glanced at me. His hair was messy from the breeze, and his eyes held that unspoken storm I knew too well. “My parents still haven’t changed,” he muttered. “Ignore them when we get there please.”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly. I placed my hand over his. “I’m not there for them. I’m there to help the others. If it becomes too much, then… we’ll see. But right now, they’re not my priority.”

He nodded slowly, and his grip on the oar finally steadied. “You’re right,” he murmured. “Wilder must have not acted with care. That’s the only explanation.” He sighed heavily, eyes on the horizon. “I hate going back there. To the South. To… everything.”

I knew what he meant. The South was a place that bore a lot of our heartbreaks. Still, we were going back. Together.

The waves slapped against the sides of the boat, carrying us closer and closer to a place neither of us wanted to see again, yet both of us knew we had to face.

The moment Rowan docked the boat, my stomach sank. It was obvious, even before we stepped off, that the South had been attacked. The trees along the edge of the shore had collapsed in piles, their roots torn from the ground. Rowan cursed under his breath.

We stepped onto the soil together, and what greeted us made me pause for a moment. Houses stood crooked, some with collapsed roofs, others already reduced to rubble.

The once bustling village square was unrecognizable–tables overturned, stalls destroyed. And everywhere, doctors and workers moved about frantically, tending to the wounded, clearing the debris, trying to piece together what had been shattered.

Rowan’s eyes went to mine. This is worse than we thought.

Before we could move further, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. “Rowan.”

We turned to see Francis approaching, his usually playful demeanor worn down by exhaustion. His shoulders slumped, and his hair was damp with sweat. Even so, when his gaze landed on Rowan, he managed a dry grin.

“Lucky bastard,” Francis muttered, shaking his head. “You look great. What is Tessa feeding you over there?”

Rowan didn’t rise to the bait. He just stared at Francis. “What happened?”

Francis let the grin slip away. His face hardened as he bowed briefly to me. “Tessa.” Then he straightened, exhaling sharply. “A group of cloaked men and women came this morning. They demanded we bow to them.”

2/3

13:31 Tue, Sep 16 N

Chapter 244 Ruins

Rowan’s jaw tightened. “It’s them again.”

47

+10 Free Coins

Francis frowned in confusion at Rowan’s statement. However, he continued his story. “Wilder wasn’t there to guard the borders. He insisted we needed to heed their warning, that it would be easier to buy time, but your father, of course, refused. He wasn’t about to bow down.” His

gaze

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify