Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 250

Chapter 250 Real Intentions

TESSA

462

+5 Free Coins

Arden and I were both embarrassed the moment we stepped out of our rooms. It appeared we both knew what the other was doing last night.

“Did you have a good night?” she asked shyly.

I pursed my lips and nodded. I could tell she had a good night, too. After that, we were engulfed in silence.

Oh goodness. It had never been awkward like this with my best friend. Curse Rowan for making me feel too much pleasure and making me forget my shame and surroundings!

We both decided to go down to the kitchen without striking another conversation, frowning the moment we smelled smoke, subsequently hastening our steps to get to the source.

The second we reached the kitchen, all the awkwardness dissolved into thin air.

Rowan and Cade looked like scolded schoolboys caught red–handed. Rowan had soot on his cheek and singed fingers he was trying to hide. Cade’s hair was a mess, his arms covered in flour and grease stains. Between them, the stove was smoking, and something that might once have been food was scraped into the sink.

I laughed. In fact, I bit my lip so hard to keep from doing so that it hurt.

It wasn’t often I got to see them stripped of all that seriousness. Arden’s eyes flicked to mine, and I knew she was fighting the same battle not to burst out cackling.

Their image alone would keep me entertained for weeks.

Now, minutes later, Arden and I were seated at the long wooden table, the kitchen blessedly cleared of smoke. Emma, Francis‘ mate, had arrived just in time with breakfast. The smell of real food filled the air, chasing away any reminder of Rowan and Cade’s catastrophic attempt. It was perfect timing, honestly, and a saving grace for all of us.

Francis joined us as well, sitting beside Emma. I turned toward Arden, watching the way she carefully sliced fruit into smaller pieces. “Is your morning sickness improving?” I asked gently, though I already noticed she looked better than before.

Arden glanced up and nodded. “It’s not as bad now,” she said softly. Her hand instinctively brushed over the swell of her stomach. Her eyes softened, like she was already speaking to the little life inside her. “I can’t wait for the baby, honestly.”

1/4

15:55 Fri, Sep 19 M

…

A

62

Chapter 250 Real Intentions

A smile tugged at my lips. “I can’t wait, too.”

Her gaze brightened as she turned to me. “I miss Calla.”

The name of my daughter instinctively made me smile.

“You should have taken her with you,” Arden added.

+5 Free Coins

I sighed, lowering my gaze. “We didn’t know if it would be safe for her,” I admitted. “But if you want, we can bring her here soon.”

Arden’s face brightened even more, hope shining through the fatigue of her pregnancy. please. Your daughter’s really nice and cute. An angel, really.”

Warmth spread through me at her words.

“Yes,

For a while, the table was filled with lighter conversation. However, the peace shattered as Cade, who had been quiet up until then, set down his fork and asked, “What really happened with the witches of Montrose?”

The question seemed to suck the air out of the room. Francis‘ shoulders stiffened, and Emma, who had been smiling faintly at her mate, lowered her utensils. Their silence was telling, and even before Francis spoke, I knew the truth wasn’t going to be easy to hear.

“It was difficult,” Francis said at last.

Emma reached for his hand under the table. “They tried to set the village on fire,” Francis continued slowly. His eyes grew distant. “We fought, of course. We hauled debris and put out flames with everything we had. We shielded the children, the elders. It was chaos.”

I held my breath, picturing it.

Arden’s hand was still on her stomach, protective and tight. Cade leaned forward, brows drawn, but he didn’t interrupt.

Francis shook his head. “Their power was short–lived. It didn’t last, but it was strong enough that we couldn’t get close to them. Every time we tried, it was like running into a wall of flame. They knew how to keep us at a distance, and that made it impossible to strike.”

Francis sighed. “I don’t know what their real intentions are. That’s what makes it even more difficult.”

I bit my lip as I tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

“Tessa, you said something about this being mingled with the issue concerning rogues? Is it

2/4

15:55 Fri, Sep 19 M…

Chapter 250 Real Intentions

62

+5 Free Coins

really true?” he suddenly asked, turning to me. “I mean, I already had a hunch, but I can’t think of a linkage.”

I exhaled slowly, my gaze flicking to Rowan for a second. He gave the faintest nod, a silent

encouragement.

“I’ve been living in Ylarc,” I began.

Arden and Emma quietly gasped. “Yes,” I confirmed. “It’s human territory. But a small pack lived there, tucked into the edges of their land. We kept to ourselves, blending into the quiet. For the most part, it was peaceful. However, the resources weren’t enough to sustain wolves the way they should.”

I paused, meeting Cade’s and Francis’s eyes. “So from time to time, we crossed the borders. We came here, into your forest, to hunt. Just for fresh meat.”

No one spoke, and so I continued. My voice dipped lower. “But it wasn’t long before we encountered rogues. Not just wild, desperate wolves. These rogues were different. Our warriors fought them, but they were controlled like puppets on strings. It was beyond repair and anything I’d seen before.”

“As the pack doctor, I was expected to heal them. However, their bodies and minds were too potent. I thought at first it was just evolution, rogues becoming more savage with time. However, now I know that it isn’t natural.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify