Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266 A Dream

Chapter 266 A Dream

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We were in a car–one of Elias‘ cars, to be exact. He told us we could take it as a token of gratitude for helping his pack. With his gesture, I realized that True Alphas were genuinely different. How could he give away a car just like that?

Still, even with that thought running inside my mind, I felt drained. I was tired from the detoxification, but most especially from the revelations Ingrid and Ben had thrown at me.

My forehead rested lightly against the glass, watching the blur of trees and lamps as the road stretched out into the night. I couldn’t even pretend to keep up with the conversation in front, because there wasn’t any. It was silent, except for the sound of the radio. Some rapper’s voice filtered through, low and suggestive, talking about someone “riding someone.” Normally, I’d roll my eyes, maybe even laugh under my breath at how ridiculous some lyrics could get. Tonight, I didn’t have it in me.

I tuned it out. Or at least, I tried to. The words slipped past my ears, muddied, but the beat kept hitting me like an annoying pulse.

Then, without warning, Rowan reached forward and clicked the radio off.

The silence that replaced it was louder.

My head turned slowly to him, confused, but before I could ask anything, he was already pulling the car over to the shoulder of the road.

“Are we here?” I asked, straightening in my seat, peering out the window. Was I so absent- minded that I didn’t realize we had arrived? However, as I gazed outside, I knew we were nowhere near the pack. “We’re not…”

“”

My words faded when Rowan unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned toward me.

“What are you-” I started, but my voice shrilled higher when his arms suddenly slid beneath me, lifting me by my armpits and moving me toward his lap.

My eyes widened, my hands instinctively grabbing onto his shoulders as he adjusted me. The car seat beneath me squeaked as he pushed it back, making more room.

“What’s happening?”

Rowan smirked. “Relax.”

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Chapter 266 A Dream

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“I am relaxed,” I lied, my heart racing like I’d just sprinted the whole length of Elite’s field.

Instead of answering, his hands rose, cupping my face, his thumbs pressing into my cheeks until they squished together.

“What–Rowan!” I mumbled through puffed–up lips, trying to glare but probably looking more like a pouting child.

“Sorry,” he said with a straight face that cracked into amusement a second later. “I got distracted. Your cheeks are so cute.”

I pushed him away. “Seriously, why are you doing this?”

“I told you already. You’re too cute to resist,” he admitted shamelessly, still holding me close enough that his breath brushed against my skin.

My voice came out small. “Why aren’t we moving?”

Rowan’s eyes softened, the playful edge fading. He exhaled, his forehead leaning against mine. “Because I don’t want to go back if your mood is weird.”

I pressed my lips together, my gaze darting away.

“I’m fine,” I muttered automatically, though we both knew it wasn’t true.

His fingers slipped from my cheeks, sliding instead to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I know you’re not,” he said quietly. “It must be overwhelming. Everything. And you…” His voice dropped. “You look guilty.”

I sucked in a breath. “I can’t help it,” I whispered.

That was the truth. No matter how much I tried to rationalize what Ingrid said, no matter how much Rowan’s presence tried to calm me, I couldn’t shake off the guilt.

I couldn’t help but think that everything in this life was borrowed.

Ellana’s heart. Ellana’s power. Even this second chance, Was any of it mine? Did I deserve it?

Rowan shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine. “It’s not borrowed,” he said firmly. “I believe in fate. It’s fate that you’re still here. There’s a reason, Tessa, and that reason is not futile.”

Before I could argue, he kissed me.

“Smile for me,” he murmured against my lips.

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Chapter 266 A Dream

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Somehow, I did. It wasn’t because the heaviness had vanished, but because he made me feel so completely, undeniably loved.

“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted when he pulled back. My voice cracked. “I don’t know what to do with all this. With her heart, with this power… with what it means.”

My fingers curled into his shirt. “Am I really this important?”

Rowan’s jaw flexed, his eyes burning with conviction. “Yes.”

I swallowed hard. “After casting Zaria away, it feels like I’ve made another enemy. But this one’s bigger. Stronger. I don’t…‘

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“You don’t have to know what to do,” Rowan interrupted softly. “That’s the point. You don’t have to carry it alone.”

He smiled. “Depend on me. Depend on me, and you’ll be able to help. That’s how we’ll do it.”

I leaned forward until my forehead rested against his shoulder, closing my eyes. His scent wrapped around me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

His lips brushed my temple. “Anything for you.”

I was touched beyond words. However, something made me cautious.

“Rowan,” I said carefully.

“Hmm?”

“Something’s… poking me.”

There was a pause. Then, a low chuckle. “Sorry, I can’t help it,” he said, his voice teasing. “You’re on top of me.”

My face heated instantly. I clicked my tongue sharply, rolling my eyes as I scrambled off him, retreating to my own seat.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered.

Rowan’s grin was unrepentant, his hand casually sliding back to the steering wheel.

“Let’s go,” I said, still scowling but too flustered to hold it properly. “I’m tired.”

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Chapter 266 A Dream

He nodded, still smiling.

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And despite everything that was happening, I felt lighter.

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At least, I thought I felt lighter.

It was night, and I still couldn’t sleep.

Even with Rowan lying beside me and little Calla cuddled against his side, I was wide awake. The rise and fall of their chests should’ve soothed me, but it only made the restlessness worse.

I turned onto my side, then onto my back, then again, tugging the blanket up to my chin and then pushing it down. My body was heavy with exhaustion, but my mind refused to let go.

“Come on, sleep,” I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible in the dark.

Minutes stretched endlessly.

Finally, my eyes grew heavier until I felt myself slipping.

I didn’t know how much time had passed before I realized something was wrong.

When my vision cleared, I was no longer in Rowan’s room.

I was outside–behind Rowan’s house. I knew this place well, but it felt like everything was distorted.

The sky was darker than it should’ve been, the stars too faint, like someone had painted them halfheartedly across the canvas of night. A sharp dizziness made me sway, and I spun slowly in place. The world moved, then steadied, then moved again, as though I were trapped in a carousel that never stopped turning.

“This… isn’t right,” I muttered, pinching my forearm hard.

It felt like a dream.

However, the sharp sting didn’t wake me.

Weird.

Somehow, I felt another presence surrounding me.

It was subtle at first–a faint prickling down my spine, the sensation of being watched. My

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Chapter 266 A Dream

heartbeat stumbled as I turned, searching.

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