Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 292

Chapter 292 Heartthrobs

ROWAN

It was supposed to be just another meeting with the staff of the United Factions, but honestly? It felt more like a fan meeting–like the ones those K–pop stars would have with their fans.

They thought we didn’t notice. They thought our heightened senses didn’t pick up on the whispers, the small sighs whenever one of us leaned back in our chairs or casually ran a hand through our hair. They forgot we were werewolves, and not just ordinary ones. We were True Alphas. Even Cade, who didn’t have the same royal blood as we did, could feel it.

“I want this to be a weekly thing,” one of the staff murmured from the back.

“We’re so lucky to be working under them,” another whispered.

“They’re so handsome. Wow, I’m not even tired despite this long meeting.”

I smirked.

Before this meeting, I bumped into Owen. He told me he was already tired because we looked like an “F4 lineup.”

Did I know what F4 meant? Not really, but I could infer that it meant we looked cool.

Looking at all four of us together, I was definitely the coolest, though. Calla said so!

I snapped out of my fleeting thoughts just as Cade continued reporting on our progress. “There have been no breaches of the borders until now. Moreover, three new hospitals and two public schools have been established.”

The room clapped, the sound bouncing off the wood of the hall. Cade inclined his head politely, but didn’t bask in it. Typical.

“Elite Order Academy has started joining international competitions,” he went on. “They won the most recent one.”

That drew louder applause.

I caught the glimmer of pride in his eyes. However, along with that, I could also see his relief. We’d all carried too much weight the past few years, and every victory, no matter how small, felt like another brick removed from our shoulders.

Then Elias leaned forward and added his piece.

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Chapter 292 Heartthrobs

“Montrose is currently being rehabilitated,” he said. “I spearheaded the project because someone decided to get married.”

I smirked because I knew exactly who he was talking about.

“Jealous?” I asked, under my breath.

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Elias ignored me, but the corners of his mouth twitched. “The center is 80% done. We’ve already begun construction on the new housing. The farthest areas haven’t started yet, but the progress is steady.”

The staff clapped again, scribbling notes furiously.

“How about you, Abel?” Cade asked, turning the floor over.

Abel leaned back. “Nothing.”

He only said a single word, but it was followed by a wave of stifled gasps and, predictably,

swoons.

The younger staff, mostly women, lit up like it was a holiday. The sound of muffled giggles and hurried whispers carried clear as day to me.

“He’s so mysterious.”

“Nothing? Wow.”

“I bet he’s just being humble.”

I narrowed my eyes. Abel wasn’t even trying. And already, they were ready to fall at his feet. Abel did have a mature charm to him, and a big factor to it was because of his mysterious background and older age.

However, not everyone was charmed. There were scowls, too. They all seemingly came from the elders and higher–ups who still embraced tradition. They didn’t like Abel. It wasn’t because he’d done anything wrong, but because of what he represented.

An outsider in blood, if not in title.

I noticed the Trevanes in the corner–the parents of Jaxon. They still had seats on the board because, technically, they hadn’t done anything wrong. It had been their son who’d disgraced them, not them directly.

The way they looked at Abel gave me everything I needed to know about how they felt about him.

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Chapter 292 Heartthrobs

D:

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“Nothing else? Alright. Meeting adjourned,” Cade finally said, pounding the gavel of Fenra.

The room erupted into applause again, louder than before. I leaned back in my chair, watching as they left the room.

When the staff cleared out, the clatter of chairs and murmurs trailing down the long hall, it was just us left.

Cade leaned forward, elbows braced against the wood of the table. His gaze flicked to Abel. “What’s wrong?”

Abel smirked, but it was the kind of smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Are the Trevanes giving you shit already?” Cade pressed.

“They haven’t stopped since I’ve gotten this title. I’m already used to it,” Abel said flatly. He paused, then added, “It’s just that–Jaxon Trevane’s sentence has been reduced by the Western wolf courts. Apparently, he’s shown to be diligent.”

“Oh.” I said.

No one else spoke for a while.

Jaxon Trevane. His name alone was enough to sour the air. I didn’t need to look at Cade to know what he was thinking.

Despite feeling bitter at times when Tessa called Abel “hot,” I knew the truth. Abel was infinitely better than Jaxon Trevane. That bastard should have rotted longer.

However, our hands were tied.

That was the law of the factions.

We couldn’t intervene in faction matters, not unless public welfare was at risk. Otherwise, the wolf courts of each faction handled it.

“Wishing you luck, man,” Elias finally said.

Abel gave a single nod and pushed his chair back. “I’ll be heading back.”

“Wait,” Elias said suddenly, straightening. “I want to go drink. It’s been a while.”

The corner of my mouth tugged upward.

“It’s a Friday,” Elias continued. “That’s good, right?”

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Chapter 292 Heartthrobs

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