Chapter 4 The Awakening

Morning crept into the room with a golden insistence, painting the walls with streaks of sunlight. Eva blinked against the brightness, her mind sluggish as she adjusted to the new day.

Her muscles ached from tension rather than exertion, and her thoughts were a tangled mess, weighed down by the impossible truths revealed the night before.

She pushed herself upright, hugging her knees to her chest as she stared out the window. The forest outside was alive with movement, the wind swaying the trees as birds darted between branches. It should have been calming, even beautiful, but to Eva, it only served as a reminder of how far she was from everything familiar.

She barely had time to gather her thoughts before the door opened with quiet precision. Dominic stepped inside, his movements deliberate yet unthreatening. He carried a tray, its contents hidden under a silver dome.

"You're awake," he observed, his voice low but steady.

Eva tensed, her eyes narrowing. "You don't knock?"

His brow lifted slightly, though his expression remained calm. "It's my house."

The answer grated on her nerves, but she bit back a retort as he placed the tray on the small table by the window. Removing the dome, he revealed an assortment of food: toast, eggs, sliced fruit, and a steaming mug of what she assumed was tea.

"You need to eat," he said simply.

Eva didn't move. "Why do you care?"

Dominic's gaze held hers, unwavering. "Because you're in our care now, whether you like it or not."

Her stomach growled in betrayal, but she ignored it, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "I didn't ask to be here. I didn't ask for... any of this."

His expression didn't change, but his voice softened. "No one asks for fate. It just happens."

The way he said it, like it was an unshakable truth, made her anger flare. "Fate? Is that what you call kidnapping?"

Dominic's jaw tightened, but he didn't rise to her bait. "Eat, Eva. You'll feel better."

The door opened again, and Kael strolled in without preamble. He radiated a casual confidence that filled the space, his emerald eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Morning, sunshine," he greeted, flashing her a grin. "Sleep well?"

Eva glared at him. "Not particularly."

Kael's grin widened. "We'll work on that."

"Kael," Dominic warned, his voice edged with irritation.

"What?" Kael shrugged, unbothered. "She's part of this now. Might as well make her feel at home."

Eva bristled. "This isn't my home."

Kael's gaze sharpened, though his smile didn't waver. "Not yet. But it will be."

The certainty in his tone made her stomach churn. She looked away, staring at the food she refused to touch.

Dominic rose, his patience clearly fraying. "Don't push her," he said to Kael, his tone clipped. He turned back to Eva. "We'll give you time, but we're not your enemies. Remember that."

He left the room with purposeful strides, leaving Kael behind.

The playful air around Kael shifted as he studied her. He moved closer, lowering himself into the chair Dominic had vacated.

"Look," he began, his voice quieter now. "I get it. This is overwhelming. Hell, I'd probably be freaking out too if I were in your shoes."

Eva snorted. "You think?"

Kael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "But you've got to trust us. The world isn't safe for someone like you. If you run, you won't make it far before something-or someone-finds you."

"Is that a threat?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound defiant.

Kael shook his head, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "No. It's reality. You're valuable, Eva. More than you know. And that makes you a target."

She wanted to dismiss his words, to call him a liar, but the memory of the rogue attack the day before silenced her. She hugged her knees tighter, feeling the weight of his warning settle over her.

Before either of them could say more, a knock sounded at the door. This time, the interruption was Lysander.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice cool and clipped.

Kael glanced at Eva, then stood. "Duty calls."

Eva watched them leave, her mind spinning. The moment the door clicked shut, she exhaled shakily. She couldn't stay here. Whatever bond they claimed to have, whatever danger they believed surrounded her, she needed to leave. Staying meant surrendering to something she didn't understand-and couldn't control.

Throwing off the blanket, she stood and began to pace. The room was large, but its confines felt suffocating. She spotted a set of clothes folded neatly on a chair-a sweater and joggers, clearly left for her. With quick, purposeful movements, she changed into them, the soft fabric engulfing her smaller frame.

Her gaze darted to the window. It was large enough to climb through, but the drop to the ground below made her hesitate. She turned to the door instead, pressing her ear against it. The muffled sound of voices drifted down the hallway.

Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and stepped out. The house was eerily quiet, the only sounds coming from the distant crackle of a fire and the faint murmurs of the brothers' conversation. She moved quickly, her bare feet silent against the hardwood floors.

The grand staircase loomed ahead, and her heart leapt when she spotted a large set of double doors at the far end of the foyer. The exit.

She hurried down the stairs, her pulse racing with every step. Freedom was just a few feet away.

"Going somewhere?"

The voice, deep and cold, stopped her in her tracks.

Eva turned slowly, her stomach sinking as Lysander emerged from the shadows. His silver eyes glinted with something unreadable, his expression calm but unyielding.

"I-i was just planning to.."

"Don't," he interrupted, stepping closer. "If you're going to lie, at least make it convincing."

Her fists clenched at her sides. "You can't keep me here. I have a life-family, friends-"

"They're safer without you," Lysander said bluntly. "If the rogues didn't kill you, they'd use you to get to us. You'd be a weapon in their hands."

His words stung, though she didn't want to admit it. "I didn't ask for any of this."

"Neither did we," he shot back, his voice sharper now. "But the bond is what it is. Running won't change that."

She shook her head, her vision blurring with frustrated tears. "You don't get it. I don't want this. I don't want to be bonded to you-or anyone."

Lysander's expression didn't soften, but his voice dropped to a near whisper. "You think we wanted this? To be tied to a stranger we barely know? To have our lives upended because of a bond we didn't choose?"

His words caught her off guard, her anger faltering.

"This isn't easy for us either," he continued. "But whether you accept it or not, you're part of our world now. And that means we protect you. Always."

His gaze held hers, intense and unyielding. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like a taut string.

Footsteps echoed behind her, and she turned to see Dominic and Kael approaching.

"What's going on?" Dominic asked, his dark eyes flicking between her and Lysander.

"She tried to leave," Lysander said simply, his voice devoid of emotion.

Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're nothing if not determined, sweetheart."

Eva glared at him. "You can't keep me prisoner. I have rights-"

"You have no idea what's out there," Dominic cut in, his voice firm but calm. "If you leave, you'll be hunted. And we won't always be there in time to save you."

Her chest heaved, her emotions a chaotic mess. Fear, anger, frustration-it all bubbled to the surface, threatening to overwhelm her.

"Why me?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "Why am I so important?"

Dominic's gaze softened, though his tone remained steady. "Because you're Moon-Blessed. And that makes you more valuable-and more vulnerable-than you realize."

Eva's knees felt weak, and she swayed slightly. Before she could collapse, Kael was at her side, his arm steadying her.

"Easy," he murmured, his voice unusually gentle.

She looked up at him, her vision swimming. "I don't understand any of this."

"You will," Dominic said, his tone a promise. "But you need to trust us. Just give us time to explain."

Eva didn't respond, her exhaustion overtaking her resistance. For now, all she could do was nod.

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