Page 20 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

Since when had the Silver Moon warriors developed an interest in herbs and crystals? Their attention should have been on their recovery, not lingering around my Seraphina.

“Tagiu,” Harry remarked, admiring an ashen-blue crystal that caught the light. I knew the young warrior had little interest in ores; he was more inclined toward fighting and woodworking. Yet here he was, faking fascination as he leaned closer to her, asking, “And what’s this one?”

“That one is ivis. The crimson color is believed to help quicken the connection the curative has with one’s blood,” she explained, her voice smooth and informative.

“Remarkable,” he said, but I could see the admiration in his gaze wasn’t for the gem but for her.

Determined to shield her from their lingering presence, I strode in, letting my alpha authority radiate from me like a shield. My wolf rumbled jealously. I couldn’t bear watching these males hover around Seraphina.

David paled as I approached, muttering, “I think I’m going to go lie down.” He made a hasty retreat to his bed, his gait confirming Seraphina’s constant teas were helping his health. Harry followed suit, ducking back to bed without a word, leaving Seraphina and me alone in the relatively quiet room.

She crossed her arms, glaring at me with those brilliant green eyes. “Might I ask why you’re here again?”

“Is it a crime for an alpha to check in on how his packmates are healing?” I shot back, frustration rising in my chest.

“It feels counterproductive for an alpha to scare them off like you just did.”

“I only encouraged them to get the bed rest they need,” I countered, my anger roiling within me, fueled by the scents of the young men still lingering in the air around her.

“Part of their improvement means being active and engaged in their recovery,” she argued, her voice steady yet sparking with annoyance. “You’re hindering my treatment with your interference.”

Not knowing how to refute her perfectly reasonable logic, I growled, “Look, the packmates haven’t always been your biggest supporters. I don’t trust them around you. Is it a crime for me to check in on you?”

Even before I finished speaking, I could tell I had crossed a line. Fury ignited in Seraphina’s eyes, bright and fierce. With swift decisiveness, she grabbed my arm and marched me out of the infirmary, her grip firm and unyielding.

“Let’s talk about this somewhere private,” she insisted, pulling me into the supply closet, the double doors shutting behind us with a soft click.

Inside the dimly lit space, the scents engulfed us: the peppery bite of kulvitch mingled with the sweet, honeyed aroma of Seraphina’s skin and the soft notes of palliks. The air was thick with herbal fragrances, a testament to her hard work, but it was her presence that was truly intoxicating.

Turning to face me, she declared, “I can handle anyone harassing me. I don’t need you to protect me,Anatch!”

A wave of her magic erupted around her, forming a barrier that pushed me back. The intensity in her eyes burned like fire, capturing me. I was mesmerized by the strength radiating from her—pride mixed with my growing anger. Yet beneath it all, the sharp pang of rejection cut deeper. She confined me to the role of guardian, ignoring the truth of what we really were. Frustration churned in my gut. I wasn’t her uncle. I was hermate.

As her magical barrier dissipated, a rush of conflicting emotions coursed through me. I took a cautious step closer, captivated by the fierceness and strength in the lines of her face.

“You’ve always been able to handle yourself,” I observed, my voice low, wanting to express how much that strength meant to me. I held back the deeper truth that her resilience was one of the many things Ilovedabout her. Instead, I added, “Your strength is one of the many things I admire about you.”

She bit her lip, uncertainty flickering momentarily in her expressive green eyes. “Tyler, this isn’t right—”

“Why not?” I took a step closer, compelled to erase the distance that felt like an aching void. I searched for the right words while inhaling the sweet scent of her. “Because that’s exactly what it feels like to me—right.”

I lifted a hand, tentatively brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers lingered against her skin, and a shiver ran through her. “Seraphina,” I murmured, my voice low, “Every time I’m near you, I feel like I’m right where I should be.”

She tilted her head, searching my gaze in a way that left me breathless. “Tyler, stop—”

But her plea faltered, the weight of the moment pressing down on us, leaving her momentarily speechless. The emotions pulsing between us thickened the air, making it impossible to think straight. I could see the conflict swirling in her eyes, her desire battling against her fears. “Just tell me,” I urged, my voice a whisper. “Tell me you don’t feel this, too.”

For a moment, I feared she would, but her gaze dropped to my lips. The delicate silence hummed with tension, and the world outside became a distant whisper. The barrier between us slipped away, leaving only the raw truth of desire behind.

Seraphina’s eyelids drifted half-shut as she leaned in, evoking memories of how she’d looked at me in her bedroom years ago. I inhaled deeply, the sweet temptation of her presence drawing me closer. Goddess, help me. I couldn’t resist this anymore. The restraint I had clung to snapped, and I surged forward, claiming Seraphina’s mouth.

Her lips were soft and warm against mine, igniting a furnace in my chest. My wolf roared to life, demanding more contact with her. I felt her shiver beneath my touch, and despite her restraint, a spark of energy surged between us. My fingers cupped her cheek, pouring every unspoken feeling into this moment.

Though hesitant at first, Seraphina’s kiss transformed from a gentle pressure into something more. Her hands crept up my back, fingers burrowing into my shirt, finally surrendering to the undeniable pull between us. I relished the feel of her hands on me, daring to deepen our kiss. My tongue sought hers, and she met my passion, opening to me fully.

The warmth of her body pressed against mine stirred an overpowering ache. I was intoxicated by our connection. It felt as if the heat of our kiss had reforged the mate bond that tied us together, a bond crackling with renewed strength. But a persistent voice in my mind urged me to look into her eyes again. I pulled back slightly, needing to see her expression, to find my want mirrored in her eyes.

As our lips parted, I murmured, “This is so right,Ilak.” The wordmatewas suffused with reverence and the newly burning hope in my chest.

---