Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 31 Just The Bond
Renzo’s POV
The lounge smelled like expensive leather, cologne, and something sweet Linda always wore that clung to the air long after she moved. It used to comfort me. Used to feel familiar, safe, even.
Today, it felt suffocating.
Ronan sat sprawled on the main couch like he owned the world, one arm lazily hooked around Linda as she curled into his side. She fit there easily, like she always had, with all of us. Like she belonged with us. Her laughter drifted through the room, light and teasing, filling the silence I hadn’t realized was there.
I lay on the opposite couch, one arm draped over my eyes, staring at the ceiling.
Staring but not seeing.
Because all I could see was her.
Jade.
The way her breath hitched earlier. The way her body had gone rigid and then soft against mine in the basketball court. The tear that had slipped down her cheek like a blade straight through my chest.
And Ryder’s voice, low and infuriatingly calm, replayed in my head.
I don’t think it’s the mate bond, brother. I think you’re actually falling for her.
Ridiculous.
Bloody ridiculous.
I clenched my jaw.
That was impossible.
I didn’t fall for anyone, especially not Jade. She literally causes chaos without trying. She is so weak yet so stubborn, she’ll look at you like she expected to be broken and dared you to do it anyway. She makes my wolf restless, my control brittle.
It was the bond.
It had always been the bond. It has to be.
Linda shifted beside Ronan, laughing at something he murmured to her, then suddenly slipped out of his arms. The couch dipped as she sat beside me instead, her thigh brushing mine.
I stiffened.
“Renzo,” she said softly. “You’ve been really quiet.”
I forced my arm down, schooling my face into something neutral. “I’m fine.”
She studied me, her eyes sharp beneath the softness. Linda had always been observant. It was one of the things that made her dangerous.
“You look.... far away,” she said. “Like you’re thinking too much.”
I gave her a small smile. “Just tired.”
She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded anyway.
There was a pause, then she sighed. “After what happened with Jade... at the hospital,” she began carefully, “I feel like things haven’t been the same between us.”
My chest tightened.
Here it was. I really am in no mood for this talk right now.
She reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “I understand why you reacted the way you did, Renzo. I really do. It wasn’t you. It was the mate bond.”
I didn’t pull away, couldn’t, cause Linda is too innocent for me to even consider hurting her feelings.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I know it’s frustrating. Being forced to care about someone like her. Being tied to someone so.... messy.”
Her lip curled faintly. “Slutty.”
My wolf stirred, displeased.
Linda continued, unaware, or unwilling, to notice. “It’s not fair to you. Or Ronan. Or Ryder. You shouldn’t have to put up with her just because of some stupid ancient bond.”
I swallowed.
“So why don’t you just reject her?” she asked quietly. “End it. Be done with her.”
I forced my mouth to curve upward. “That’s the plan.”
Her eyes lit up instantly. “Really?”
“By the end of the week,” I said evenly. “We plan to reject her, publicly.”
The joy on her face was immediate, radiant. She leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to my lips.
I didn’t stop her.
But I didn’t kiss her back either.
She didn’t seem to notice, or chose not to.
“That’s perfect,” she said happily. “Everything will finally go back to normal.”
Normal.
The word felt hollow.
She stood, clapping her hands lightly. “Come on. Let’s go to my place and unwind. Today’s party is going to be insane, there will be many hot and sexy dudes and ladies attending, I even invited everyone in the basketball team, it is going to be a night to just drink and fuck ourselves and I cannot wait.”
Ronan groaned from the couch. “Why isn’t Ryder back yet? We should’ve left already.”
“I’ll get him,” I said immediately, standing before anyone could object.
It was an excuse to leave for a moment.
I needed air.
I stepped out of the lounge, the door closing softly behind me. The hallway was quiet, the school almost empty now. My footsteps echoed as I headed toward the stairwell. freёweɓnovel.com
That was when I saw them.
Ryder had Jade pressed against the wall.
His hands were on her, caressing all of her body, his body angled in a way that left no space between them. Her fingers were curled into his shirt, her face tilted up toward his.
And his mouth....
On hers.
Not hesitant.
Not accidental.
Rough. Intense. Like he’d lost his damn mind.
For a split second, my vision went red.
Join them! My wolf screamed at me but I managed to ignore me.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, my voice cold and sharp
They broke apart instantly.
Jade stumbled back like she’d been burned, her face flushed, eyes wide with panic. Ryder turned, irritation and embarrassment flashing across his features in equal measure.
I almost laughed.
This was the same Ryder who’d stood in front of me earlier, calm and composed, accusing me of losing control.
Look at him now.
Pathetic.
I looked him over slowly, taking in the clenched jaw, the rigid posture, the way his hands flexed like he didn’t know what to do with them.
Interesting.
Two things became very clear in that moment.
One, Ryder was just as affected by the mate bond as I was. Which meant this wasn’t about some feelings. It never had been. The bond was toxic. Powerful. Disruptive.
And two...
Jade would let anyone touch her.
Anywhere.
Anytime.
The familiar disgust settled comfortably in my chest, pushing away the unease that had been growing all day.
Good.
That made this easier. She’s a slut and she is promised to be our whore for a week, so I shall make use of that with no sentiments cause she doesn’t deserve it. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Ryder turned to her sharply. “Leave!”
She hesitated, then she turned to leave
I lifted a hand. “Stop.” I said and she stopped amd turned around.
Both of them looked at me.
“You’re coming with us,” I said calmly. “To Linda’s orgy.”
Jade’s eyes widened. “What?”
