Chapter 0053

I flinched back.

He raised his hands in a placating gesture.

“Sorry. I invaded your space. You clearly don’t like that. My bad. Personal boundaries aren’t exactly my forte.”

Theodore moved to sit on the faded sofa beneath the window.

His intense green eyes flicked to the glass I was clutching.

“Planning to use that as a weapon?”

“No... I wasn’t...” The thought hadn't occurred to me until now. Maybe it wasn't a terrible idea.

“Relax, it’s not poison. I’m not an idiot. I have no desire to have Alexander disembowel me. It’s just water. From the dispenser.” He gestured toward what I assumed was a kitchen.

I still didn’t take a sip.

“When were you unbound?” Theodore asked out of the blue.

“What?”

He pointed to his own ears. “Those are a dead giveaway.”

“Not long ago,” I mumbled.

“It’s a nightmare, right? The hearing is the worst part. Feels like your skull might split open. Do those help?” He nodded at my earplugs.

“A little. It’s... still overwhelmingly loud.”

“Took me a solid year to adjust.”

“You were bound?” I couldn’t hide the shock in my voice.

He nodded.

“Alpha Alexander did that?” I knew his feelings about my binding. I couldn’t picture him doing it to someone else.

“God, no. I was born into a different pack. I wasn't what they wanted. ‘Too clever for your own good.’ That’s what they always told me. When school started, Alexander and Sebastian were the only ones who didn’t torment me. They stood up for me. Brought me back here. Alexander let me stay.”

Alpha Alexander had saved him. Given him a new life.

“They bound you for being smart?”

“Ridiculous, isn’t it? Why were you bound?”

“I...” I wasn’t sure if Alpha Alexander wanted me sharing this. “I was framed for my parents’ murder.” I stuck to that story, avoiding the whole firstborn monster mess.

“Damn. People are seriously messed up.”

“You... you don’t have a mark.” His neck was completely bare.

“Not every binding is broken the same way. For me, Alexander found someone who could undo it. The hearing... it does get better, eventually.” He offered me a grin. “Now, come on. You need to practice.”

I settled into the chair while he remained on the old sofa, respecting the space between us.

When Alexander returned, he entered without knocking.

He asked how I was progressing.

“She’s getting there,” Theodore answered.

I saw him wink. “But like I said, she won’t be a master reader by morning. It’ll take time. Daily practice.”

“That’s enough for today. She’ll return tomorrow. Same time?”

“Sure. Maybe just bring your own water bottle next time. I’d prefer Athena not suspect me of attempted poisoning.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow at me as Theodore laughed.

I was utterly mortified.

We walked back across the grounds.

Alexander’s hand was wrapped tightly around mine.

“Did... did you take me to him because... he was bound once?” I whispered as his pace quickened.

“Did it help?”

“No... I...” I pulled my hand free and stopped walking. My feelings were a jumbled mess.

His rough fingers gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“I thought it might help, knowing you aren’t alone in this. And Theodore is a good man. I’d prefer you didn’t accuse him of poisoning you.”

“I didn’t accuse him.”

“You considered it.”

“I... You were reading my mind and you still left me there.” Annoyance began to simmer inside me.

“I was right outside. If Theodore had tried anything, I would have known.”

My scowl deepened. “You were testing me?”