Bound by lies

Bound by lies
Aeron’s POV

“We should sleep now,” a soft voice murmured behind me.

I turned slightly, already knowing it was Amera. She moved quietly, like a cat, her perfume wrapping around me before her arms did. She pressed herself against my back, resting her chin on my shoulder.

“You’ve been out here too long,” she said, her tone light, teasing. “You’ll catch cold.”

I forced a calm exhale. Her closeness made me stiffen. No matter how many times she touched me, it never felt right — like wearing another man’s skin.

“You go first,” I said evenly, stepping aside and gently freeing myself from her grasp. “I’ll follow. I just need a moment.”

Amera’s lips curved in a slow smile, though there was sharpness behind it. “You always say that.” She took a step closer, her eyes gleaming like molten amber in the dim light. “But I want you with me tonight, Aeron.”

Before I could answer, her hands were on my shoulders, sliding up to the back of my neck. Her breath brushed my cheek — warm, deliberate, possessive.

My pulse quickened. I wasn’t made of stone; the closeness, the heat, the scent — all of it tangled with instinct. But my heart betrayed none of it. My heart was elsewhere, locked in memories of a girl with silver eyes and a broken voice whispering my name.

Still, I couldn’t reveal my thoughts. Not here. Not now.

“Amera…” I began, my voice strained. “It’s been a long day. We should—”

She silenced me with a finger pressed to my lips. “Enough talking.” Her voice dropped into a whisper that trembled with desire. “You’re mine now. My chosen mate. You don’t have to pretend anymore.”

And before I could step back, she kissed me.

It was not gentle — it was demanding, urgent, filled with the kind of fire that consumes rather than warms. Her hands pressed against my chest, and though my mind screamed to stop, my body froze under the weight of it.

I pulled back, breath uneven. “Amera, this isn’t—”

She didn’t let me finish. Her eyes burned with frustration, maybe even desperation. “Don’t you understand?” she hissed. “The packs already see us as one. You can’t keep pushing me away. The Luna will question everything if you do.”

Her words struck home. She was right — one wrong move and my mission would collapse. Fangwood’s Luna already had her doubts; she’d see through any sign of resistance.

I swallowed hard, forcing calm into my voice. “I understand,” I said softly, though every word tasted like ash.

Amera smiled, triumphant, and turned toward the door. “Then come,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.

I followed her inside, the walls seeming to close in as the door shut behind us. The room smelled of roses and burning wax. Shadows danced across the stone walls as the candles flickered in their holders.

She turned to face me again, her gaze burning hotter now — not just lust but power, control. She wanted to prove something. To me. To herself.

But as she stepped close again, something in me shifted. I saw Selene’s face — her soft smile, her wounded strength, the way she used to look at me like I was still worth something. My chest tightened, and for a moment the illusion of Amera blurred.

My breath caught. My body tensed.

Amera noticed the hesitation. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice dropping into a sharp edge.

I tried to hide it, tried to mask the truth, but it was too late. My eyes gave me away.

She narrowed her gaze. “You’re thinking of her, aren’t you?”

I said nothing. Silence was answer enough.

Her expression twisted, fury flashing across her face. “You dare say her name in this room?” she hissed.

“I didn’t—”

“Don’t lie to me!” She struck my chest with both hands, not in weakness but in rage. “I’ve seen how you look when someone mentions that cursed girl. You pity her. You still love her.”

Her accusation hit harder than any blow. I looked away, jaw tight, unable to deny it.

“Amera,” I said finally, my voice low, steady. “You’re my mate in name, but my heart doesn’t belong to you. You knew that from the beginning.”

Her eyes flared, wounded pride warring with fury. “You think you can resist destiny? The Moon Goddess chose me! You’ll mark me — you’ll love me — whether you want to or not!”

She turned as if to storm past me, but I caught her wrist, gently but firmly. “Stop this,” I said quietly. “You’re stronger than this. Don’t let your mother use you for her schemes.”

Her head snapped up, eyes wide. “What did you say?”

I realized too late that I’d said too much. Her expression hardened instantly. “You’ve been listening,” she whispered, her tone dangerous. “You heard us.”

I released her hand and stepped back, heart pounding.

“Amera—”

But she cut me off with a cold, venomous smile. “You should’ve kept pretending, Aeron. Now I’ll have to make sure you can’t betray us.”

Before I could react, she turned and stormed out of the room, her footsteps sharp and swift. I stood frozen, staring after her, realizing what I’d just unleashed.

The game had changed. I was no longer a guest here — I was a threat.