Chapter 119 CRACKED BOND

Chapter 119 CRACKED BOND
For a second, it didn’t feel real. Adam’s voice had gone soft. Too soft for the way Adam would normally speak to anyone who isn't Kael.

“Alpha…”

And then he moved.

One step.

Then another… straight toward Vance. Like nothing else existed. Like Kael wasn’t even there.

Kael’s hand shot out instantly, grabbing Adam’s wrist and pulling him back.

“Adam.”

No response.

Adam’s eyes stayed locked on Vance, his body straining forward like something invisible was pulling him.

“Adam, stop.” Kael tried, but Adam had been entranced and can't perceive nothing but Vance.

Kael’s chest tightened.

He pulled Adam fully against him this time, holding him firmly.

“Mate.”

His voice dropped into that heavy and commanding Alpha voice.

“Look at me.”

It rolled out of him like pressure in the air itself, thick and undeniable.

The kind of voice no one with a lower rank could ignore.

The kind that bent wills.

But—

Adam didn’t react. Not even a flinch. His gaze stayed on Vance, his body still trying to move forward.

Kael’s grip tightened.

“Adam,” he tried again, sharper this time. “Mate.”

But still… nothing.

Adam’s lips parted slightly.

“Alpha…”

But it wasn’t meant for him. It was for Vance.

Kael felt something inside him snap. Not loudl, nor violently. Just cold.

Vance let out a soft chuckle.

Kael’s eyes snapped to him.

There was mockery sitting plainly in Vance’s gaze.

Enjoyment.

“Your Alpha voice can’t control him,” Vance said calmly.

Kael’s jaw tightened.

“Because he has my mark now,” Vance continued. “And his wolf doesn’t know you.”

Adam shifted again in Kael’s hold, trying to move forward.

“Archie may love you,” Vance added softly, “but he’s not bound to you.”His lips curved slightly. “His Alpha is me.”

Kael’s arms tightened around Adam, holding him still.

“When you marked him,” Vance went on, “you didn’t reach his wolf. That’s why I could easily replace your mark.”

His eyes flicked briefly to Adam’s neck.

“But when I marked him…” he said quietly, “I reached his wolf and his wolf gladly accepted me. He belongs to me.”

Heavy silence stretched for a second…

Then—

“Vance.”

Kael’s voice came out in a low warning.

Vance tilted his head.

“What?” he asked lightly. “Is it my fault that the almighty true blood Alpha couldn’t properly bond his mate?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately.

He just held Adam tighter.

His eyes dark.

“I keep letting you off for old time’s sake,” Kael said slowly. “But you crossed the line when you touched my mate.”

Adam shifted again, still trying to move toward Vance.

“And I’m going to make you pay.”

Vance hummed softly.

“Don’t get angry so quickly,” he said. “I just came to show you what I can do.”

He gestured lazily toward Adam.

“You see how your mate is still under the urge to obey my command?”

Kael’s grip tightened even more.

“Let go of him,” Vance added, “and see how he walks straight to me.”

Kael’s expression didn’t change.

“Get out.”

The words came out flat but it was cold and final.

Vance responded with a slow and satisfied smile.

“Of course,” he said lightly, lifting his hands slightly. “I’ll go.”

He turned without hurry, and walked away.

Just like that.

Like he had already won something.

The moment he disappeared from sight—

Adam’s body stilled. The tension left him all at once.

His eyes blinked, confusion settling in.

Kael immediately turned him around, hands moving to his shoulders.

“Hey,” he said quickly. “Look at me.”

Adam blinked again, his gaze finally focusing on Kael.

“What just happened?” he asked. NoHis voice sounded distant, like he had just woken up.

Kael’s expression softened instantly.

“Nothing important,” he said quietly. “Let’s go back inside. It’s getting cold.”

Adam frowned slightly, but didn’t argue.

“Oh… okay.”

Kael didn’t let go of him, not for a second.

They walked back inside together, hand in hand, but Kael’s grip was tighter now. Protective… almost desperate.

Once inside, the door shut behind them.

The air felt quieter and safer.

They moved into the sitting area and sat down.

Adam leaned back slightly, still looking a bit unsettled.

Kael stood for a moment instead of sitting. Watching him, thinking, struggling… then finally—

He spoke.

“If I told you…” Kael started slowly, “that it would hurt if I marked you again…”

Adam looked up at him.

“…would you still let me do it?”

Adam blinked. “Hurt as in painful?”

Kael nodded.

“Yes,” he said. “More painful than the first.”

Adam’s expression shifted immediately.

“When Vance marked me…” he said slowly, “it was really painful.”

His hand moved unconsciously toward his neck.

“I bled so much.”

He swallowed.

“I’m not sure I want to experience that again.”

Kael stepped closer.

“But it’s me,” he said softly. “Not Vance.”

Adam let out a small breath.

“I know,” he said. “But…”

He hesitated.

Then looked up again.

“Can’t it be on another spot?” he asked. “Does it have to be the same place?”

Kael shook his head.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “I have to replace his mark. Not just give you one more.”

Adam looked away, his fingers curling slightly against the couch.

“And if I don’t want that?” he asked.

The question hung in the air, heavy and unavoidable.