Ready Or Not

A war. The idea of being caught in the middle of something massive and dangerous sent a chill down her spine. Her whole life had been defined by routine, by control. She was a nurse who thrived in situations where every move mattered, where she could predict the next step, the following consequence. But this? This was unpredictable. This was chaos.

The weight of Sultan's unwavering and protective gaze was enough to steady her, but only just. She could feel the bond between them, the invisible thread that tied their fates together, pulsing with an intensity she couldn't explain. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

"I don't know how to be ready for something like this; I don't know how to fight supernaturals. I don't even know who I am anymore."

Sultan leaned closer, his amber eyes filled with understanding. "You don't have to know everything right away. No one expects you to. But you're stronger than you think, Leandra. That power inside you is real and will help you when the time comes."

Leandra swallowed hard, her mind still reeling from the magnitude of it all. Her entire life had been one thing—simple, grounded, predictable—and now, it felt like she was standing at the edge of a precipice, about to fall into a world she didn't understand. A world filled with magic, danger, and supernatural forces she still couldn't fully comprehend.

She glanced up at Sultan, his presence so strong, commanding, and yet somehow comforting. He had offered her protection, a lifeline in this storm. But the truth was, she was afraid. Afraid of what lay ahead, scared of who she might become.

"How do you know I won't fail?" she asked.

Sultan's gaze was unwavering, his voice low and steady. "Because you're my mate. I feel your strength and potential, just like I feel our bond. You may not see it yet, but it's there. And when the time comes, you'll rise to meet whatever challenges come your way. You were meant for this, Leandra. You were meant for more."

His words sent a shiver through her, settling deep in her chest. It wasn't just about him believing in her—it was something more, something primal. There was a certainty in his voice, in how he spoke about their bond, that made her want to believe him. It was as if some part of her, hidden deep inside, already knew what he was saying was true.

Leandra took a deep breath to steady herself. She was strong, and it was time to stop being so fearful.

Sultan's reached out, gently taking her hand in his. The warmth of his touch sent a shock through her, the bond between them pulsing. "You don't have to be ready right now," he said, his voice low and soothing. "All you have to do is trust me. We'll take this one step at a time. You're not alone in this, Leandra. You'll never be alone now that I've found you."

His words wrapped around her like a blanket, offering her comfort. She didn't fully understand their bond or what it meant for her future, but something about how he looked at her—fierce, protective, and unwavering—made her trust him.

She squeezed his hand, her voice a little shakey but solid and sure. "Okay. I'll try."

Sultan's gaze softened, a flicker of relief passing through his amber eyes. "That's all I ask."

They sat silently for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. Leandra could feel the steady rhythm of Sultan's breathing, the way his presence seemed to fill the room, anchoring her in a world that felt like it was spinning out of control. She wasn't sure what the future held, but she didn't feel completely lost for the first time since this whole thing began.

She had Sultan.