Chapter-52

~ELYSIA~

The quiet of the night was shattered by the sound of breaking glass, pulling me from my thoughts. My eyes snapped to the window and I watched a figure emerge from the alley, its silhouette unmistakable. Shit! I couldn't help thinking as I recognized Alex. It had been two days since our bond had been broken, and up until now, I had managed to avoid any encounter with him.

I peered closer, realizing he wasn't quite steady on his feet. I gave a shake of my head, the thought dancing through my mind, "What the hell, Alex, are you drunk?"

Moving away from the window, I made my way over to the door, then stepping out onto the stairwell lending, I called, "What do you want?" The question echoing down toward him clearly revealed my annoyance.

Alex stumbled forward, his eyes reflecting a mix of anger and something I couldn't quite place. "You've been hiding from me," he slurred.

I raised an eyebrow. "I've been working, keeping my distance. What do you expect?"

He staggered closer, and I caught a whiff of whiskey and desperation. "I can feel it," he said, his voice hoarse. "The bond. It's not gone. It's still there… Just... different."

My heart plummeted to my toes. I'd felt something, a lingering presence, but I had pushed it aside, not wanting to believe. "Madame Okta said it was broken," I murmured, denying his words.

Alex's eyes searched my face, shaking his head. "We're still connected, but it's weak. And it's killing me."

The raw pain in his words hit me like a sledgehammer. Despite everything that had happened, I didn't wish him pain. "Why are you here, then?" I asked, my voice softer now.

He took a deep breath, his eyes once again meeting mine. "Because I need to know. Are you going to keep fighting it, or are you going to help me figure out a way to fix what you caused?"

I stepped back into the doorframe, preparing to shut him out. "Now, why would I do that? I never wanted it in the first place," I snapped.

Alex stumbled a little closer to the stairwell, his gaze bouncing around, as if searching for the words he couldn't quite grasp. "Because... because we're meant to be together. You know it as much as I do." His voice was thick with emotion and desperation.

I sighed, looking down at him. The truth was, I'd been having dreams that carried the faint echo of our bond. Visions at the edges of my consciousness, whispering sweet nothings that I didn't want to hear. But I couldn't tell him that.

"You don't get it," I said, my voice low. "This isn't a fairy tale, Alex. Bonds like ours... they're not meant to be."

He placed a foot on the first step, his hand resting on the banister. "Look at me," he demanded. "Look at me and tell me you don't feel it."

Reluctantly, I met his eyes. The bond was there, I couldn't deny it. It still called to me, but I knew the cost was too high.

"I feel it," I finally admitted. "But we don't belong together, Alex. The Universe got it wrong. We aren't meant to be!"

Alex shook his head, the desperation in his eyes replaced by a steely resolve. "You're wrong."

"No, Alex," I hissed, my words hard. "I'm not. Now, go away!"

The silence that followed my dismissal was deafening.

He took a step back, his hand dropping to his side. "I... I don't know if I can do that."

I turned away, moving further into the safety of my apartment, putting distance between us as he took another step up the stairwell. "We have nothing to talk about," I said, my voice firm. "The bond is not meant to be, Alex. It's time to move on."

The room felt heavier as the truth settled in. The bond might be weak, but the connection was still there. And as much as I wanted to deny it, a part of me yearned for it. But I couldn't give in to it.

"Fine," Alex said, his voice tight. "But know this: I won't stop searching for a way to fix this. And if you ever decide to recognize our bond... I'll be waiting."

With that, he turned and left, quietly disappearing into the night.

Shutting the door behind me, I leaned against it. The bond was still there, a thread connecting us, and as much as I tried to ignore it, I knew it would always be a part of me. But for now, I had to focus on me. I had to find a way to stop the constant pull. And maybe, just maybe, figure out what the hell was going on with this new, weakened bond that seemed to have a mind of its own.