Elena's mind spiraled.
She had saved him—but at what cost?
Her fingers trembled as they brushed over her mark, the skin still warm, pulsing with an unfamiliar energy. Bound. That word echoed in her mind, wrapping around her like chains.
Leon wasn't lying—she could feel it. Something within her had changed the moment his fangs had pierced her skin.
She was tied to him now.
Forever.
"You should have told me," Elena whispered, her voice hoarse.
Leon's silver eyes darkened. "Would it have changed your choice?"
Elena opened her mouth—then stopped.
Would it?
Her instinct had been to save him. To keep him alive. But she hadn't known the full weight of her actions. She had stepped into this blindly, and now—she could never take it back.
Leon exhaled sharply, turning away. His movements were tense, controlled. Too controlled. He was struggling—fighting something within himself.
Elena took a hesitant step forward. "What does this bond mean for you?"
Leon stilled. Then, after a long pause, he finally turned to face her.
"It means…" His voice was strained. "That I will crave you, Elena."
Elena's breath hitched.
Leon ran a hand through his hair, his muscles taut with restraint. There was a rawness in his gaze—a hunger.
"The bond makes it harder to resist," he continued. "Your blood… it's unlike anything I've ever tasted. And now that I've marked you, it will only get worse."
Elena's heart pounded. She could hear the danger in his tone.
"So what do we do?" she asked.
Leon's jaw clenched. "You stay away from me."
Elena blinked. "What?"
Leon's eyes burned into hers. "You need to keep your distance."
"No." Her voice was firm. She wasn't running away. Not after everything. "You said it yourself—the bond is permanent. Keeping our distance won't change that."
Leon let out a bitter laugh. "It will stop me from losing control."
Elena swallowed hard. She wasn't afraid of him.
But she understood his fear.
"You won't hurt me," she said, meeting his gaze.
Leon's expression darkened. "You don't know that."
Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.
Elena took another step forward. Leon tensed.
He was fighting this—fighting himself.
And for the first time, Elena realized just how much control it took for him to be around her.
She had seen glimpses of his monstrous side before. But now, standing here—she saw the man battling the beast inside him.
And the terrifying part?
She wasn't sure which side would win.