Ryder
I took a step closer to Ariana, my heart pounding as I watched her, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her defiance was written all over her face, but the way she was breathing told a different story. She was affected—whether she wanted to admit it or not. I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a low murmur as I spoke, “The mate bond between us… it’s irresistible, Ariana. You feel it too, don’t you? The obsession I have for you—it’s something that can’t just be written off.”
She didn’t respond right away. Her eyes locked onto mine, the fire in them burning brighter, but I could see the hesitation flickering behind her anger. That hesitation made me push harder, hoping to break through the walls she’d built around herself.
“Why are you fighting so hard to resist me?” I asked
