HEART ME

Broken bonds

The dreams we share,
Whispers of love in the air,
In every laughter, in every tear,
You're the reason I'm here.

Pat's Pov

I woke up to the feeling of warmth beside me, my arm resting lightly over Pran. He was squirming, his face contorting as if he was struggling with something in his sleep. I gazed at him lovingly, my heart swelling with every peaceful breath he took. My mate. My Pran. He looked so small, so vulnerable in my bed. I wanted to protect him from everything, hold him close forever.

From the very first moment I met Pran, my heart knew something had shifted. We were so different, like fire and water-his fierce, competitive spirit clashing against my more laid-back nature. He always considered me his rival, and our relationship had often been bitter, filled with playful taunts and heated arguments. Yet, beneath all that, there was a magnetic pull I couldn't ignore.

I had loved him long before I understood what it meant to love someone. There was a thrill in competing with him. I thrived in those moments, even when he shot me down with his quick wit and sharper tongue. Every argument felt like a dance, each word we exchanged another step closer to the bond I craved.

But despite the rivalry, he was always the person I wanted to be around. I found myself drawn to him, wanting to know his thoughts, his dreams, the secrets he kept locked away behind those guarded eyes. He was the sun, and I was the earth, forever circling but never quite able to reach him. Even when he pushed me away, I couldn't help but chase after him, hoping to catch even a glimpse of the light he radiated.

I cherished those moments when we would share the same space, even if it was filled with tension. In those stolen glances and quiet exchanges, I saw the potential for something more, something beautiful. But I didn't know how to bridge that gap, how to turn our rivalry into a bond that felt genuine.

But before I could reach out to soothe him, Pran's eyes flew open. For a moment, he blinked, his gaze unfocused and heavy with sleep. Then, panic set in. He jerked up, his eyes widening when he realized I was there beside him.

"Pat?" His voice was sharp, his eyes darting around the room. He tried to scramble out of bed, but he winced in pain, clutching his side as the memories of last night must've crashed down on him.

I sat up quickly, reaching out to help him. "Pran, wait, it's okay-"

He froze as his eyes scanned the room, taking in the state of us both-naked, the scent of our bonding heavy in the air. His breath hitched, and I could see the confusion, the fear, and the anger rising within him. He wasn't ready for this-not like this.

He started frantically searching for his clothes, his hands trembling. "Where are they?" he muttered under his breath, ignoring me completely.

"Pran, please, calm down. Let me explain-" I reached out to touch his shoulder, but he slapped my hand away hard, making my chest tighten with pain. The rejection stung deeper than I could have imagined.

"Don't touch me," he hissed, his voice quivering. "I-I need to get out of here." His eyes were wild, like a cornered animal, desperate to flee.

Before I could stop him, Pran staggered to his feet and made his way to the door. The moment he swung it open, I froze. Standing right outside was my entire family-Papa Third, Dad Khai, my eldest brother Tine, and my younger brothers Prem and Mork. They must've heard the commotion.

My heart sank as I saw the confusion on their faces. P' Tine , Prem, and Mork knew who Pran was. They'd heard of him, and Dad Khai and Papa Third knew of his family-Pete Vihokratana, one of the most influential businessmen in the human world. But now, as they caught the distinct scent of omega pheromones radiating from him, I saw their expressions change to one of disbelief.