Chained Heart [Lee Know X Bang Chan]

4. False Promises

Author POV

The morning light filtered through the curtains of Bang Chan’s bungalow, casting a soft glow over the disheveled sheets and the two figures entangled in them. Minho stirred first, his mind still heavy with the events of the previous night. The marks on his neck throbbed, a constant reminder of the bond that had been forced upon him. He turned his head to look at Chan, who was still asleep beside him, his face a picture of serene indifference.

Although Minho felt pain at first, he later felt an overwhelming pleasure during their mating that made him blush just thinking about it. The Alpha had later touched him delicately, savoring his body.

For a moment, Minho allowed himself to imagine a future where they could be happy together, where Chan would stand up for him and protect him from the cruel world that sought to tear him apart. With a small smile, he gently shook Chan’s shoulder to wake him.

"Good morning," Minho whispered, his voice soft and filled with a fragile hope.

Chan opened his eyes slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep. He looked at Minho with a lazy gaze, as if he were still deciding whether to acknowledge his presence or not.

"Morning," Chan mumbled, stretching his arms above his head. The muscles in his arms rippled, a testament to his alpha strength. He didn’t seem to notice the way Minho was watching him with such longing.

Minho hesitated for a moment, then finally gathered the courage to speak. "Chan... when will you speak to my father about the proposal? You know... about us getting married?"

There was a moment of silence, and then Chan’s lips curled into a smirk. He chuckled lightly, but the sound was void of any warmth. "Marriage? Who said anything about marriage, Minho?"

Minho’s heart plummeted. He stared at Chan, unable to believe what he was hearing. "But... you marked me. You said—"

Chan cut him off with a sharp laugh. "I said I’d mark you. I never said I’d marry you. Don’t get your hopes up, Minho. You’re just a pretty little omega. A good plaything. Did you really think I’d be stupid enough to tie myself down to someone like you?"

The words hit Minho like a slap to the face. The fragile hope he had nurtured since the night before shattered into a thousand pieces, each one cutting deeper than the last. He couldn’t breathe. The room suddenly felt too small, too suffocating.

Minho scrambled out of the bed, his hands shaking as he hastily gathered his clothes. His mind was racing, a frantic rush of thoughts that he couldn’t control. He had to get out. He had to leave before he completely fell apart in front of Chan.

But just as he reached the door, Chan’s hand shot out, grabbing him by the wrist and yanking him back with a force that made Minho stumble. "Where do you think you’re going?" Chan’s voice was low, almost a growl.

"Let me go," Minho pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes. "Please, just let me go."

Chan’s grip tightened. "You’re not going anywhere, Minho. Not after last night. You belong to me now."

He dragged Minho across the room, ignoring the omega’s desperate attempts to free himself. Minho’s protests grew louder, but they fell on deaf ears as Chan pulled him down to the basement, a cold, dark space that reeked of dampness and isolation.

With a cold smirk, Chan pushed Minho into the basement and locked the door behind him. The darkness swallowed Minho whole, and he collapsed to the floor, his body shaking with sobs. He had never felt so betrayed, so utterly helpless.

Hours passed, or maybe it was days—Minho couldn’t tell. The darkness played tricks on his mind, making it difficult to keep track of time. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and his throat was dry from crying. All he could do was curl up in a corner, trying to make himself as small as possible.

It wasn’t until the door creaked open that Minho looked up, hope flickering weakly in his chest. But it wasn’t Chan who stood in the doorway. It was his younger brother, Bang Changbin.

"Well, well," Changbin said, his voice dripping with mockery. "What do we have here? A lost little omega?"

Minho tried to stand, but his legs were too weak to support him. "Please... help me," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Changbin stepped into the room, his dark eyes glinting with something Minho couldn’t quite place. He reached out a hand, and for a moment, Minho thought he might actually help him.

But then Changbin’s hand shot out, grabbing Minho by the chin and forcing him to look up. "You really thought Chan would want someone like you?" he sneered. "You’re nothing, Minho. Just a toy for us to play with."

Minho’s eyes widened in fear, but he was too weak to fight back as Changbin pulled him to his feet and led him out of the basement. For a moment, he thought Changbin was taking him to safety, but that hope was quickly dashed when they reached the mansion’s main hall.

Changbin shoved Minho against the wall, his hand sliding down to grip Minho’s throat. "You should’ve known better than to trust an alpha," he hissed, his voice filled with cruel amusement. "But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you learn your lesson."

Minho’s breath hitched as Changbin leaned in closer, his eyes dark with intent. The world around him blurred, and all he could focus on was the fear that wrapped around him like a vise, choking the life out of him.

But before Changbin could do anything, the door to the mansion slammed open, and Chan stepped inside. His eyes narrowed at the sight before him, and a low growl rumbled in his chest.

"Changbin, get your hands off him," Chan ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

Changbin hesitated for a moment, but then he let go of Minho and stepped back, a smirk playing on his lips. "Just having a bit of fun, hyung. No need to get so worked up."

Chan’s eyes flicked to Minho, who was trembling against the wall, his eyes wide with fear. "Get out, Changbin. Now."

Changbin shrugged, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I’ll leave you to your little pet." He shot Minho one last look before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

As soon as Changbin was gone, Chan crossed the room and pulled Minho into his arms. Minho flinched, but Chan’s grip was firm, holding him close.

"Don’t ever try to run from me again," Chan whispered, his voice a dangerous mix of anger and possessiveness. "You’re mine, Minho. Remember that."

Minho nodded weakly, too exhausted and terrified to do anything else. His heart ached with the realization that he was trapped, caught in a web of lies and false promises with no way out.

Chan stroked Minho’s hair, his touch almost gentle as he whispered in his ear, "Good. Now let’s go upstairs and get you cleaned up. We wouldn’t want anyone to see you like this, would we?"

Minho’s only response was a silent tear that slipped down his cheek, the weight of his situation crushing him from the inside out. The predator had caught its prey, and there was no escape.