Contract Bound [Rewriting]

Chapter EIGHT

Skylar accompanied Belinda to her home. As they strolled down the streets of the town, Belinda spotted a group of friends conversing and laughing in front of the karaoke bar. When the tall, dark-haired man called out her name, Skylar and she paused.

Skylar's eyebrows furrowed. "Do you know Denarius?"

Denarius said bye to his friends and headed toward them, exuding arrogance with each step. Belinda had heard of the man, but they had never crossed words. "No. Do you?"

He stopped before them, a smile on his full, even lips. "Have you spoken to your parents yet?"

"About what, exactly?"

"My mother has chosen me as your guardian."

Skylar choked on air, whilst Belinda remained glued to the ground, staring at him. Finally recollecting herself, Belinda said just above a whisper, "I never agreed to this." She pivoted and hurried down the isolated streets toward her home. How could they think she'd be comfortable with someone she didn't know following her everywhere?

"Belinda, wait." Skylar struggled to keep up. "Please. You need to relax. Your family simply wants to make sure you're safe."

A gasp escaped her lips when she slammed into Denarius. "Get out of my way."

He grasped her hand and her eyes flew wide open as strings encircled his wrist, emanating from the bangle he wore whose designs matched hers in every delicate detail. Her bangle glowed a soft champagne color, and the thread-like strings dissipated into it, sending a wave of warmth through her.

"Forgive me, but it's not up for discussion."

She wrenched her arm free and glared at him. "What the hell did you do?"

"My magic binds me to you now, so you won't be able to leave this town without me." She pushed him aside, pausing when he continued. "When you rejected Fane, you should have been placed under our protection from day one. My mother shouldn't have waited this long." She turned to him to see the disappointment in his bright green eyes, which stood out against his deep brown skin.

"I had to sign the contract."

He approached her, his gaze never leaving hers. "No. You weren't forced to, but they used our ignorance to their advantage. No one had ever rejected a beloved before."

"Enough, son."

After he retreated a step, Belinda turned to find Corina standing in the opened front door. "Please, come in. We have much to discuss."

Belinda moved to the living room where her parents waited. "I don't want a guardian."

"Then you will not leave this town," her father said. "Darlin', please. You need the protection necessary until we capture Dante."

"We still don't know for sure that it's him."

"You should train like any other slayer," Corina said. "You need to learn to protect yourself against any supernatural."

"And if I refuse? You can't keep me here against my will."

Before Corina could say anything, Skylar draped an arm around her shoulders and said, "I think it's a great idea. I'd love to protect myself if it ever came down to it."

Corina's focus now shifted to her. "You and I have much to discuss as well, child."

"Child? I'm almost twenty—"

"What sort of relationship do you have with Nico?"

"That's none of your concern."

Corina approached Skylar, concern etched on her freckled face. "King of the werewolves. What do you think that means?" She sighed. "Even if he changed his face, his fragrance is the same. Let's be thankful no other werewolf tracked him to this town."