Not edited..

***

Lana's POV

  It was a moment of that full awareness, yet with that slight over doze it turned your head into a complete blur, and I lost track of reality at that point. My lips parted in order to speak, but the words were unwilling to take a fight.. I heard myself saying one name. "Christian," And with that questionable tone in my voice, I was almost interrupted by crash in that same exact moment, loud yet so muted in my ears. I turn, but so much slower than usual, unable to snap out of that sudden trance chaining my thoughts. I saw that picture in front of me, I heard Christian's voice calling out for me, but my mind was refusing to register anything but that shock that left me nearly numb.

  It was that kind of quickness in all the actions around me that went by in seconds, like a flash.. Nothing to be done about it.. Especially not when my mind was screaming with that longing to be released from the words I heard just seconds ago, yet my body refused to listen.. Perhaps I didn't want to accept it.. Something refused to let it sink in.

I remember taking a small step backwards, watching how everyone is doing something in order to stop that sudden chaos.. I could feel the glass crunching underneath my shoes.. The window broken, the attackers already inside, and my brain still had trouble processing what was going on. It was seconds.. Only seconds since everything flashed in front of me, but it felt like someone had put the sight before me in slow motion as well as my thoughts.

  Until I felt a harsh grip against my forearm, and my body was swung on the side. I thought I would crash on the floor, and in that moment my mind came to some sense.. It was almost as if I was numb till then.. When I just simply felt a burning sharp pain on the side of my other arm, and I realized it was from a piece from the now broken dresser.. It would've stabbed through my skin right underneath my elbow if I wasn't pulled on the side.

  It all ended fast, like it was a joke, or my mind just played games with me.. But like someone had snapped their fingers to stop, and everything was just left crashed and broken around. I came to the conclusion when my hearing was no more as muted as it was and it was quiet unlike the muted noises and voice I heard just seconds before. Whatever happened, whoever just crashed inside had done their job and left so quickly that I wasn't even aware it had happened. The only proof for me were the muted voices and noises I heard while it happened, the crashed window and a few other things, and the large cut on my forearm.

  Christian was still holding my other arm, simply keeping me in place when I decided to look up.. I glanced at him, and I knew exactly how questionable the look in my eyes was, because even though we were all taken by surprise, the things tonight came one after another for me, and the shock in one moment made my heart stop and then simply continuing with a rapid beat.. Followed by a few repeats. And that all, struggling to get processed in my head.. It just had me confused and lost in the exact spot.

  My eyelids felt slightly heavy.. I blinked.. And my stomach was a little nauseous. I glanced towards Christian's other hand, just covered in blood that wasn't even his. But I wasn't exactly in the mood to ask whose heart he just ripped out. And I don't think I could even if I wanted to. Again, I looked up at him.. Blinked.. Looked back at his hand.. "Lana," I heard his voice, and my eyes focused back up on his, but they moved fast, filled with some kind of worry and dread as he scanned my face, then the rest of me until I felt him take a hold of my hand to have a look at the cut on my arm.

  I couldn't follow up. My eyelids were still heavy.. And my head started feeling dizzy.. I slowly blinked again, trying to ignore the nauseousness in my stomach.. It wasn't going away. People would think it was the picture of blood that made me sick, but that wasn't it. It was something sudden and heavy.. And I was still dizzy.. And with each blink, my eyes kept closing up on me. My heartbeat slowed down and I heard myself starting to breathe more rhythmically.

  The last thing I recall doing is looking up at Christian, hearing bunch of things and a "Are you alright?" before that darkness crept from the corners of my eyes and my mind went completely blank. I lost my senses within seconds, and my body went numb. I know that the last time I blinked, my brain shut off, and I passed out.

~

A few hours earlier.

The day seemed to go alright.. Everyone had their rest after finding the necklace and now the only thing that had to be done was to find a spell that would help find a way to kill that Adam guy.. I on the other hand didn't find out much about Alexander, but it's only been a day since I talked to Marco about it, and I trusted him.. I knew he was going to help me out.

  Christian on the other hand.. I wasn't sure how much I trusted him.. Not with my life for sure. But definitely for those little escapes from reality.. I didn't really know what it was that I had with him. It was no relationship because it was crystal clear to both of us that there were no feelings attached. I mean, that's exactly what we said..

And God, I know it was supposed to be a one time thing, but last night at the roof we had a moment.. A kiss which definitely left me senseless but at the same time my mind screamed for more.. And yes, we decided not to tell, but there was still something there.. It's funny how I didn't know what I feel, and perhaps it wasn't a feeling, but it was this wondering inside me.. How good it was.. How good it might be..

I looked at myself in the mirror. I have lost my mind, I thought.. Instead of taking that as a mistake and moving on, I was actually repeating it in my head. I finished up the bun on top of my head, letting a few of the short stands just fall on the sides of my face. I was in a dress and for everyone that knew me, that was not really a common thing.

I basically never wore dresses, unless my mother forced me to, for some celebration or a holiday. And this light yellow one wasn't even mine. It was Amanda's.. She gave it to me the same night I mysteriously ended up unconscious in the woods. This dress, or any other dress really, was definitely not me, but the material was very soft and light, and the last thing I needed was unstretchable jeans.

So once I finished getting my hair out of the way, I looked at myself in the mirror, and if someone hadn't seen me in a long time, I would be unrecognizable to them. My hair was still the same dark chocolate brown, but it had highlights from the sun. My skin had became tanner than it was since I spent some time wandering in the woods on the sun, and when I got in Moondale, before the whole drama started, I walked the streets for a few hours, so my skin absorbed a pretty good amount of sun.

It made me look fresher I guess. At least it was what I liked to think.. And I was the kind of girl that avoided makeup as much as possible, just because I was too lazy to have to wipe it off afterwards.. But today was that kind of day.. I felt girlie so showered my worries away, I put on a summery dress in the lightest yellow color, I tied my hair into a bun and put some mascara and lip gloss to freshen myself up. And I actually felt like everything was going to fine. I was actually calmed and in the mood for once, which was exactly what would make me unrecognizable to some people.

I checked my look in the mirror the last time. It was definitely not me, but it felt good freshening up a bit. I ran my hands down the dress, wondering if it was maybe too short? How would I know.. It was five fingers over my knees, which made it decent I guess. Besides, it's not like I was going to wear hills. I was a pretty short girl, and this was a summery dress. It couldn't be provocative even if I tired.

A slight knock on the already opened door was heard, and all it took was for me to look in the corner of the mirror to see that it was actually Christian. I turned to face him, just letting that smile stretch my lips as I looked at him. "Hey," He walked in slowly, rising a brow. "Someone's in the mood to day.. I'll guess that you got some good news?"

I checked my phone the same second her said that before throwing it back on the bed. "No, I haven't heard from Marco yet.. Hopefully I will."

"When did you wake up?" Right. I slightly made the bed as a mask, but he got me.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Uh, an hour ago-.. ish." I sent him a quick smile, but I could still see the shock in his eyes.

"Lana, it's 2pm." He said that in a way of trying to make his point, but I didn't see why it was such a surprise to him. He especially knew how damn tired I was last night.

"I didn't sleep, Christian. I was tired, but I just couldn't shut down." I stopped, looking on the side before I mumbled.. "So, around four, I went for a run. And when I got back, I fell asleep."

It seemed like he just regretted walking in here. "That was you?" He pointed at me like he was scolding me, but I couldn't help but laugh at him. "I knew I heard someone walk down the stairs." I watched how his expression turned serious. "Lana, you can't run around the woods alone at 4 in the morning."

"Why not?" That was actually kind of obvious. I knew why not, I just felt eager to bark back. I took a few steps towards him, uncrossing my arms. "Christian, I don't need you to protect me." Silence fell over for a few seconds. He scanned me, almost like he was trying to read my expression.. His eyes were always the darkest brown color which made them appear black, and no matter the spark in them, I was not able to read him the way he did me. But I didn't need distractions.. I was serious. I didn't need his protection.

Though he really had sharp features. His cheekbones were high, edgy just like the rest of the lines on his face. His dark brows made him appear more intimidating than he was at times. And he really had the perfect lips. I could kiss him right now, and I wouldn't even care.. I mentally slapped myself. See, that's exactly what I hated about this situation. I knew it was wrong. I knew that I shouldn't. But God, maybe I was attracted to him more than I was supposed to.

I looked away. "I'm not trying to protect you." I glanced back up at him as he said that, but he just seemed like he was still searching for words. "But we did make a deal." I heard myself slowly exhale as he said that. Correct we made a deal. And that was the reason why he acted the way he did.. Just keeping his side of the deal.

I didn't know what to say. "Right." I nodded my head in agreement, and offered a quick smile. I turned on the side just to fold the t-shirt I slept in, because it was kind of what gave me away that I slept in late. "Oh, and if you want the roof, you can use it. I hope the view fascinates you as much as it does me.." I didn't think of my words until I heard myself saying them.. The last thing I wanted was to bring up last night because.. Because I didn't need unfortunate tension. But I did want to change the subject.. Maybe it wasn't my day after all..

He didn't say anything for a few seconds. "That's not why I came here." I thought that when I get used to his voice, I wouldn't feel the chills down my spine whenever I heard that cold tone.. That seriousness behind his words. I thought it wouldn't work like that, but it did.. Every time I heard that rasp of coldness, I was eager to listen more. The silence is killing me, he told me this that night, in between those kisses, and it was the same tone in his voice as now.

"Then why did you?" My voice came out a bit louder than I intended.. I felt like I snapped at him, not only because I dropped the shirt I was holding, but because I also looked at him like I was angry at him. I knew he noticed it.. And I didn't have the intention to get angry.. Why would I? I mean, I shouldn't feel offended when he said that he was only protecting me because we made a deal. I meant nothing to him. We were supposed to be enemies for God's sake. It should be enough just somewhat getting along with him.

It was quick till I decided to change the subject again, and I didn't let him answer. "Look, I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have done that, and I know I shouldn't mention this right now, but I feel like I need to apologize." I stopped, but not long enough to take in the air. "And I know we agreed that nothing else should happen and I want you to know that I'm completely relieved with that decision, because.." Why was even talking about kissing him? I didn't want to apologize. But I was mentioning it now, and perhaps that was a bigger mistake than anything else. "it shouldn't." God Christian, say something. I needed him to stop me. "Right?" I finally ended that with a question, and he just stared at me for a few seconds.

I thought my hands were shaking.. I cleared my throat and looked on the side. It was his turn to talk. "Yea." He finally answered, but how the hell was he so calmed? Or distracted? This was stressing for me.. He should stress too. However, I was fast to cover it up. I cleared my throat, nodded my head and looked on the side. I definitely did not want to start this day with a conversation like this.. And I was really not planning on saying anything. I don't know why I did.

I glanced back at him, watching how his eyes scanned me, almost like he took in every single feature of mine.. Focusing on my eyes, then my lips.. Then all over again. There was a small space between the two of us, so it was enough for him to lean closer slightly for me to get that unbelievable skip in my chest. He frowned like he didn't understand something, seeming like he didn't even listen to what I just said, just so slowly taking a step closer. I thought I would want to back away, but instead I was glued to my spot, my eyes - on him.

"Just,-" He released a sharper breath and all I know is that I felt his hand on the side of my face almost in a way of directing me as he leaned closer.. Closer and closer.. Until we were so close that I only saw that blurry yet so damn perfect picture if his face, just those dark eyes, a dark stand of his hair hanging messily over his forehead and that perfectly tanned color of his skin.. I thought I had lost myself and I wasn't even really aware that my thoughts were focusing on nothing else but him. And then I felt his lips against mine. Parting in a kiss that was so quick, it cut my breath.. My eyes closed.. My mind went blank. And once again, I was responding the same way as always. Lost in something so simple yet so damn difficult that not even I could understand.

It's hard to explain how I felt in moments like that.. My hands itched to touch him even though they were already pressed against his chest.. My mind screamed from how randomizing my thoughts were.. And I felt like the deeper I kissed him back, the more satisfaction I got from it. I swear it was addictive. Unbelievably addictive..

  Only seconds ago we were talking exactly why we shouldn't even look at each other, but he ended that conversation with starting this make out session that I don't think my heart was handling well.. I thought that if he stopped or moved away in that second, it would only let that moan escape me, because I felt like I was left begging and whining for more each time he pressed his lips against mine. And I swear it was stronger than me.. Perhaps because of the situation I was in, away from home and feeling safe around him.. When he was the one person I was supposed to run from.

My fingers completely intertwined in his hair, already messing it up when he moved away enough to leave a kiss on the side of my chin, my jaw, lower and lower,- My God I was left breathless. It's like in moments like that we were both desperate for more, and every level of that pleasure heightened every single sense of mine. And it seemed like we were both aware of the consequences of what might happen if someone found out, but neither of us seemed to care when our lips touched.. Skin burning, minds lost..

Well, at least not until footsteps against the stairs were heard, and with the doors opened right behind us, there was nothing else to do other than to stop.. My heart skipped another one of those hollow beats as he just simple stopped, his lips still pressed on the side of my jaw, his hands on the sides of my waist, and mine just still in his hair. He released a sharp breath in annoyance, leaving one last butterfly kiss on the side of my lips which took me by surprise, but then he finally straightened up, far enough enough to look me in the eyes.

I didn't understand if we looked at each other because we just broke what we agreed on.. Again. Or was it because we were both frustrated with this interruption. It didn't matter.. No one knew anyways.. And it was supposed to stay that way. We moved a step from each other, waiting for someone to show up on the door. And it was Calliope.

  She stopped, slightly confused by the fact that Christian was in the room, and I honestly didn't even know why he came in the first place. "She's not doing it." Christian told her as both of them just looked at each other, knowing exactly what they were talking about while I was left clueless.

  "Doing what?" I asked, but he ignored me.

  He had his arms crossed over his chest, and I was starting to think that I was about to find out what they were talking about. "Besides, she didn't rest well." Christian continued, and I was starting to think that he was speaking out of nervousness. Like he was trying to cover up in case Calliope suspected something.

  I looked at him. "Do what?" I asked now more loudly, but he just glanced at me, almost like he was telling me stay out of it.

  Calliope gave him a meaningful look, and I was glad that Christian and I were able to go from all over each other to a completely different subject in minutes. "Since we got the necklace now, the only thing left is for us to break the spell, which hopefully will result with killing Adam. Luke is already at the house to check if anything will happen to him while we do the spell from here.." She started explaining, but I already knew what she was going to ask, and I knew my answer. "Other than Christian, Amelia and I need to channel someone else, and last night when she used your energy, it resulted with a faster finish,"

  I didn't let her finish. "Great, I'm in."

  "No, she's not." Christian on the other hand just to continued ignoring me, and decided instead of me. He just shook his head slightly, arms crossed, and looked at Calliope with just seriousness and a frown.. Like I was not able to make a decision by myself.

  "Christian," I said meaningfully, turning to face him and he finally looked at me. "You can't decide this for me." My voice was clear, but when I looked at him there was that same shadow of emotions behind his eyes, making his gaze seem so intense and certain that he didn't even need me to say anything. He had already decided by himself. Not even asking me what I wanted.. And yet he said it was only because of the deal, making me even more frustrated with him within seconds..

  His jaw was clenched, making it seem even more sharp than it was, and his brows were furrowed with that very familiar seriousness. I was so damn annoyed with him doing this again, and I refused to have the same conversation as last night.. But he was intimidating. And certain. And he didn't even bother leaving me much choice. 

"Watch me." He said slowly yet clearly before he turned and passed by Calliope. "Dimitri has enough energy for you to channel for this spell." He said walking towards the door and not bothering to turn around. "We're ending this today."

***

  Yep, well with that being said.. What do you guys think? Will they be able to finally end this whole Adam thing, or is this just the beginning of a new fight? Maybe it's not the beginning of the end after all.. ;)

Also, almost 100K views?! I'm freaking out, cannot wait to hit the hundred with this one!! Thanks so so much guys for your support! This book is growing and I couldn't be more happy that y'all decided to continue the journey with Bound! I love y'all so much!!!

   If you made it till here, stay tuned for a weekly chap! Hope you enjoyed! Kisses, :*