Falling Through The Dark

sks without her mind fully participating. She couldn't shake the memory of Jaxon's words, the quiet conviction in his voice. **Mate**.

d always kept her grounded. But nothing seemed to work. Every task, every

ng up at the windows as if they held the answers to questions she didn't know how to ask. The city was alive with the

Jaxon had said. She felt the bond-the pull

ck into the world where everything felt like it was falling apart. **He's r

haze of her thoughts. Mira turned, sta

ble. He was dressed casually, a simple t-shirt and jeans, but the intensity i

?" Mira's voice came out

gged slightly. "I just know wher

his time?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Another

"I'm not here to lecture you," he said quietly. "I'm here beca

he weight of the conversation pressing down on he

muttered.

hem felt like a separate universe. Mira's mind raced, but she couldn't bring herself to speak. What could she say?

ve for a few scattered figures. The cool breeze ruffled M

ose enough that Mira could feel his presence. The air between them

began, breaking the silence, "but I can't keep pretend

y. "I don't matter to you

about you than you think. I've been watching you, not in a creepy way, but because I couldn't stay

bench. "I don't need you to tell me what I do or don't want," she said, he

elling you what's best for you, Mira. I'm telling you that we're co

d no humor. "You sound insane. I can't just-just accept that every

Mira. I didn't want to be the guy who can't let go of someone. I didn't want to fall into some stupid bond I co

lf began to crumble. She wanted to push him away. She wanted to stay angry, to keep her distance. B

ely audible. "I don't want to feel like I need you, Jaxon

ean on me. I'm asking you to stop fighting something that's bigger than both of us.

ed to consume her. She didn't know what to feel. She didn't know how to respond. But sh

in days, she didn't feel so alone. Even though it terrified her, th

nerable. "I don't expect you to accept me overnight. I just need you to

her. **What do I want?** The question echoed in

pered, more to herself than to him

er otherwise. He just sat there, patiently waiting for her t

ted from everything else. Mira didn't know what to say. She didn't know what she wanted. But there wa