Chapter 41. Trapped by Fate

ASTRID

The pain clawed through my body like a wildfire had been ignited within me; the mate bond, a powerful connection, pulled me towards Magnus, even when I was miles away from him. Every pulse of that bond felt like a knife twisting in my gut, and then, just as suddenly, the pain dulled to a throbbing ache. But the bond, that damned bond, kept tingling, reminding me of Magnus.

I groaned, clutching my sides as I tried to steady myself; the pain would lessen for a moment, then flare up again. I couldn't ignore it, no matter how hard I tried.

"Breathe, Astrid," Alpha Atlas's voice broke through my haze of pain, calm and steady. He sat beside me, a cool, wet cloth in his hand. Gently, he pressed it against my forehead, trying to ease my torment. "I know it's difficult, but you must breathe through it. Don't let it consume you."

His touch was tender, almost comforting, as he continued to dab at my forehead. But it did little to distract me from