Chapter 49. The Lines We Cross

Chase's POV

I stood there, momentarily stunned by Connie's sudden shift. Just moments ago, she was desperate for reassurance from Knox and Kane, clinging to the hope that they still cared for her. Now, she was making a bold move on me. I couldn't deny the flicker of excitement that ignited within me at her attention. It was flattering, even exhilarating, to be the object of her desire.

But beneath that thrill was a disquieting realisation about how distorted her understanding of the mate bond was. She genuinely believed this was how things should be—that betraying her supposed mates was an acceptable response to feeling neglected. It struck me how lost she was, navigating a complex web of emotions without a compass.

"This isn't right," I thought, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. She was clearly hurting.

"Why are you hesitating?" Thor's voice echoed in my mind, a hint of mischief in his tone. "She's throwing herself at you, and let's be honest, she's gorg