MIA’S POV
I didn’t tell anyone in the family about what happened in the woods. If
they knew, it would only cause unnecessary panic, and I didn’t want
them to start treating me like some fragile princess. The last thing I
needed was for them to coddle me. Instead, I only told Daisy.
Daisy’s face turned pale as I finished explaining. “Mia, you were attacked
by rogues! This isn’t something small. We have to tell Uncle.”
I shook my head, crossing my arms. “No. It’s handled. Besides, if they
find out, they’ll assign guards to follow me around, and I don’t want
that.”
Daisy’s expression tightened as she let out a frustrated breath. “That’s
exactly what I was about to suggest. You need a bodyguard, Mia. At least
one person to watch your back.”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Daisy, I don’t need protection.
I can handle myself.”
She threw her hands up. “Yeah, sure, you handled yourself so well that
Xavier had to save you.”
That made me pause. I hated that he had been the one to help me. I hated
that, for a brief moment, I had felt safe around him. But I wasn’t going to
let Daisy win this argument.
“I was caught off guard,” I admitted, keeping my voice firm. “But it
won’t happen again. I just need to be more careful and keep my scent
hidden better. That’s it.”
Daisy huffed, clearly annoyed. “Fine. But if this happens again, I’m
telling Uncle, whether you like it or not.”
The evening breeze carried the scent of fresh roses as I walked through
the garden, trying to clear my mind. The past few days had been
suffocating, and I needed space to think without the constant presence
of my so-called protectors lurking around.
But, of course, peace was never an option.
I turned a corner and nearly crashed into someone. My body tensed the
moment I recognized him-Nathan.
My entire mood shifted instantly. The sight of him made my blood boil,
every memory of what he had done flashing through my mind like a
cruel montage.
He smirked, his hands tucked casually into his pockets as his eyes
traveled over me, lingering just a second too long. “Didn’t expect to see
me here, huh, princess?”
His voice sent an unwanted shiver down my spine, but I forced my
expression to stay cold. “Move.”
Instead of stepping aside, he tilted his head, his smirk deepening.
“That’s it? No snarky comment? No dramatic exit?”
I exhaled sharply and stepped around him, but before I could take
another step, he reached out. His fingers grazed my arm, sending an
electric current up my skin, and I hated the way my breath hitched.
“I just want to talk,” he murmured, stepping closer.
I pulled my arm free and shot him a glare. “There’s nothing to talk
about.”
His expression remained unreadable, but his eyes-those damn piercing
eyes-held something different. Something I didn’t want to see.
“Mia,” he breathed, reaching out again, but this time, he brushed a loose
strand of hair from my face. His fingers barely touched me, but the
intimate gesture made my stomach twist.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stand my ground. “Don’t touch me.”
His lips twitched, like he was amused by my reaction. “Why not? You
seem affected.”
My jaw clenched. “I hate you.”
Nathan took another step forward, and suddenly, I realized just how
close he was. His scent wrapped around me, something dark and
intoxicating, something that made my traitorous body react even when
my mind screamed at it not to.
“Hate me all you want,” he murmured, his voice dropping lower. “But
your body tells a different story.”
I forced out a bitter laugh. “You really think you have that kind of effect
on me?”
He leaned in just enough that I could feel his breath against my cheek. “I
don’t think, Mia. I know.”
I swallowed hard, but I refused to back down. “You’re delusional.”
Nathan chuckled, the deep sound vibrating between us. “Maybe. Or
maybe you just don’t want to admit it.”
I clenched my fists at my sides. I wasn’t going to let him play these
games with me. I turned on my heel, ready to leave, but he followed.
“Mia, wait.”
I ignored him, quickening my steps, but he grabbed my wrist and spun
me back around. The sudden movement made me stumble slightly, and
before I could react, he was even closer-so close our bodies nearly
touched.
His gaze flickered to my lips for the briefest second before he clenched
his jaw and looked away. “Mia…” He exhaled heavily, running a hand
through his hair as if frustrated with himself. “I was wrong.”
My heart skipped, but I quickly masked my reaction with a scoff. “Wrong
about what? I don’t even know you.”
His lips curled into something between a smirk and a grimace. “Right. Of
course, you don’t.”
I crossed my arms. “So, what exactly are you apologizing for, stranger?”
Nathan stepped closer, his scent wrapping around me like a dangerous
temptation. My back stiffened, but I held my ground, refusing to let him
see how much his proximity affected me.
“For everything,” he murmured, reaching up to tuck a loose strand of
my hair behind my ear.
I gulped. I hated how my body reacted to him, how my skin tingled where
his fingers brushed against me. I wanted to step back, but my pride
wouldn’t let me.
I tilted my chin up, meeting his gaze head-on. “You must have me
confused with someone else,” I said, feigning innocence. “But let me
make one thing clear-I don’t care about your guilt, and I certainly don’t
need your protection.”
Nathan didn’t back away. If anything, he leaned in slightly, his warm
breath fanning over my lips. “You might not remember me, but I
remember everything,” he confessed, his voice raw. “Every single thing I
did to you. And if I could take it back, I would.”
Something inside me twisted at his words, but I shoved the feeling away.
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “How poetic. Is this your way of getting
sympathy? Because if so, you’ll have to try harder.”
The way Nathan stood in front of me wasn’t like before. He wasn’t
throwing out cruel words, wasn’t looking at me like I was dirt beneath
his feet. No, this time, there was something different in his expression-
softer, almost hesitant, like he was battling something inside himself.
I didn’t like it.
I wanted him to be the same arrogant, cruel bastard he always was, so I
could easily hate him. But this? This made things complicated.
His lips twitched, his smirk making a slow return. “Oh, princess, I don’t
need your sympathy. I just need a chance.”