BOUND BY FATE: ENTANGLED WITH MR HELL

CHAPTER 14

"Unspoken Rage, Unseen Regret"

Rosa's POV

The ride back to Bryant's chambers felt endlessly long.

I sat stiffly, my mind racing, my heart pounding with confusion, anger… shame.

I couldn't even bring myself to look at him. I was still shaken by what happened in the courtroom—and even more by him.

Bryant said nothing the entire ride.

And that… somehow made it worse.

When the carriage finally stopped in front of his chambers, he was the first to hop down. He extended a hand to help me descend.

I ignored it.

Without a word, I used the steps and walked past him, my head held high despite the rage brewing inside me.

I didn't owe him gratitude—not now.

"Follow me," he ordered, voice cold, eyes not even on me.

Part of me wanted to refuse.

But I followed anyway.

We walked into his study, and he gestured toward a chair. He sat down across from me, silent. I sat too, arms crossed. Our gazes locked in a tense stare, thick with unspoken words.

Finally, he spoke.

"You should learn to start protecting yourself."

I blinked.

"How would it feel if the Luna of this pack gets bullied in public? You can't keep hiding behind fear. You're not weak. Stop acting like it." His tone cut into me, sharp and unapologetic.

"I won't always be there to save you, Rosa. One day, you'll be on your own."

My lips trembled. I clenched my fists.

"Really?" I said, my voice tight with emotion, my eyes burning.

"I never asked for this," I hissed. "I never wanted any of this—this title, this attention, this... pain."

Tears sprang out before I could hold them back.

"I never asked you to protect me."

My voice cracked.

"And how dare you—how dare you speak like you know me?"

I rose from my chair, my vision blurred with tears.

"You bloody murderer!" I spat, fury and helplessness colliding inside me. "Who are you to lecture me on strength?!"

Bryant stared at me, stone-faced. Emotionless.

The silence made it worse.

Without a word, he reached into his drawer, pulled out a silver whistle, and blew it once.

A maid appeared almost instantly.

"Escort Her Majesty back to her chambers," he said without meeting my gaze.

I glared at him, chest heaving.

Then I turned and left—without looking back.

Bryant's POV

I watched her go, my heart clenched with a pain I didn't want to acknowledge.

Her words echoed in my mind.

Bloody murderer.

Her tears… They haunted me.

This was the first time—the very first time—I felt something I couldn't define.

Was it guilt?

No.

Impossible.

I don't feel guilty. I don't have a heart. At least… I thought I didn't.

I gritted my teeth, clenching the armrest of my chair.

No. This can't be a weakness.

Still... the image of her trembling lips and tear-streaked face wouldn't leave my head.

"Paul!" I called.

My eunuch entered swiftly. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Prepare a surprise for Luna."

He blinked. "A... surprise, my Lord?"

"Find out what women love. All of it. Jewelry, books, flowers, rare fabrics. Whatever it is—get it. Have it sent to her chambers immediately."

Paul bowed, confused but obedient. "As you command."

As the door closed behind him, I let out a breath.

I'm not soft.

I'm not guilty.

But I still couldn't shake the look in her eyes…

And for reasons I didn't understand yet—

I hated myself for putting them there.