Page 32 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

I storm through lush grass that stretches beyond the well-kept lawn, heading toward the dense forest that borders the valley where the mansion looms. The chances of finding Des out here are slim, but I call out to the universe…

to the Creator… to whoever might be paying attention to let me find the one Immortal who might willingly help me leave this place.

After we make sure no one plans to murder me the moment I step off the property…

Anxiety burns through me. The story of Des’s past soulmates is undeniably tragic. I feel bad for those women. I feel bad for Des.

But my story won’t end the way theirs did. I’m not Des’s One . I don’t have the bond they shared; the fate that tied them together. I will convince Des to help me prove that. I’ll find a way to make his brothers, the rebellion, everyone see the truth: I’m not Des’s reincarnated soulmate.

And once that’s done, I’m going home. No more hesitation, no more waiting. I’m determined to make it happen .

Sunlight filters through the fluffy clouds above, and a brisk breeze tousles my loose hair. I’m dressed in one of the fashionable outfits from the guest room—flowing pants and a coordinating cardigan—unsuited for a trek through nature.

I could’ve changed, but I wasn’t about to risk missing Des. I have no idea how long he’ll be out here, and I’m not waiting another week to speak to him.

As I near the tree line, a familiar path emerges, one I’ve seen countless times from my balcony as Des and his brothers disappear into the forest. If he’s anywhere nearby, this is my best shot at finding him.

The trees grow thick, their leafy branches casting the forest in shadow. I jump when my phone vibrates in my pocket.

I usually leave my phone tucked away in my room, but Dad’s follow-up appointment is today, and I didn’t want to miss his text or call when he gets news about his scans.

When the screen lights up with a picture of me, Kevin, and Kayla from graduation, I hesitate, then swipe to answer the video call. “Hey.”

Kevin’s face fills the screen. His easy, handsome smile lifts my mood. “Hey, stranger. Long time, no talk.”

I can’t suppress my grin. They’ll never admit it, but he and Kayla are alike in so many ways, even down to their cheesy greetings. “We just talked yesterday.”

“Did we? Feels like forever ago.” His gaze lingers, playful, like he knows exactly what that does to me.

My stomach flutters. I’ve seen Kevin charm his way through high school with that smile, but it’s different now, being on the receiving end. I could get used to this.

“You out on a walk or something?” he asks, his voice smooth and casual .

“Yeah.” I glance around, the trees rustling softly in the wind. “The weather is nice today.”

“It looks great. Are you in a forest?”

“Yup.”

Kevin raises an eyebrow. “You have service out there? I’m impressed.”

I pause, suddenly aware of the bars at the top of my screen. Four. Four full bars.

I have no reception in the mansion, but the signal’s crystal clear here, and the call hasn’t dropped. If anything, the connection is better than it is with Wi-Fi.

How is that possible?

“How’s your day going?” Kevin changes the subject, forcing me to put my question aside. For now.

“Oh, you know… same old, same old.” I smile, trying not to let the turmoil from the reincarnation reveal dampen my mood. “How about you? Do you have any plans for the day?”

Greece is seven hours ahead of Maine. His day is just getting started.

“I’m going out with Kayla and her friend Amanda tonight.” He leans back in the gamer chair in his childhood bedroom. “Kayla’s been begging me to go cosmic bowling like we did when we were kids.”

I frown. “Amanda Carter?”

“I don’t know her last name, but she works at Robertson’s.”

“Yeah, that’s her.” I force my smile to stay in place. “I–I didn’t know she and Kayla hung out.”

Kevin shrugs. “It’s new, I think. Kayla misses having you around.”

My chest aches. “I miss being there, too.”

Kayla and I had grand plans of spending winter break together, making up for our time apart. Violent rebels and magical Immortals obviously blew up those dreams.

“Speaking of Kayla…” Kevin clears his throat and glances away. “Have you… uh… told her about us?”

“Us?” I blink.

“That we’re talking.” He shifts in his seat.

I purse my lips. “Kayla knows we’re talking.”

She’s the one who asked me to call you.

He exhales, sounding nervous even as he chuckles. “I mean, have you told her that I asked you out?”

My stomach does a little flip, and my cheeks warm. “Oh… no, I guess I haven’t.”

“Is there a reason why?”

Des’s disappointed expression flashes in my mind: his scowl and the way his jaw tenses when he’s angry.

I shove the image away.

“Not really. I mean… it could be a little awkward to tell her.”

I think back on how Kayla reacted when I first told her I had a crush on Kevin. We’re older now and more mature, but I fully expect my best friend to tease me when she learns her brother and I plan to go on a date.

Kevin lets out a long sigh. “Yeah, I get that. But I thought it might be better if one of us told her.”

My confusion grows. “Why?”

“It’s nothing, really. I just overheard Kayla and Amanda talking the other day…” His face twists with discomfort. “I think they’re planning to set you up a triple date when you get back.”

I almost laugh out loud. Knowing Kayla, she was likely aware her brother was eavesdropping on their conversation.

Kayla’s asked me about Kevin when we talk, but I’ve kept my responses vague. I still don’t know how she knew her brother was interested in me, but I bet my best friend thought she needed to motivate Kevin to take action when I hadn’t told her about any progress.

I smile despite myself. She’s clever, that one.

“I’ll tell Kayla soon,” I say, trying to reassure him.

His expression brightens. “You will?”

“If you want me to.” I nod. “Of course.”

Kevin smiles, but there’s a shy edge to it now. “Okay, great. But just to be sure… you’re not interested in anyone else, right?”

I open my mouth to answer, but the snap of a twig nearby lodges the words in my throat.

“Darcie?” Kevin’s voice sharpens, noticing my expression. “What’s going on?”

“I–I…” I choke out, then let the word trail off as I scan my surroundings, my heart racing. “I’m sorry, Kevin. I have to go. I’ll text you later.”

“Wait, I?—”

I end the call before he can say anything else, switching the phone to silent and slipping it into my back pocket.

My skin prickles, a strange feeling crawling up my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I glance over my shoulder, but there’s nothing there. Still, the feeling of being watched presses on my skin.

“Des?” I call out softly.

Only the rustling of leaves in the breeze answers back.

Then— snap . Another twig breaks.

My head whips in that direction, but again, nothing. No one.

Maybe I should’ve kept Kevin on the phone. I’m starting to regret hanging up. But I can’t shake the feeling that something’s about to happen. The air is charged with tension.

My hand slides toward my pocket to call Kevin back when a brown blur bursts from behind a tree.

I scream, flailing in surprise. I drop my phone, throw my arms up, and slam my eyes shut, shielding myself from whatever’s charging at me.

Warm breath huffs in my face, followed by a wet, sloppy tongue dragging across my cheeks. My eyes snap open. A massive dog sits in front of me, his brown eyes gleaming as his tail wags excitedly.

He barks, loud and sudden. I jerk in surprise.

He leans down and sniffs my arm, giving it a little lick. Some of my fear fades. This dog doesn’t seem dangerous. I glance over his head to see if anyone is with him. The forest is quiet. The eerie feeling of being watched is gone.

I look back at the dog. He stares at me, his tail swinging from side to side, waiting.

I tilt my head to the side. “Um… hi?”

He nudges my arms with his snout, whimpering.

I let out a shaky laugh and lower my arms. “You’re not going to eat me, are you?”

The dog stares, unblinking.

I chuckle, hesitant, then relax enough to smile. “Okay, I’m taking you at your word.”

The dog’s tail thumps against the ground like a drum, shaking the leaves around us. I shift into a kneeling position. The forest floor is cold and damp beneath my knees.

“You’re a big guy, huh?” I murmur, eyeing him. The dog is massive with a muscular frame like a Great Dane, but his coat’s more like a German Shepherd’s—brown with dark markings .

I slowly lift a hand to scratch behind his ears. He sits on his hind legs and leans into my palm, letting out a soft, content growl as his tail thumps.

“Guess you’re a gentle giant.” I grin, my fingers tangled in his fur as I stroke his neck.

“Argos! Here, boy!” a voice calls out, sharp and commanding.

My heart skips a beat. I know that voice.

Before I can stop myself, I whip my head toward the trees.

Sure enough, there he is.

Des.

He’s dressed casually in athletic shorts and a T-shirt. He looks… normal. Laid-back, even, with his hair a little tousled like he’s been outside for a while. But the moment his eyes land on me, the ease in his demeanor disappears. His body stiffens. His expression tightens.

My pulse quickens. This wasn’t how I imagined our encounter would go. Not by a long shot.

I debate whether I should say anything or wait for him to speak, but before my brain can cobble together some clever greeting, Argos lets out a happy yap and trots over to Des, forgetting all about me.

Des’s hard features soften as he bends down to pet the dog. “Good boy, Argos.”

Seeing someone as formidable as Des turn into a softy for a dog is unexpectedly… sexy.

Stop it, Darcie.

I clear my throat, forcing my brain to erase all sexy thoughts and break the ice. “Hi.”

Des glances at me, his hazel eyes meeting mine with that usual intensity .

“Hi.” He straightens, giving a faint nod before gesturing towards the dog. “I see you’ve met Argos.”