Bound To Be Yours 🦌

Chapter 14 The Better Plot Twist

blah blah blah preserve archives blah blah restore Founder's Library—

then the part that actually detonates:

Co-Chairs:

• Adrian Sinclair (Year 13)

• Aurora Ashbourne (Year 13)

📌

My name. Right there. Next to his.

In bold. For the whole school to screenshot.

The room doesn't just react—it combusts.

"Arabella's PR team is punching air rn."

"Who even is she? Blinked twice if you're in the room!"

"Headmaster basically sent a couples announcement lmaooo."

Lily half gasps, half cackles. "He just hard-launched you like a Netflix co-star. Hope you're ready for the fan edits."

Carter leans over his desk, grinning. "Heritage my arse. Man basically sent a school-wide thirst trap."

Heat scorches up my neck. My pulse is feral.

What the actual fuck—No one asked me. No one told me. I did not consent to a joint press release with St. Augustine's golden boy.

I don't want a spotlight. I don't want the whispers. I don't want—

Fine, maybe I want him, but I wanted it soft-launch. Not Hunger Games.

He's already moving. Casual, steady, like he didn't just drop a social grenade on the entire year. A bomb, and he's strolling from the blast zone like it's Tuesday.

"Sinclair!" My voice snaps sharper than I meant. "You can't just... hard-launch me without consent."

He pauses mid-step, hand sliding into his pocket. Turns slow. Half amused, half predator. Like he knew I'd chase.

"You'd be surprised what I can do," his tone is light, like we're not standing in the wreckage of his little stunt. That smug curl at his mouth almost makes me forget I'm supposed to be furious.

Dame it looks good on him.

Ugh. Focus Aurora!

My pulse kicks. "You could've asked. I'd have said no—" my voice spikes "—but at least I'd have been insulted in private, not cc'd to the entire school newsletter."

"Private." He repeats it slow, like he's tasting it. Smirk tugging. "Trust me, Ashbourne, what I'd say to you in private wouldn't be an insult."

Heat scorches my cheeks before I can stop it. My mouth snaps faster than my brain. "Wow. Confident much?" I mutter, low, praying it sounds sharper than the way my pulse just skipped.

His smirk only deepens, like he can see straight through the act.

Then—he leans in. Close enough that his breath brushes my ear, voice low enough to brand.

"Breathe, Ashbourne. This is just the beginning. And no matter how much you fight it, the ending's already written—with you standing next to me."

He pulls back just enough to drink in my expression like he's memorising it. His eyes gleam with something dangerous.

"Next time," he murmurs, softer, "I'll make sure it's private."

And then he's gone, walking out like he didn't just script my entire spiral for the week.

My brain fizzes, thoughts sparking too fast to catch.

Private.

Next time.

Standing next to him.

The words won't stop looping, hotter than the gossip still buzzing around me.

I grip the desk, dragging air into my lungs, telling myself I hate him, that I'll never let him win.

But deep down—I know I'll hoard this moment like a secret.

And if the world ever tries to take him from me, I'll drag the heavens down and bury us both in the wreckage.

✦✦✦

👀 Your Chaotic Narrator Having a Breakdown

Ok... Chapter 14 DONE. And I'm sat here like 🚬

First of all, can we PLEASE roast Arabella together?? Because Aurora's still in her polite princess era, but me??? I've been waiting to unleash the inner demon and drag Miss Red Silk across that marble corridor. The audacity???

Also Teddy. Sir. SIT DOWN. No one asked for your greasy little monologue. I swear I wanted to yeet him into the fountain myself.

Meanwhile Lily + Carter = peak supportive clown energy 🃏✨. Honestly I adore them, comedy duo of the century. Be honest tho... are we shipping or are we shipping 👀.

And THEN. Adrian. The man finally stopped his staring-contest era and actually did something. Round of applause, please 👏.

But real talk, did he swoon you?? Tell me how to upgrade him from "cold prince" to "take my ovaries, sir." I need your feedback.

Shit is about to get darker from now on...

Bomb me with your thoughts. Join the roast battle in the comments (funniest comments get my eternal love). Smash that vote so more people can cry-scream with us. And I'll be here answering you all like the feral author bestie I am 💌