For a moment, nothing happened. I nearly started to panic because I couldn't even feel the bond forming. But then something clicked. Seokmin's eyes shot open and his hand flew to mine.

We stayed like that, eyes locked onto each other, as I felt the bond start to form. The familiar feelings of lust for power threatened to overwhelm me and I used every shred of my will power to keep my eyes open and focused on Seokmin.

Though the healer remained unmoving, my face contorted into all sorts of painful—and no doubt ugly—expressions. Beads of sweat were forming on my brow faster than humanly possible and I prayed that Seokmin would let me go soon because I wasn't sure that I had the strength to do so myself.

After what felt like an hour—though it couldn't have been more than a moment—Seokmin let go of me and sat up. My hand slid from his face and I practically dropped to the ground, finally letting my thoughts consume me.

"Impressive," the stranger muttered, while I was too lost in my own mind to be aware of what was going on. "She held back."

Seungkwan's eyes cut over to him. "She's strong," he agreed quietly.

"But not strong enough," Jun muttered, a defeated look on his face. "She succumbed to the feeling either way." He spared me an almost pitying glance and had I been aware of it, I would've punched it off his face.

"Yah, what would you know?" Jeonghan asked him. "You've only seen her bond twice now. And only once willingly. Do you have any idea what it's like for her?"

"Do you?" Minghao scoffed, but at a warning look from Mingyu he wisely left it at that.

"Her eyes never turned full bla