Bloodbound: The Alliance
Chapter 74 - 76

Chapter 74: Chapter 76

When Alden Du Pont finally appears, the crowd erupts. A man of commanding presence and his tailored suit loans him an air of gravitas. He moves to the podium with a polite wave to the adoring throng. And a hush descends as he adjusts the microphone.

"Tonight, democracy has spoken," he begins, his voice rich and steady. "Not in the halls of power, but in the hands of the people. This election is not the triumph of one man or one campaign, but a testament to the enduring spirit of our state."

He continues with a speech both conciliatory and inspiring, acknowledging the close race and extending a hand to his competitors. Calculated and cutting as his applause lines are meticulously placed to evoke a crescendo of cheers at just the right moments.

"He’s got them eating out of the palm of his hand," Luciano remarks.

"He always does," I mutter under my breath.

"Before we conclude, it is my honor to introduce someone who embodies the future generation. One of my greatest supporters and my most unwavering inspiration. Ladies and gentlemen, my daughter, Avara Du Pont."

I walk out from the wings, and the moment I step out. I light up a dazzling smile, strutting my way to the podium as I receive the warming reception with a hand to the heart and a high wave. Explosions of white bursts from the first-line of photographers as I reach my father’s side. He takes me into his arms for the photo opp before he stands aside and allows me to assume his stead.

"My father has often said that leadership is not about power but about purpose," I begin, my voice composed but tinged with an emotion I can’t ward off fully. "Tonight, as we honor the choice of the people and celebrate a new Chapter for our state, I am reminded of his unwavering commitment to service, a commitment I see reflected in the Governor-elect."

Threading personal anecdotes with calls to action, I give a thorough outline of upcoming development and gentrification projects as well as other philanthropic work—everything they can expect to see from us both. I conclude my speech with an inspirational quote that is met with a thundering applause, and a standing ovation sweeping through the hall.

***

After the event, Silas and dad go straight to the airport for some out-of-state meeting for a few days. Luciano has returned to own apartment to handle other matters—so I have the house to myself. And for the entire ride, I’ve been on call with Kelsey, she’s been demanding an update from the party which I dread to dredge up even the memory of it. I couldn’t give her a live report because she’s been occupied with work—apparently she potentially has an investor to fund her own fashion show and I definitely don’t want my drama to get in the way of that. I’ve been ignoring Vance and Landen, digitally inactive except for political and philanthropic affairs or for Kelsey, but I’ve been holding hope that Botan would call... a call that never comes.

"Wait, so Landen drugged you both?"

I hold my phone with one hand as I enter my house, locking the front door behind me. "No, he just didn’t warn us that his beloved grandma’s pastries were laced with an opioid."

"No."

I kick off my heels, dropping in height only by a few inches.

"So you have no memory of how you three ended up on the bed with two of them half-naked? Did they—"

"No!" I shriek.

"But did you—"

"No!" The shrill echo ringing out like a lance through the silence.

"But how would you know—you were drugged?" she points out.

"But after," I say, starving, so I make my start to the kitchen. "I mean, I would know if something like that happened to me, plus I was still fully clothed."

"Should’ve checked your mouth."

"For what?"

"Semen."

A grimace grabs my face. "You’re disgusting."

"Says the girl who hooked up with two brothers—at the same time."

I brake to a standstill. "It wasn’t like that!"

"I’m kidding," she says with quick defense then diverts by saying, "So what are you going to do about it, have they called?"

I continue walking. "They’ve tried. But Kels, I’m done—I’m really just done. I feel like a piece of meat wrangled between the two of them. I told them I don’t want to see either of them until the big day. And after that, I never want to see the Vacherons again."

"I’m glad to hear it."

I stop dead in the archway. Botan rises from the stool behind the island counter, a shadow against the brightness of the room. Even in his light clothing, he’s the darkest thing here, a presence that absorbs and reshapes the space around him.

"Avie—hello?" Kelsey’s voice is a distant echo in my ear.

"I’m going to have to call you back," I murmur, ending the call. My phone slips to my side, forgotten, as Botan approaches.

Simon’s warning screams in my mind, the grotesque images he showed me flashing in disjointed fragments. But as Botan moves closer, his shadow envelopes me, pressing the room into stillness. His hands rise, cupping my face with a tenderness that silences the storm inside me.

His touch is a contradiction—gentle and utterly consuming. As he tilts my face to meet his, every ounce of dread dissipates, leaving only the gravity of his gaze. In his eyes, I only see the man behind the monster. His focus is his own orbit, an intensity so all-engrossing it feels like I am the only thing in his universe.

"I’ve missed you," he whispers, his voice so soft it barely escapes his lips.

"I’m not the one who left," I counter, my words trembling on the edge of accusation.

His hands fall, taking his warmth with them, and I feel the absence immediately—a void where his touch had been. His features harden as he steps back, his voice carrying an unfamiliar edge. "I had business to take care of," he says, the words cutting and cold, a hint of irritation bleeding through.

I swallow the questions clawing their way to the surface, knowing they are dangerous. Simon’s trust feels heavy in my chest; to betray it would mean exposing truths that could put him back in Botan’s crosshairs—where I know he won’t survive.

"I just needed to see you," Botan confesses, the rawness in his tone slipping through his composure. His walls crumble for a fleeting moment, and I glimpse the vulnerability he guards so fiercely. "I need to see more of you," he adds, his voice dipping lower, weighted with a double meaning.

The room tightens as his frustration rises, his breath uneven. His hands twitch at his sides, his gaze darting as though searching for an outlet for his simmering rage. His voice breaks through the silence, strained but controlled.

"If I hear another report about you with them, or I see another picture—"

His anger peaks for a moment, his eyes flashing with something dangerous like he wants to throw or punch something, but he reins himself in. Slowly, his shoulders ease, and the heat in his expression retreats, replaced by something softer.

I move toward the counter, placing my phone down, needing something to do with my hands. His eyes track every motion, unwavering, as though the simple act of looking away would cost him everything.

"This alliance cost me more than I imagined," I admit vaguely. "And now, being betrothed to Landen—we have to make everyone forget there was ever a me and Vance."

A sharp muscle in his jaw jumps.

I let out a small, provocative giggle. "The things we have to do to appear convincing."

"That’s enough," he warns, taking a slow but menacing step towards me.

"Oh, boy—how it’s never enough for Landen," I goad, retreating a few steps at a time. "He’s just so very... passionate. And he does this incredible thing with his tongue—"

Botan lunges, a blur of motion, and I spin on instinct, my startled laugh echoing down the hallway as adrenaline floods my veins.

"I take it back!" I cry, breathless.

My bare feet slap against the polished floor, and I silently thank myself for ditching my heels earlier. The staircase looms ahead, and I reach it with reckless speed, gripping the banister to swing myself upward in a desperate arc. The momentum propels me forward, but Botan is relentless, his footsteps thunderous behind me.

I barely make it to the landing before his shadow stretches long over the shallow corridor. With a final burst of energy, I dart forward, but it’s no use. He captures me mid-flight, his arms locking around me like steel bands.

A gasp tears from my lips as he yanks me back against him. I twist, laughing through the panic, but there’s no escape. His grip is firm, but his touch radiates a heat that sends a thrill racing down my spine. His breath brushing the shell of my ear, and the weight of him against me feels as inescapable as gravity. And he releases me gently, allowing me to twirl around and face him but he doesn’t make the move I know he craves to make. So I place a delicate hand on his chest as I go on the tip of my toes, my hand sliding up before I hold onto the neckline of shirt to yank him closer and his lips crash onto mine with a breathy smile that I drink in as we reverse into my bedroom, fabric flying to the floor.

I grasp his face as he lowers to shed his pants, his mouth melding with mine, then my strap blouse is ripped off so I’m left only in a skirt and bra before we reach my bed. And I surprise him by swiveling at the last second, but he allows me to shove him onto the bed.