I Enslaved The Goddess Who Summoned Me

Yet, as much as she wanted to ignore it, there was something different this time. Something darker.

Nathan hadn’t just tripped—that much was obvious.

The man who had touched her was still glaring, rubbing his head in frustration, but he didn’t lash out. Maybe it was the way Nathan stood—calm, unbothered, yet strangely imposing. Maybe it was the way he smiled—like someone who knew exactly what he was doing.

Or maybe it was the cold amusement in his eyes, as if he found the entire situation mildly entertaining.

Siara hated that too.

She gritted her teeth and looked away. I don’t need his help.

The rest of the bus ride was suffocating.

Siara kept her gaze fixed on the window, her grip on her bag tightening. The unwanted touches had stopped, but the discomfort in her chest only grew.

She felt… tainted.

Siara’s heart slowly settled, and with it, a shocking realization washed over her—she was, at least for the moment, safe. The words almost felt foreign as they danced through her mind, but they were undeniably true. She wasn’t entirely certain why she had this feeling, but there it was, like a protective shield wrapping around her, faint yet reassuring.

She glanced up, her gaze naturally landing on Nathan, who stood before her. He wasn’t particularly imposing in stature—just a little taller than her, but that was all. Yet, for the first time, she felt an unmistakable force radiating from him, an aura so powerful and undeniable it seemed to fill the space around them. His presence was like an invisible storm, and it both comforted and unsettled her in a way she couldn’t quite explain. The air around him felt charged, as if something untold was simmering beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.

What unsettled her more, however, was the fact that Nathan wasn’t even looking at her. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the man who had dared to touch her—his smile stretched across his lips, but it was a hollow, empty thing. His eyes, cold and distant, gave no hint of the expression his mouth wore, creating a sharp contrast. The man who had once glared at her with such malice was now the one avoiding Nathan’s gaze, his body stiffening as if he’d been struck by a cold wave. His breath hitched, and his hands trembled slightly, a sheen of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead as if he were suddenly caught in a freezing wind. The intensity of Nathan’s unspoken menace was palpable, and for reasons he couldn’t comprehend, the man felt an overwhelming sense of fear just by witnessing that smile.

As the bus lurched to a stop at the bustling shopping street, the crowd began to shuffle off, eager to begin their day. Siara, though, remained close behind Nathan, not wanting to be far from the one who had made her feel safe again—almost protective, as though the world outside no longer mattered while he was near.

“Thanks,” she muttered, her voice small but genuine. She couldn’t quite find the right words to express the gratitude she felt. Words felt inadequate in comparison to what Nathan had done for her, yet they were all she had.

Nathan, without turning back to face her, simply nodded. “You should hurry up and call them. I’ll stay over here.” He took a few deliberate steps away, moving toward a nearby bench and sitting down, as though his presence there was nothing more than an afterthought, as if he were merely an observer of the world around him rather than a participant.

Siara stood still for a moment, her eyes lingering on him, trying to make sense of the situation, of everything that had happened. After a beat, she pulled her phone from her pocket, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed the number of her old friends. They weren’t the classmates she had now, the ones at her private school; these friends were from her past, from a time before everything had changed. It had been ages since they’d last been together, and it was rare that they could see each other anymore. But today, it seemed, was one of those rare occasions.

“Siara!”

A lively voice called out, drawing the attention of a girl with striking hazel eyes and long, wavy brown hair. Siara turned just in time to see two familiar figures approaching. The first was a girl with bouncy, chestnut-colored curls that framed her heart-shaped face, her brown eyes gleaming with excitement. Skyler. Right beside her, another girl walked with effortless grace—Page, her sleek, shoulder-length black hair shifting slightly with each step.

“It’s been too long!” Skyler added, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

Siara felt warmth spread through her chest. The sight of them filled her with a sense of familiarity and belonging she hadn’t felt in months. The three of them, all sixteen, had always been an inseparable trio—known for their charm and beauty, drawing attention even when they didn’t seek it.

“Skyler, Page,” Siara greeted them with a wide, genuine smile, quickly closing the distance between them.

It had been two long months since she had last seen them—two months since she had moved away after her mother remarried Nathan’s father. Adjusting to a new school had been anything but easy. Sure, she had met people, but none she could call real friends. No one could replace these two.

“Oh god, you are just too blessed with beauty, Siara!” Page teased, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief.

Siara rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small laugh. “Stop it already. We don’t have much time—my mom doesn’t want me out too late.” She ushered them forward, eager to make the most of their reunion.

Unbeknownst to her friends, Nathan had silently risen from his seat the moment they started walking. Though he maintained a respectable distance as she had insisted, Siara still felt his presence lurking nearby.

But for now, she shoved the thought aside. With her best friends by her side, she could finally let loose, finally be herself. They wandered through the shopping district, admiring storefront displays and stepping into boutiques filled with stylish outfits. Siara was in her element—flipping through racks of clothing, holding up dresses against herself, and laughing as Skyler and Page debated what suited her best.

She even made a point of trying on more outfits than necessary, spinning in front of the mirror with exaggerated poses. Anything to draw out time. Anything to make Nathan give up and leave. But he didn’t.

Instead, he followed them. Into every store.

Siara caught glimpses of him lingering near the entrance or leaning against the walls. He was the only guy in a sea of girls rummaging through outfits, and it was impossible for Skyler and Page not to notice.

By the time Siara was trying on clothes in the fifth store, her patience was wearing dangerously thin. Embarrassment prickled at the back of her neck, mixing with growing frustration. She had been ignoring it as best as she could, but the sheer absurdity of the situation was getting to her.

Nathan was still there.

She knew he wasn’t doing this out of his own volition—he was simply carrying out the job his mother had entrusted to him with unwavering diligence. But this? This was ridiculous. Even for him.

Every time she moved, she found herself unconsciously glancing around, checking the mirrors, ensuring he wasn’t too close. Even when she was just sifting through racks of clothes, her gaze would flicker toward the reflections surrounding her, catching glimpses of his unmistakable figure lingering at a distance.

It was suffocating.

With arms now burdened by shopping bags, she and her friends finally exited the store, the cool evening air greeting them. Siara was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when Page suddenly spoke up.

“Girls… I think there’s a guy following us.”

Siara’s breath caught in her throat.

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure at first, but now I’m certain,” Skyler added, though her tone carried more amusement than concern.

Siara froze mid-step.

They noticed him.

She swallowed, forcing herself to turn slightly, pretending to glance over her shoulder nonchalantly. And there he was—Nathan, still trailing them. Except now, he was even closer than before, only about two meters away.

Her frustration surged.

He was supposed to keep his distance!

What she failed to notice, however, was the direction of Nathan’s gaze. His eyes weren’t on them at all. Instead, his attention was locked on a group of four men walking a short distance away—men who were openly ogling the three of them, their stares dripping with crude intent.

Had Siara realized that Nathan’s presence was not to annoy her but to keep a watchful eye on those men, she might have calmed down.

But she didn’t.

All she saw was her overbearing stepbrother ignoring boundaries and making her feel suffocated.

“Let’s rush,” she muttered, picking up her pace.

“You sure?” Page asked, glancing back at Nathan. “He’s kinda hot.”

Siara nearly tripped.

“Him? Hot?” she repeated, incredulous. A laugh bubbled up in her throat.

Sure, she could admit Nathan was above average in looks, but calling him hot was pushing it.

“I agree with Page on this one,” Skyler giggled, also sneaking a glance in his direction.

Fortunately, Nathan’s attention remained elsewhere, allowing them to stare without being caught.

Siara rolled her eyes, but Page and Skyler were evaluating him from a neutral standpoint. He didn’t have the kind of flashy, movie-star good looks that turned heads instantly. However, there was something else—an aura of quiet confidence, a presence that made it seem like nothing could shake him.

And at that moment, with his sharp gaze fixed on the group of men, his usual indifference was replaced by something colder.

Nathan wasn’t smiling anymore.

His expression had hardened into something unreadable—his jaw tense, his dark brown eyes gleaming with quiet intensity. It was an expression he only ever wore in front of his father.