His Blind Mate

Chapter 22 Maples and Strawberries (Part IV)

All hopes vanished when he repeated the command, sending another pulse through the link. “Kneel, Kyhan!” he bellowed, and much to my shame, I was defeated.

Both knees fell to the floor. Kai panted from exhaustion; he growled from disappointment. He was a proud wolf. And he should be. Being humiliated by a wolf lesser than him fueled his rage. I could feel malice and darkness between our bond; his bloodlust on the brink of taking control. I closed my eyes so my dad wouldn’t see the change in my eyes. I’d learned to recognize the early signs of my wolf’s takeover from training. While it maddened me to be humiliated, I knew I’d do something regrettable if I let Kai take his true form. I despised my dad, but I’d never once wished death upon him, especially not by my own hands, human or wolf or something else.

I breathed deeply, calming the dark thoughts churning in my head. They belonged to Kai and what he could become. I understood why he wanted him dead, but it wasn’t the path I wanted to take. I was different from this man.

With my wolf weakened, the thoughts slowly dissipated. Having regained more control of myself, I raised my head and met his eyes.

A sneer formed on his lips. “I like that look in your eyes, Kyhan. They’re honest. They tell me all I need to know.”

“I will never marry Elizabeth,” I seethed. “I have a mate.”

The heel of his cane zoomed past my vision and the next I was seeing was the floor. My head processed the throbbing on my cheek as the cane hitting it. The skin broke. A small matter – it’d heal within seconds.

Kai gnashed around again, trying to tear up the strings.

So long as the Goddess hadn’t recognized me as Alpha, I was weaker. I was only the Alpha in title. My wolf despite his status wouldn’t be able to overcome an Alpha Order.

“I’m fine, wolf. Don’t tire yourself out,” I said to him. He showed me his teeth before plopping his head back down, panting from the exertion. “Good boy.”

“I’m not a dog, human.”

I chuckled at my wolf’s arrogance. My teeth felt like they’d fallen off, but a quick sweep of my tongue verified that they were all still there.

“Heed my words, Kyhan. Your mate will bring ruin to this pack and to you.” He tapped the floor with his cane once before sighing, as if the anger from moments back had never existed. “It is in your best interest to reject that girl. She had already brought more than enough misfortune on this pack,” he said slowly like a gentle reprimanding.

My fists itched to land a single good blow on his face just to shut him up. How delusional was he to think that a little girl as sweet and kind as her would kill her own parents in the slightest chance that she was capable of taking down both the Beta and Head Gamma? Did she even have the time and space to grieve? Or did they pin the loss on her and decided to abuse her overnight? Who in their right mind couldn’t see anything wrong in that!

My chest ached just thinking about what she had to endure growing up, alone. It was no wonder she wanted to leave as soon as she could shift. If I was in her shoes, I would’ve done the same thing.

“If you marry Luan, this pack will collapse. Reject her now or I will make you,” he warned. “It’s your choice to make, Kyhan.”

“I will not reject the Goddess’s gift to me,” I answered. I cannot reject a part of me, in the same way that I cannot reject Kai’s true nature.

“So be it,” he said harshly.

I braced myself for the Order that would lead me to eject a crucial segment of my existence. Losing my mate would kill me, literally and figuratively. My thoughts raced to Luan, my sweet mate, waiting for me to come home to her.

I closed my eyes and called for Kai. If I had to taunt death to keep her, so be it.

“Don’t lose to him,” I ordered.

The wolf grinned, delighted of my surrender. In an instant, I felt that darkness seep between our bond. It was icky of corruption and malice, but it radiated immense power that could’ve only belonged to a primal wolf. Murderous thoughts whispered in my head, coaxing me to take action upon them.

But I was still holding him back. I hadn’t fully taken his form for a long time. The extent of his capabilities was unknown to me and Helia. What if he killed Luan? Margo and my mom were still around. What if he lost control and killed them?

“No!” I panicked. This isn’t right. I’m different. Violence isn’t my path.

As I fought within myself on who should take control, my dad let out a long sigh. “You’re not strong enough to resist my wolf, Kyhan. I still retain the power of the pack Alpha. Without a doubt, the Goddess didn’t recognize you because you’re still weak. Stop resisting and obey.”

“You can’t do this! She is my mate!” I found myself growling, angry at him for forcing his agendas on me and furious at myself for my helplessness.

He only smiled pitifully. My heart fell to the pits of stomach as he began to state the Order, when a crash came from outside, effectively stealing his attention. The strings on Kai’s legs suddenly broke, and I didn’t waste a second on barging out of his office.

“Mom!” I shouted in alarm. She was on the floor with broken pieces of a vase around her. Her long blonde hair obscured her face, but no doubt she was shocked and probably hurt. Her mate didn’t bother to come outside at all.

I went to her, sliding the pieces out of the way with my boot. Her robe had fallen off one shoulder, revealing the top of the chemise nightgown she wore underneath. I carefully took her in my arms. “You should be in bed, Mom,” I said out of necessity.

She simply nodded then rested her head on my chest. As soon as I reached the end of the hallway and began going upstairs, Margo’s voice came from behind me.

“I heard a crash. Is everything alright, Alpha?” she said while catching her breath. “Luna! Wha – What are you doing –”

“I’ll take her back to her room, Margo,” I said, cutting her off. “There’s a broken vase on the hallway. Please be careful when cleaning it.”

“Of course, Alpha,” she responded. I was already leaving her behind.

“You’ve grown strong, Kyhan,” my mom said softly once we were alone. She cupped my healing cheek, and it took every fiber in my being to resist leaning into her palm. She then slid it down before curling against me more. “Very handsome, too,” she added.

I didn’t want to look at her. Her eyes used to be like blue crystals that glinted whenever she smiled fully. She braided her hair when the weather was hot, and kept it running down her back during the winter, doing only a small braid on one side of her face or both.

If I saw her now, I knew what would greet me – hollow eyes that had lost their light and unkempt hair that had lost its shine. She’d lost so much weight that she felt like feather in my arms. There were only two things that hadn’t changed about her: her soft voice that had soothed me through my early childhood pains, and her earthy scent.

“Have you been eating well?” she asked as I opened the door to her room. Blue sheer curtains covered all the windows. The silk sheets were in disarray and the smaller pillows had fallen out of the bed. Seeing as I wouldn’t answer, she just continued to talk. “Are you getting enough sleep? Your work must have been stressful on you.”

I laid her down gently, fighting down the urge to hug her and take her out of this mansion to come live with me. Maybe if she did, she’d gain her spirit back. But I knew no matter where I took her, nothing would change until I forgave her. At this moment, I couldn’t.

I covered her with the sheets, then placed the smaller pillows beside her to make sure she was comfortable. I used to climb in her bed and bury myself under her pillows. I never did understand why she had plenty of them, but it made her happy for some reason.

“Stay here and rest,” I said calmly as I stood to leave.

“Kyhan,” she said, grabbing onto my hand. “Is it true that she is here?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied. I gently tugged my arm free from her grasp. “I’ll never let you meet her.”

“Kyhan,” she said, her voice breaking as she choked on a sob. “Kyhan, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Kyhan. I –”

“Please rest. Don’t concern yourself with my life anymore.”

I left those words for her to think about as I closed her door. The bond between us pulsed from her pain. I used to be fascinated at how a mother and her child could share their emotions with one another. My bond with her was unique in its own way, different from the bond I shared with the pack and from the bond I shared with my mate.

She could’ve hidden this from me, but her wolf must’ve been too weak to even try.

I heard her sobs through the cracks. A child should never make their mother cry. I was a terrible son. But I wasn’t ready to forgive her. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive her.

I steeled my heart and walked away from her door.

This is fine. I have my pack and my mate to keep me busy. My parents … were no longer an important part of my life since I learned what they did to my mate.

Downstairs, I found Margo waiting for me by the door. She bowed deeply as I passed her by. “I’ll check on Ms. Stone right away. Thank you for coming, Alpha.”

“Take care of her,” I said, letting out more than I should.

The breath of fresh air outside was better than the stifling atmosphere of the mansion. It felt like stepping into a new world – to freedom. The effects of fighting the Order and Kai trying to take over me with that form tired me out. I still had to drag my feet to the packhouse for the meeting. Should I just call it a day? I shook my head. Luan was in danger here. I had no time to rest from a simple mental exertion.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the maple trees. Someone had set them on fire sometime last year. A few were unharmed while some were left with only their charred trunks after the branches were cut off.

She could’ve just wanted waffles … or pancakes. Unless she was trying to tell me something else.

Judging that it wouldn’t hurt to see what that weird question was about, I forced a change of direction and went to the nearest tree. This one was robust and showed off its green abundance proudly. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. It looked like, unsurprisingly, a maple tree.

I lowered my gaze from the branches down to the trunk, squinting to see if there was anything there. I even circled the tree just to be sure and there was nothing there that would rouse suspicion. I chuckled. That woman was driving me mad. Is this a prank of sorts?

I decided to check out the burnt ones as well, not really knowing what to look for. It was a miracle these trees survived. I had a hunch my dad burned them; the uncurbed aggressiveness of his behavior to be blamed on his wolf going feral. Though this condition was only persuasive, it kept me sane to believe that his actions were partially influenced by his primal side. At least with this, I could understand him even if just a little. I kept my observations to myself. Feral wolves are associated with rogues only, and he was still connected to this pack, to me.

Kai laughed at my idiocy as he always did. It wasn’t in his nature to be forgiving, not in the slightest. I had hatred for my parents, but like my dad always said, I was weak. I couldn’t bring myself to completely cut myself off from them, knowing my mom needed me and my dad would have to be put down soon. It was the least I could do as their son, as their Alpha.

I squinted at what looked like random faint lines etched onto the charred trunk. I traced them with my fingers, and they followed a circle with a certain mark on its center. What … is this?

Kai suddenly growled, his anger returning from out of nowhere.

“Do you recognize this?” I asked.

“Witches,” he answered, his displeasure suffocating.

“Kai, calm down. Are you sure?”

“Don’t doubt me, Kyhan.”

Is this why he burned them? I glanced up at the second floor of the mansion. The curtain on my mom’s room seems to have moved. Had she been watching me? They knew about this. I needed to find the answers on my own and fast.

On my way to the packhouse, several of my pack members greeted me and bowed in respect. I was too tired after reaching my office that I just plopped down on my chair, threw my head back, then sighed. Luan needed me now. Letting her down wasn’t an option. How did she know about the trees? Has she always known about them?

Minutes later, Siel walked in looking like he was about to collapse at any second. He’d been running with the patrols for two nights straight, then defeated every gamma who challenged him during training today.

He bowed to show respect then happily sat himself on the couch. “We’re still weak,” he sighed. “If that vampire was average, we don’t stand a chance against their heavy hitters.”

And yet another problem.

“The gamma’s wounds have fully healed, except for the fractures. He’s yet to regain consciousness.”

He closed his eyes for a power nap while I considered his report. I can’t protect her with this.

Siel jolted awake when his brother and his mate joined us. Samuel assisted Annie in sitting down. Her stomach had gotten bigger, and her once slim figure had put on some weight. As her pregnancy progressed, she’d been wearing dresses more often . They were expecting a boy – the next Beta of the pack. Samuel had been gentle around her, making sure she was comfortable, just as a mate should.

“Thank you for coming,” I said to her.

She simply smiled, then took the glass of water her mate handed her. She’d also been having difficulty doing the simplest things and her range of motion had decreased.

“Mate is right. You are weird,” said my wolf.

I ignored him then pulled out a sheet of paper and began to draw the mark I saw on the tree. “What’s your opinion on witches, Annie?” I asked without looking up. “You grew outside. Have you ever met one?”

“Some … live among humans, Alpha,” she answered slowly. “It is not uncommon for werewolves and witches to … mingle.”

“What do you know about them?”

“Alpha, what’s this about?” Samuel interjected.

I finished the drawing by adding in the circle. Both brothers had confusion on their faces. Annie’s hand trembled slightly.

“Let her answer the question, Beta,” I said calmly. “The safety of the pack depends on what comes out of this.”

“She’s not a traitor!” he immediately defended, blocking my sight of her. I met his hardened gaze with impassiveness. “I trust her.”

I leaned forward; my elbows propped atop the table. With my body on the brink of collapsing, my control on my wolf was slipping. He projected his thoughts and emotions unto the bond, most of them disturbing and painful. “Did I say she was a ‘traitor’? You’re quick to react, Beta. You two can’t be hiding anything from me, are you?” My gaze narrowed almost unnoticeably. “As my friend and Beta, I trust you.”

A small hand touched his arm, making him turn to his mate. “Sit down,” she said.

Samuel appeared to hesitate for a moment before showing me his neck as a sign of submission.

“The witches that live with the humans are good. They help in treating werewolves, including rogues. Often, rogues are heavily injured when found. They treat their wounds and help them recover. Werewolf children get sick with human diseases before their shift. The witches I know of would prepare concoctions to cure them.” Annie held Samuel’s hand, seemingly for courage. “There was a time Lulu had a high fever to the point that she was throwing up. We couldn’t bring her to the hospital – it was a human hospital. A witch gave her something to drink and the next morning, Lulu was all healed.”

“Are you still in contact with this witch?”

She shook her head, light brown eyes as sincere as her voice. “No, Alpha. I haven’t talked to anyone I knew outside since you accepted me and my daughter to your pack.”

Smart answer. Kai agreed, taking on the challenge. Half of me tried to push him back, but I barely had the strength to force him. “Besides concoctions, what else can they do?”

“They … I heard they can cast protective spells.”

Kai wasn’t satisfied with the answer. “You heard?” I pressed.

She rubbed her belly with her free hand. “I haven’t seen it for myself, Alpha. It was only a rumor because they had strange symbols around their houses. I hadn’t seen a witch get harmed from when rogues attacked our … community.”

Siel sank deeper into the couch and crossed his arms.

“Do you recognize this?” I asked, showing the drawing.

Samuel’s confusion grew. Annie swallowed audibly. She squeezed her mate’s hand then nodded.

I smiled. “Tell me what this is, Annie.”

“It’s … a symbol, Alpha, I think.”

“Do you think it belongs to a witch?”

She nodded; her face now pale. “Yes, Alpha.”

“Give her contact to your mate,” I ordered. “Beta, track this witch down and bring her here.”

“It’s dangerous, Alpha!” she suddenly exclaimed, then took a deep breath. She rubbed her belly as she spoke. “These witches are hostile towards outsiders. The werewolves they helped will protect them. And – and she could’ve moved. Our … community was dissolved.”

Samuel taught her well. They were simply organized rogues and not a pack like she had insisted once. A community was a more suited term for temporarily non-threat rogues. As the Beta’s mate, she was learning the ropes of her position and a pack life fairly well.

Healing. Protection. It’s a long shot, but if they needed wolves to protect them, they weren’t suited for combat. I needed answers from a witch herself. Kai agreed reluctantly. Then he showed me his teeth. Before I could stop myself, his words came tumbling out of my mouth. “Don’t underestimate your mate, Annie,” I said, switching my gaze from her to Samuel. “He understands his duties very well.”

His jaw clenched, posture stiffening at the relayed message. I immediately regretted the threat – it was unfair to involve an innocent child. “I understand, Alpha,” he said.

“You must be tired, Annie,” forcing a smile. “Thank you for coming over.”

“I’m happy to help, Alpha. Please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me.”

“Your mate is undeserving,” I sighed exaggeratedly, making her giggle.

Samuel led her out of the office, understanding that both of them were dismissed.

“That was low, Alpha,” said Siel, who was now stretching himself out on the couch. “Threatening him like that.”

I leaned back into my chair and sighed. “He disrespected his Alpha.”

“Are you in control right now, Kyhan?”

“Partly,” I answered. “Kai’s been constantly aggravated lately.”

“Should I ready the chains?”

Kai didn’t like the mention of those silver chains dipped in wolfsbane. “Might as well. You’ll have to tie me up when Luan goes into heat. Prepare a shot or two.”

“I suppose you haven’t told Luan yet about your wolf?”

I kept quiet. She wasn’t ready to hear it yet.

“You’ll have to tell her eventually … for her own safety.”

“Eventually,” I confirmed. For an abuser, he really did care about her. This whole thing was just f****d up. But if there was anyone who had more than enough strength, kindness, and compassion to overcome this, it was her. I’d be with her every step of the way. I wouldn’t let her do this alone.

“She deserves to be happy.” He placed an arm over his eyes. “Break her heart and I swear on the Goddess’s name, I’ll break every bone in your body.”

“He gave you two an Order, didn’t he?” The question spilled from my mouth before I could stop it. Kai had neither filter nor tact; instinct guided his actions a majority of the time.

His lips twitched, but he didn’t answer for some time. Having judged that he was too cowardly to admit to it, I decided to leave and let him rest. As I was about to close the door, he spoke in a voice laced with hopelessness; it stunned me. “It doesn’t matter now.”

It all made sense. The realization of it all should be enough to push me over the edge, but instead of fury, I was just numb. Almost as if I had expected nothing less.

Since I’d never had a true Alpha’s power, I couldn’t deduce if putting down the wolves of a Beta and Head Gamma were within his capabilities.

What if he did the same to me? What if he Ordered me to abuse my own mate? I’d rather die than raise my fist at her.

Will Luan see me as my dad? I gritted my teeth at the thought. No. I’m different. I’ll make her see that I’m different.

Siel’s words echoed in my head all the way back to my home. I paused from knocking on the front door, deciding if I should tell her. It matters to her. Then what – knowing about it wouldn’t change a thing.

I rapped on the door thrice. I heard movement from behind before the door opened, revealing a sleepy Luan. She was rubbing her eyes as she yawned.

It felt surreal to have to knock on my door. It felt surreal that someone would open it and smile as soon as it opened.

I took her in my arms then locked the door behind us. “Let’s get you to bed,” I whispered in her ear then kissed her hair. She’d changed into an oversized shirt that reached to her knees and baggy pants; it was no different from being wrapped in a blanket.

This was fine. I could live with this, live like this.

“Are you okay?” she asked, rubbing her cheek on my chest.

“I am now.” I smiled, my heart soaring from her warmth. It was amazing how her presence could calm my wolf. Kai laid peacefully, seemingly asleep.

Seeing the bedroom brought back the exhaustion of the day into my bones. I laid her down gently, covered her with the sheets, then placed some smaller pillows near the headboard. I picked out the stray strands on her face so they wouldn’t irritate her. “Can I sleep with you?” I asked, internally begging for her to consent.

“You better,” she replied.

I laughed at her weak threat. Adorable. I stripped down to my boxers before joining her in bed. I faithfully stayed on my side, content that she was beside me; her scent had filled the room.

This was definitely better than being alone. This was a better normal.

My muscles relaxed and I felt myself drift off. An arm wrapped itself around my waist then a weight was placed on my chest. I held that arm and sighed.

“Don’t tease Luan too much, Sparkles,” I said. “As much as I want to make you howl, let us humans take this slow.”

“You’re talking to Luan, mate,” she replied. I raised a brow. I had to figure out how to tell when they switched. But for now, I couldn’t care less. I was happy I got to sleep with her like this. “And for the record, this is us taking things slow.”

I thought slow was us sleeping in separate rooms then I’d sleep on the floor of her bedroom before she let me into her bed. And even then, she wouldn’t let me touch her and maybe form a division of sorts between us using pillows. I had our bedroom arrangements envisioned in my head. This was a huge jump to the end before the next step – intimacy. “Whatever makes you happy, mate.”

“Kyhan?”

I hummed.

“I want this to work,” she whispered, sleep close to claiming her. “I take back my rejection.”

My lids flew open at her statement. Did I hear her right? She just removed the looming threat between us from forming a relationship. It had only been a day. What did I do that made her trust me to this extent?

Kai stirred in my head, satisfied from her willingness to approach us on her own. “Mark her soon,” he said as he retreated to the back of my mind.

If things went well, she’d be wearing our mark soon. And I’d have hers as well.

I kissed Luan’s hair then inhaled her calming scent. No one could ever take her place in my heart. She’d owned my entirety before I’d realized. “Thank you, cupcake,” I whispered, happiness welling up inside me, I was surprised it didn’t wake her. “I mean it.”

XXX

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A/N:

Thank you for your patience!

Got caught up with exams then politics ^^



Does Alpha Lynall sound familiar?

I was approached by an editor on Dreame weeks ago and was offered a nonex contract. After thinking it over and having been adviced by a dear friend, Ascension of a Gamma will be returning to Dreame as a complete version. I'll be contracting AOAG on this platform soon, uploading more chapters while waiting to finalize contract signing. I hope you'll support Alpha Liam and Anna's story too! See you there!