The Marred Bond

Chapter 11

• Adrian •

Leo, let me take the control back! I snapped but he paid me no mind.

Soon enough we were in the training field and I sensed everyone backing off as they realized Leo is in control and not me. He didn't wait to change, just shifted in the middle of field sending our clothes in different directions. I sighed. After blowing up on our mate like that, I don't understand what temper he's still holding onto now.

I remember how I was knocked out of my slumber when Leo suddenly took control and scared our mate off with his growling and snapping. I felt betrayed. How can he do that without asking me?

'I'm your wolf, Adrian! Not a f*****g slave! If you can choose between me and Kevin for our mate's safety, I can bloody hell take controls in my hand when you're unconscious!' Leo snarled as we raced through the trees, heading straight for the cliff.

What you did was wrong-

Don't be a hypocrite now, Adrian. It's not secret to both of us how you control Leo when you're in power. Kevin said and I scoffed.

I do that because Leo acts on his instincts. If he wants to do something, he'll do it without thinking of the consequences. As his human side, I've to put a little control on him. I'm given brains for some reason. I can't go on acting on my impulse.

'Get the f**k out of my head, Kevin! I don't care where, just f*****g block yourself because I don't want you here right now!' Leo growled, making Kevin whimper as he backed out and pushed himself in the abyss of our mind.

That was not right-

'Just f*****g shut up!' He growled and I sighed. He huffed before launching himself off the cliff and diving underwater. I tossed myself to the back of our mind, waiting for him to blow his steam off. He likes swimming, it helps him shake off his temper. Although I know, instead of an angry wolf, we must be looking like a dog struggling inside water to swim with it's paws flailing in different directions.

I don't understand what problem Leo has with Aurora. She has been nothing but sweet to us. But his unreasonable anger towards her just doesn't make sense. He wasn't like this always. When I first shifted, we met for the first time. That day is still so vivid in my mind. He was so sweet, assuring and helped me understand and love this side of us. He was and is like a brother to me. For the first year I couldn't stop talking to him. He was inside my head always and I was amazed by that. I'd always wanted a friend. I didn't had many because of my status in school. They were all afraid of me. So when Leo came, I was so overjoyed that we won't sleep at nights and just continue talking until I fall asleep at dawn. But that all changed when Kevin came. Leo started to grow distant. He would merely answer any of my question. We would barely talk. Soon Kevin replaced his place and Leo was just a friend, someone I lost connection of. I missed him. But I didn't had time to dwell on his weird behavior because my training and grooming sessions were starting to get hard and strict. I was alone and Kevin was there for me.

It was a year later, I was 21 that time when my interest to find my mate grew. And boom! Leo was back as if nothing ever happened. But he wasn't same. He was rude, snappy, cold and witty. His sarcasm was sometimes funny. I was just happy that my wolf was back so I didn't ponder over anything else. But when he began urging me to have s****l relationship with other girls, or told me to just forget our mate and mark someone else, I knew why he came back. His unusual hatred towards our mate was confusing, but he never bothered to explain himself. He does what he wants to, and if he doesn't want to do something; it's next to impossible to change his mind.

Now if we're done, can we go back? I'm hungry. I said and he huffed before climbing over the rocks and shaking out the excess water off our golden fur. We ran back towards country house and reached within few minutes. Damon was already standing at the entrance of the gates with my clothes, Leo grabbed them in jaw and marched inside.

Let's just shift outside! I grumbled as he headed inside.

'No!' He growled back.

"Leo, my floor! How dare you come inside with your dirty paws, you rat!", Our mom scolded us and we inspected our paws. I felt bad for the pristine white floor which was now brown and muddy. He rushed us upstairs, just as Mom started to chase us. She wouldn't come to second floor, because she's too lazy to waste her energy on a bounding hulk alpha male wolf.

I pouted as he wasn't letting me take the control back. Leo-

'Shut up!' He grumbled and I puffed out a breath, all irritated. I've so much important things to do, pampering a stubborn and angry wolf was not in my list. The door to our bedroom opened and I smiled as our mate came out, all bathed and fresh. I sniffed the air and her scent was tantalizing. She smelled a little like us too, so that made me proud.

"Oh damn!", She breathed out. "You're so gorgeous!", She gasped before squatting down on her knees and staring at us wide eyed. "I take the liberty of assuming that you won't bite me after my experience with Kevin? I don't think you wolves are that bad?", She smiled. I frowned. Does she not know that it's me. Her mate.

"I would have petted you because you're so f*****g beautiful and cute! But Adrian and that 24/7 grumbling Leo are possessive. You're so cute though!", She pouted and I smiled, satisfied. She remembers that we don't like her touching anyone else except us.

'She- she doesn't know that it's me.' Leo mumbled and I snorted.

No s**t, Sherlock! I rolled my eyes. Of course she doesn't. She has never seen us in wolf form before.

"You've the same silver eyes. But yours are warm. His are cold like ice. Is he an artic wolf?", She mumbled to herself as she sat down on floor, folding her legs. She then looked up at us, her head tilting slightly. "I've never seen someone as stunning as you. Not even the wolf who brought me here yesterday is this beautiful.", She said sighing dreamily.

I was afraid of Leo's reaction. I hope he doesn't bare his teeth and scares her off again. She's looking so cute and at relief around us. I don't want to make her afraid of us.

I was shocked when Leo sat down, all relaxed. She gasped when he nudged at her free hand on her lap with his paw. His nudge was gentle and I understood what he was asking for. But she looked confused as she let her hand raise in mid air before frowning at us. "What?"

He lowered his head and I had to stifle back a choke. Not that he was submitting, but lowering his head in front of someone in Leo's case was something one could only dream of. He pushed his head under her raised hand, letting her open palm caress his fur. She chuckled.

"Aw, you want to be petted?", She cooed and I held my chuckle back sensing Leo's dislike towards the last word. She was treating us like a dog and I'm sure he hates it.

He inched closer and dropped his head on her shoulder, nuzzling his muzzle in her hair.

"I don't think Adrian will like this.", I heard her whisper.

'I hate this! I hate this pull!' Leo groaned before pulling off and turning around, stalking towards the study room, away from her.

When we shifted, I was happy to be back in control. I immediately took the clothes and headed inside en-suite bathroom. After brushing my teeth, bathing and dressing myself in fresh clothes I headed back to my room. I frowned when I found it empty.

She must have gone down for breakfast.

With that in my mind, I made my way downstairs.

Kevin? I called out softly.

I'm here. I'm fine. He said but I could sense the underlying pain in his voice.

'Of course he is. He easily replaced me yesterday in our mate's life just like he did in yours. An extra baggage who believes too highly of himself.' Leo snorted and I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration.

That's you, Leo. You're the one who thinks too highly of himself. You're the one who's distancing himself from everyone. I'm temporary but you're-

'You're temporary!? Is that a joke!? Because I remember something entirely different.' Leo growled back.

Tell me why did you let Aurora pet you this morning? If you hate her so much, why do you crave her closeness? I asked and that shut him up. Sighing I blocked them out. I don't understand Leo. I want my old one back. Not this. Always so rude and insensitive.

Sweet smell of pancakes wafted through air and my stomach growled. I entered the kitchen, and halted at the sight of my mate and that dumb human sitting in the dining hall beside each other.

"Peanut butter sandwiches and pancakes with your favorite toasted marshmallow syrup. Go and take a seat.", Mom patted my back and I nodded, before entering the dining hall that is connected with the kitchen. Her head snapped up and she smiled.

"Good morning!", She beamed.

"Morning.", I grumbled as I sat down at the end of the table.

"Is everything fine?", She asked and I nodded. I should ask that. She must be scared out of her wits because of morning's incident.

"Alpha?", Damon waltzed in and I looked up, raising my brows at him in question. "The council is expecting you at 12. And Alpha Victor was asking for meeting since last week, but it was tough considering your busy schedule.", He said.

I eyed the human who was definitely eavesdropping on us. Not that we were being any discreet but I still resisted the urge to slit his ear off. He thought he is secretive. Little does he know.

"Fix one next week at fortress."

"Yes, Alpha.", Damon nodded.

"Damon, child sit down. I'll get breakfast for you too.", Mom said as she slid my breakfast plate in front of me like I'm some pet.

"I'm not a dog, mom!", I grumbled.

"Aw, you're still my pup!", She said kissing my head and I huffed.

I noticed him nodding from the corner of my eyes before he took a seat adjacent to me. We indulged ourselves in casual conversation, nothing that can give out our personal information.

"Good morning, Sir!", Damon said suddenly sitting straight. I looked up and found my father striding inside, the lady following him made me breathe out in frustration. Damn it, not today!

"Good morning, Damon. Cynthia, have a seat, darling."

"Thanks uncle.", She smiled before coming over and sitting adjacent to me, right across Damon. "Good morning, Adrian", I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. She had her hand pressing on my forearm and I was fighting with my entire being to not throw it off.

I ignored her and went back to my conversation with Damon. I could feel Aurora's eyes flickering to me, but with Dad here I was tied.

"So, I couldn't meet you yesterday. You're the mate moon goddess chose for my son?", Dad asked and I glanced at Aurora, only to find her nodding at his question. "This is Cynthia. Cynthia Watts. Future Queen and the one Adrian will mark as his mate after you.", He added.

My heart constricted and I gasped soundlessly. I could feel her pain through bond. It was unbearable. My eyes snapped to her when she suddenly stood up. Her eyes caught mine and I saw overwhelming amount of hurt and agony in them, before she averted those beautiful pearls away from mine and rushed out of dining hall, the human guy raced after her.

"What a pathetic human. I just hope her weak soul doesn't-"

"Enough, Dad!", I growled, swatting the irritating touch off my forearm and standing up. The chair went flying back. I could feel my every vein tensing as the pain she was feeling emitted in waves and enveloped me as if I deserve the share in it.

"That was unnecessary, William.", Mom said coming out of kitchen.

"I was just making sure she doesn't get her hopes high. I don't want her changing her mind after seeing all this luxury.", He said waving his hand around.

"I don't f*****g care what you think and what you want. But I'll not tolerate someone disrespecting her in my presence!", I growled and he sighed.

"Calm down, son. Cynthia is here. At least respect her presence. She fled here this morning just to see you. And you were ignoring the future Queen because of a human?"

"That human is my Mate!", I gritted out. "The bond is not broken yet so please stop degrading it! Right now, she's more important to me over everything else!", I snapped before storming out and following her scent. I made it to backyard and noticed her sitting on a stone bench, the human officer right beside her. When I was few feet away, she tensed and I know she realized my presence. The human officer turned his head before standing up and walking inside past me.

She sniffed just when I sat down beside her, leaving a painful distance between us.

'Mate is hurt.' Leo whimpered.

As if you ever do something different! I bit back.

'But I've a reas- She's our. I've every right. That old man doesn't!' He grumbled, I ignored him.

"I've not chosen her. Dad did. He thinks she'll be right for the position. I don't even know her that well. We've just met two times so far. And everytime I would escape with one or other reason.", I mumbled softly.

"I don't care.", She whispered.

"Then why are you hurt?", I asked.

"I'm not."

"You are."

"No, I'm not!", She gritted out.

"Don't deny it. I can feel your pain. You're so hurt."

"Just shut the f**k up!", She yelled as she stood up to go. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down. "I hate this! I hate this mate bond!", She grunted in distate. "I didn't know you before a month! And now look at me! You're not even mine to begin with, yet it hurts just as bad!", She whimpered and I pulled my sobbing mate in my arms.

"Damon, don't let anyone wander to east side of backyard." I said through mindlink and he obliged immediately.

"Shh! I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Aurora.", I mumbled as I caressed her back with soothing rubs.

After a minute or so she stopped and sat straight. "I'm fine now. Was just being an emotional fool!", She said hoarsely. I offered her my handkerchief, and she took it after mumbling a thank you before wiping off her face.

Deciding to give her some space, I stood up but she grabbed my wrist before I could leave. Turning over my shoulder, I frowned at her.

"Ca-Can't we be sel-selfish?", She whispered brokenly. Her eyes glossy as she gulped, waiting for me to answer.

I thought back to my options only to chuckle inwardly realising that I don't have any.

"No. We can't be selfish.", I murmured and removed her hand. It dropped weakly to her side as a tear rolled out of her eye. Averting my gaze, I gulped and stalked back inside without glancing back.

The more the physical distance between us grew, I could feel our hearts drifting apart. There was a rift starting to form between us, pushing us away. Our bond was suffering even before we can break it off. I hate this. I wish she was one of us. I wish she was not a human.

"Adrian?", I stopped as Mom stood in front of me. I kept my head down, knowing how blurry my gaze was. I don't want to show how weak her son has grown because of a mate bond. "Come with me.", She grabbed my wrist and led us to her room. "My pup, let it out.", I sniffled and dropped my head on her shoulder, letting the tears run free. Wrapping my arms around her petite frame, I cried in the crook of her neck.

"This is so hard, Mom. This is so so hard. I was strong before she came, but now I'm just falling apart. I don't want to break this bond, mom. But I've to.", I weeped pathetically.

"Adrian, look at me.", She pulled me apart to face her. I met her stern eyes with my moist ones. "If she is meant to be yours, then may hell break loose, Goddess won't let you both separate.", My eyes widened.

"But mom-"

"No, listen to me. You've to do what your people expect of you. You can't run away from your responsibilities. If Aurora is the one for you, then everything in the universe will come together to help your union. But if not, then all you can do is wait for this bond to completely break and marry someone who can at least own the title if not your heart. We don't get everything we wish for, son.", She said softly and I nodded.

Alpha, it's time for the meeting with council members. Damon informed me through mindlink and I sighed. Wiping my face with the back of my palm, I took a deep breath.

"You're right, mom. I should not fall weak. I've to go now.", I said and she smiled before patting on my shoulder.

When I reached outside, I noticed her alongside Damon with the human officer near my Mercedes.

“We don't get everything we wish for, son.”

I wish, I wouldn't have wished for you. I could have saved myself from this pain.

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