The Marred Bond

Chapter 5

• Adrian •

I toppled over my own feet, gasping for air as the clenching pain in my chest increased and inflamed like a wild fire. I felt my every vein squeezing as my head went numb, my insides clawed desperately. The pain was excruciating. It was painful and it hurt badly. It felt as if someone was crushing my heart. The mate bond twisted and turned, pulling and tugging at me to let me feel the pain our mate was going through.

I don't know what Leo said to her, but whatever he said had caused insatiable pain to her and I was receiving the blow of it. She is definitely hurt beyond belief, because this is just uncontrollable to tolerate. I sat down on couch, breathing and panting as if I've run for miles. Her scent still lingered behind and I was grasping at the reminiscent of it to stay sane.

Just what the f**k did you said to her!? I growled at the whimpering Leo, he seemed to be in more pain than me. Well, he had caused it and she must be berating him now that he's suffering the blow of his actions so harshly.

'You never listen to me! I told you to reject her! You didn't! And now look. I'm in pain because of that b***h!' He growled right back at me.

She's in pain because of you, Leo. You shouldn't have said what you said. She's definitely hurt. And now you're suffering because of it. Kevin said softly, knowing how easily Leo loses his temper. But the damage was already done as I felt waves of rage emitting from him.

'She's my mate not yours! So stay the f**k away from my personal matter!' Leo bellowed possessively. I felt Kevin distancing and pushing himself in the depths of my mind.

Why is she a human? I said to him when he calmed down.

'Because Moon Goddess hates us!' He snapped and faded. He was obviously still in so much pain that he tucked himself away to brood alone.

Now that I've seen her, the desperation to reach and protect her is much more stronger. Thinking back on my thoughts on how I had wanted my mate to be made me chuckle in irony of what I've received instead. She's beautiful. She's breathtakingly an Angel, there's no question in that. But she's a human. And I can't wage a war just to get my mate. I can't put my peoples lives on line to make her mine. I've to severe this bond. Anyhow. Without giving her any pain. Because even if I hate to admit, she has become the soul of my entire being. And I can't put her through any sufferings.

Neither she asked for this, nor me. So it's fair either we both suffer, or we both don't. And rejecting her means, putting her through hell. Even if she's a human and won't die, she'll become a shell. With no hope to live. And therefore humans and werewolves were never mated. They are just not meant to be together.

I don't know why Moon Goddess made us an exception.

At first I was all ready to reject her, but the little spitfire stole my breath with her silly talks. I was mesmerized. She is a little goofball. Nervous yet fearless. I couldn't mask my feelings that came raining down. She enamored me in a way no one ever had. Well, expected. She's my mate after all. She's chosen to be mine. And mine alone. The thought of us separating and she falling in love with someone else made me shift uncomfortably. The anger, possessivity came in an overwhelmingly insane speed.

How I wish she was not a human but one among us. I would have accepted her readily. Would have showered her with kisses and hugs instead of growling and grumbling in front of her. I don't know what Leo said to her, but she looked hurt. And that didn't sit well with me. When she asked to leave, I had wanted to tuck her in my arms and never let her go. The feeling was so raw and new that it scared me with it's intensity.

My eyes fell on her heels and I chuckled. She's one clumsy rabbit. She must be walking barefooted right now. What does she thinks she is? Cinderella?

I could feel her discomfort through the bond. Is it because of the shoes?

"Damon, get the shoes I had bought for Vanessa and come back here, please." I said through the mind link.

"Right away, Alpha." He replied almost immediately.

Not a minute later there was a knock on the door. I called him inside and he handed me the shoe box. "Thanks.", I said to him before walking out. I entered the large hall, catching everyone's attention. It's close to 12:00 so I'm sure everyone was waiting for me. The new year celebration will start soon.

"I'm glad you came. I had actually sent guards to find you.", Mr. White reached me.

"Uhm, Mr. White, I actually need a minute or so. It's really very important.", I said and his face fell. He looked disappointed but nodded nonetheless.

"Take your time, King Adrian. I'll be right there on stage with everyone else if you need me.", He said and I smiled gratefully. Mr. White walked back to his other mates, surely berating me in his mind for treating such important occasion with so casualty.

But it's my mate. And it's the bond that's pulling me towards her. However hard I try, I can't fight it.

I followed her scent, and found myself walking inside the carpark. There she stood, at one corner, with her back facing me. Barefooted.

I felt Leo scrambling back to front, wanting to look at her. Even he can't resist the urge to drink in her exquisite beauty. I gestured Damon to stand still with a flick of my fingers. He had already touched her once, on my order. But now that I had a closer look at her, had a drop of her intoxicating scent, any other male eyeing her or even looking at her brings out murderous thoughts in me.

I approached her gently, fearing that my loud footsteps might scare her. I frowned when she suddenly stiffened. Has she sensed my presence? Brushing away the soft approach, I fastened my steps and touched her shoulder.

What I hadn't expected was her to grab my hand, twist it painfully and blow a kick to my most vulnerable body part.

"What the f**k!?", I yelled, the shoe box fell down as I covered my bruised asset. This girl is definitely a crazy one I had ever encountered!

She gasped. Her hands fled to cover her mouth. "Oh my God! I- I thought-"

"Shut up!", I hissed. She flinched back. I stood straight, although it hurt like hell down there but I couldn't stand in that crouched position for so long. Definitely not in front of her. I have to swallow this agonizing pain.

"I- I'm so sorry. I thought- I'm really very sorry. Why did you come pulling all James Bond on me!? I got scared and reacted instinctively!", She glowered and I looked at her in disbelief, taken aback by her audacity to talk me down when it was her mistake.

"Oh well, my apologies. I'll run around with a siren from today to announce my presence!", I snapped and she blinked.

"I'm sorry.", She said weakly.

I sighed and bent, ignoring the slight pain between my legs as I grabbed the shoe box.

"Why are you here?", She asked tentatively.

Instead of answering her, I opened the box and presented it in front of her. "You forgot your heels in the room. And they looked uncomfortable so I brought these one instead. They are comfortable. And will not cause blisters.", I said softly, keeping my gaze down. I don't understand why this was making me embarrass.

"They are beautiful!", She whispered in awe. I noticed her instant liking towards the flats that surprisingly matched with her dress. "But I can't take them. They look expensive.", She looked at me tenderly and I felt myself unraveling before her exposed emotions. This woman was making me vulnerable and I hated it, at the same time I f*****g loved it.

I avoided my gaze away. The crave to feel her soft pair of lips under mine was growing uncontrollable. I crouched down on my one knee and looked up at her. Her eyes were wide open in shock. "Allow me.", I said and she shook her head.

"I'll wear them.", She whispered.

How do I tell you that I'm craving to touch you and this is the only excuse I can come up with!

'Let me on the surface please.' Leo requested.

So that you can scare her off once again? No! I said and he whimpered.

'Please.' He whispered and I succumbed to his desperate wish. I felt his presence right beside me and so I looked down. I know my one eye must be silver now that he has taken half control.

"Let me.", I said again and saw her toes twitching before she lifted up her leg. My hand curled around her ankle. The single touch sent a shudder of pleasure down my body.

'f**k! Her skin is so damn soft.'

I couldn't agree less.

She bent her leg, and the slit exposed her bare thigh. I gulped. Tearing my eyes away from her thigh, I brought her ankle forward and slid in the shoe. It fit her perfectly, washing away my worries of it not being her size. I did same for the other shoe and then stood up after pushing Leo back so that my two different eye colors won't scare her off.

My breath hitched realising how close we were. "What were you doing here? All alone.", The thought of her being alone and open for any danger made me angry.

"Elijah wanted to eat at buffet before we leave. And I wanted some fresh air."

'Elijah!? Who the f**k is Elijah!? I'll kill him if he's her boyfriend or husband or whatever!' Leo growled.

For the second time tonight my feelings matched with Leo's. I wanted nothing but to tear apart this Elijah guy in two if he so attempts to touch my mate.

"Elijah!? Who is he?", I spat out venomously.

"My office friend.", She said stepping back in fear.

I visibly relaxed and took a deep breath. I can't believe I'm getting jealous when I'm planning to severe this bond.

Soft wind waved through us, bringing soft tendrils to caress her face. They flickered, teasingly lingering on her cheeks and lips. How I wish I was one of them. Goddess! I'm turning into a creep!

The traitorous wind blew fast, and she closed her eyes as the slender curls grazed her face aggressively. I don't know what game was nature playing on us but I'm definitely losing with the way my deceiving hand reached up to push back her hair. I don't think I've control on my body when I'm around her. A sudden white flash on my face snapped my eyes towards the source and my hand instinctively went behind her head, yanking her in my embrace. I don't want anyone looking at her.

I glared murderously at the trembling guy who was hidden beside the car. He stood up, smiling shakily. The camera in his hand quivering as he offered it to me. Damon walked past me, grabbing the guy by collar and dragging him to the farthest corner to teach him a lesson.

The sudden colorful glower on us made me frown and I looked up. The sky was lightened with multiple colors. Booming with fireworks. I heard yells and cheers from inside the hotel, realising that it's already past twelve.

A soft gasp brought me out of daze and I looked down, she was still tucked in my embrace. Her fists on my chest and her head tilted up, a smile on her face as she gazed at the sky above us. The colors acted as spotlights, they twinkled and shone in her beautiful silver eyes and I stood enamored. She was more appealing to me than the fireworks above us. Slowly her eyes met mine, and my heart skipped a beat at the innocence and grace that she looked at me with.

"Happy New Year.", I whispered.

"Happy New Year.", She whispered back.

I don't know why, but neither of us wanted to let go.

"Taking into consideration that we want to reject this bond, we're not even fighting the pull.", She said after a minute, definitely referring to our close proximity. I sighed and reluctantly stepped away. Disappointment coursing hard and fast through my every vein.

"s**t! My friends are coming!", She gasped and instinctively I tried to turn. She grabbed my shoulder, making me face her once again. She looked panicked. "I'll go and distract them, in the mean time you can go back inside. Okay?", She said. At the thought of separation, Leo whined. I swear he is so bipolar sometimes.

I nodded hesitantly.

She attempted to walk but I grasped her elbow, her exotic silver eyes clashed with mine and I curbed the urge to slam my lips onto hers. "Name? I didn't catch your name.", I rasped out, the need in me to have her was losing control.

"Aurora. Aurora Valentine. I have saved my contact number with my name.", She smiled and my heart swooned, my body wanting nothing but to scoop her in my arms and sweep her off this world to our own haven. To a sanctuary where I can satiate my every hunger, every crave, every fantasy for her. "Call me when you find a solution. And don't listen to that stubborn wolf. He's dumb!", She said lastly, with absolute revulsion in her tone. Leo paced restlessly. Her words hurting him to no extent. With one last smile at me, she sprinted past me.

'I'm not dumb!' He grumbled.

You think what you said to Kevin was necessary? I asked and he fell silent. There my stubborn wolf, you received your answer. I said before turning and walking to back entrance where I can enter through kitchen.

"I hope you took care of the situation, Damon?" I asked through mindlink and received positive response. I called him back and ignored the collective gasps of kitchen staff as I wavered through them and entered the large hall. I immediately walked up to stage and said my apologies to all the presidents, other political leaders for my inconsiderate behavior. I obviously couldn't tell them the real reason, but neither did they ask for one. May be my power and position scared them off.

The painful distance from my mate was eating me out until the end of the ceremony that lasted until two in the morning. I was completely drained but held onto the last thread of patience as the prime minister of Italy pulled me in a conversation that focused on foreign trade.

Somehow I dodged him later on and gestured Damon to follow me.

"Did you find her address?", I asked desperately and he nodded.

"I've already send you through text.", He answered.

"Let's go then!", I said and we headed to the exit of hotel only to be stopped by the secretary of President White. s**t!

"Sir, are you going somewhere?", He asked curiously.

"No.", I denied blatantly.

Damn how can I forget that I'm in human territory and can't go anywhere on my own will. They'll definitely send their bodyguards and police to keep an eye on my activities. But this bond, and the distance was killing me. My eyes crave to hold her sight again. This was why I had wanted a werewolf as my mate. She could have understand me much better. We mates need each other to breath. Once a werewolf find his mate, no matter if it is woman or man, they can't deny the pull which tugs at the both ends. But she's a human. She won't feel this desperation.

And therefore I had told you to reject her! Now we're going through this mate s**t because of your stubbornness! Leo grunted.

"Should I escort you to your suite, Sir?", He asked and I shook my head.

"I can find my way. Thanks.", I almost growled in annoyance before turning on my heels and storming down the hallway towards the elevator. The moment I entered, I turned and faced Damon.

"I don't care how you do it. I want my mate. Bring her here!", I growled in complete dominance and he nodded immediately. I know what I had demanded for is completely stupid and dangerous but I was far too gone in hunger to have her to care about how he does it.

Reaching my suite, I glared at the human bodyguards that stood in front the door and told them to go away. They scurried out of fear. Swiping my key card, I entered and slammed the door shut.

Throwing my blazer on the couch, I passed a furious hand through my hair tousling them. I want her damnit! I want her right now!

I thought I'll be able to resist this pull but I'm completely failing in doing so.

It was two hours later when the intoxicating sandalwood scent heightened my senses and I stood up restlessly. The door opened, painfully slowly and her fragile figure came into my view. I swear it felt as if I got my breath back. She nervously looked up and her eyes landed on me, relief flooding in them. The moment Damon closed door behind her, I strode and engulfed her in a hug. Thankful to Damon for bringing her here and for giving us the privacy that I needed.

"Considering that I was so hell bent on rejecting you, I definitely can't fight this pull.", I said hoarsely and felt her shiver. Inhaling her scent, I tried to calm myself. And calm what I felt with her so close to me.

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