The Marred Bond

Chapter 8

• Adrian •

I tried to not feel forlorn and isolate myself. But the desire to fly back and pull her in my arms was so strong that however hard I try, I just couldn't curb the feelings. I wanted to let the world know that she belongs to me, but I know it will be frowned upon. That day when she removed my grip off her and walked to their side, I felt the coldness of reality slapping me on my face. We are from two different worlds. And she stood to the side where she really belongs. But then how do I tame this heart who felt so betrayed. How do I tame this body that craves nothing more than her presence. How do I not feel alone when the essence of my soul was seven seas across, in other part of the world.

I had waited patiently. Had counted every second. Never gave into my desire to curb the thirst of lust when I saw beautiful women. Never once I betrayed the bond. And what did I receive? A human mate?

Who probably has already slept with many! Leo growled angrily. The mate bond was working on him too, and he was more grumpier now. Snapping and grumbling every now and then. Thanks to Kevin who keeps me sane throughout this because if it was up to Leo, he would have made me succumb to the desire of rejecting her in the most cruellest way.

I wouldn't say I wasn't angry at her. When she left my side and stood by their, I felt a stab of pain pushing me back in reality. I was seething in rage when she walked out along with that old man. Was it that easy for her? Am I the only one practically trembling to have her close? To quench the thirst of this bond.

I couldn't even drink a drop of water for two days straight for f***s sake! Never knew this mate bond is so hard. I thought it brings pure happiness. I had so many dreams built up, so many fantasies made that I thought I'll share with my mate. But here I'm. Away from her. My body practically shaking and desperate for her touch.

I don't have the heart to reject her. Neither I want to severe this bond. Strangely, I'm liking this when I should be hating and doing everything in my reach to find a solution. But I'm scared. I've never been this afraid in my entire life. To just imagine that we'll one day have nothing to do with each other makes my heart stutter.

If it was in my hand to change the destiny, I don't think I would have rewritten it. I'm hopelessly falling for that little goofball. May be my emotions are coming out stronger because of this mate bond, but it feels impossible to imagine anyone else except her. Even if she wasn't my mate, I think I would have been attracted to her anyways. She's too adorable to miss on. The guy who will get to be with her will be lucky. He'll get a 24*7 entertainment package all charged up for his entire life. I just hope he cherishes her. She deserves to be loved and cared. And I certainly can't give it to her.

The more I think about her, the more her thoughts cloud my mind. The more I recall softness of her skin, the more my body yearns for her closeness.

I really feel so lonely. And it's painful. I wonder if she feels like this too. Does she miss me? Does she think of me like I do? I know this bond must working on her too, but is she getting angry by it? Does missing me is making her frustrated? Does she thinks I'm an unneeded entity in her life who has no mentionable role?

I can't believe I'm acting like a pathetic highschool lover boy! I'm the King of Werewolves for goodness sake! I've so many other important things to do. There are many problems that needs my special attention.

When I came back, I seriously couldn't function well. The mate bond was getting on me. Mum saw through my tough facade and I would be lying if said I didn't cry like a child in her embrace the same night, cursing my worst fate. She coaxed me to sleep. But I woke up panting, missing Aurora. Her eyes. The way they glint when she laughs. Her soft petals. The way they tug up when she smiles. As if pulling the strings of Cupid's bow.

I want her. I want her so badly. But I also know how absurd my demand is. It can never come true. The girl I was waiting for my entire life is not meant to be mine. And I should just forget and mark someone else. Push myself to get over this and start a family with someone else, someone of my clan. Someone whom my people will accept.

Someone that will give me a family, but never the love. The love that'll always cling on to the little memories I've made with my mate. With Aurora.

I remember what mum said. The Werewolf Welfare Council will never accept her as my mate. She said, that a pathetic human becoming their Queen would make us a laughing stock in warlock, witches and vampires clan. And although witches and warlock will understand, vampires will never. To think that a specie close to it's extinction will mock you is such a disgrace to werewolf community. And I don't want to put my people's head down in shame.

And the fear of war that may break out if I do continue with this is much more fatal than any other existing problem. It had happened once when King Nicholas died, I can't let it happen again.

Leo whimpered. He wanted to go on a run but I denied him of that. If he accidentally howls in pain, every Werewolf will feel how broken we're from inside. That brings weakness. And a King can't be weak.

I swear I'll stay silent. Just let me out, Adrian. I seriously need a run. Leo said but I ignored him. He never thinks before doing anything. And his actions often land me in troubles. Now when I'm already this weak, I don't want people to know and give my enemies a chance to attack me.

I sighed as the last punching bag spilt apart, the sand it in poured down on the rough floor pooling by my feet. I unwrapped the cloth that was around my knuckles, clenching and unclenching my fists to cease the throbbing. Since I came back, I often find myself inside the gym. Mostly at nights.

The days fly by as I keep myself busy in work but nights are longer and painful. I can't sleep because whenever I try to, her face dances before my closed eyes. Neither can I stay in a solitude because I always find myself drown in her thoughts and tears sliding down my face at the start of the dawn. It makes me feel weak and pathetic. I don't like it. It's been only three days and I'm already falling apart. I don't know how much more until I'm left to collect my broken pieces. I don't want that day to come.

I don't want her to rule my thoughts and heart when I have an empire of three continents and a population of 3.7 billion werewolves to look upon. I can't waste my time in trying to pick up the reminiscent of something that'll eventually cease to exist.

I need to get my head straight.

"Alpha?", Damon's rough voice echoed in the empty room.

"Yes, Damon?"

"Daphne is on the line.", He said and my head snapped up. I felt my heart shattering as my mind conjured up the ways she'll have up her sleeves to break this bond. God I can't believe how weak this bond has made me!

"Okay..", I mumbled dejectedly and walked past him with my shoulders slumped. I don't keep any stern or emotionless facade in front of Damon. He has seen me in my best as well as my worst. I've never put my guards up around him because I know he's always there to shield me from the world whenever I fall weak.

Picking up the receiver in my study, I greeted her with a hello. Daphne is a 98 years old witch. One of the powerful and most smart witch in her clan. But she's as soft as cotton which results into people using her for their own benefits.

"It's a pleasure to receive a call from you, Alpha Adrian.", She said in a gentle tone.

"I hope Damon has briefed you about my situation.", I said hoping a positive response. I don't want to go over that again. It's too painful.

"Yes he did. And I've a solution ready with me.", She said and my breath hitched. I thought it'll take her some time but she's all ready with a solution in her hand. Goddess I don't want to do this!

"What is it?", I urged in a whisper.

"Although it'll take some time but it'll work. It'll break the bond slowly but surely. I actually had anticipated your phone much earlier, but I think you found her now.", She said and my brows furrowed together.

"What do you mean?"

"On your eighteenth birthday, your father rang me a call and told me that this situation may occur in coming future. I've been preparing since then.", She answered. My mind reeled in confusion. Did dad already know about this? Why wasn't I informed then? Or is this about being the incarnation of Alpha Nicholas? Am I really? f**k no. His mate rejected him. Mine didn't.

"Alpha Adrian? Are you there?", I flinched back to reality.

"Yeah. What is the solution?", My heart felt heavy as I queried about it.

"Well it's a strong potion that'll do it's work slowly but steadily. I've two pitchers ready. One for you and other for your mate. You've to drink 50ml every night before going to sleep. It might take few months to completely severe the bond depending on the strength with which it has you tied but I think two years will be all.", She said and I hummed. "Also, you've to come here along with your mate so I can be sure that it will do no harm."

"What do you mean? Is it harmful?"

"I don't think it'll do any damage to you. But she's a human. And woman at that. Human women tend to be more emotional than they show. This potion may get her worked up emotionally and instead of freeing her from this bond, she'll find herself tangling more into her own emotional trauma. We don't want that. I need to see and check how mentally strong she is. I've taken extra caution while preparing this potion but prevention is better than cure.", She said.

"Okay. I'll come there along with her next week. Will that be fine?"

"I've no problem. I'll be anticipating your arrival, Alpha Adrian.", She said before hanging up.

I immediately dialled for President White. I'm in Deccan Peninsula of Asia so it's five am here, but there it must be seven in the evening or something like that.

"I was waiting for your call, King Adrian.", The old man rasped.

"Well you don't have to anymore, I've found the solution.", I replied and heard him sigh in relief. I can't believe this man is drawing relief from my pain.

"Well, tell me about it.", He drawled.

"It's something the werewolf welfare council suggested me. But I need her here for that.", I said while my fingers played with the paper weight mindlessly.

"Are you trying to con me, Mr. Alpha?"

"I've many other important things to do than waste my time in conning a country's president, Mr. White. If you've forgotten, let me tell you that my mate is a human. One among you. That means she's physically and emotionally weaker than us. I can't act on this solution if she's not stronger enough to go through this.", I gritted.

"I understand. But I can't let her into your territory unarmed. She's one of my people and her safety is my responsibility."

"You think I'll harm my mate!?", I growled.

"Not you, Mr. Alpha. But your people are no saint. So please try to understand. One of my best undercover officer will be accompanying her, to keep an eye on your people and see to her safety.", I was burning in rage inside. I don't need any other man to keep my mate safe! Not a pathetic human at least. "He'll keep notifying me about everything. We've to do this as discreetly as possible. I hope you understand."

"Yeah.", I breathed out tiredly as I looked out of the window, it was raining heavily since last three days. "I need to talk with her.", I added as an afterthought.

"Of course. But my security intelligence team will be keeping tab on your phone call. You'll have maximum fifteen minutes before I disconnect the call from here.", I grounded my teeth together, closing my eyes shut in frustration as I grunted out an okay in response.

He hung up and I left no time in fishing out my phone from the pocket of my sweats and dialling her number. I closed my eyes, my heart palpitating faster as the seconds ticked by. I was nervous but giddy.

"What!?", She snapped. I was taken aback by her sharp tone. Why is my little goofball all irritated? Did something happen? But her voice didn't fail to make my insides mushy. Whether she snaps or coo, either way her voice is as sweet as honey to my ears.

"And here I expected a sweet hello. I'm disappointed.", She gasped. I imagined her pretty silver eyes going wide like two tennis balls while her mouth forms a big O. She must be looking adorable.

"Oh my God it stopped raining!", She cried out in what sounded like relief and happiness. Was it raining there too? I looked outside window and my eyebrows raised up in surprise as I saw the rain finally slowing down to drizzle and completely stopping within a minute. The dark clouds cleared up and I smiled as the delicate sunrays filtered through the lace white curtains.

"That's a goodnews.", I mumbled as I walked up to window and basked in the warmth of morning sunshine.

"I know right!? It was raining continuously since last three days! I'll finally get to walk in clean and dried socks. And I won't need an umbrella too. Carrying a wet umbrella is so troublesome! But now it's all good. I'm so happy!", She blabbered and I tried to hold back my chuckle. I gritted my teeth as I felt the emotions tumbling down in a mess of mass, overwhelming me with their intensity. The sudden clog in my throat made me unable to utter a word. I gulped and cleared my throat.

"How are you?", I whispered.

"Uh...", She was getting breathless. I could feel it. Her breath was getting shallow. It made me smile. I'm glad I affect her because damn if she isn't affecting me so badly.

" I asked how are you, Aurora?", I repeated my question.

"I'm fine. I missed you.", She mumbled brokenly. "Oh damn! Way to be blunt! God, Aurora you're so stupid sometimes!", She groaned to herself. I chuckled, ignoring the moisture in my eyes.

"Well, don't be embarrassed. I missed you too.", I said.

"Is it because of the bond?", She asked and I imagined her tilting her head slightly, looking at me with her bright silver eyes wide in confusion.

"Hmm. May be.", I mumbled.

"It is. It is because of the bond!", She hissed.

"Why? You hate it? You hate missing me?"

"We've known each other for less than two days and I'm going crazy here! Do you know how that feels!? I can't tell anyone either. I'm left alone to tackle my miseries. My two years boyfriend never made me feel so emtpy and hollow from inside but even remembering you once is making me so helpless and angry at myself. I don't like this.", She huffed, I imagined her to be like a grumpy kitten. All frustrated and confused.

"Will it help you feel any better if I say you're not alone in this?"

"Of course not! God even imagining you in pain is hurting me from inside. I hate this mate bond!", She grumbled.

"You don't have to. I've found a solution.", Her breath hitched.

"What?", She whispered in shock.

"Hmm. But you've to come here for that."

"Why?", She questioned, sounding so innocent that I felt my heart twisting. I placed my hand on chest, as if trying to calm my restless heart down. I hate how weak she makes me feel.

"To see if you're strong enough to endure it."

"Are you going to reject me?", She asked, I could hear fear in her voice.

"No, my little goofball. Of course not.", I smacked my mouth at the slip up. f**k!

"Then? Why do you need to see if I'm strong enough?", I sighed when she didn't catch on my little slip up.

"Just come here and you'll understand everything. And don't be afraid. No one will harm you. You're my mate and I rule here. I'll keep you safe. Just trust me.", I murmurred and she hummed softly.

"I-", her voice was cut off as the line got disconnected. I smashed my phone across the study room. Rage building up in me.

Damnit she was saying something!

The pain of distance between us came crashing down on me and I gritted my teeth. I slumped near the window, staring outside at the vast forest infront of me. Even Leo was silent unlike his usual self.

Don't work up yourself, Adrian. Everything will turn out okay. Kevin whispered in a soft murmur.

Yeah... I replied back. He sighed and faded away. I think we all three need some time alone.

Soon the dark clouds swallowed the bright sun and the sky turned tar-black. Droplets of moisture dripped down the closed window and I watched as the soft pitter patter turned into a heavy downpour. It felt as if the gloomy rain outside was the mirror of my empty inside.

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