The Marred Bond

Chapter 13

• Aurora •

I giggled. Feeling so special as the butterflies on my head made a tiara. I would love to see myself in mirror. I never received special attention even from humans so butterflies giving their sole attention to me made me feel wanted. I wanted to twirl and bound through the flower field, wanting to really feel like a female leads in those aesthetic music videos.

"Oh the King is here!", Delilah suddenly spoke, causing me to turn. I gasped, afraid that I had fled the butterflies away but there were still on my head, I could hear the faint sound of their wings flapping.

"She is your mate right?", Delilah asked to delicious looking Adrian. He clearly pulled off the morning look like a pro. The messy bed hair sat atop, wavery as wind drove past us ever so softly. His lips looked more plump and his olive skin simply shone under the sunrays. I was always in white guys before, I think my preference list has reconstructed itself according to Adrian's physique. Because I can clearly hear the lub dub sound of my erratic heart. It was in frenzy after seeing the perfect specimen standing so casually against the wooden beam. He stood straight, before nodding and smiling down at the little ball of curiosity. "She's so beautiful. You're lucky!", Delilah stated, and I'm damn sure I must be blushing as if my face had been dipped in red paint.

"Delilah!", I called for her attention bashfully. When she looked at me, I waved my finger at her to come closer. "Show me more tricks.", I whispered, trying to sound more excited so I could tug her concentration away from him.

"Okay!", She clapped her hands before pulling me down so I was bent to her level, she then blew away the butterflies and I cracked my neck. I was feeling stiff from so long.

I watched as she showed me different magic tricks. She wasn't taught much as she's just six years and has recently started her lessons. But her tricks were f*****g cute and involved most animals. I cheeped when a pure white rabbit came hopping out of dense forest. I crouched down on my knees and I didn't even had to usher him closer as he was already running to me and sat himself down on my lap. I sat down, smiling as I caressed his fur.

"Animals love you.", Delilah said sitting beside me. She brought her hand up to pet him but his ears stood straight before he crawled closer to me and away from her touch. "They really do.", She sighed with a pout.

"Can I touch it?", My head snapped up, gasping as I found him bent. His face too close, his hazel eyes staring right at me. I gulped and nodded, lifting up the rabbit for him to touch. The little thing looked at me with his big bright eyes as if I betrayed him in the worst way possible. Well, offering a rabbit to a wolf indeed sounds like a worst betrayal.

"No! You're a wolf! You'll eat it!", Delilah snapped, pushing Adrian's hand away that was slowly approaching the scared rabbit. The rabbit looked at her, tilted his head, before jumping off my hands and landing in her lap. She yipped happily, getting busy in caressing his white fur.

Adrian sat down beside us, spreading his toned legs and crossing them on the soft grass before he rested his hands flat down on ground and tilted his head up. Closing his eyes and sighing as the stream of ray fell cordially on his face. His elegant and angular visage was half glowing and half under shadows. His lips twisted at the corners, before he brought his bottom lip under his sharp canines. They glinted.

I gulped and looked away.

Goodness, this man is harmful to my fragile heart.

I looked at his silouhette, which was as perfect as him. While mine looked like a dwarf. I'm really no match for him. I'm sure even my shadow must be ashamed of me. Damn! I was never one of self loathing. It is really true when they say perfect people makes you count your own flaws. I'm full of them.

I flinched when a soft touch invaded my pinky finger. I looked down and watched as his pinky finger slowly and hesitantly came over mine before interlacing together. I looked up at him only to find his eyes still closed. His ears were red while he worried on his bottom lip. Silly man.

Somebody help me! I'm losing my heart to this big bad wolf.

"Alpha!", Damon's voice came like a shooting arrow, bursting our sweet bubble. My eyes flickered down where once his finger was entwined with mine now was empty. He stood up and dusted his jeans off before walking towards his Beta. They talked for a minute before Adrian nodded and Damon walked away. He turned, his slumped shoulders and defeated look made me drop my smile as I looked down. A heavy feeling tied itself around my heart and it hurt. I wish we had more time together. But I'm glad we didn't. It would have been more difficult then.

"Delilah?", I ruffled the little girl's hair and she looked up with a smile. "It's time for me to go now. You should too. Your mother must be looking for you.", I said and she nodded before she let the rabbit go back into the woods and then hugged me before waving at Adrian and running off.

I stood up on my spot and headed inside the cottage. I stood in the middle of living room, having no idea what to do so I could get this suffocating feeling out of my system. His scent bursted through as he approached me, my back was still facing him and I made no move to turn. He came closer before stopping right behind me. His hand travelled from the back of my palm to my elbow before I swatted it away.

"It'll be better if we keep our distance now, Adrian.", I said sharply before storming inside bedroom and closing the door shut behind me. I heard something getting crashed against the floor, most probably vase and closed my eyes. I won't go back to him to calm his temper down. He can go under a cold waterfall to cool down for all I care.

"Aurora, let me in.", He said as two firm knocks resonated around the empty room.

"Adrian, please go!", I shouted.

"I need to shower. There's only one bathroom here. And it's inside the room.", He replied.

Oh.

"O-Okay.", I said bashfully.

The moment I opened door, he thrusted himself inside before closing the door and pushing me against it. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?", He gritted out.

"Liar! Now back off!", I snapped. He was like a rebel child, doing exactly opposite of what it's been told. I pressed myself against the wooden door as he dipped his head in the crease of my neck, inhaling deeply. "Now, Mr. Alpha. My two most important aspects of life are being questioned here.", I said, merely above whisper. With him so close, I was finding it hard to think straight.

"That are?", He whispered back huskily.

"Private space and Consent!", I grumbled and he chuckled.

"You're so cute.", He cooed as he pulled away to look at me.

"I cringed.", I deadpanned although I was feeling all mushy inside because of the compliment.

"Daphne is here.", When I looked at him confused, he clarified. "The witch. The one who'll help us break this bond.", He mumbled as his fingers tried to hold mine. I kept my hand away from his reach.

"Great! I can't wait for this to end.", I lied swatting his lingering fingers away.

"You're so heartless.", He sighed before pulling me flush against his hard chest. "I wish we could run to the ends of the world and settle down. I'll work and you'll handle household-"

"Sorry to break your bubble but I'm not housewife material.", I grunted, trying to pry his arms off me. His hold tightened.

"Okay then, let's exchange the roles. You'll work and I'll handle household chores. Then I'll impregnate you with my pups and we'll stop once our football team is complete. Then we'll play against Real Madrid and win. Now that sounds like a plan!", I bursted out laughing, clinging on his arms as I felt my knees giving up with the amount of laughter that bubbled past my mouth. My stomach hurts.

"I sometimes wonder if you're cute or just plain stupid.", I panted as I looked up at him with a smile.

"My Alpha wolf did not like that.", He snorted and my smile turned into a grin.

"Tell him to go suck his own d**k then!"

He thought for a second before his face screwed. "I imagined it and that looks totally weird.", I understood what he was trying to say and laughed again.

"Dude, no! That's gross.", I chuckled.

"See. There it is. My favorite smile.", He whispered, his finger hooking under my chin as he lifted my face to look at him. "I know I came in your life with nothing but a bucket full of pain, stress and troubles. I'm really sorry, Aurora. But know that I'm going through the same. I waited all my life for you, and now we're finding ways to break this bond. I want nothing except to flee off to somewhere alone with you. But you've a life back home. You've dreams, aspirations, career. And I've a kingdom to rule. It'll be hard to stay apart. But life doesn't always give you luxury to choose, now does it? The pain is inevitable, but we'll have people around us who loves us for who we are. So let's focus on them. If we're really sacrificing our bond, our happiness for the sake of others, let's not be ashamed of it. We did it for others happiness, and we shall wear it like a f*****g Crown. You may not be a suitable Queen in my people's eye, but for me and for moon Goddess there is no one except you who has the ability to own this title. If anyone has the power to make me bow before them, then it's only you, Aurora. So live up to your title. Let's go through this together, and suffer alone. For the sake of our people.", A whimper tore through my lips and I wrapped my arms around his torso, hugging him for I know this will be the last we'll truly be close as mates. His strong arms encased around me protectively and his chin rested atop my head. I closed my eyes listening to his calm heartbeat. My eyelashes wet with unbidden tears.

"We should go now.", He said after a moment of comfortable silence. "Wait for me in living room, I'll come after freshening up.", He added and I nodded before retreating back to living room. He came shortly after fifteen minutes and led us out after locking the door. Grayson, the old witch's grandson came to escort us till her abode.

My eyes widened and a loud gasp escaped my mouth when I took in the sight before me. Is this Harry Potter's world!?

It was completely dark here, but the distinct sound of crickets and birds was still very much audible.

"Grandma prefers darkness.", Grayson said after witnessing my reaction. I smiled awkwardly. He led us to the wooden stairs, and I grabbed Adrian's hand as fear settled inside me. Grayson knocked on our behalf before opening the door without waiting for response. Adrian tugged me inside and I gulped before following him.

"Alpha, welcome to my lovely abode.", A fairly young woman stood up, looking no where old or of age to be called someone's grandmother. I frowned. "I've cloaked myself, darling. You humans can be vicious sometimes. I can't give out my complete identity.", She chuckled as I narrowed my eyes at her.

"She's no harm, Daphne.", Adrian smiled warmly at her before going in for a hug, and I felt jealous. She's beautiful and he's smiling at her. I don't like it.

"Oh son, you were only 20 when I last saw you. Now you look like a grown man.", She patted his shoulder before he retreated back on his spot, beside me. I cleared my throat feeling embarrassed. She thinks of him as a son, Aurora!

"This is Aurora Valentine. My Mate.", He introduced me.

"Sweet name.", She smiled and I could feel maternal love coming off from her. She eyed me up slowly before nodding appreciatively. "You've got one strong and hard headed woman as a mate, Alpha. Too bad she is a human otherwise she would have made a great Queen.", She commented and Adrian nodded, looking at me with a smile that showed how proud he is to be mated with me. I reciprocated his smile. It was hard not to.

"I hope the potion will work and she'll be fine throughout the process.", He said as his arm went around my shoulder, pulling me close. Daphne eyed his action with amusement.

"She'll be fine. I don't think you'll be though."

"I'm an Alpha, Daphne. I think I can handle emotional pain."

"She's a strong woman, Adrian. She'll suffer but not as much as you. The bond at your end is much stronger taking your alpha wolf into consideration. You'll be suffering double the amount of pain than her. Your wolf will give you a tough fight in this. She's his mate, their connection is much more stronger than what you feel for her."

"I'm extremely ashamed to say this, but my wolf wants to reject her. He does not like her the way I do. I don't think it'll be difficult.", Adrian replied and I felt my heart sinking down as I recalled Leo's words. He's one ruthless wolf. Asshole.

She laughed softly. "He's still going on about it? I think he forgot why Kevin is sharing the space with him. When it comes to her-", she tipped her head towards me before completing. "He's too weak."

"Shut up, you old hag!", A loud growl tore through his lips and I flinched.

"Ah Leo, give control back to Adrian. I don't need a childish wolf bounding around my house. I just had it renovate.", Daphne said waving her hand dismissively. I gulped when I felt his body shaking in rage. Is this woman out of her mind!?

"Aurora.", I looked at her baffled. "Tell him to calm down and get Adrian back in control.", She said.

Me? Hell no! I don't have a death wish.

She studied my apprehension and sighed. "I see. He has you scared off, huh. Do you think it's working, Leo? I don't think so. The way she is controlling your strings even without having any idea that her closeness is able to keep you hanging on the last thread of patience clearly states that your way of pushing her away is not working.", She said and he pulled his arm away from my shoulder before taking a large stride towards her. I grabbed his wrist, and he turned his head with an animalistic growl. His silver eyes blazing like an untamed fire.

"Leo, calm down.", I said with a glare. Her words in my support had apparently given me a lot strength. Otherwise, I would have been on my knees begging him to calm down. He glared hard but I didn't give up.

"You've always been my downfall!", He snapped before warm hazel eyes blinked rapidly. I sighed in relief. He came back to me, his arm curling behind me in its previous position. "I'm very sorry for that, Daphne. It's sometimes hard to control him." The discrepancy between him and his wolf seriously shocks me.

"I understand.", She mumbled. She then pulled out two glass bottles before coming over to us. Her voluptuous figure hard not to stare at. I stole a glance at Adrian and found nothing but admiration on his face for her. To be honest, if I was a man I would have ogled at her openly. "Here. 50ml every night before falling asleep. The bond- it'll break slowly.", She muttered, almost as if she's forcing herself. Adrian took the bottles from her and hugged her one last time before we took our leave.

During the drive back to his home, I stole countless glances at the backseat wanting nothing but to drown the bottles in some drain and get rid of them. It was seven in the evening when we reached. He told me to go ahead as he stood back to talk with Jay. Damon lingered around.

The moment I stepped in, high heels cladded legs halted before me stopping me as well. I looked up from the enormous set of breasts only to meet cold brown eyes. Cynthia.

"Excuse me.", I said stepping aside to leave. But she blocked my way again.

"Your defeated look says alot. The bond has finally broken, huh.", She smiled smugly.

"No. It's still very much there. Strong and tight. We just have a solution with us.", I replied rolling my eyes.

"Well, that's great. That means it'll break one day or another. I can't wait until you leave. The mate ceremony is fixed two weeks later. I'll be his marked mate and Queen.", She smirked haughtily.

"Good for you.", I berated myself for not having a good comeback. I need to work on my sass.

"Aw, are you sad?", She mocked and I took a deep breath.

"You must be someone royal that his father chose for him. But you know who the Moon Goddess- whom you werewolves worship day and night- chose for him?", The smug in her eyes disappeared and I smirked. "That's right. It's me. Your Goddess didn't find you fit enough for this role. Tsk tsk. What a shame. You'll wear the crown rejected by me. I feel bad for your destined mate. Poor guy must have done pretty bad deeds to deserve you in this lifetime."

"Shut your trash. It still doesn't change the fact that I'll be his mate."

"Forced companion. I don't know if you've studied hard enough to understand the difference but I'll still give you a benefit of doubt. There's a huge difference between me and you. You're a companion chosen for him, I'm the mate bonded to him and his wolf. We both stand on different positions."

"My position matters. Yours don't.", She chuckled humorlessly.

"At least not now.", She frowned at my reply. "Call him"

"What?"

"Just do it.", I persisted.

She dialled his number and waited for him to pick up. When he didn't respond, I told her to try again.

"Now eyes here.", I smirked. Fishing out my phone from the jean's pocket, I dialled his number and let it ring. He answered without wasting any moment.

"Hello, Aurora? What happened?", He asked.

"I need to talk to you.", I said as I stared at her. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears and I almost felt bad until I realized that she brought it over herself. "Come inside.", I hung up and he rushed inside.

"Is it important?", He asked as he stood beside me.

"Yes. Go ahead and wait for me.", He finally sighed and nodded before strolling past us and climbing upstairs, completely ignoring her presence around us.

"That's the position you won't be able to achieve.", My lips tugged up from one corner. "He'll only ever submit to me and no one else.", I whispered before walking past her.

“The mate ceremony is fixed two weeks later. I'll be his marked mate and Queen.”

I took a shuddering breath as her words collided back against the walls of my mind. I need to leave this damn place. And that too soon!

"What do you want to talk about?", He asked as soon as I entered.

"I need to leave. Make the arrangements. I'll leave tonight."

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