Fates Bond: The True Alpha (Complete)

Chapter 8

Aerly had never been one for the softer side of emotions, she could fly into a rage at the drop of a hat but going through her father's attic day after day she felt like crying mostly from the frustration of coming up empty on each turn. Aerly barely remembered her life when she lived in a pack, a life with her biological mother but that was burnt to the ground, turned to ashes. The older woman with silver eyes and raven waves of hair was barely a memory in the young woman's head anymore maybe some vague imagery but nothing much. If it wasn't for the very few pictures she had Aerly probably wouldn't even remember her mothers face at all. 

Besides a few old family photos and momentoes such as her favourite toy a plush puppy with singed features from the fire, there was nothing else and as Aerly sat by the circular window surrounded by dust and boxes it felt as though she was getting further and further away from any answers.

"Honey, I made you a sandwich in case you were hungry" Rose called out to her stepdaughter. With much disappointment, Aerly stood up from the wooden floor which creaked under feet and made her way down to the kitchen. "It's your favourite a BLT with extra bacon and added cheese" Rose called once she heard Aerly reach the bottom of the staircase.

"Thank you Rose" was all Aerly could muster as she made her way into the sweet little country styled kitchen. 

"Oh Aerly, I'm so sorry honey. I know how much it meant to you to find something about your mother's side" Rose spoke as she placed the plate on the island counter. Her eyes focused on the young woman holding a great deal of sympathy.

"It's not your fault. Maybe I will talk to Lilah about it she's only fifteen but she's from a pureblood territory... Maybe even one of the purebloods Raiden left" Aerly rambled as she slumped down onto the stool in front of where her stepmother had left the plate. Her mind still heavy but Aerly couldn't deny the tasty food luring her in.

"You're getting along with the pure blood's" Rose quickly changed the subject "Maybe they aren't so bad after all?" Rose's eyes remained on Aerly with a playful grin formed on her pink painted lips.

"Maybe... Niko was certainly fun to beat in a sparring match" Aerly chuckled.

"Oh Aer" Rose shook her head. She was a lovely lady but always viewed a woman's place to be in the home taking care of the family, serving her mate and running after the children which weren't at all what Aerly had in mind when it came to her life perhaps one day later in life and thanks to the mate bond it left the imagery of Raiden in her head.

"Alright well he isn't as terrible as I thought he would be personally and Raiden is..." Aerly started but she didn't really know where to start with her mate. Incredibly handsome was obvious, a strong leader clearly with a slight arrogance about him but when they spoke there was something else a vulnerability that was heartwarming but what was she to say to her step-mother certainly none of that "well clearly he is a pretty decent Alpha."

"Pretty decent? That young man stems from a vicious bloodline, he has quite a lot riding on him so your father told me. Any other Alpha, if you had challenged them, would have taken you for a fight--"

"And I would have won" Aerly couldn't help her smugness she knew well where she excelled and where she didn't and no matter the competitor she was always happy to oblige them in a challenge.

"Aerly... My point is instead he paid his respects. Quite unheard of when it comes to Lycans" Rose clarified but held clear disapproval over her stepdaughter's conceited comment.

"Because most Lycans are full of themselves" Aerly smirked as she tossed a piece of bacon into her mouth savouring the salty flavour.

"Well, then no wonder you are half. You'd fit right in" Rose teased as she busied herself with the dishes.

"Hey!" Aerly laughed at her stepmother's words. Despite her not being her biological mother there relationship has always been a strong one though Aerly never looked at the woman as a mother and more an aunt like figure.

"I am just saying Aerly. You are getting along quite well with them and clearly already have respects from their Alpha" Aerly took in her stepmother's words if Rose only knew the real reason the Alpha was quick to give her the respect her whole family would most likely have a collective heart attack. Her father would certainly be stunned his own daughter equally matched a pureblood Alpha male but Aerly couldn't help her hesitance over the matter. Telling them was a big deal, Aerly had her plans for her life and granted they weren't going as well as she had expected she also wasn't prepared to be an Alpha's mate even if that was what the Goddess above had decided.

"I guess he can just sense when he has met his match" she attempted it in a mocking manner but she also couldn't hide the part truth that was underlined in her words but all that joking was quickly diminished when the border wolves howled. There were always different announcements with their howls especially when new wolves were entering the land but the alarming howls, the desperate call for help that rung throughout the woodlands warning the Sanctuary that something was wrong, something was very wrong.

"Help get the elderly and pups to the bunker, Rose" Aerly ordered as she jumped from the stool.

"Your father, your brother" Rose spoke obvious fear crossing her eyes.

"I will find them. Now go!" she ordered before running from the house. When there was a danger it didn't matter the person Aerly fell into her natural state as an Alpha, it was who she was born to be and as the girl exited her families home she was already radiating power like a second skin.

"Aerly!" Noah called as soon as she was outside the house. Noah was by her side before she could even blink as she marched for the tree line.

"Any news? Where are my brother and father?" Aerly more ordered than asked.

"Will and Eli are already out there, purebloods are trying to cross into our territory. Looks like the Lycan Alpha wasn't lying Aer" she could sense the nervousness of Noah she couldn't blame him really. They never had an issue, maybe on a rare occasion but never pureblood's trespassing on their land.

"Aerly! What are you doing?" Niko spoke standing at the edge of the clearing he held a clear disapproval of her intentions.

"This is my home, Niko. I will defend it if I have to" she spoke matter of fact but Niko was quick to step in her path "you have seen me fight. You really think this is a good idea?"

"No, but..." Niko's eyes darted to Noah who stood closely behind Aerly clearly ready to follow her lead so Niko leaned closer his voice falling to a whisper "Raiden will--"

"Do nothing, this is my home. Fight with me or step aside" Aerly snarled at the dark-haired young man watching his as he began to hesitate.

"Alright, I am with you" the respect Niko held was clear but so was the frustration over her stubbornness. He was a pure-blood but was no match for Aerly she was his superior and as much as Niko wanted to try and keep her safe it was clear she didn't need any protection.

"Umm, Aer what--" Noah began but she already knew he was going to ask about Niko's behaviour and she didn't have time for this idle chit chat so with a wave of her hand she stepped around Niko in great strides with the two men following behind. The scent of unfamiliar wolves lingered in the air as they got closer to the border. She could hear voice ahead as they continued. No doubt in her mind her father and brother were out there trying to negotiate for peace but Aerly knew there was no peace to be had, no they needed to be prepared because there was a fight on their hands.