Broken Eternal Bonds

CHAPTER 4: CURSES AND MATE

LUCAS POV

I stood firm at the forefront of the battleground with my senses heightened as I crushed the rogue wolf neck without mercy.

"They just keep coming without a stop." I growled through the pack link,

"And we'll keep killing them like they are nothing." Beside me, my loyal best friend, Rylan said, unclenching his teeth on the neck of the already dead wolf. Blood coating is snout.

Rylan and I shared a determined gaze as we faced the mass of rogue werewolves threatening our territory. The howls of my warriors echoed through the dense forest, resonating with the urgency to kill and protect our pack.

My heart pounded like the rhythmic beat of a war drum, and my instincts guided me with a primal intensity. Each swipe of my claws and snap of my canines carried the weight of my pack as I slayed each and everyone of them without mercy.

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The battle was a success and we went back to our pack feeling victorious. We took pride and bathed at the pack members' praises, I for one was tired and decided to take a rest when I was dragged by my warriors to the communal table.

They had prepared a huge feast as a celebration. Laughters resonates through the air blending with clinking of utensils as we chatted and enjoying the warmth of our friendship like a family. The foods and drinks were not prepared to only nourish our bodies but the bonds that tie us together.

It was moments like this I wish my family were here, especially my father, the previous alpha, to see what had become of the pack since he left us, since they left me.

I stood up and gave a speech afterwards before retiring to my sanctuary. Upon getting to my room I noticed the door was slightly opened which doesn't seem right. I walked in carefully with my wolf trying to surface, but held him back. Though, my claws were out ready to attack, and that was when I saw the known intruder.

"Hello, alpha." She purred, naked with her body sprawled on the bed. I approached her feeling a little annoyed with a sigh as I removed the fur coat on my shoulder.

"What are you doing here, Yasmine?" I asked, my gaze holding her flirtatious yet unyielding one.

"I came here to please my mate. What kind of Luna would I be if I don't greet my alpha accordingly." She smirked, widening her legs in a manipulative manner.

"Yasmin, I've made it clear by telling you I'm waiting for my true mate. I don't have or want to mate anyone else. If I've to wait for an eternity I would gladly wait." I said with finality in my tone, but that seemed to make her even more palpable as I could smell her lust wafting in the air.

"But then again you'd be defiling the elders," She countered, "the elders see us as a strong match."

"True. But I don't care Yasmin," I stood my ground glaring at her as she stood up and pulled a silky gown to cover herself up, though it still didn't mask her unwavering appetite.

"Why must you still deny me after everything we've been through, Lucas." She said lowly before me, avoiding my gaze.

"Yasmin…"

I and Yasmin have been friends since forever, even before my parents died. She stuck with I and Rylan when her parents died during a plague attack. We were always together, acting mischievous around the pack and not caring about the consequences, we became the 'three musketeers' always going on adventures and scaling on mountain tops.

As the years passed, and the specter of matehood loomed, the elders saw Yasmin as the solution to my singleton status, a potential mate because it's part of our custom to be mated before becoming alpha of the pack. An arranged match to solidify the pack. Yet, my heart rebelled against the idea, unwilling to compromise the precious friendship we'd cultivated, despite knowing it's what right.

Yasmin, with her warmth and unwavering support, deserved more than a forced union. I couldn't bear the thought of turning a cherished companion into a reluctant mate. So, at eighteen, when the elders proposed her as Luna, I rejected it. Love for Yasmin fueled my objection, not wanting to jeopardize the beautiful friendship we'd shared for years, and the love she might have for her future mate.

"Lay with me for a night." She offered,

"You know I c–"

"it's been eight years since you reached matehood. For the sake of the pack, for our future, you need to consider the reality in front of you. Waiting for a mate who may never come is a whimsical hope. You're not getting any younger, and the pack deserves an heir. You're leading our pack into battles, risking your life daily. The pack needs stability, an heir to secure its future. It's time to put aside this child's play and consider a mate for the pack's sake!" She whisper yelled in a challenging tone, now staring me in the eyes..

"Yasmine it's not about compromising, me wanting to find my mate isn't compromising, me wanting to wait isn't compromising, it just beyond…" My jaw clenched, an ambiance of inner turmoil begin to bubble in me.

"Lucas, our love has stood the test of time as friends. Can't you see? A mate chosen for the pack can still be a choice, a commitment to the pack's prosperity. But even if it's not what you want a night with you to give the pack an heir."

Feeling conflicted I finally made my decision with rigor of what is right, looking deep into her dark eyes which swirled with desire I said with commanding tone,

"If that's the case…

strip for me…

let me see you."

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I ran deep into the forest, regretting what I had done, I'd laid with Yasmin. Memories of her pleasurable face, moans and screams were haunting my every thought and let not talk of the marks on my back. I wanted to scream myself.

I longed to cleanse myself of what we did, of the choices we made. On reaching the secluded spot, I stripped off the layers of my garment, hoping to achieve what I intended to do here — to wash away the stains of my conscience.

The water glistened with beauty, and was about to go in when I saw a figure swaying peacefully, not caring about the dangers of the forest. I was mesmerized for a while when I scented that it's a rogue. My wolf for some reason was quiet, he wasn't yippee or jumping whenever he saw one as though he often finds them as an easy kill. He was just as lost as I was.

"Who goes there!" I demanded, the authority in my voice piercing through the tranquil night. In response, she abandoned all pretense of stealth, immersing herself entirely in the water, as if the cool river could shield her from my gaze.

Is she dumb or something?

I swam purposefully towards her hiding spot, the river's shallow depth revealing her attempt at concealment. Using my heightened senses, I located her presence and reached out to pull her out like a fish caught in the current. However, just before my grip tightened, she countered with a swift kick to my knees, forcing me to release her.

As she sprinted away, my pained growl resonated through the untouched wilderness. Determination fueled my pursuit, and I tracked her elusive scent through the dense foliage. Her white wolf, illuminated by the ethereal glow of the moon, danced ahead, a fleeting vision in the night.

Frustration crept in as her agility led me on a bewildering chase, zigzagging through the forest's labyrinth. Pacing myself, I almost closed the gap, only to disappear again.

Fuck

She's starting to piss me off now, but still determined to find her. I caught sight of her standing still, her eyes fixed on the celestial orb above.

Transfixed, I stared mesmerized at her as she still hadn't noticed my presence yet. My wolf was still quiet but didn't have time to bother about him as took a step forward and stepped on a twig. Making a snapping sound she'd escaped again and thought to myself, "not again."

I ran after her even faster than before and was surprised at my wolf's sudden change in mood. I leapt at her and we crashed on the floor rather hard. I shifted to my human form and immediately trapped her underneath me, not caring about our current naked state.

"Stop it now!"

I sent a commanding growl, and she immediately stopped moving, lost in her eyes, parted lips and scent.

Our eyes widened, a whispered realization hung in the air.

"Mate."

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Oh Shit