Bound To The Savage Alpha

Chapter Fifteen

Claire's pov

I followed Adrian's father through the pack house, keeping several steps behind him.

I was confused. Why did he release me? Did Adrian tell him to do it? Or was this some kind of trap? Was Adrian and his father plotting to kill me?

As we stepped outside, the sunlight felt strange against my skin.

After spending two horrifying days down in that dungeon, the warmth of the afternoon sun almost hurt my eyes.

As we walked I couldn't take my eyes of the garden. There was full of vibrant colors, mesmerizing scents. It was a haven for butterflies, birds, and other creatures who felt a sense of peace and joy as they flew among the flowers. The sun seemed to shine a bit brighter here, as if the flowers had a magical way of reflecting light.

"Sometimes even I get lost in its beauty," Victor spoke behind me.

"It's absolutely breathtaking," I said.

"It sure is," he murmured. "Come take a seat," he gestured to a wooden bench beneath a large oak tree.

I hesitated before lowering myself onto the bench. As I settled onto the bench, I closed my eyes for a brief moment. It wasn't comfortable but it was much better than sitting on the cold, filthy floor in the dungeon.

Victor sat beside me, leaving enough space between us that I didn't feel trapped or uncomfortable.

Silence settled over the garden. The

Birds chirped in the distance and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead.

Victor exhaled, placing his cane beside him. "You haven't told me your name?"

"Claire," I replied unsure where this conversation was going.

A minute later, a young omega approached carrying a silver tray. She smiled offering me a cup of tea.

I froze. Nobody served me before. It was always the other way around.

My eyes immediately flickered between the cup and Victor.

He noticed. A soft chuckle escaped him.

"Go ahead, take it."

I hesitated. What incase the tea was poisoned?

"It's just tea," he said with amusement. "Not poison," he said as if he had read my mind.

Slowly, I accepted the cup and thanked the omega.

The warmth seeped into my cold fingers as I held the cup.

Victor dismissed the omega with a nod before turning his attention back to me.

"I'm sorry about your family," Victor suddenly said, his gaze softening.

The words surprised me. He was sorry? But why? Didn't he also hate Michael?

I shrugged. "You don't have to be sorry. It's not like it's your fault."

"It is," he said.

He exhaled, placing his cup on the bench beside him. "Your father and I have been at War for a very long time but before all of this could happen we were once good friends."

My eyebrows lifted. I couldn't believe my ears. Michael was friends with Adrian's father? That couldn't be possible.

"You two were friends?" I asked.

Victor nodded slowly. "Long ago... before either of us became Alpha. We went to college together."

"If you were friends..."

I searched his face.

"...why did your packs become enemies?"

His smile disappeared. For the first time since we'd met, genuine sorrow filled his eyes.

"Your mother was the reason."

My eyes flew open.

"My mother?" I gasped. "You knew who my mother was?"

Victor looked out across the garden, his expression heavy with old memories.

"Your mother, Amelia, was my chosen mate."

I blinked. My mother and Adrian's father? I never expected this.

A sad smile touched his lips.

"She was supposed to be my luna."

I listened without interrupting as he continued.

"I had invited Michael to Amelia's Luna Ceremony not knowing what was going to happen."

His smile faded.

"The moment he saw Amelia, he recognized her as his fated mate."

I stared at him.

"...My parents were fated mates?"

This is getting even more interesting. I never knew my parents were mates. I was told my mother was an omega and she was just his mistress.

He nodded once.

"Yes."

"And she left you for Michael?" I asked.

Victor sighed.

"The mate bond is powerful, Claire. Amelia was devastated. She cared for me deeply, but she believed the Moon Goddess had chosen a different path for her."

He looked at me with gentle eyes.

"She chose to be with Michael."

"But didn't Michael already have a Luna at that time?"

Emily's mother was already mated to Michael.

"Yes he did but she was his chosen mate."

"What is she doing out of her cell?" A deep voice sliced through air interrupting us.

I jumped in my seat, nearly dropping the teacup. I turned around and saw Adrian standing several feet away.

He looked as though he'd just came from from a run. His dark hair was damp with sweat, and he wore only a pair of black shorts. Fresh beads of perspiration traced the hard lines of his shoulders and chest as his piercing blue eyes settled on me.

His gaze was so intense that I instinctively looked away. He looked at me with nothing but hatred. If he hates me that much why bring me here? He should've just killed me.

Victor rose from the bench and turned around to face him. "I took her out."

Adrian's eyes shifted briefly to his father.

"Why?"

"Because she doesn't belong in that dungeon. It's no place for someone like her."

Victor leaned against his cane. "And it's not like she's done anything wrong."

A bitter laugh escaped Adrian.

I looked back at him. His eyes never left mine. There wasn't an ounce of kindness in them only resentment.

"Don't let her manipulate you after all she's Michael's offspring."

My stomach tightened. The words landed like a slap.

I lowered my eyes. Something inside my chest ached. I knew who my father was.

I knew the terrible things he'd done.

But hearing Adrian condemn me so easily...

As though I were nothing more than an extension of Michael...

It hurt more than I expected.

Victor frowned.

"She's not responsible for her father's choices."

Adrian's expression remained unmoved.

"His blood runs through her veins."

I swallowed hard.

"I didn't choose who my father was," I said quietly.

What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I say that.

Adrian's jaw clenched, his eyes flashed with anger. "Did I give you permission to speak?"

I swallowed, looking down at the ground.

"Send her back to her cell," he said as he turned around.

"I don't want to see her anywhere around the pack members or the pack house. I don't trust her."

"What is your problem?" I asked, my voice sharp with anger.

I've had enough of him. The way he's been treating me like I've done something wrong.

Adrian narrowed his eyes at me. "Excuse me?"

"If you think I'm like Michael why didn't you kill me?" I asked, my voice low but sharp. "Instead you brought me here to punish me for something which I hadn't done. If you hate me that much why don't you just go ahead and kill me like you did with the rest of my family."

Victor smirked, his gaze flickering between Adrian and I. "Go ahead," he urged.

"Tell her the reason why you brought her here."

He fixed me with a cold, unwavering stare that sent a chill down my spine.

"I don't need to answer to anyone. I'm the alpha," he said and walked away.

Victor exhaled before speaking.

"Nobody has ever stood up to him before not even his previous mate."

I drew my gaze away from Adrian's retreating form and glanced at Victor.

"I'm tired of him treating like I was the one that killed his mate. If he wants to kill me then he should do it. By torturing me he isn't going to get anything out of me."

"He won't," Victor murmured. "No matter how much he hates you he would never hurt you."

I raised a brow. "How do you know that?"

He shrugged. "One day you will know the reason why. Come now," he gestured walking toward the pack house. "You must be tired, let me take you to your room."

Room?

"What about Adrian? Didn't he just tell you to throw me back in the dungeon?"

Victor waved a dismissive hand.

"Don't worry about him. I will deal with him."

_________________________________________________

Adrian's pov

I strode into my office and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the windows.

The silence that followed did nothing to calm the storm inside me. I was furious.

My father had overstepped. He had no right to interfere in my matters. He was no longer the alpha I was.

I settled behind my desk and reached for the thick stack of paperwork that were laying on the desk for a couple of days.

As I read through the documents her face suddenly flashed through my mind.

Her furious gaze, the way she stood her ground and snapped at me.

No one had ever done that before. No one had questioned me like the way she did.

I clenched my jaw.

"Enough," I muttered to myself.

She was Michael's daughter and nothing more.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

Before I could answer, the door opened.

Luca stepped inside carrying a few files.

"Reports from the western and eastern border," he said, placing them neatly on my desk.

I barely glanced at them.

"You look like you're about to punch through a wall."

"It's nothing," I muttered returning my focus on the paperwork infront of me.

"I've known you too long to believe that," Luca said, crossing his arms.

I remained silent, staring at the documents.

"Is this about Michael's daughter?"

I looked up, meeting Luca's gaze.

"She's not in the dungeon anymore."

He blinked. "What?"

"My father, he let her out."

Luca's eyebrows shot up. "He what? Why would he do that?"

"He says she doesn't belong there."

"Why would Victor risk making you this angry over Michael's daughter?"

I hesitated.

"She's my second-chance mate," I said. The words felt like poison.

Luca stared at me. Then, unexpectedly, a grin spread across his face.

"Adrian..."

He let out a quiet laugh of disbelief.

"This is incredible news."

My jaw ticked. "Incredible?"

"The Moon Goddess had given you another chance."

His smile remained. "Most wolves would consider themselves fortunate to have a second mate."

Something inside me snapped.

Before I could think, I grabbed the crystal glass from my desk and hurled it at him.

Luca easily dodged it.

The glass exploded against the wall behind him, shards scattering across the floor.

The office fell deathly quiet. My chest rose and fell with restrained fury.

"I will never accept her," I growled.

Luca's smile faded.

"She's Michael's daughter," I snarled.

"So?" he murmured.

"So?" I repeated, my voice rising. "Have you forgotten her father murdered my mate?"

Luca exhaled. "No I haven't forgotten Adrian. But you must understand she isn't like Michael. She has nothing to do with Marrisa's death."

His words struck a nerve.

"She's his daughter," I shot back.

"Yes," Luca replied calmly. "She's his daughter."

He paused. "But from everything I've seen, she isn't like him."

"I don't care."

"I think you do."

"I don't."

"If you truly didn't," Luca said quietly, "she'd already be dead."

I slammed both hands onto the desk.

"I've heard enough."

Luca sighed.

"Adrian—"

"Get out," I growled, pointing at the door.

Luca held my gaze for another second before giving a respectful nod.

"As you wish, Alpha."

He turned and left, quietly closing the door behind him softly. The office was silent once again.

I looked down at the broken glass scattered across the floor.

Despite every effort to push her away... Her face found its way back into my thoughts.