Unlikely Bonds

Chapter 2

When I turn 18, the first thing on my list is to legally change my name. Right now, I go by Virgil Nikola, which is a simpler version of my family name. Changing my name is the final step I need to take to really feel like I have moved on from the past. It might not erase all the bad memories, but it will definitely sever all connections. Virgil Nikola is ready to begin anew.

But you know, back in the day....

When I was 15, I was tall like my dad, but I was also thin and wiry. I could run so fast, like the wind, quicker than all the other boys. Just like everyone else in my pack, I had olive skin. I got my mom's light green eyes, but mine were more heavy-lidded and had a colder vibe. I used to get blamed for all kinds of stuff because of them—laziness, being rebellious, but mostly for being arrogant. I really struggled with my face. I didn’t get the strong jawline or the broad forehead that my ancestors had. I could see those genetic traits in every other guy in my pack. It really shaped our identity as Purebloods.

I had a long face with a sharp jawline. It was on a slender neck that made me feel soft and weak next to the ruggedness of the other guys. I had these high cheekbones and some faint, straight eyebrows. While my brothers had light beards and hair in other places by my age, I was still as smooth as a baby.

I had my mom's thick, wavy hair that hung halfway down my back, all tied up in a long braid. Since we are Purebloods, our hair really matters to us. We leave it uncut until we turn 18. So, our parents cut it during a special ceremony. We then put the plait in the Chapel vault, just like everyone before us has done. It meant we were not just our parents' kids anymore. From that moment on, everything about us, our loyalty and our entire being, was all about our mate.

We found our mate when we were 18. That thought still gives me the chills.

I felt like I was letting my family down, especially since they already faced discrimination for being from a lower social class. I felt like an outsider in a group that was all about wealth and power. The Pures were the one and only Pureblood pack in the whole country. The Alpha and his family have a good reputation in Lycan society, both here and in the Homeland.

We all lived in our little part of the city. There’s this community made up of five suburbs that stretch down from the hills all the way to the river. The wealthy families resided in big houses on the hills, while folks like my family made our home by the river. The kids from the pack attended either Wentworth Academy or Albury Public School. I went to the second one. The Alphas, The Pure, and those with higher ranks headed to the Academy.

I had some moments of being bullied at school, but for the most part, I was just kind of overlooked. The teasing came to an end when my wolf showed up out of nowhere when I was 13. My symbiont other half was totally different from my human side; in fact, it was the complete opposite. He was a large, dark wolf with a thick coat and bright, hungry red eyes. We really took our time to blend into a comfortable partnership. We were a bit cautious around each other, and it took time to build trust. After that, people really started to think twice about how they treated me. I’d rather be ignored than beaten any day.

I had a feeling I was a bit sharper than the other guys. I taught myself how to read and write in French. I was pretty familiar with the history of our pack, probably more than most people. I used to be pretty good at science and math. Even so, none of this really helped me since I was from a lowly background, and my fragile looks didn’t do me any favors. The pretty girls I tried to talk to totally ignored me. They liked the tough, bold guys who would flirt with them. The boys only came around when they really needed to. Some of them gave me looks that made me feel a bit uneasy, and I could tell they were curious about me in a different way.

...

You know, the day my life flipped completely was also the day Damien Costas, the only son of the Pures Alpha, hit the big 1-8. His coming of age was a pretty big deal for our pack. I have spotted him at other special events before. He was this huge, brooding guy who totally had all the looks you would expect from a Pureblood leader. I recall a time when he and his family visited our school, and I observed him from afar. I really thought he had the potential to be a great Alpha one day.

It seemed like the ritual would be pretty simple. Everyone in the pack was expected to be at the sports auditorium at Wentworth Academy. Damien would get his hair cut and then look for his friend in the crowd. From the moment he turned, they could sense each other's presence. The craving would kick off as a slow burn, gradually growing and taking over until they finally met face to face. Damien would give a nod to his mate in front of everyone in the community. So, then we’d get to meet our future pack leader and his partner. Everything was quite civilized, really.

But the Goddess had something else in mind. She was not looking for neat and tidy; she craved chaos. It was a total surprise, and nobody really understood why she chose this pairing.

Virgil's POV

I woke up feeling breathless, like there was a heavy weight on my chest that made it impossible to catch my breath or even get out of bed. I was lying there, drenched in sweat, feeling completely overwhelmed by the heat burning within me. I felt this shaking in my body that really scared me. It felt like my heart was racing so fast that my veins might just burst. I could sense a wolf, who usually growled softly in my ear to soothe me, squirming and whimpering, completely unaware of my presence.

I really did not want to think about going to the Alpha's celebration. I was feeling really awful and just wanted to be by myself, maybe curl up in a corner and disappear. The heat inside just kept getting worse as the morning went by. I had really sensitive skin. It was sizzling as if it were on fire from the inside out. My private areas felt the worst. I was thinking about lying in a cold bath to help with the tingling that was making things feel pretty intense down there. My n*****s felt so hard, like little pebbles, and it was really uncomfortable when they brushed against my shirt. Oh man, my neck... it is just aching so much. The muscles were all twitchy and spasming. I was really starting to worry about my health. What on earth was going on?

I had to get myself ready because there was no way I could miss being at the auditorium. I pulled my wild hair back into a tight braid that rested nicely down my back. It really highlighted all the angles and curves of my face and my eyes. That probably was not the best idea. When I glanced at my reflection, I didn’t see weakness in my face; the lines were gentle, just a bit different, that’s all. I put on my favorite outfit. I felt all shaky, my face was hot, and sweat was just pouring off me like I was standing in a furnace.

When I got there, the auditorium was packed, and I found myself standing at the back by the main doors, all set to make my exit as soon as possible. I really did not like going to these events, and that day felt even more unbearable than usual. I would have totally squeezed myself into a c***k in the wall if I could have. With the heat swirling in my belly and my blood racing in my ears, standing up felt like a real challenge. I really tried to focus on what was being said, but honestly, it just wasn’t happening.

They just kept going on and on, and I leaned against the wall for a bit of support. A big cheer erupted, followed by the sound of a gong ringing out three times. The ceremony wrapped up, and now the future leader of the pack was on the lookout for his mate among the crowd. I could just picture all the young women hoping he would choose them and make them his own.

I was lost in my own world of pain and all these feelings that I just could not wrap my head around. I was kind of out of it, just wanting everything to wrap up already. I shut my eyes, hoping to calm my racing breath. I found myself waiting, just like everyone else, curious to see who the lucky girl would be.

I finally opened my eyes when I heard the sound of feet shuffling away and caught some angry whispers floating around. At first, I just saw the surprised looks on everyone's faces. What were they looking at me for? I felt my breath hitch when I spotted Damien coming my way. His eyes locked onto mine, filled with a kind of hate that I can only call pure. The group parted on both sides as he walked over to me. When Damien stood just a few feet away, his chest rising and falling, he really seemed like he was ready to take me on.