Unlikely Bonds

Chapter 3

DAMIEN's POV

I was just sitting there, staring at the clock, unable to catch any sleep while I waited for that special hour when I would finally come of age. It will show that I was an Alpha in my own way, the future leader of the pack. I am also planning to catch up with my mate in a little while. By the end of the day, I’ll be with her and make her my own. I could not help but shake at the thought that I might finally feel whole. Your wait will come to an end. I found myself curious about her—was she sweet or more on the sexy side, with those soft curves and ample breasts? Fingers crossed! I want her scent to envelop me and make me lose my mind as I cuddle her softness and sink into her embrace. I could have been with so many women, but I have been waiting for HER. I’m going to love and cherish her, and our generation of The Pure will be filled with amazing sons and daughters. Our Pureblood ancestors will be watching over us and giving their blessings to the pack.

Just a few minutes away I got ready for it. I have heard that when it happens, it is like every nerve ending comes alive. Blood vessels really push the limits of biology, with blood flowing through your body like a wild river. You are hit with a mix of fresh emotions, scents, and sounds all at the same time. And then there is that one special scent that just drives you wild with desire, setting itself apart from all the others. It really pulls you in towards her. There is this intense, nagging feeling for something that is just not there, pushing you to seek out your perfect match. It’s like you’re on the edge until you see them. The initial intensity does not stick around for too long. Just knowing that your partner is out there, waiting for you, is all that is on your mind. All that matters is the urge to connect and make a mark until everything's wrapped up. You are alive, chatting, moving around, and just being, all for the sake of being with them.

I am here to help! What do you need assistance with today?

Ugh, so frustrating!!!! I let out a growl of pain when it struck. I felt this intense, sharp jolt starting at the base of my back and shooting up my spine all the way to my neck. I bent back so far it felt like my spine might break. I let out a loud growl and groan, and my dad came rushing into the room. So, at that moment, my wolf just sprang out and began to roam and bounce around the room. It shook its big black head and showed off its teeth. Dad understood that he should not step in; I needed to experience this just like every other Lycan and werewolf. Just like me, my wolf could really feel the intense heat. It emerged from a deep place within, rolling and clawing at the ground in search of some relief. When he returned, I was on the floor, completely naked, tugging at my hair like a crazy person and gasping for air. Little by little, I started to get some control back. I was drenched in sweat, and every part of me was sore. I cradled my head, hugged my knees, and swayed back and forth. I worked on calming my heart and pushing back the panic that had taken over me while everything around me felt so intense. Everything felt so much louder, brighter, and harsher, and then. There it is.

The smell of my partner. It got to me from wherever she happened to be. She probably knows by now too. Even though I was feeling all this pain and an overwhelming urge to be with her right now, I could not help but smile. She has to know she’s MINE.

I am here to chat! What’s on your mind today?

Waiting for the ceremony has been really tough. It is even worse than all the years I have waited combined. My body belongs to her, and that is all that is on my mind. Everything feels like it is closing in on me, and it is making my thoughts all jumbled up. I just can not seem to relax; it feels like everything is coming at me all at once. My wolf is pacing, just itching to take off. I am struggling to manage both him and my own feelings. I really hope it wraps up soon.

When we got there, I could sense her close by. I was shaking so much that I ended up missing a step. Focusing can be really tough sometimes. I am starting to pick up her scent more distinctly now. It is a pretty unusual smell, definitely not what I was expecting or what I am used to. It is just making me more confused and anxious. Dad's not really able to help out right now. All he keeps saying is, "It will get better." I just can not trust him at the moment. I am struggling to manage the shaking and the pain, but the pull of my mate is really getting to me.

I am almost there, just got my hair cut! It is kind of odd not having my long braid draped over my shoulder like usual. My mother held it gently, tears welling up in her eyes as she understood that I was now part of another woman's life. It got handed over to one of the chapel's wardens and then taken away to join the thousands of others resting in the vault.

I can feel it, the moment is finally here. My body is shaking because she’s so near. The smell is totally making me lose my mind. I really feel like I am not doing a great job of staying calm. It is getting tougher to keep up the image of a calm and strong future pack leader. Honestly, I can feel my strength slipping away with each passing moment. I am feeling a bit out of control. I am not really sure who I am searching for in the crowd, but I am just going with my gut to find her. I follow the scent and stroll past one hopeful female after another. Their smiles disappear as I walk by. I bet she’s feeling the same way I am, so I won’t have any doubts when I see her. It is taking a while, row after row, and the smell is really starting to get stronger. I’m feeling like I might just call her out right now. My wolf is growling in my ear, clearly impatient and a bit angry with me.

I am a bit confused; I am just about to step out of the auditorium. The pack members begin to drift apart as I take a sniff and glance past them. She’s here!!!! I take a few more steps, and now everyone is whispering. I can catch every word they say. They are just getting me more and more frustrated as time goes on.

"His friend is the wild one." I keep hearing it time and time again. Once everyone cleared out of the way, I finally spotted a young boy slumped against the wall. Looking at his messy appearance, it is clear he is not feeling well and is dealing with that same nagging ache. It just hit me that he might not even know what is going on. When he opens his gorgeous hooded eyes and gazes at me, it’s like an unseen force grabs my heart and gives it a little squeeze. I am hearing more mocking voices and some really unbelievable insults, especially given who I am. Trust me, they will not slip through the cracks on this one.

I have to say, I am just as surprised as they are. He is just a boy, not really a man yet. I am feeling really humiliated, angry, and confused, but honestly, the anger is what stands out the most. What the heck. I am feeling pretty intense right now, like I could really go off on someone without even thinking twice. If I hear one more thing, I’m really going to do it. I let out a growl with all my might, and the building trembled.

"Shh!" I am saying the last words again to the pack members gathered around me. I looked them in the eye and challenged them to say those insults right to me. I felt my fangs drop, and I was all set, kind of wishing someone would step up and challenge me.

My growl was so powerful now that it commanded both fear and obedience. If they were looking for proof that I’m the future Pureblood Alpha, well, they just got it. When I looked back at the boy, I noticed the shock on his face right before he fainted.

...

Damien saw the boy sliding down the wall. One of his crew dashed over to the boy, scooped him up, and carried him outside. He was too scared to lay a finger on him. He had never thought about being with another guy, but everything changed when he met his mate. Logic, reality, and his bruised ego were all saying the same thing. But his wolf and every part of him craved the boy. The pull was just too strong to resist. The body he wanted to touch and hold was the wrong shape and gender, but that desire was still incredibly strong. He figured that if he touched him, just once, he would not be able to go through with the tough choices that had to be made.

He had to turn him down. Damien thought he was out of options. He was just too young, according to both human and Lycan law, to be his mate. It would be really tough for either of them to handle the pain and struggle of such deep longing until he was old enough. But the real issue was that he just was not the right fit as a partner for the future Alpha of the Pures. It was a well-respected Pureblood pack that had a rich Royal bloodline. Everything about the boy just didn’t seem right—his gender, his appearance, his rank—nothing fit. What do you think The Goddess was thinking?

Damien carefully placed Virgil in the back of his Merc. He plopped down in the driver's seat for just a couple of seconds, but then he could not take it anymore and had to get out of the car. The urge to hop into the back seat with the boy and indulge right then and there was just too strong. He hopped out of the car and crouched down next to it, trying to catch his breath. It was hard to resist the pull to take the boy. Damien figured that turning down his mate was going to be a total nightmare. He traded cars with his dad.