CHAPTER 8: Fate Doesn’t Wait
1167 Words
Dimitri's point of view
Rylan leaned close, eyes wide. “So it’s officially her? Dimitri… this is insane.”
Lucien folded his arms, steady as always, though even he failed to hide a flash of surprise. “Did you sense the bond immediately?”
“Yes.” My voice came out rough. “The second she looked at me.”
Her brother Elias stood stiff on either side of their mother. he looked furious.
“Do you have any idea how worried we are? She has never stepped outside this pack’s borders in her entire life. And you’re telling me the first person she meets is...” He stopped, biting back words.
The Alpha shot him a warning look.
But I didn’t take offense. I understood the panic clawing at him. I felt it too.
“She ran from the bond?” Elias continued, shaking his head. “Clary is gentle, too gentle. She must’ve gotten terrified.”
His anger wasn’t directed at me it was directed at himself. The guilt in his eyes said everything.
“It’s not your fault,” I said quietly.
He still looked away.
I was about to say something but then I was interrupted.
"I think I know where the princess could have gone"
we all stared at the direction where the voice came from. and the alpha stepped forward and asked the woman whom he seems to be quite familiar with.
"Abigail, what do you mean"
"well you see...I had once asked Clary what she thought her mate would be like" I instantly became alert I mean I would like to know what my mate thought of me too.
Alpha Rowan then said impatiently "yeah so..."
Abigail took a deep breath and then said "well it seems she didn't elaborate well on the reason she left, well I'll tell you Clary doesn't like the thought of having a mate or even the mate bond". I was petrified on the spot "she...doesn't... want me...why?" I asked.
" she didn't say, but if you want to start finding her may I suggest a few ideas"
"well out with it already!" I was almost losing control of myself thank goodness Lucien held me back.
"well I think she must have gone to the human world"
"why'd you say that?". Clary's mother asked.
"where do you think is the best place to hide and start all over again and Alpha, Luna have you forgotten that there's someone in the human world who will be willing to accommodate her"
"yeah, that right, why didn't I think of this". the alpha said.
"what do you mean, think of what " I asked my voice filled with urgency.
"well...I once had a very rebellious sister who wanted to stay in the human world and no matter what we did to advise her she still went to the human world. maybe Clary must have heard me talking about her before and took the address from my study....that girl "
The Alpha stepped forward. “We’re organizing search teams immediately. Patrols, guards everyone. We’ll bring her together.”
“No,” I said instantly.
The entire family stiffened.
Lucien gave me a look that said are you sure you want to do this now?
But there was no hesitation inside me.
Rylan coughed. “Uh… you might want to explain that before someone throws something at you.”
I exhaled, steadying my voice. “Listen. She doesn’t know me. She’s already frightened. If she sees a group of patrol warriors coming at her, she’ll panic even worse.”
I said, my chest aching. “That’s why I’ll find her. But I need to approach her gently. Alone.”
“Absolutely not,” Elias snapped. “She’s my sister. You expect me to sit here and wait?”
“you should watch your tone, just because you're my mate's brother doesn't mean you can talk to me any how you like, and besides I'm not asking, it's an order,” I said. “Lucien is staying here. He’s Beta he’ll help coordinate everything. Rylan is coming with me. He’s the only one she hasn’t seen tonight, and he moves quietly.”
Rylan saluted dramatically. “Stealth mission accepted.”
Lucien rolled his eyes. “Just don’t get distracted and buy snacks on the way.”
“I do no such thing,” Rylan muttered.
But the tension didn’t break.
The Alpha frowned. “Alpha Dimitri, she’s our daughter. We can’t stand by and rely on someone else to find her.”
“You’re not relying on someone else,” I replied. “You’re relying on her mate.”
The Luna opened her mouth to argue...
But then her wolf must’ve pushed through, because her expression softened in a way only pack instinct could cause.
“Your bond will guide you,” she whispered. “Won’t it?”
“Yes,” I said. “I already felt it pulling me before. I’ll feel it again.”
Elias still looked ready to fight me, but finally his shoulders dropped.
“She better be brought back safely,” he said, voice tight.
“I’ll bring her back unharmed,” I promised. “No one no human, no rogue, no creature is touching her while I breathe.”
Rylan gave a small nod. “We leave now?”
“Now,” I said.
Lucien stepped aside, already shifting into command mode. “I’ll handle the pack operations. Keep communication open. If anything shifts, I’ll alert you both immediately.”
“Good,” I told him. “And Lucien keep the pack borders tight. If she wanders near them, stop her and keep her safe until I reach her.”
“You have my word.”
Rylan jogged off to prepare supplies. Elias handed me a jacket hers. Clarice's. I caught her scent immediately, and my wolf went wild.
My hands tightened around the fabric.
The Alpha placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Bring her home.”
“I will.”
The Luna wiped her eyes. “Tell her… she’s not in trouble. She’s not a burden.”
“I’ll tell her everything she needs to hear.”
Elias looked me dead in the eye. “If she cries… comfort her. Not just because she’s your mate. But because she’s Clary.”
I nodded. “Understood.”
Rylan returned with a pack, keys, and a determined grin. “Car’s ready. You driving or am I?”
“I am,” I said. “You navigate.”
Lucien clasped my hand. “lets go back first, we still need to break the news to the Alpha and Luna.”
As Rylan, Lucien and I walked toward the exit, the Clarice family stood together behind us worried, fragile, but trusting me because fate had left them no other choice.
Just before stepping outside, I looked back one last time.
Her brother Elias mouthed:
"Bring her back."
I nodded once.
Then we disappeared into the night.
- Writer
