Bonded

Chapter 2

Aurora

I groggily got up to get home. My head hurt and my body was drained from everything that happened. A howl of a wolf echoed in the distance and I shivered. The wolves seemed to be getting a little too close for comfort. Gran had told her about everything for the most part. The war, the lycans and the vampires. But she still couldn't help being freaked out knowing about them. Even if she was a witch.

She was soaked thanks to herself and angry. Why had she started dreaming of Ethan again and why did it feel so real? Her gut told her it was real and her gran always said to never ignore it. Was he warning her from the grave? Was that one of her gifts?

She wouldn't know until her birthday. Her 23rd birthday to be exact. It was coming up and she was ultimately terrified of it.

Six days.

She could become dark and twisted by the moon and she couldn't help but dread the idea. For every witch's Passover, as they called it, it was different. From eighteen and up, they could have their passover. Some it was at twenty. Others twentyfive.

It was when their birthday fell upon a blood moon. And her twenty third would be that under its spell. She would gain her ultimate gift, and her calling. Also her familiars.

She was excited about that. Her one true little freind to keep her company, bring her herbs and such. She was supposed to go with gran tomorrow and play hookie from school to go on what they call " Retreat" and it was bassically a catacombs of seecha where all the strays go.

And us witches go to attract our familiars. It was the one exciting part about it. The first one was the most memorable but gran I think has a total of eight different familiars. And some of us even have dragons. They were high powered witches like gran.

She chose a Pegasus and let her roam once gran was too old to battle with the lycans. Those bed time stories couldn't be beat.

I smiled as I entered the cottage by the river. Grans cottage. The smell of soup made me smile as the soft lights emitted a warm glow.

"OH thank heavins child i was begining to worry." She stirred her soup and Aurora gave her a kiss on her soft cheek. Grand hair was pulled back into a long white braid, her apron stained with today's latest soup and delicious dessert that was in the oven.

She felt her stomach give a growl and she forgotten she never really gotten to eat lunch because of…Caspian. She shivered at the thought of him and tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

She was just hungry.

"Child. Tell me about your day? There was a strange storm," She gave her a look of all knowing and Aurora sighed slipping into the seat at the dinner table.

"Gran I messed up and lost it today…" tears threatened her as she told her grandmother about all the strange events. Including Caspian and the weird dream about Ethan.

"The dream felt real gran." She let her voice crack. Her gran placed soft hands atop hers and looked inter her eyes, and smiled softly.

"OH dear child, you know that wasn't a dream don't you?" Aurora worried her lip and raised a brow. "He visited you for sure, and I need you to journal everything today like I taught you. You'll know soon enough of his warning. Now. About this Caspian." Her gran gave a girlish grin and Aurora felt her cheeks heat. "Actually tell me about him darling. Don't edit now. Not with me." She smiled right back and began.

"He is unlike any boy I have ever met. I don't know where him and his brother came from but he's so handsome. I'm scared of how easy it feels with him gran. And he only sees me. And he…saw my power before I ran from him. He didn't seem scared but surprised." Her gran was tending to the soup and tasted with a smack of her lips.

"Well I know he's not human my dear." She gasped at her grandmother.

"What do you mean you knew??" That woman!

"The order sent letters out. I didn't want to worry you with the info but, now you're apart of it obviously. There's been rogues circling the Daughtrys land. The Deddiches are here to apprehend them and protect our Coven and the Daughtrys pack as we are small units. We can't take on two rogues. They fear it's more than two but the two are scouting. Which brings me to my other point," Aurora was trying to not let her head swim as gran had taken everything she said even the almost exposure to a human…not human so light there had to be more. She had so many questions. It felt nice over the years gran had been slowly letting her in on these little secrets and Order business. Aurora knew it eas because her mother wasn't here to help so she had to step in, but also because gran trusted and needed her.

"What is Caspian then?" She accidently interrupted. Curiosity getting the better of her. Her gran smiled and tossed her fingers in a wiggle making her bowl appear as she dished them up dinner.

"Well a werewolf of course." Her mouth turned into a big O.

"Wha-?"

"But not just any werewolf hunny. He's the heir of Jocoby Deddriches pack. His brother is the Alpha male and he's the Beta wolf. He's second in command so. If he's sweet on you, be sure you're sweet on him. Now eat." With a flourish of grand hand she set the table. And she ate as she turned over the info she had on the strange boy. She couldn't help but be wildly, pun intented, attracted to him. But was it right?

"Gran.." She started as she began to finished the beef stew. "Is it aloud? I know you've always been partially against Vampires, but werewolves…aren't we taught they're just as dangerous?" Her gran finished her glas of wine and gave her a sly smile.

"Yes and no. They are taught to fear us witches, but as you can see we aren't all that's big and scary." Aurara smiled. "And as a matter of fact, I used to know Jacoby back when he was a pup." Suddenly gran had a dreamy look in her eyes and for the first time Aurora had seen her gran almost swoon.

"Gran!" She giggled.

"If Caspians anything like Jacoby, lord help you." Aurora stayed quiet liking grans commentary.

With a snap Aurora cleaned the table and she bit her lip nervously. To her surprise it was 8 pm and Malkia mowed at the door to be let out. Malkia was grans big oaf of a cat. He was old and missing teeth, a big grump, but we loved him all the same.

"Mr Malikai would you like to go outside?" Aurora cooed excited for tomorrow's journey with gran. The cats grumpy meow was all she needed to let the big fellow outside.

"Will any of the Coven be there tomorrow?" She asked her gran, as she hadn't thought if she would be seeing any of her other Sisters.

"No. There's a meeting they've arranged for we don't need to attend. Besides. When a familiar picks you it's sort of special. Even a little private." Aurora never questioned gran, and waited for the cake that smelled so good and tea. The tea gran hasn't given her the recipe to her yet but always helped her sleep.

"So. So far as everything me being smitten okay?"

Gran gave her a knowing grin.

"Yes my dear. I can read on it tonight. The tea leaves will give me a better feel too." She gave a sigh of relief. She wasn't as experienced as gran yet but would be after this next birthday. She would know all her own powers and secrets as well as adopting the families heritage.

"Thanks gran." After their tea time she gave gran a kiss on the cheek goodnight and Remi, grans big pittie came to say hi and that meant a slobber kiss. She told her goodnight and went upstairs to her room.

The whole top Level was hers, it was like in fairytale. A big attack nook, with her own bathroom. The door started at the stairs and it was big enough for all her books lining the walls, her crystals dangling and her study area, a big wooden desk with a thick faux chair. Her bed was infront of the master window as she called it. But the bay window. It opened atop the roof peak infront of her grans house.

She pulled out her red leather-bound journal and told the events of today to it. She stumbled on her thoughts about Caspian and she tugged at her lip nervously but a slow heat touched her cheeks. She wasn't one for socials, or much of anything like that. But her eyes closed and she imagined his strong jawline, the cupids bow that was so pronounced and his thicker lower lip. She aloud herself that small smile, before she remembered the rest of her evening.

Ethan.

Her heart ached for him still. It's been years. She knew she shouldn't but she missed him. Whether it was longing for him or the thought of what was lost she couldn't tell.

All she knew is it f*****g hurt worse than when she found out the details. That day still haunts her. What she'd done. Killed him…

She expelled the memory and wished for something to give today. She was in a funk and her lids started to get heavy.

Aurora laid her head on her pillow ready for sleep. Pulling her black flowered, red duvet cover to her chin she closed her eyes with a sigh.

Tap tap.

Her eyes shot open. Was that a pebble on her window. At 11 pm? Really?

Getting up on her knees, she moved her pillows out of her window seat to peer out into the night. After all, she was 22 with a witchy grandmother who wouldn't let anyone close unless she gave her graces. Hopefully.

She opened the window to let in a cooling breeze with a hint of somthing thick. Maybe humidity. Swinging the window wider she peered out.

"Hello?" She whispered cautiously remembering the warning in the community about the rogues.

"Uh. Hi?" A deep voice husked out with gruff nervousness as she squinted to see Caspian lit by her gran lanterns. Her confusion he must have seen because he scratched his neck nervously. Her eyes widened a little at his lack of clothing as well. Oh. Werewolves. Right.

"What are you doing here this late?" She whispered knowing he could hear but hoping not to wake gran.

"I was doing rounds and uhm. Wanted to see you. I'm sure your gran filled you in? About us?" He raked a hand through his hair when she didn't answer he continued. "Can you step out?" He gestured to her front door but she knew better. Fighting her instincts of being a b***h, of slamming the window, and many other things, she instead raked her hands through her mess of brown hair trying to look appeasing and stretched a leg out onto her roof, and hoped he didn't mind her night boxers and baggy led zeppelin T.

She heard his low chuckle as she tip toed barefoot to the peak and sat down to dangle her feet. Curiously he looked up at her with a little wonder and a whole lot of amusement. Taking a closer look she could see his very sculpted chest and she surprised herself by getting a little more than just distracted.

His smirk at her t-shirt made a blush creep into her cheeks.

"Sorry I wasn't expecting company this late or I'd look a little more appropriate." She was glad for the size of shirt so she could cover her thighs a bit.

"I'm surprised you came out.. may i?" He gestured next to her from the ground. She timidly nodded and watched with fascination as he bounded up her grans front post, and now was sitting next to her in nothing but basketball shorts. She could feel the heat radiating off of him and she felt a shiver run up her spine.

"So." She whispered.

"So?" He asked. He had a smirk he couldn't seem to get rid of and nor could she.

"What are ya going to college for?" She blurted, unsure of how to proceed with the butterfly turning into straight meteors in her gut.

He laughed and it was a sound she melted for just a little inside. God get a grip! She told herself frustrated.

"I'm not here for more than the end of the year. But honestly? To tell you the truth it's a spoof." He sounded…almost sad about it.

"Okay. What would you go for if you could?" His ice blue eyes snapped to her all joking aside. Like he'd never been asked. A man his age never asked? How strange.

"I honestly don't know." His eyes so intently bore into hers and she was captivated. I could feel a current between us that was amazingly electric. Pulsating. And I felt my bare shoulder touch his. How strange that small amount of skin contact made my body alive with it. Humming with something very supernatural. Unsure if it was because they both were supernatural, or if it was something more, i tried not to show the effects too much.

"Who is Ethan?" His abruptness made her physically jerk thus breaking whatever radio station they just were on and she blinked at the emotional whiplash that just consumed her.

"Who told you about him?" She meant for it to sound intimidating but it wasn't. I squeaked at the end. Choking.

"I overheard today. Some of the students." He was looking at his crossed ankles. Was he lying to her.?

"Well. My ex? He died though." She let her voice deadpan as I needed to be void of emotion, because I never really had to say it outloud. Never really let it leave my lips until now. It all felt too sudden and too surreal. And I just wanted it to stop.

Thankfully Caspian didn't press but slowly reached for her hands, untangled them and cupped her right one.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and the hum was back between them. For a few moments it was silent. She was lost in thought as he seemed to be calculating his words carefully.

"Aurora." He whispered and she shivered, but not from the crisp air.

"Hmm?" She whispered back. Meteors going off in my gut and my heart rate increased with intensity.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you today." He was so quiet she had to strain to hear him. Shy?

But it made her heart trip and re-thunk into its pattern. She looked at his features in the night. It was like a sculpture of Greek god made out of stone. Dark crazy hair. Perfect skin. Lips were so kissable. Eyes that of electric blue. And he's pursuing her and she was…

Conflicted. Flitters of her vision today haunted her and she suddenly felt guilt for wanting Caspian to pursue her. Guilt for Ethan.

"What are you thinking about?" His eyes locked onto hers and shame stained her cheeks. What should she say? I felt like an ass for not responding about his obvious heartfelt comment, but how should I respond?

"I'm flattered, really. But you shouldn't waste your time." I gave him a sad smile as he held my hand a little tighter. Running circles on the back of said hand. The affection felt so good. A breeze wafted my hair to his cheeks and he chuckled, looking up at her beneath his lashes. The puppy dog look was smoldering and I caught my breath.

"I have nothing but time to waste on you Aurora. " His voice was so husky it made things heat that shouldn't. Over a voice? What was she a Virgin? Ha no. Just no.

She had to put a stop to it but before she could his hand cupped her cheek. Holding her like this made a gasp escape her lips so sudden she hadn't realized it was her.

The electricity hummed through me and my body leaned towards him. Yearning for something so forbidden. Why was she fighting this so hard? At the speed they were going my head was spinning. And I was swimming in his scent. It intoxicated her as his heat came in waves. One rocking the boat and the next almost taking her over.

How bad could one kiss be? She leaned hearing grans faint advice in her head.

She would be delightfully drowning soon.

Delightfully so.

A growl escaped his lips.

"Mine."

A howl interrupted them too close to her home for comfort. A second followed and Caspian before thinking protectively put his body infront of her. Her head swimming, she tried to fucus her eyes on something as it seemed the world was spinning, and gazed at his moon Crescent at the nape of his neck. Covering his back was tribal jagged tattoos in all sorts of points and swirls and it was beautiful. How hadn't she noticed? They snaked around his shoulders but before she got too carried away a voice interrupted.

She hadn't realized she was slightly hyperventilating from the intensity of them until now. He did insane things to her.

And she liked it.

"Really Caspian? A witch?" A woman snickered followed by another woman's giggle. Two werewolves entered the clearing of her grans circle of lanterns. One was small and petite with a pixie cut, the other was tall and lean with a gorgeous blonde mane of hair, and sun-kissed skin.

"Eve, Sonya. Go." He snarled. Literally she felt the vocals to her chest plate. Why did that make her shiver in a "he's sexy as f**k" way. Was I broken??

They both laughed at him which seemed wrong. Isn't he outranking them? She would have to ask him at some point. Soon to follow was his brother.

"Father sent us for you. There's been an attack. Eve and Sonya will watch guard of her." Caspian growled low in an obvious no.

"No brother are you insane?" His body shook and without thinking I placed my palm to his muscles and rippling back. He calmed.

"Fathers orders. Not mine." Caspian quickly slipped his arms beneath my knees and with a gasp we were on the ground. Her bare feet touching moist earth and he kept a protective arm around her waist. Not that she was complaining…much.

"You think I'm going to just let her with these two? No. Fathers insane." His body was physically shaking and Aurora felt helpless.

She felt her chest tighten at the thought of him leaving. What was wrong with her? She hadn't even known him for a day.

"Fathers orders Caspian." His jaw clenched and he shook more violently.

"Everette." His voice was void. They shared some sort of. Look. It went on for a few minutes and I just huddled behind him until he went lax. And gave in it seemed.

"Sonya," He addressed the petite girl "Eve, this is Aurora." The pixie girl smiled happily, giddy, but Eve seemed annoyed.

"Missing the action to watch your little girlfriends enough. I don't need her name too." She snarled. I coward out of instinct and instantly regretted it and stood tall.

"I didn't f*****g ask for it. I have barriers. I'm not sure why your here." I bit back.

"Your gran asked." She spat and I stopped immediately. Wind right outta my sails.

"Eve," he glared at her viciously.

"I'll end you." She meekly backed up and looked at him timidly nodding, looking sick. He turned to me with those eyes and I felt the a rush of…something. And I remembered our shared moment as my body just kept reacting to him. It shook me to my core and I realized I didn't want him to go. I just. Couldn't say it. Not infront of them.

He lifted my fingers to kiss them.

"Till tomorrow. " I was stunned, just nodded as he cupped my elbows and jumped me back to my window. The heat of his hands made my core heat. They were as rough as sandpaper but also the gentlest thing I've ever experienced.

"Sweet dreams, kitten." And gently he tilted my chin up after he sat me on my bed, and planted a kiss so soft it was like a brush of a feather. Right in the corner of my mouth. I whimpered softly. He smiled at me and eyes all knowing slipped away into the night with danger awaiting him.

Closing my window I shuddered with more than just fear..

Wow what a day.

I woke with a start, my heart pounding with a click of my window above my head. My eyes locked with big blue ones.

Oh f**k.

The proximity of him and his eyes raking over me. He looked like he hadn't slept, but smoldering me he sat there, leaning over my sleep ridden face. My hair a tangled mess, my clothes twisted up and he raked his eyes over me quick, trying to not have me notice.

And oh, I did.

I tried not to let it effect me. Tried to calm my breathing but the scene felt so intimate. I bit my lip and in his crouched position he leaned forward. My heart drummed in my ears. Thinking about it, I had never had a boy in my room.

Never been this vulnerable.

Snapping out of the fog that he put me in I jolted upright almost clinking his head as he jumped back, startled.

"What in the bloody hell are you doing here! My gran will turn you into a toad. Go!" I tried to push him. Or something as panic swelled within me.

"Kitten. Enough." He growled. He grabbed both my hands in one and pulled me to him, holding them up behind his shoulder.

I was chest to chest with him.

I squeaked.

Glancing at my clock I had twenty minutes until gran came to wake me.

Until I'd be chastised and shamed for this. Gran wouldn't care she'd give me endless s**t talk.

And embarrass me in ways grandmother's do.

His low chuckle made my body jolt as he leaned close to my ear.

"I waited a day. Even tried to be nice and slow last night. Aurora I can't wait." Wait? For? His hot breath was on my neck and my body tingling. My pulse was way too high and I couldn't think.

"Caspian. N-not now." I groaned out. There was nothing like this ache. And I went from being so macho to a puddle at his feet. His teeth nipped my ear in annoyance and I moaned. f**k.

Fuck.

The lights flickered at my emotions.

"N-no." I whimpered My body trembled and he pulled back with a growl eyes glowing. Blue electric eyes hooded with desire like me. This magnetic pull wasn't normal. I couldn't even think. I've never been this out of control unless it was my magic.

He was magical I supposed.

He smirked at my very obvious issues as the wind picked up outside. I was going to speak when his head snapped to my door and he quickly with one hand shoved me down and he was gone.

"Goodmorning Aurora? How was your night?" With all knowing eyes she smiled. Of course she knew. My cheeks went blood red and I just. Shakily smiled.

"Interesting gran. Very interesting."

I recovered. Barley as I shakily got out of bed and tried not to look behind me at my window.

"Well. With that ready to go to the caves?" I felt a new wave of excitement in remembering about my familiar and the day I was to have. I wondered if Caspian would miss me.

Oh God. Shut up.

I groaned after gran left and quickly dressed. My skinny jeans and red t shirt were comfy enough. I took a look in my vanity and groaned again. My hair was an absolute birds nest and I had a crust line from drooling last night. Oh God he was so f*****g sexy and I was a puddle of. This?

Ew.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder I went downstairs to meet gran.

When we arrived to the caves after an hour and a half drive, I was a little tired. Caspian kept me up, and I wasn't complaining but thankfully my spirits hummed as I got closer. A song called to me deep within my soul, my witches ear pulled me in and gran eagerly kept up to me. I followed my heart as we entered the candle lit cave. The caverns were rocky and the walls slightly damp.

I watched an owl watch me.

"No" a voice within sang

I watched an orange cat run by me.

"No" and that went on for quite sometime and I began to feel hopless. I followed the corridor till it forked. Unsure I strained to hear my voice again.

"Left" I did so feeling a pull so strong I started to run. Was the first always this intense?

Gran stopped behind me.

"Gran, what's wrong?" I paused.

"I can't enter here my dear. Your journey begins." I could hear water running somewhere and I gave her a nervous smile and continued onward. The cave began to glisten with moisture as I rounded another corner.

There, sit a beautiful black and grey cat. The grey looked like a blue and her eyes shined a bright green. I heard the voice say "She's the one" faintly but I was so focused on the little thing that I kneeled down. My hands reached out as I sunk to my knees. Tears of joys pricked my eyes. The petite cat slicked up to my hands, sniffed cautiously and headbutted my hand. She was perfect. She purred as I scooped her up. She headbutt my chin as I started to find my way to gran.

She was waiting where she stopped she smiled at the small girl in my eyes.

"Aurora she's wonderful!" I smiled kissing the top of her head. "Her name?"

"Harmony. Moony for short I think." Her colors reminded me of a balance. But it felt right. Her green eyes squinted at me almost as she climbed her way to my shoulder and I felt her energy bubble. It was the first time I'd felt one, and it showed she enlightened and complimented my abilities. Gran had always warned familiars could heighten our abilities but I didn't think it would start until after my twenty third birthday. I suddenly felt grans power radiating behind me as we existed the caves. I also felt the cave itself, swirling around me saying goodbye.

Turning to gran I gave her a big smile.

"She's so wonderful! Gran I can feel everything so differently. It's like a radio tune. I can feel you!" I exclaimed with excitement and Moony purring in my ear. I felt lighter and as we entered the car I wasn't dreading my birday as bad.

This had to be a good sign huh?