Reborn: Caged No More

Garlic

Vlad's pov

She went silent. Her lips parted as she looked blankly into the distance. I frowned. Did I say something wrong?

“She looks like she's in deep thought,” my wolf said.

“Do you think she's thinking about that loser?” I asked him.

He snorted. “Nah. I don't think so. We are mates. Why should she think about someone else right now?”

My frown deepened. “The bond isn't working is it? She doesn't recognise us.”

“You are right. There's nothing wrong with me. I'm perfect. It must be you,” my wolf mumbled.

“What?” I scrunched up my nose.

“Maybe that's because you eat too much garlic.”

“What? I don't eat it that much!”

“Your breath stinks. She couldn't differentiate between your scent and the garlic because of the stench,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“I do not stink!”

“Uh… why else can't she smell us? Have you ever thought about the stench of garlic when you eat it with every dish?”

“Well I eat it for health benefits, okay?” I rolled my eyes. “And I use mouthwash and brush my teeth.”

“Huh. If you say so… we better figure out what's up with this mate bond,” he replied. “My senses cannot be wrong. She is our mate.”

I looked at her. She looked ethereal under the moonlight. Sparkling blue eyes, silky blonde hair, smooth fair skin… I couldn't take my eyes off her. Yes, she was pretty, but even from the limited interactions I had with her, I could tell she wasn't just a pretty face. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at her. I always wanted to find my soulmate and yet when I finally found her, I couldn't muster up enough courage to speak to her about it.

“Say something, you moron!”

If he could slap me, my wolf would have.

I cleared my throat. “You are thinking about something.”

She blinked her long lashes, averting her gaze towards me. She offered a smile.

“Sorry. Got distracted.”

“Is something bothering you?” I asked, inching closer. “Maybe I can help?”

“Yeah, get closer. I hope our scent will overpower the stench of garlic.”

I blocked my wolf. He was becoming a nuisance.

She sighed. “You are helping already. I'm just worried about the safety of my pack.”

“Theon will have to go through me to get to you. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe,” I said.

She looked at me.

“Uh… I mean the pack. You all are under my protection,” I quickly added.

She smiled, grabbing my hand as she leaned forward. “Thank you so much, Alpha Vlad. I don't know what would become of us if it wasn't for you.”

I studied her face. She should have felt the bond by now. But why was she ignoring it? If she wasn't interested, I'd understand. She just got out of a marriage pact. But even if she wanted to reject me, she should at least acknowledge that we were paired together.

Maybe she truly didn't feel anything?

“Uh…” I shifted on the seat, uncomfortably. Time was ticking and she could soon leave to attend to her pack members.

She glanced at me. “Is there something you want to ask?”

“Yes,” I blurted out. “Why did you agree to an arranged marriage with Theon? Didn't you want to find your soulmate?”

She laughed - rather humourlessly. “That's a valid question. Some of us find love with someone other than their destined ones. And that's fine as long as you cherish the bond you create.” She heaved a deep sigh. “I also waited, but maybe not everyone finds their soulmates. My mom has a few days left to live and she wants to see me settle down before… you know…” she trailed off and she pursed her lips together. She quickly looked at her hands that were clasped together on her lap. It was a feeble attempt to hide her emotions, but I knew better than to believe she was fine speaking about her mother's health.

I gently placed my hand on her back, and leaned closer.

“Hey, hey. I understand. You don't have to say it. I also lost my father at a young age and soon after that, my mom died. So I know that pain.”

She looked at me, her pretty blue eyes glossed with tears. I could tell she was fighting against them. If only she was comfortable enough to be vulnerable in front of me. I wanted her to know she didn't have to be strong in front of me, but I didn't know how to say it. Maybe the only way was to show her that it was okay.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “You… must have been so strong. Having to become the alpha while you mourned your loss. How old were you back then?”

“Nineteen,” I said, a half-hearted smile forming on my lips. “Years have passed but I still think about them.”

“And you are leading the pack by yourself? You don't have a Luna yet?” Her eyes widened as soon as she asked, as though she had spoken without thinking. “s**t, that was such a personal question. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked.” She heaved a deep breath. “You don't have to answer that.”

I smirked, amused by her reaction. She had every right to ask me anything. She was the Luna I had been hoping to meet ever since I turned eighteen. I guess my hunch was right. She didn't feel the bond.

“It's okay. I didn't want just anyone to be my Pack's Luna. She has to be special. One of a kind.”

She seemed to relax.

“To be honest, I was hoping to meet my soulmate, but my pack came first. All this time I haven't had the time to look for her.”

I couldn't take my eyes off her glossed lips. They looked so soft… supple… if only I could get a taste…

“I bet the responsibilities kept you busy. And now you have more responsibilities with this pact with us,” she said.

I shrugged. “Maybe I don't have to look for her anymore.”

Her head snapped towards me. “Really?” She straightened her body and looked at me intently. “You mean… you think your soulmate is in this pack?”

I studied her face, having a hard time accepting that she couldn't feel the bond. Yet, she was still my mate… my wolf had never been wrong about anything.

“Yeah,” I said. Could it really be the garlic?

“Wow! That's great! Who is it?” Her eyebrows knitted together. “Why am I only hearing about this now? Usually mates wouldn't have a problem announcing who they are the minute they find them.”

I know… right? Announcing, making out, marking… mating… all of it would happen so fast… but my case was just bizarre.

She looked at me, raising her eyebrows. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

I blinked. My lips parted. “I was staring?”

A tiny smile curled on her lips. She waved her hand as though to dismiss what she just said.

“Umm, so tell me about this girl. Have you talked to her? What was her reaction to finding out you were mates?”

“Yeah, we've spoken, but I don't know… she doesn't seem to feel the bond.”

She made a face. “That's weird. Are you sure she's your soulmate?”

“Yeah,” I frowned. “My wolf thinks so too… but…” should I tell her about the lack of sparks?

“But… what?” She asked, looking at me intently.

I sighed. “I am confused. I am drawn towards her. I like her, and I think she'd be perfect as my Luna. But… if she can't feel the bond… Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

She shook her head and then smiled. “Maybe you just like her.” She chuckled. “Maybe your heart wants to choose her as your mate,” she said, laying a hand on my knee. “Alpha Vlad, it's okay to choose the one who'd stand by you for the rest of your life. Not everyone is lucky enough to meet their destined ones.”

My heart was thumping like crazy ever since she placed her hand on my leg. Choose her as my mate? Maybe she was right… my wolf could be wrong for once.

She offered a warm smile and excused herself before walking towards the banquet. I couldn't help but stare at her as she left. Her hips swayed to and fro, making my heart thump with each step she took.

Choose her… yeah… that sounds about right.

“It isn't the garlic,” I mumbled to myself.