the bond
1139 Words
I pace the room, mind racing. Kieran hasn't confirmed anything and Mia is not back yet.
“ I can help fool that bastard.” Melody, my wolf says.
I know she can.
“ We can't raise any suspicions. Everyone thinks I am just an alpha blood.” I remind her.
I have been awfully aware of my wolf’s protective nature. Just now, I had to hold her back from attacking Viktor from his disrespect.
I can't let people know about my identity as the Moon Goddess’s chosen one.
Not my uncle and definitely not Graham.
“ Won't you tell our mate?” Melody asks.
“ He doesn't want us.” I state only for the mate bond pain flares again, stronger this time.
I gasp, doubling over. It feels like someone's pressing a hot iron to my chest from the inside.
“ Don't fight it. It will only harm us.” Melody says and I grit my teeth, fighting the scream threatening to tear from my lips.
“ I am not fighting s**t. He is the one who doesn't want to acknowledge us” I snap, angry that the bond is punishing me and not Aaron who dismissed us like we were nothing to him.
Melody goes quiet, clearly agreeing with me on that.
“ We can use this pain to fool Graham.” She finally speaks, her voice tired.
I know she is being affected by the bond pain, even more than my human self is.
At that moment, I realise melody is right.
I don't need to use my powers to manipulate my composition to appear sick.
The mate bond sickness is real. I don't have to fake that. If I can make it worse, push myself until the symptoms are undeniable…
I begin pacing faster, deliberately working myself up.
Denial makes the bond pain worse. It works the same as a mate cheating on the other.
The pain intensifies. My breathing becomes shallow and a cold sweat breaks out on my skin.
*More. I need more.*
I force myself to remember the events of that night when he realised I was his mate.
The nonchalance in his crimson eyes. The way he has looked at me like I was nothing, less than nothing.
“ Let her go. We have work to do.”
I remember the dismissal in his voice.
The mate bond responds to my emotional turmoil and the pain spikes so intensely.
I collapse, catching myself on the edge of the bed.
It's perfect timing because that's when Mia returns holding a small bowl filled with what's supposed to be the herbs.
"Princess!" She rushes over, dropping the bowl to support me. "What happened?"
"The bond," I gasp out in real pain, struggling to breathe.
Mia's brows furrow and I see confusion written all over his face.
"What bond? Princess, you're not making sense…"
"Help me to the bed," I manage to say.
The pain is too much, it's not what I expected.
But to save myself from Graham's humiliation, I'd rather endure this pain.
“ Did you get the fever herbs?” I ask.
"You don't need to fake the fever," Mia says, pressing her hand to my forehead. "You're burning up." She informs.
I almost smile despite the pain. It seems like the bond pain is working wonders.
"The herbs," I say. “ I need to look extremely sick.” I say in laboured breath.
Mia hesitates. "Princess…"
The concern etched on her face is unconcealable.
"Trust me. It's going to be okay.” I assure her.
Mia nods, albeit reluctantly and walks to the bowl.
She retrieves several leaves from the bunch of different leaves and passes them to me.
I chew them, closing my eyes as I swallow the bitter concoction.
It doesn't take long for the effect to take place.
"Now," I say, my voice weakening as the herbs take effect. "Scream."
"What?" Mia asks, looking shocked.
"Scream like you have found me collapsed and you're terrified.” I instruct her.
Mia understands and after a moment of hesitation, she lets out a shriek that probably wakes half the castle.
"HELP! SOMEONE HELP! THE PRINCESS HAS COLLAPSED!"
It doesn't take long for footsteps to thunder in the corridor. The door bursts open and several guards rush in.
Kieran is among them.
“ What happened to her?” He asks Mia who is a sobbing mess besides me. The herbs are well hidden by now.
“ I don't know what happened. I left to pick something for the princess and came back to see her like this.” Mia explains.
Kieran approaches my bed carefully, eyes scanning me.
I am barely conscious now, the combination of mate bond pain and herbs creating a very convincing medical emergency. Through slitted eyes, I see Kieran examining me, his frown deepening.
“ Call the doctor. Now!” He orders. One of the guard leaves to carry out the order. I groan in real pain, my hands flying to my aching chest.
Moments later, a grey haired man whom I assume to be the doctor arrives. He takes my hand and feels my purse.
“ She has a severe fever. Her heartbeat is rapid and difficulty breathing." He looks up at the guards. "
I hear more footsteps approach followed by Graham's voice.
“ What is the meaning of this?" He asks, his voice raised an octave.
"Alpha," Dr. Hayes bows quickly.
“ The lady is …” he trails off, unsure what to say.
“ What?” Graham barks and even I find myself flinching and shuddering.
“ Her condition is serious. She needs rest and careful monitoring…"
"I don't pay you to tell me what she needs, I pay you to fix her!" His voice can't hide his anger and displeasure.
Through my barely-open eyes, I see him looming over the bed. "She was fine when she arrived!"
"The journey may have been more taxing than we realized. She's young, and the stress of relocation…"
"Then fix her,” Graham orders.
“ I don't care what methods you use."
The threat is clear as day and the pack doctor pales.
"I'll do my best, Alpha." He replies, his voice small and clearly terrified.
"You'll do better than your best." He snaps then turns around and walks out.
The moment he's gone, I allow myself to relax slightly.
The pack doctor attends to me, using a wet cloth to regulate my temperature.
"You," he points at Mia. "Stay with her. If her condition worsens, call for me immediately." He orders.
"Yes, doctor." Mia replies
When we're finally alone, Mia leans close. "That was terrifying. I thought you had actually collapsed."
"I did," I admit weakly. "The herbs just… enhanced what was already happening."
"What's happening to you, Princess? What's this bond you mentioned?"
- Writer
