Bonded by Fates; The Origin

24. Runaway Women

Conri POV:

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After the meeting, some Alphas made their way to the guest rooms and some of them decided to leave and go back to their pack. Alice and Liam flashed Randall to the Black Moon Pack and Alpha Mueller stayed as I ordered.

“Alpha Mueller, I demand you to stay because there’s something we need to bring up about the war” I told him as I was intently staring at his every expression and listening to his heartbeat.

“Sure, Your Highness”

“We’d been tricked back at that time and you were the one who brought the Dragons Realm's supposed plan to attack us. I really wish you could cooperate because you know the punishment of making up a situation to bring chaos to any realm. I’m just sad I realized it and decided to act now. Maybe it’s because it came to my knowledge that the Dragons survived”, I said calmly as I wanted him to fully ingest my every word and he gasped. He glanced at me from time to time but avoided staring much so Ghost wouldn't take it as a challenge.

“Of course, Your Highness, I might be haughty, but I would never bring up any kind of situation that would reflect badly on our realm or bring chaos to any realm on purpose. Back at that time, I was on my own in my office at the pack house and I heard someone knocking on the door. He was as tall as me but had amber eyes and mid-length silk dark blond hair, a very dark aura, he smelled like burnt wood. I would send him away but he shushed me and gave me a very detailed role of the dragon’s attack plan. I didn’t know if it was true, all I know was that I had to act fast before it was too late and after that he vanished just like that”, he said, and I nodded.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Alpha Mueller, you’re free to go.”

“Thank you, Your Highness” he replied, and made his way back to his pack.

“Liam, there’s something wrong, Alpha Mueller lied to me about the dragon’s plan to attack us back at that time”. I mind-linked him.

“What? How?”

“I remembered that he wasn’t alone at his office when he first came to me, he was with his now dead Beta and now he said he was on his own”. I told him, did he actually think he could fool me?

I’ve been tortured and not lobotomized.

“We have to act cool now or else he’ll be on his guard up. Maybe you could interrogate him again and we could call King Werloth to help” he said.

“No need, I can easily use my royal tone on him. But if there's more to it that he doesn't even know, I'd lose my chances because everyone would stay on their guards up. I couldn't investigate it further. I need to hunt my brother. I’ll try to keep this royal meeting every couple of weeks and I'll send some guards to stalk him. I’ll catch him up. I can’t act without proof or without his confession. Please, contact Randall”, I pleaded to him.

“Of course, stay safe, I’ll keep my mind-link connection open”.

I could simply demand him to answer me truly using my royal tone, but I don’t want him to think I’m also distrusting him or questioning too much, ordering the guards to keep an eye on him and his pack was the best thing to do. I would talk to him again if I ran out of options.

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Liam POV:

I told Alice what happened between King Conri and Alpha Mueller conversation.

“I always knew he was trouble” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I kissed her like I'd been dying to do ever since we left the castle.

I took my time tasting her mouth with my tongue as she did the same with me. We hesitantly parted our kiss to breathe, we were panting and I was ready to take her.

“Liam, I’m sorry I just told you about the runes now. It just escaped from my mind and when you said that there was a robbery and they stole some runes, it just brought up my mind and I lived that moment again, that was why you were outside the borders when we first met, you were investigating…” her voice wasn’t louder than a whisper and she said the last part more to herself.

“Yes, I didn’t want to distress you or make you worry about it. I’m sure that there’s a finger of someone from the Sixforce. This mansion is protected by runes and spells, there was no way someone could get in without a dragon invitation”. I let her know.

I was actually enraged by this group. I was almost losing control and gathering everyone who lives here and demanding them to speak.

I would look like a tyrant but all it took for me to burn was a tiny sparkle.

Maybe not even that. That's it.

I stood up ready to make my way out of the bedroom and be the tyrant I didn’t want to be, but I’m left with no other choice.

“I have to get to the bottom of it, my love”, I told her and she also stood up and nodded at me.

"That's what I'm talking about, you should have done that a long time ago" Alec said in my mind.

"Not now, Alec", I simply said.

“You better stay here, things might get ugly. I’m enraged and I don’t want to take my range out on you, my Queen”.

She glanced at me with her furrowed eyebrows in disapproval.

“Come on, I’ve dealt with my father, I’m sure I can deal with you. Besides, you just gave me another reason to be there for you”, she said and smiled.

I nodded but I really didn’t want her to see this.

I roared out loud when I was in the living room. Alice even covered her ears with her hands.

“Liam, I’m astounded” she said and laughed. I smiled back.

Only Alice could make me smile in this kind of moment.

Soon, everybody was there quivering.

“You’re right to be feared by me because at this very moment I’m not in the mood to talk or take it easy with any of you anymore, I’ll ask you all something and only once” my voice was louder and my aura was expanding all over the mansion.

“Who the hell let the thief come in inside our mansion?” I commanded with my royal tone.

“It was me”, I heard a female voice and when I glanced at her, my eyes opened wide in surprise.

“What? Why, Kathlyn?” Alice asked.

She frowned and even Prospero's face seemed like he was in pain. He didn’t know about it.

“I didn’t do it completely on purpose, I was tricked, but I was afraid to tell you” She said and I let out another roar.

“Take her to the dungeon”, I demanded the security officer and my third in command, Devon.

“No, wait, Liam. We should listen to her” Alice mind-linked me, but I was so enraged that I ignored her.

I couldn’t wait, there was no reason to listen, she betrayed us and there was nothing she could say that would make me change my mind. The worst thing that could ever happen to my horde is betrayal and that I couldn’t have it at all.

"But still you can't run away from it, we have to fully understand the situation" Alec said again, and I put him in the back of my mind.

Alice noticed I was ignoring her.

“Liam, please, don’t do this, she’s part of this clan” Alice pleaded.

“Alice, you don’t have a say in this, there’s no forgiveness for betrayal” I told her.

“I’m not asking you to forgive her, I’m asking you to just listen to what she has to say” Alice pleaded again and turned to face her mate.

“Prospero, please, you know she wouldn’t do it on purpose, I just know she wouldn’t”, Alice insisted.

Prospero was freezing on his spot.

“I’m sorry Alice, but you heard her, she said she was the one who let them in”, he said.

“And so what? She said she'd been tricked and you’re going to turn your back to your mate when she needs you the most?” Alice tried again.

“I’m sorry, Alice, but we clearly can’t trust her anymore, it seems” Prospero replied, making me proud of him. I knew how hard it was for him to stand by his conviction in this situation because it was against his own mate.

“Prospero, please, you have known her for way too long, you can’t possibly be serious right now” Alice was almost shouting with tears in her eyes. She was in pain but she had to understand this situation.

“Alice, stop it, you’re not the Queen yet, you must respect my decision”. I regretted my words as soon as they came out of my mouth.

"Liam, you couldn't be more stupid than you were just now" Alec said, bringing himself back to my mind.

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Alice POV:

“Ouch, that hurts badly, mate” Hope whimpered.

Yes, that hurts more than I like to admit it.

“What’s wrong with you all? Seriously? One wrong move and that’s how you treat your own kind?” I asked them. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

I made my way, enraged, back to the bedroom and slammed the door close behind me. I stood outside on the balcony, it was such a pleasant night and the stars were shining beautifully in the sky.

I had to do something, anything. Just, please, help me Goddess.

I prayed as I fell down on my knees and I was thinking nonstop about how I could help Kathlyn.

I couldn’t find any other way than to go to the dungeon myself and talk to her and follow my instinct. If I had to run away with her, I would do it. I couldn’t be selfish and sleep peacefully as an innocent woman was locked in a dungeon on the same ceiling as me.

I felt the tears falling nonstop from my eyes.

Why can’t I have a peaceful night?

Don’t worry Kat, I’m coming for you. My instinct is to say that you’re innocent.

“Our instinct, you know I’m pretty good at it”, Hope said, and she was right.

“Hope, I need you so badly right now because what I’m about to do after everyone falls asleep will be hard and will probably get me into huge trouble among the dragons. They might never accept me again”, I told her.

“Don’t worry, we got this! I wouldn’t forgive you if you didn’t. She’s innocent, I’m sure of it, Alice.”

That’s exactly what I thought too.

After a few minutes, I was sitting on the sofa outside, my legs bended and my head laid on my knees. I'm glad I could still do it even though my bump was showing slightly, but I was looking down sobbing and thinking about everything that had happened.

I felt responsible for all of them already and the right thing to do was listen to her before locking her up.

Suddenly, the mahogany and oak moss scent filled me over. Liam entered the bedroom.

“Alice” he called me, coming closer, but I didn’t even bother to look up.

He got on his knees by my side and took a few strands of hair from my face and tilted my chin up.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that, I didn’t mean any of those words I said and I regretted them at the very same moment they left my mouth” he said, and I felt how regretful he was through our bond, but how could I explain to him that I’m not upset because of what he told me but the way he acted toward Kathlyn?

I didn’t want to make things worse and I knew he wouldn’t want to listen either.

“Liam, why don’t you go to sleep? You had a tough day and need to rest. I just need some time on my own”, I told him, and he got even sadder.

But I wouldn’t back up now with Kathlyn needing my help.

How come nobody stood for her?

I had to reach her and I wouldn’t stand a chance with Liam awake. My heart clenched painfully and I knew he could feel it. I didn’t want him to feel it, but I couldn’t block him now.

“Alice, please, don’t do this” he said, and I frowned.

Did he know what I was up to?

“Do what?” I asked him, concerned.

“This, don’t push me away” he said, and I felt somewhat relief even though my heart was clenching and in pain by the way he talked to me now.

“I’m not, I’m just worried, but you’re right, let’s go to bed then. I’m tired” I said, and went inside the room.

I showered quickly and wore a t-shirt and knickers only and made my way to bed. He did the same not long after.

He laid beside me and wrapped his arms around me and I disappeared completely in between his huge and strong tattoed body. I turned to face him and he was staring at me with those gorgeous eyes and some strands of hair falling on his face, making him look even better.

My heart melted at that very same time.

I love him so much and having him always so close to me was the best thing I could ever have in life apart from my pups.

I hate this bond, but yet I truly love it.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he kissed me. Our kiss was passionate and tender.

Suddenly, I felt a very weak kick on my bump. I startled and my eyes were glowing, filling them with some tears. We parted our kiss.

“Liam, I felt them” I said as I held his hand and placed it on my slightly swollen bump.

And they kicked even harder, it was like they were calling for their dragon daddy.

He smiled and he shed some stray tears, he made his way down and kissed my babies' bump.

“Hey, little fellas. I’m your daddy, do you want me to stay here with you?” He whispered against my belly and I chuckled, not long after they slightly kicked again.

"They're strong" I whispered.

"Just like me" Hope said, chuckling.

“All right, I’ll sleep with you tonight, forget mommy” he joked, and I laughed louder.

“Hey, what happened with the “don’t push me away” thing?” I said, chuckling.

Liam made his way up again and he was almost hovering over me. He cupped my face, staring deeply into my soul.

“I love you so much” he was serious and he was so close I could feel his warm breath against my face giving me goosebumps all over my body.

“I love you more than you can imagine, Liam” I told him honestly.

“I want you to pick a day for our mating ceremony and your coronation, my Queen” he said, and my lips made an “o” movement and my eyes opened wide.

He was truly determined and I started to think about it. I could really help the dragons and I could even try to get the dragons back to our Realm and I would never, ever let Liam do what he did to Kathlyn without even listening to what they had to say.

And I was enraged with Prospero as well. He was supposed to be there for her, he’s her mate and he just turned his back on her so easily.

"He'll have a hard time winning his mate back", Hope said, and I hoped so.

“ OK, I will” I simply replied, unsure that it would happen after I did what I had to do tonight.

He held me close and he fell asleep quickly. He was really tired and looked like that enraged moment he had in the living room dispersed.

I waited for some minutes and left the bed very carefully. I put on leggings and I left the room very quietly. I didn't want the flash to wake my mate up.

I flashed to the dungeon after I closed the door and there were some guards standing in Kathlyn's cell.

That was so unbelievable, she was sitting there sobbing and locked up like she was a criminal. That was unacceptable.

I made my way to the cell and the guards bowed down.

“Let me in” I said, and they froze on their spot.

“Forgive us, Queen Alice. King Liam gave us a strict order to not let anyone come in, not even her mate”, they said, apologizing.

“I’m not anyone, I’m your Queen and you have to obey me if you don’t want to get punished” I lied, I would never punish them for doing their job so well.

But I had to try anything I could so they could stand out of my way and I had to do it quickly before they mind-link Liam.

“It’s OK, let her in” I heard a voice echoing and the guards obeyed.

I froze and when I turned to see who said it I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Goddess, Devon. You scared me”, I told him, and he smiled.

“Sorry, I also don’t believe she did it on purpose, Alice. I don’t know what you’re going to do, but you'd better do it fast” he said, and I nodded.

“How come they obeyed you?” I asked them.

“Well, I’m the 3rd in command and also responsible for security” he said.

The guards left the dungeon and I waved my hand and opened the cell.

“Kathlyn”, I called her. She was still sobbing in the same position.

“I’m sorry, Alice. I should’ve said it before” she said.

I heard a loud roar in the living room. I knew it was Liam, the guards let him know.

I also closed my connection, I just left it slightly open on my side of the bond, just so he knew I was fine and alive.

“We have to go, Kat, we will talk somewhere else” I said as I flashed us to the very first place I thought we were safe.

“It’s my room and we’re in the pack house, not safe at all. I’m sure it will be the first place they will come to look for us but I needed a little bit more time to think”, I told her, and then I flashed to Dr Susan's house.

Susan startled, she was about to go to sleep.

“f**k Alice, you scared the s**t out of me” she said, jumping, and I apologized, almost chuckling.

Only Susan could put a smile on my face in those kinds of moments.

“I’m so sorry, I need to stay a little bit around here if that’s OK with you, just so I can talk to my friend here. That’s Kathlyn, Liam’s second in command mate”, I told her, and Susan’s eyes opened wide.

“She doesn’t look good. What happened?” Susan asked and I told her everything that happened tonight.

“Wow, I thought that the dragon King was nice and peaceful” she said.

“He was just enraged about the whole situation, he’s been protecting us for so long, I’m the one to blame” Kathlyn whispered to us and I hugged her and Susan sat at her side.

We needed some girl's alone time tonight.