Bonded by Fates; The Origin

4. The Unexpected

Guys, some chapters sometimes bring the same situation from another point of view. This is for you to get to know about the characters and it will not linger during the book.

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***A few minutes ago***

Liam POV:

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I was outside the gates, invisible. I put Alec on the surface and we simply high jumped inside the borders.

The Alpha was really confident that no one would ever dare to face him.

I used my high speed to cross the small forest trail until I found myself in a small fancy city. It was definitely different from any other pack. I was certain that not even the Royal Pack looked like this, he made part of his land into a city.

OK, he surely can do his business like no one else, can’t deny it. Oddly or not, ever since it was still early in the morning, there was no one out on the street and everything smelled like wet mutt. At least for a Dragon, we were natural enemies.

I was mesmerized while I was staring at the luxurious little city when a huge black wolf came in running like there’s no tomorrow. He stopped at the staircase in front of an elegant tall building and shifted to a bare human form. It was him, I was sure of it, the Alpha.

The monster that imprisoned his own daughter and was about to hurt her.

I moved closer and wanted to knock him out, but I had to make sure where she was. Her dad was enraged and…desperate?

I knew that something was very odd. I didn’t react. I followed him inside instead and after I heard his confirmation that we were at the general security building, I realized that there was the place I was supposed to be. I turned to my solid self and tried to punch him.

“What did you do to Alice? Where is she?” I asked. I’m not leaving without her.

He looked surprised but didn’t flinch back, his aura surely would do the job if I wasn’t a royal, so it didn’t have much effect on me.

We were about to fight until I heard and scented her. Her scent was mixed with blood. I lost my mind and also her father. He surely didn’t seem like he was about to hurt her, he was desperate, enraged and I let it go just like he did, I just needed to know she was OK.

I wasn’t sure anymore; my heart was racing painfully as I followed her father through a security door that took us to a basement. We ran further until we got to the dungeon, which looked like a normal prison cell. Then there she was and I found myself living in my worst nightmare.

She had her arms tied up on some chains hanging from the ceiling, she was topless, covered with blood and her back had a lot of deep cuts, her inner flesh was almost inside out.

Alec whined and wriggled in pain. I felt tears falling from my eyes as I ripped my shirt off and covered her. Alec came to the surface, making my fangs elongate, and I bit the chains out of her arms. I’m a dragon, so thick irons weren’t a problem for me at all. She was almost unconscious and fell down unbalanced in my arms. I saw a whip with silver barbed tips when I looked down.

Fuck, they didn’t just whip her, they also made sure to use silver weapons to cause the mess.

I failed her. I had just met her and already failed her.

I glanced at the Alpha, he was killing these nasty mutts. I was also wrong about him. He wasn’t about to hurt her, he was protecting her.

I decided I wouldn’t fight anymore.

Her face was no longer frowning and I felt her relaxing in my arms.

“Let her go right now if you don’t want to join these fuckers’ dead bodies,” the Alpha said to me.

“We’re mates.” I replied to him expressionless, I couldn’t get my eyes out of her, ever again.

I will not hide it any longer, he had to accept it willingly or not.

“Fuck.” He was on his knees, he seemed confused and having an inner battle with his wolf.

***back to present***

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I reached for the keys and took the cuffs off of her wrist. She was also using a different bracelet. I didn’t remember she was wearing it when we met, I was so lost in the moment.

“I will mind-link someone to pick us up. Come with me, we have to take care of her and then we can talk.” That was what Alpha Randall said, startling me. His eyes changed a few shades of color, he was mind-linking someone.

And I noticed my eyes opened wide and my face frowned in confusion. I was expecting a long hesitancy but I just nodded and did as he asked. He was clearly in pain and fearful about his daughter, just like I was. I lifted her up bridal style, she was sleeping trying to recover her energy.

I saw a strong man approaching us on our way out of the building.

“Alpha.” He bowed down to Randall and his eyes went wide after seeing Alice with my shirt around her covered with blood. He clearly recognized her. Weird, is he the Alpha’s Beta?

“Henry, I won’t make it to the Royal Pack’s meeting today. There’s so much going on, I need you to bring Dr Susan to see Alice at the pack house, she’s hurt, we’re on our way, she’s the best doctor and the only one I can trust right now.”

“Right away, Sir.” He turned his back, shifted and ran.

“I can call some healers but I need your permission to teleport them,” I said.

“Absolutely not. Just to be clear, I don’t trust you or anyone, mate or not. The only reason I let you live today is because she’s been through a lot already, tomorrow is another day and I’ll see what I’ll do with you.” He said dryly as he opened a car’s back door that wasn’t there before, maybe the other man drove it there.

I haven’t said anything yet. I’m just worried about Alice and having her next to me now is also relaxing Alec. I’m not going to leave her side ever again. I got in the car and closed the door. Alice’s on my lap now, her head was resting on my shoulder as I held her like never wanting to let her go, as a naked Randall entered the driver's seat and drove our way to the pack house.

When we got there, I carefully got out of the back seat with Alice and entered the pack house. Randall pointed to the sofa in the living room. I laid her down on her side, taking care so she didn’t lay on her back.

I sat on the floor next to her and stared at her face. She frowned as our skin lost contact. I held her hand again and it calmed us down. I could swear I saw a slight smile on her face and I stood there while my other hand caressed her head and hair ever so softly praying to the Goddess that she wake up soon.

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Randall POV:

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This man wasn’t a werewolf. What the hell was he?

Not that I cared at all, but I had to know. I was carefully watching his every step, but he was so lost in the moment that it was like I wasn’t there at all. I saw his painful face. He was very worried about my daughter.

Shadow relaxed a little too after I confirmed that they were actually mates when she frowned when their skin lost contact and how relaxed she seemed when their skin was in contact again.

I wouldn’t keep them separated, the mate's pulls are usually very strong. I could never do it to my daughter, doesn’t matter how much I dislike the idea, I’m not a complete monster, actually I am. But not at all when it came to her and she’d never forgive me. It was bad enough to keep her locked up inside the pack house, but I must protect her. I couldn’t lose her and I wasn’t ready at all to tell my secret…at least not yet. I might wait a little bit more.

I couldn’t remind myself of ever feeling so intense when I was with my mate, but I could see they actually meant it and that was the confirmation I needed.

“I’ll take a quick shower now. Watch her. I’ll be right back.” I said, and he looked back at me confused and nodded.

What now?

I entered the bathroom and when I looked at myself in the mirror, I noticed that I was still naked and almost covered with blood. After I showered, Henry mind-linked me.

“Alpha, I’m bringing Dr Susan but about the Royal Pack’s meeting…well…” he was hesitating.

“What about it?” I encouraged him. I’m not in the mood for fighting anymore.

“Well, the Royal service said that we cannot skip for whatever reasons.”

“What the f**k…what does it mean? Will they force an Alpha to attend a useless meeting that its purpose is for wild wolves to get drunk with Wolfcraig only?” I tried not to growl but I couldn’t help it. I guess my mood is back again.

“Forgive me, Sir. They also mentioned that if you don’t come, they will come here and bring you themselves.” My Beta warned again.

“Henry, get Susan here and get ready, we’ll leave in a couple of hours then. I've got to find out what the hell is going on there. This is not a regular behavior of theirs. Let them know we will go but we will get late.”

It all seemed very undue, mind connections cut out in my own pack, royal pack demanding my presence at the meeting, something was wrong.

The weirdo seemed like a good man and ever since he happened to be my daughter’s mate, he may already have some duties. I didn’t trust him yet and I had to discover everything about him, but as mates, I was sure he would protect her with his life. That’s the good thing about the bond and that’s exactly what I need right now.

I got dressed properly, got some clothes and placed them in the guest’s room and when I entered the living room, he was still in the same position.

“I have to go to the Royal Pack meetings or else they'll come here for me. I can’t let it happen for Alice’s safety. Do you think you can stay for a couple of days watching her until I get back?”

“Of course, I don’t intend to leave her ever again.” He said. What a motherfucker. My chest slightly growled and my eyes were glowing, Shadow was on the surface feeling challenged.

“What is your name?”

“Liam.”

“Well Liam, just to be clear, she won’t go anywhere with you yet. Don’t you think I noticed you aren’t a wolf and my instincts are jingling saying you’re hiding a lot more about it. What were you doing in my pack? For how long were you mates? Have you mated my daughter? If you happen to be with her, we will have to settle some things up, you hear? If you want to impress me, call me before I get back saying that Alice is awake and fine.” I said as I slammed a card with my number on the glass table in the living room and my fingers dragged the card slowly to his side.

I wanted to know everything but we were running out of time and I wanted to heal Alice before getting into the annoying stuff, like this stupid meeting wasn’t annoying enough.

“You’re right! There are many things I haven’t shared. We met this same morning about 3 hours ago and we hadn’t mated yet. We were just talking when the alarm system rang. Alice got desperate and ordered me to leave. I didn’t want to distress her and I pretended I had left but I was hidden and when I turned around to see her, she wasn’t there anymore. That’s why I was in your pack. I was looking for her and I also don’t trust you, but I trust Alice and I hate to admit it, but you’re her father and you showed me today that you truly care for her safety. That’s enough for me.” This man has guts, I hate to admit that.

“The same here, but did you say the alarm system rang?” I asked, how come I couldn’t hear it with my high sense of hearing?

“Yes, it did and in no time, the guards took her away” he replied.

“That’s some weird s**t, I’ll have to investigate it. Now you go take a shower. I placed some clothes in the guest room.” I pointed to a door and continued; “I don’t want you to scare her with blood's stinks when she wakes up”.

We just nodded at each other, I stood by Alice's side waiting for him to shower, her safety was our priority and we wouldn’t talk about anything else right now.

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Henry POV:

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“Alpha Randall Blackford’s Beta Henry Arcane from the Black Moon Pack. We will attend the meeting but we’ll get a couple of hours late.” I mind-linked the royal service, the only place we could mind-link that wasn’t our pack.

“We informed the King and he said it’s fine and he’ll be waiting.” After 5 minutes they replied.

It's been a while ever since I noticed that something was going on at the Royal Pack.

Having a meeting every couple of weeks just to drink Wolfcraig into a golden goblet? I’m not buying it. I wish I could share this with Randall, but he already says I’m such a paranoid, I’d only confirm his statement without evidence.

That’s bad timing for us to go. Alice’s hurt.

I know her, she’s smart enough to not be caught on her way out. She never did.

And, of course, I knew about her secretive ways out, but I couldn’t have it seeing her locked up inside the pack house all day and one of my jobs was also to observe her and care for her safety.

We hadn’t talked much but she was very nice and sweet in the times we did.

How the hell did the alarm ring and why did it take so long for Randall to notice it? As far as I knew, she was about a few miles away from the borders and how did they end up having her inside the dungeon so fast?

I don’t think we should leave, but having some second thoughts, maybe it'd be helpful and I could investigate more about it in the royal pack. They must have something to do with it.

“Henry, are you OK? You look upset.” Dr Susan snapped me out of my thoughts. We’re driving our way to the pack house.

“I’m sorry, my mind is a bit fuzzy right now, it all seems so weird to be happening at the same time.” I told her honestly while driving.

“And it’s only 9 o’clock in the morning, but if there’s anything else I can do to help, let me know. Alice is so damn strong and I love her. I’m sure she will be just fine, her wolf is the key piece for her to heal fast and you told me that her wolf is getting a hella strong, dude.” She told me, nobody would ever tell she’s the most talented and the best doctor from the wolves' realm if they talked to her before get to know about it.

Dr Susan was wearing a cap and sunglasses while she was chewing gum and she was very beautiful, about 5'4 tall, long dark hair with some blonde highlights. It's silk today, but usually she keeps it with her loose curls, green eyes and she always uses red or brown lipstick. I just chuckled at her statement.

“We’re here.” I told her.

She didn’t lose any more time and rushed to the door. She called Randall yelling instead of knocking on the door. I chuckled again. She was worried, as we all were. Alice was also like a daughter to me.

I made my way to the door and Randall opened it, already dressed to leave for the Royal Pack. So was I.

“Finally, where is she, handsome?” Dr Susan asked Randall.

“Can’t you just knock on the door?” Randall received her.

“Don’t you get all grumpy on me as always, Alpha.” She entered the house unceremoniously and I followed her.

“Alpha” I bowed down at the door and made my way inside the pack house without being invited. We were all worried. Randall just rolled his eyes.

“Enough of the formalities, Henry, I think there’s something wrong with the Royal Pack. We’re not going to drink this time, we have some investigations to conduct.”

Randall’s statement startled me in a good way. Finally, I slightly smiled, it reminded me of the good times we were best friends before Alice’s mother passed away and, after this tragic moment, the Royal Pack started with the meetings every couple of weeks and Randall just drowned in darkness.

“How is Alice?” I asked Randall.

“Sleeping, I was hoping Susan could check on her to make her heal faster so she could wake up. We have to get to the bottom of this. I’ve been told that the alarm system rang. How come I couldn’t hear it? It looks like someone is casting a spell on my pack”.

“Couldn’t you hear it? Only the Royal Pack has access to the Wizard Realm’s spells ever since one of their heads of security is a Wizard. We should look up to him, but you’re immune to magic, Alpha. What could possibly have happened?” I told him and he looked lost and confused.

“Maybe you have all been under the spell, but me,” he concluded, and I nodded.

“Let’s see how Alice is doing. I’ll let her mate take care of her. I don’t trust him and he seems to be hiding something, but I must believe in their bond right now.”

Randall told me that they found each other through mind-link. I had to see it with my own eyes.

When I got into the living room, Dr Susan was already examining Alice.

Alice’s mate was beside her holding her hand like his life depended on it, he seemed good and he cared about her, she wasn’t covered with blood anymore, they had already cleaned her up.

“He looks like a good man. I think she will be in good hands. Maybe Dr Susan could stay with them.” I mind-linked Randall.

He nodded and cleared his throat. We all looked at him.

“Liam, that’s my Beta Henry and there by your side is Dr Susan, she’s very good at what she does.” Randall introduced us, he continued; “Susan and Henry, that’s Liam, Alice’s mate.”

“I’ve introduced myself already, I can tell we will get along just fine and I’m not “very good”. Actually, I’m the best Doctor as much as Randall is the best Alpha from all over the realm” She winked at him.

Liam and I chuckled. Randall just rolled his eyes, but deep inside he knew it was true.

After she examined Alice, she had an upset face.

“There is something wrong, she should be healing by now! Randall, can your wolf reach her wolf?”

Wolves can reach other wolves when they’re mates or closely related.

He attempted a few times and said; “I can’t reach Hope, what’s going on?”