THE BOND THAT DIVIDES US
1520 Words
THALIA
We moved before dawn. It was still dark, but Rael said we needed a head start. I didn’t argue, as I was just as eager as he was to find the rest of his pack and especially Reagan.
We walked in pure silence, heavy and awkward, unlike our mood before we learned about the mate bond. I kept my eyes on the ground as we walked, trying to ignore the ache in my body from last night’s shift.
I’d shifted back barely an hour after I managed to change into my wolf form. Nel had been exhausted after that, and her energy could only go so far. Rael didn’t shift back, but not once did he leave my side. He didn’t push me to talk and didn’t even try to touch me. He just… stayed, like he promised.
But that only confused me more. Because if Reagan truly was Elias… Then what did that make Rael?
A stranger who rescued my son? A rogue who happened to find him? Or was he lying about everything, and he’s somehow involved in taking Elias?
My stomach twisted at the thought. I wanted to ask him, but I risk losing my chance to see Reagan if he reacts negatively. Now that I know we’re mated, everything feels uncertain. Were my feelings real? Was the trust I so easily gave him truly mine… or was it the bond weaving its influence from the very beginning?
Nel whimpered in my mind, louder than she ever had been, urging me not to think of our mate in a bad light.
“Not everything the Moon Goddess gives is meant to destroy you.” Her voice echoes in my mind.
I bit my lip in frustration. I should be happy right now. To find your fated mate is already rare; finding a second-chance mate is even rarer. This was supposed to be a blessing for which I should be thankful. A second chance to be happy, a second chance to love. Instead, it made me question things even more.
I was so lost in my own thoughts that I nearly jumped out of my skin when a hand landed on my shoulder.
Rael quickly pulled back as if he was scalded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
My chest tightened when I saw his conflicted expression. I’m sure my emotions are all over the place for him to properly figure out what I was thinking, but I could perfectly feel his. He was worried, worried that I didn’t want the bond, but it wasn’t the case at all. It was just complicated.
“I know that this wasn’t an ideal situation for you, and… you’re still processing.”
Processing. That was one way to describe the chaos inside my head.
Rael lifted his gaze and looked me straight in the eyes. There was a mix of concern, fear, and confusion reflected in his eyes that kept changing into his wolf’s since earlier.
“Let’s focus on finding your pack first.” I blurted out in slight panic.
His expression dimmed even more, but he quickly agreed. “You’re right. Let’s focus more on finding them. But do you need to rest first? I’m sure you’re feeling sore because of the full moon.”
“No, I’m okay,” I assured him, now with a calmer voice. “You said we’re close. They might move further if we stop now.”
Rael gave a small, defeated nod and went on.
“We’re getting closer.” He announced after a moment, quickly giving me something to look forward to.
His steps grew faster as we neared the exit of the woods. I followed quietly behind him, trying to match his pace despite the exhaustion. The thought that I’ll see my son soon brings me a mixture of hope and dread.
What would I tell Elias? What if he gets angry because he’ll think I abandoned him?
My train of thought was cut when a blur of movement suddenly passed before me and headed straight to Rael.
“Alpha!” She exclaimed, unnecessarily loud. “Thank the Goddess you were okay. We were so worried about you.”
I froze up in surprise, then immediately felt the annoyance I had no right to feel.
Rael nearly stumbled but caught himself, awkwardly patting the woman on the back as she put him down.
“Uh, Mira?” He called, still awkwardly patting her back.
The woman finally caught Rael’s unease and withdrew her hands from her alpha. Still, I stepped back, putting distance between us. My wolf let out a displeased growl, asking why I was the one backing down.
Rael cleared his throat, “Thalia, this is Mira. She’s one of my pack members. Mira, this is Thalia. She is…” He looked at me for a moment, “A friend I met along the way. She saved me the night I couldn’t go back to the pack.”
I forced a polite smile even though the word “friend” irritated me even more.
Mira glanced at me from head to toe, then mustered a stiff half-smile. “Nice to meet you. Thank you for helping him.”
I nodded. “Of course.”
Rael, clearly desperate to move on, asked, “Where are the others? Have you been with everyone?”
Mira’s expression shifted instantly, and she couldn’t look Rael in the eyes. “Yes… We reunited a few hours after the full moon.”
I glanced at Rael, questioning why her pack member was clearly not telling something.
“What is it, Mira?” He quickly asked before I could say anything.
She tensed up. “Please just follow me.”
We hurried further away from the claimed lands and nearer to the exit of the woods, and finally saw the rest of his pack. I scanned the group immediately. Two men and another woman, aside from Mira… but Reagan wasn’t around.
“Is that all of them?” I asked Rael, ignoring the look they all gave me. “What about Reagan? Who is he with?”
“Where is he?” Rael also asked, not to anyone in particular. He was calm, but there was tension to his voice.
The older man behind Mira stepped forward, his expression one of guilt. “Apologies, Alpha. Reagan, he… he suddenly ran from us, luring the pursuers away so we could escape. Unfortunately, there were more of them, and we got scattered anyway.”
“We’ve all been trying to search for him as soon as we escaped the wolves chasing us… but none of us had any luck. We just reunited today, still trying to find him. You know your son and his ability to remain untracked. We couldn’t find Reagan, no matter how hard we tried.” The other woman answered, also full of guilt.
Everything inside me twisted so violently I could barely breathe.
“You said he’d be okay. You told me your pack members wouldn’t let anything bad happen to him.” I muttered, my voice suddenly hoarse.
Rael turned to me, trying to take my hand, but I quickly pulled away even before he could touch me. “Thalia, please calm down.”
I growled at him, even though the mate bond made it physically painful for me. “Calm down? My son is out there alone! What if Darius already has him?!”
Loud gasps were heard around us. I could feel all of them looking at me with a mixture of confusion and surprise. Some of them definitely thought I was the mystery mother of the child since Rael never mentioned Reagan’s mother. The others are just confused why a stranger is more frantic than Rael.
“Your… what?”
I bit my lip, realizing I slipped and told the truth, but that isn’t the issue at the moment. Tears blurred my vision, but I quickly wiped them away.
“Reagan is my son, Rael. I lost him when he was just a baby, but I know it’s him.”
Rael flinched as if I had physically struck him. Disbelief and pain flashed across his face.
“So, everything you told me, everything you said about wanting to help, and simply met him because of your wolf. All of that was just to get you to Reagan? You were lying to me all along?”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “I didn’t lie about my wolf awakening again because of Reagan, but it’s because my wolf also sensed that he’s my son. I had to fool you, because you would never bring a stranger to a child you claim as yours.”
I lifted my chin, terrified but desperate.
“Now tell me I’m wrong,” I dared as tears started to stream down my face, my voice trembling in anguish, “Tell me that boy couldn’t be my son because he’s yours.”
Rael’s expression softened, mixed with guilt and fear.
“Thalia…” He trailed off.
“Tell me!”
- Writer
