Fated Bonds:Claiming Her Heart

Chapter Two

Elenor (Four Years Ago)

I lay there, cuddling my pillow, soaked in tears, as memories flooded my mind in a sudden rush.

******

“Are you sure you both know what you are doing and the terms and conditions applied to the Chosen Mate Spell Binding Bond?” The Shaman asked with a crooked smile, which I was quick to overlook.

All I wanted was to keep the butterflies floating in my belly and the smile I had on my face as long as I could. Lesley made me happy, and even if we weren’t fated mates, him loving me was all that mattered.

Soon everything for the binding was ready. I watched more in desperation than fear as we waited for the new moon rising to begin our spell. The Shaman placed an image on the floor. “Stretch your arms out,” he commanded. His once calm demeanor changed into a scary one. I shifted my gaze to Lesley, his face wrinkled from fear; I could tell he was trying so hard to subdue it.

We stared at each other without uttering any words. I hadn't wolfed out yet, so my mind link wasn't open, but if Lesley tried to communicate with me, I knew exactly what he would say.

“Don’t do it!” Aunt Camilla’s voice echoed in my head as had been her response to me when I told her about our plans.

Now, we were already far gone as the Shaman placed our wrists together, tying it and making an incision. “Arg!” These were my words, as I couldn't bear the pain emanating from within.

The hot knife pierces deep into my flesh, each pulse a constant reminder of the love we have agreed to share. “I will always be by your side, Elle,” Lesley said with a smile across his face.

“I…, “ A hot sting shut me up quickly, causing my entire being to quiver, sweat dripping uncontrollably from the burning sensation spreading through my veins. I gritted my teeth, trying hard to suppress the scream that wanted to escape my lips. "This was my choice—love was worth every bit of the pain." I would be his Luna. Maybe the moon goddess didn't have plans for us, so we decided to forge our paths together.

I shifted my gaze back to Lesley, which was now obscured by my tears. I could see his eyes widening as our pain intertwined, the struggle between right and wrong, and the intensity of the Chosen Mate spellbind we were forging.

I slowly felt myself giving up when his gentle voice struck my ear. “Elenor!” he said in a gasp, squeezing my hand a little bit firmly as our eyes met. I gained a new strength; he knew, and we were having our moment through the pain.

“Focus!” The Shaman growled with a hint of anger, “You must feel the pain and let it be a part of the bond and love you both share.”

“Arg,” I let out a scream, unable to hold in the burning sensation. I heard the Shaman murmur some words, and I struggled to comprehend as my visions blurred and the clouds began to spin. A whirlwind of memories knocked me as I wondered if Lesley could see this too.

“Remember, this bond is unbreakable!” the Shaman warned, his eyes glinting with a sinister light that frightened me. “If either of you lays with your fated mate, there shall be consequences, and if one is marked by another while still under the Chosen Mate Bond, one of you will die after days of excruciating, incurable pain. Do you understand?” He blurted out, accompanied by a hysterical laughter that shook the air.

Tension hung heavy in the atmosphere as we stared in complete silence; confusion groped our throats like a new best friend. The weight of his words crashed down on me like a tidal wave. Panic surged, mingling with the pain that clawed at my insides. “What have we done?” I whispered, feeling the soft wind thicken with dread.

Lesley’s breath hitched, and his thoughts mirrored mine: “How can we break this bond?” I heard Lesley's now weakened voice say. “Only a……”

*Light fades*

“She was having a hard time falling asleep; she was feeling homesick. She needed me; I couldn't just leave her like that; I had to help her.” Lesley’s voice jolted me out of my sleep.

“It’s okay, Les. Do whatever you must do; she is your mate.” I managed to utter as I sat up on the bed, and he moved towards me, grabbing my face as if studying me, before placing a kiss on my forehead.

“I’m trying my best, Elenor. You promised to be by my side through thick and thin; give me some time to sort this out, okay?” He questioned, avoiding my eyes, his voice soft but distant. "You promised you'd stay, Elle...and I smiled softly; surely he remembers everything the Shaman says and the risk involved.

“Let’s be sure to keep our promise.” He says firmly, and I nod in response. But that was just mere words because things began to go south from this moment.

Lesley had forgotten totally about me as I barely saw him; he stopped spending time with me, and I would only see him when we all assembled for pack meetings or during dinner, when he was always with his mate Ava, so we barely spoke.

He moved out of our room and moved in with her; it was like I wasn't in existence. I shrugged the thought as I headed down for dinner. The only reason I was still allowed to dine with them was because Lesley’s aunt always wanted me present. She was the only one I was close to here aside from Lesley.

I took a deep breath as I walked down the stairs. I paused at the dining hall when I heard Lesley’s voice. “Isn’t she something, mother?” I heard him utter, and his mother laughed out loud.

“She certainly is lovely.” His mother replied.

“Thank you so much, your Grace,” Ava responded.

“No, my darling. You can call me Mother after all, you are my daughter-in-law, and I am your mother-in-law,” she said, and they all shared a laugh in unison.

I curled my hand into a fist. I wondered how much I could take this pain as I walked into the hall; laughter ceased, and the air went quiet with tension. That wasn't all; I was further humiliated to find Ava seated in my seat right beside Lesley.

“Buttercup, come sit beside me.” I turned towards the voice, and I flashed a smile at Lesley’s aunt, Camilla, who motioned for me to sit.

The momentary silence lingered for a while till Ava broke it.

“Elenora, right? I've heard a lot about you.” She said so calmly and sweetly that it was hard to be impolite, but I couldn't help it.

“It’s Elenor and great to know, but I can't say the same about you,” I uttered, focusing solely on my food before I lifted my gaze to face her. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she was fuming with rage; in no time, her rage was replaced with a corky smile.

“I beg to take my leave now; I am no longer hungry. I'll be in my room, Lesley.” Ava murmured as she stood up while Lesley followed behind her almost immediately.

“Are you okay, Ava?” He questioned genuinely, ever so sweetly that I felt like driving a dagger through my chest so he'd have the luxury of watching me bleed out. He didn't care to hide how much he cared about her anymore.

“Yes, baby. I'm just worn out, and I need rest. Would you mind escorting me? That's if it is of course okay with Elenora, oops. Elenor, I mean.” She says it with a hint of sarcasm, bringing everyone's attention to me.

I almost choked on my food as I struggled to swallow hard and then forced a smile at her.

“It doesn't matter what is okay with me; you're his mate. Excuse me,” I said, wiping my mouth, and immediately exited the dining hall.

I couldn't stand being in there for another second. As soon as I got to my room, a dawn of realization settled in my stomach: what used to be filled with butterflies was now filled with emptiness.

This room we once shared, a constant reminder of our love, had suddenly become desolate. There's nothing left for me here; I can't continue to stay here; I need to leave, and I need to leave as soon as possible. I could find a place to lay low for a while, get a job, or something. All I knew was this strong determination to leave was the right choice.

I was about to head to the wardrobe to grab some clothes when I heard a faint knock on the door.

“May I come in, buttercup?”Aunt Camilla’s voice peered through the room, and I quickly wiped off my tears.

“Yes, Aunt Camilla. Come in, please.” Camilla walked into the room with a broad smile plastered across her face, which made me smile alongside her.

“How are you holding up?” She questioned, and I replied with a nod.

“I will be fine,” I muttered, and she sighed.

“I like you better than her; if you ask me, there's something unreal about her, and she feels all made up. I don’t understand why everyone can't see beyond her facade. Anyone that perfect has something up her sleeves.” Camilla mumbled with irritation, which made two of us.

“Well, it doesn't matter; she's his missing rib. Joined together by the moon goddess, their bond can't be broken by mere mortals. Hopefully, I get my wolf out soon; that will cheer me up.” I said, and she held my hand, and we sat silent for a while until she pulled out an invitation from her pocket and handed it over to me.

“Here, take this; a ball is going to be held in three days, and rest assured every Alpha, Beta, and Gamma is going to be present.

Even the Lycan King and his son are going to be there. It’s an event of a lifetime. This particular ball only happens once a year, and I want you to come with me.

We might just be able to hook you up with a strikingly hot Alpha or even a Lycan, then you can finally let go of that Jerk Lesley.” She muttered, and my cheek flushed red, accompanied by light giggles.

“Jerk? Come on, he’s your nephew, Aunt Camilla.” I replied, and she wheezed.

“Doesn't mean I should support him in this madness?” she concludes. We went ahead to divert and talk about random topics till she finally decided to leave me.

I stared at the invitation in my hand and wondered what to do with it. I quickly shoved it into the drawer. I was sure in my heart I wasn't going to attend. All I needed was to run off and not snag up anyone.

Just then, Lesley walked into the room, a stupid dance across his lips. The nerve of this man to even walk in here acting like all was well. I couldn't believe him right now.

“Baby, I have missed you.” He says as he makes his way towards me, he picks up my face in his attempt to plant a kiss on my lips when I quickly pull away from his hold.

His face falls into an evident gloom as he falls to bed and lets out a sigh of discomfort.

“I want to discuss something with you,” he began. “Promise me, you'd be reasonable with me,” he added, but I was already over his games.

“There’s a ball coming up, and I have just two tickets. I was going to take you with me, but Ava really wants to go as she has never been to a ball like this, so could you just sit this one out?” He asked, and I creased my brown in disappointment. What audacity!

“Don’t worry about it, I wasn't even going to go with you. Aunt Camilla already invited me so I'll be going with her before I finally leave the Packhouse so you can have enough room to be with your Mate as much as you desire.