Fated Bonds:Claiming Her Heart

Chapter Three

Elenor’s POV

“What did you just say?” Lesley questioned, but I ignored him, feeling satisfied with myself as I left his side but was stopped when his strong arm yanked me back.

“But we made a promise to ourselves, Elenor. You can't just do as you wish. You promised you were never going to leave me.” He muttered, and with a disgusted face, I turned to him. Is he just playing dumb about promises, or has he truly forgotten all the Shaman said and the process involved in breaking the bond?

“You also made that promise, but you've had no problem breaking it at will. You've already left, and there is no need to sit around and hope things will get any better.” I said firmly, fighting the tears that threatened to fall out of my eyes.

I watched as his face softened in regret, throwing his arms around me and engulfing me in a squishy hug.

“I love you, Elenor. Things are just out of my power; it’s so complicated, but I promise, I will make it up to you, but you can't leave me. No! You can’t.” He murmured, and I let out a sigh.

“I barely even see you anymore, so why should I stay?” I questioned, and he ruffled his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated, but I didn’t back down.

“I'm sorry, but I haven’t….” Suddenly he was interjected by Ava’s scream, and I noticed Lesley pull away from me like a plague as his body tensed up nervously.

“You can go with her,” I assured him as a smile curled onto my lips, he leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek before running after Ava.

I stood motionless for a while; it was obvious I was standing in the way of their love, and I wanted them to be happy, even though I wanted so much to be a part of Lesley’s life, but it was not going to work; we were never meant to be, and I didn’t want trouble for the pack, but what about me and what the Shaman said?

Well, does this mean Lesley hasn’t cheated on me with Ava? If he has, it means the Shaman’s instructions weren’t as bad as I had pictured them to be; he said all that to scare us, I thought to myself.

*Scoffs*

As expected, that was the last time I set my eyes on Lesley in two days. If I hadn't bumped into him in the hallway on my way to the ball, that would have made it three days.

Ava was by his side as they both wore matching outfits; he was dressed neatly in a white shirt and a black tuxedo, while Ava wore a black ruffled gown with silver jewelry, a white purse, and a white sandal heel to go with it. They both looked stunning together. The moon goddess knew exactly what she was doing when she made them mates.

“You didn't inform her; I was coming with you? Ava asked, turning to give Lesley, who stood motionless, a hard stare.

I was dressed in a beautiful lilac gown with a high slit that had a lot of my skin exposed, a crossed back, as well as a part of my cleavage. I wrapped my hair in a high ponytail to reveal my neckline. I wouldn't normally dress to impress, but seeing how stunned Lesley looked and how his jaw dropped, I'd say Aunt Camilla had really outdone herself by getting me this dress.

“Where do you think you're going, dressed like that?” Lesley stammered, closing the space between us.

“Uhmm, the ball,” I replied unconcerned, and he scowled.

“Do you realize that there will be a lot of unmarked wolves and Lycans present? What information are you trying to pass to them? You won’t go anywhere dressed like that; change into something less revealing.” He demanded, and my face turned red.

“And what right do you have over her, Les? She will wear exactly what she wants, and I gave her that dress, plus she's my date. You don’t see me complaining now, do you? Let’s go, Elenor.” Camilla resounded as she took my hands in hers, and we walked past him graciously.

“You look absolutely stunning tonight, Elenor. Now Lesley has had a glimpse of what he's been missing out on.” She says, and my face lit up.

It did feel good seeing Lesley act so possessive, but that didn't matter as he now belonged to someone else and I was no longer his. I had finally come to terms with that.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the venue, and there was a fleet of cars parked outside the arena. Reporters and journalists gathered around trying to push their way through but were stopped by the guards.

Aunt Camilla climbed down from the car, and I followed suit. I smiled at a chauffeur who walked towards us and offered to help me out of the car as I moved over to meet Aunt Camilla.

“Shall we?” She asked, and I nodded in agreement. We walked in, and immediately the air was tense and the atmosphere heavy with different auras emanating from powerful people.

“The air was heavy with the scent of champagne and perfume, and the low hum of conversations echoed against the marble floors.”

I noticed some familiar faces from the last function, but the rest were new faces.

I suddenly began to feel the piercing eyes from every corner as we walked through the crowd of wolves, both male and female, gaping in awe, which made me raise my shoulders high.

“Yes, Elenor. Keep your head raised. You are drop-dead gorgeous, and everyone can't seem to take their eyes off you.” Aunt Camilla whispered.

At that moment, a strong arm grabbed me from behind, forcing me to turn as I was met with an angry Lesley staring at me with irritation.

“What do you think you are doing?" Lesley growled, his eyes flickering with frustration. You are like a catch for every single wolf in here; why did you put this on?” He questioned again, staring at me like he was going to blow off anytime.

“Alpha Lesley, come listen to this,” another Alpha called out to him and he sighed deeply before letting go of my arm.

“Don’t move; I’ll ask Beta Charles to grab you a coat and maybe a new fit entirely,” he muttered as he walked away from me while I stood there pondering the scene he had almost created.

Well, if my dress is that revealing, he has no right; he’s here with his mate; he can concentrate on that!

“I’ll go find my friends; are you good on your own?” Aunt Camilla questioned, and I nodded with a smile as I spun around to meet Ava walking toward me.

I am in no state of mind to have a chit-chat with her, so I start moving the other way in a bid to avoid any conversation when her voice stops me.

“You must feel like a winner, right?“ “It must feel wonderful, doesn't it? Having him but knowing you never really will.” Ava’s smile was venomous, each word a barb meant to wound. Lesley is only trying to rid his pack of the shame you are about to bring to it by wearing that. He doesn’t even love you. He loves me, and I’m going to be his Luna soon because I am his true mate and not a Chosen mate like you.” She murmured with a disgusting smile on her face.

“Here is the thing, Beaver.”

“It’s Ava, Sicko.” She blurted out through clenched teeth, and I scowled.

“It doesn't work that way, sweetheart. I understand you are his fated mate, but...”

My voice trails off as I shake my head.

“But, what?” She questioned. Look, I don’t intend to come in between you both for the safety of the pack. That duty is more important than any love. Now, if you'd excuse me…,”

"Where are you about to say he loves you?” She questions with a peal of sickly laughter. “I know what you both did, Elenora Cassius and if you could do a spell for your chosen mate, what do you think about doing it to become a fated mate?" She says, and my eyes widen in shock, How did she know the name Cassius?

“Surprised? Now you better stay out of my way." She warned as she jostled into me harshly, and I grabbed her arm firmly, wanting to let her know I didn’t feel threatened. I let go almost immediately, but to my shock, Ava staggered back, clutching her face as if I’d struck her."

She let out a loud scream as she fell to the ground and started crying while I stared at her with wide eyes.

“Heavens, what in the hell is happening here?” Lesley questioned as he moved sharply to help Ava off the floor.

“I was only explaining to her that you still loved her very much, but she wasn't having it, as she warned me to stay away from you. When I tried to make her see the reasons, she landed a slap on my face and pushed me to the floor.” She explained, and her tears fell freely as she was cuddled up in Lesley's chest.

Lesley turned to me, a scowl crossing his face. I stared at him. “I don’t intend to offer any explanations to someone who just outed our secret to a complete stranger.

“Why did you do that?”

He asked with a frown, "I didn't," I replied firmly, walking away from him, but he obstructed me. I know this is hard for you, but you need to treat my mate with respect! Don’t think that you can disrespect her however you like because I will not tolerate it! Maybe I should reject you once and for all and stop all this madness.” He yelled, walking away with Ava, and I stood confused.

Lesley had never raised his voice at me before. The sharpness of his words sliced through the last shred of hope I had left, leaving me hollow.

His words echoed in my mind, each syllable carving deep into me. This wasn’t the Lesley I knew, but maybe this was who he’d always been—someone willing to wound to keep control.

I wanted to scream, to demand answers for the broken promises, but my voice remained trapped in my throat. The weight of our past love crushed me, and for a fleeting moment, I wished I could hate him. But I couldn’t. Not with what was at stake.

The crowd turned to face me, shame and humiliation engulfing my entire being. I approached the waiter, taking multiple glasses and finishing each in one gulp. Quickly I felt the bile building up in my chest.

I sprinted away from there as quickly as I could with my hands over my mouth, tears blurring my vision as I ran. “My chest pounded erratically, and I fought to catch my breath.”

Suddenly, I collided with a wall of muscle, and the scent of cedarwood and tobacco hit me like a wave, stirring something deep within me. A low growl rumbled through the air, sending shivers down my spine. My heart stuttered a beat as I looked up. Could it be? Now?

“Mate..” I heard a faint voice whisper. I looked around, but it was just me and the man in front of me, and I got up quickly to meet his face. It couldn't be...

I stared at the man who stood before me; he stood there with a stoic expression, unreadable but quite familiar.

'Mate,' the word slipped past my lips, unbidden. And then bile surged again. Before I could stop it, I had splattered his expensive leather shoes."