BOUND

The reveal

Once they make their way into Marcus’ room, Marcus sits a nervous Celia down on the bed.

“…….i have something to tell you.” He begins. “But before I do so I have a question.” Marcus asks Celia if she feels a connection between them. “One that goes beyond something new” he asks. Celia responds affirmatively. Saying she does. Marcus, as calmly as he can tells Celia that it is mutual. And that there is a reason for that. One that goes far deeper than chemistry. Marcus can see the questions forming in Celia’s mind and considers lying. But then he carries on with it.

“Celia….” He begins. “I know this might be a lot to take in, but I am not like you. My people are not like your people. We’re-.”

Celia cuts him off.

“You’re a cult!” she exclaims comically. Marcus would have laughed had this not been a severely serious situation.”

“What in goddess’ name gave her that impression?” Bryan pipes up in his mind.

“No” Marcus corrects. We aren’t a cult.

“………. we’re werewolves.”

Celia laughs at first, refusing to believe that the man she’s fallen for is a character from what she believed was nothing but ancient folklore. But the lack of amusement on Marcus’ face shuts her up.

For a moment she is rendered speechless. Then after Marcus proves it she reacts the way any normal human would. She collapses and loses consciousness.

Marcus panics and catches her before her body can tumble off the bed and unto the floor. All efforts to awaken her prove abortive and so he calls on the pack healer Ezra. Ezra reinforces that all Celia needs is rest for the meantime. That her fragile mind simply received more than it could handle. Once she awakens, she does so in a bout of fright and panic. Thrashing around the bed and trying to get out of Marcus’ grasp. Marcus manages to calm her down. The pheromones of her mate working to soothe her mind. Non the less, Marcus lets her leave, refusing to hold her captive against her will.

Weeks pass. Celia finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that, not only do werewolves exist, she also seemed to be mated to one.

Meanwhile Marcus battles with the mind crippling fear that he just let his mate go forever. His wolf barks, demands, pleads fir him to go after her but he refuses. It’s her choice, and he shan’t force her. It is now we learn the origin of Marcus’ nightmares. And how Dennis ‘saved’ him in the first place.

Marcus had belonged to a loving and simple family. His parents, Robert and Sara Rice had raised him with nothing but love and affection. They belonged to a not so neighboring pack. Crimson peaks. Once he turned twelve, he developed what his fellow werewolf pups developed, their very own wolves. While their bodies were too young to turn, they had gained the ability to hear and speak to their wolves. This was a thing to celebrate. His family, and most parents of younglings had decided to bound together and celebrate. Sadly, that meant they were many at one place. Vulnerable. When the rouges came, they weren’t prepared. Screams filled the air, and before the men could even begin to attempt to fight for their families the rouges set the premises ablaze. Little Marcus had been separated from his family in a moment of panic. He falls and finds himself underneath a pile of dirt.

Despite the fear coursing through his veins, little Marcus remembers his father’s teachings and keeps still. And the very moment that he sees an avenue to run, he takes it. he dashes through the forest, leaving behind the blood curling screams of his people. He runs, stops, walks for days before his fragile body collapses at the border of the gold-moon pack.

Wolves are a very territorial breed. The sight of a dirty, torn clothed child at their border raises an immediate bout of suspicion with some even going as far as calling for the young boy’s death. While seeming harsh, rouges represent an unimaginable level of chaos and in some cases, looming destruction and death.

Marcus was taken and locked up whilst the people awaited the final verdict of their alpha. Dennis’ father. Much to everyone’s disbelief Marcus was not put to death. Neither was he immediately sent away. Once they listened to his story he was released, and given a place at the side of the Alpha’s son. His age mate, Dennis. Who is revealed to have been the one who interceded for Marcus. And begged for his life.

And while much time had passes since then it is very obvious that Marcus still carries a very heavy burden from it all. He grew, from then on under the guardianship of Dennis’ parents who taught him everything he now knows. Especially things as important as shifting, turning into his wolf. And eventually, when Dennis rises to the mantle of rulership, he surprises the entire pack by choosing Marcus, the outsider as his right hand, as his beta.

Now forward back to the present. Celia still hadn’t returned. And this time it is Marcus that seems to be loosing hope. In a moment of rare calmness, Bryan, his wolf comforts him. And tells him that…..

“The goddess wouldn’t give us a mate we would lose”

He develops a new found bout of strength, of faith. And so now instead of doubting he just waits, waits for her.

Meanwhile, back at Greenfield Celia couldn't stop feeling like she had left her heart behind. The mate bond far stronger than what, even she had imagined. Each day that passes she finds it harder not to run back to Marcus. Back into his arms. She buries herself in research. Searching for what this means for her.

And eventually, she could do it no more.

Celia's feet carried her back to the pack house. The residents, who already know her simply let her through and direct her to Marcus's doorstep. She arrives there, her heart pounding in her chest. She had run away, overwhelmed by the revelation of his true nature. But as the days passed, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she had left something important behind. The memory of Marcus's gentle touch and warm smile lingered in her mind, making her wonder if she had made a mistake.

As she stood before the door, Celia's doubts resurfaced. Could she really accept Marcus for what he was? A werewolf? She took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock. The door swung open, and Marcus's eyes met hers. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

"Celia," Marcus whispered, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and caution. Celia's heart skipped a beat as she saw the vulnerability in his eyes. She knew she had hurt him, and a pang of guilt settled in her chest.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was scared, but... I couldn't stay away." Marcus's expression softened, and he stepped aside, allowing her to enter.

As they sat together, Celia began to open up about her fears and doubts. Marcus listened attentively, his eyes never leaving hers. He shared his own struggles, his desire to be honest with her, and his fear of losing her.

Their conversation flowed like a river, winding through the twists and turns of their emotions. Celia felt a weight lifting off her shoulders as she realized that Marcus wasn't asking her to change who she was; he was asking her to accept him for who he was.

With each passing moment, Celia's resolve strengthened. She knew she still had questions, but she was willing to face them head-on, as long as Marcus was by her side. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the room, Celia reached out and took Marcus's hand.

"I'm willing to try," she said, her voice filled with determination. Marcus's eyes lit up, and a gentle smile spread across his face. He squeezed her hand, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

"I'll be here for you," he promised. "Every step of the way." In that moment, Celia knew she had made the right decision. She was ready to face the unknown with Marcus, to explore the depths of their connection and see where it would take them.