Sinful Bond: Desired By My Cousin

MISAN’S POV Turning eighteen was a dream come true for many young unmated werewolves except me, Misan Raven. I wasn’t too much of a fan because I wasn’t delusional like other unmated werewolves. I wanted to be able to choose who I would spend the rest of my life with. I didn’t want to experience the blah blah bond that had made most adults stick with sh*tty partners all their lives. My Mom was an example. She stayed with my Dad until he passed away and still had to suffer after his death because the bond wouldn’t spare her. I hated the mate bond… “Are you sure that’s it or do you just have eyes on someone you know won’t be yours?” The familiar serene voice that had become a part of me since my first shift two years ago, filled my mind. Adia, my fluffy red wolf, made a teasing comment. I retorted, “Don’t start, Adia. I know you can’t wait to get a destined mate in an hour or two, but I don’t want to be a part of it.” Sighing, I sat by my mirror and brushed my untamed brown curls. My hair was the only thing I got from my dead father and I didn't like it one bit. My Dad was a good dad but he wasn't so good of a mate and I have always been my Momma’s girl. I was a replica of my mom, in fact… except for the crazy hair on my head. “I promise you, you will like the bond when you feel it. It's the most beautiful gift we have as werewolves.” Adia assured me, just like she had been doing for the past few days. The most beautiful gift? There was a person who could change my perspective on the mating nature and become my most beautiful gift, but he would never be mine. No, he hasn't found his mate even though he has been eighteen for— “Stop daydreaming about him,” Adia warned, but that didn't stop heat from pooling between my thighs. “Kaden isn't someone you should even be thinking about in such a manner. I wonder what Mom would say to you–” “Don’t bring her into this. No one can find out about my fantasies, which is why I haven't told anyone or expressed them.” I cautioned my wolf beast “I am not planning to tell Mom but your scent might do the talking since she is coming our way and you smell like a woman in heat.” Adia informed me of the situation. I jolted off the chair and did all I could to hide the scent Adia had mentioned. Spraying perfume wouldn't help, but I still did that and quickly hid the bottle as my Mom opened my bedroom door. “Hey, Mom!” I chimed with a broad smile that would obviously give me away. My mom’s shiny, straight, and long black hair caught my sight and that reminded me of the bird's nest on my head. Oh F*ck! My Mom’s face knitted into a frown. Her shoulder slumped as well as she closed the distance between us. “You aren't ready for the ritual, Misa.” Mom uttered, not impressed but not disappointed either. If I knew anything about her, it would be that she loved brushing my hair, and taming the strands was her favorite thing to do. “You can’t blame me. They don’t listen to me when I try to make them stylish,” I replied, referring to the strands of my hair. My mom guided me to the chair in front of the mirror and she made me sit down before putting her magical fingers on my hair. I muttered, looking at the older version; my Mom; of myself through the mirror, “I wish I had your shiny straight hair. I bet that’s easy to manage and you always look classy with it.” I pouted. My Mom’s bright blue eyes sparkled when they met mine in the mirror. Aside from the tiny black flakes I had in my eyes, they were just as bright as my mom’s. Her tall frame was another feature I inherited from her and it has been a blessing as well as a curse. But I loved myself regardless. “Your hair makes you one of the most unique individuals on earth, Misa.” My Mom breathed. She was one of the two people who called me Misa. I scoffed, “Who wants to be unique when they can be regular?” Mom prepared herself to tell me the same lines she had been telling me since I was little, but I cut her off politely, “I am not seven anymore, Mom. You don’t have to reassure me that my–” My Mom cut my argument short with another smile, “Of course. You are eighteen years old now and in thirty minutes you will be in the arena and you will find your destined mate. I am sure he will love your hair as well.” “Don’t get my hopes up, Mom.” I giggled. “Not every one of us will find our mate tonight and the only person that loves my hair aside from you is Kaden. No one else.” I added dejectedly. I could no longer hide the fact that I missed Kaden so much. He left some months ago to carry out research for his father, the Alpha King of East Werewolf Realm territory, a territory with many packs under its jurisdiction, and also the Alpha Of The Bloodmoon Pack, the seat of the territory's throne, and also my birth pack. It was also my parent's birthplace. “I am certain my baby girl will stand out.” My Mom never let anything affect her spirit. That was one of the many reasons she was able to stay with Dad till he died. “Just look at yourself in the mirror, Misa.” My eyes left the small bracelet on my wrist and the gloominess that was caused by missing Kaden was replaced with a smile. My hair had obeyed my Mom again. She had successfully held my hair back in a band and did my edges as well. “Now I am pretty. Thanks, Momma.” I embraced my Mom and she hugged me back. “You have always been pretty, Misa, and I know you will be receiving double bundles of happiness in the arena today.” My mom smiled, removing one of the hairclips on her hair. “It’s time you wear the family crest with pride.” She clipped the sliver hairclip on my hair and rubbed my arms tenderly. “If you were some girl with straight hair, you would have begged me to make it curly tonight.” Mom added… Instead of responding to that, I asked, “What do you mean by double bundles of happiness?” My slim fingers trailed the old hairclip that had remained beautiful even though it had been in the family even before my Mom and her sister were born. “You will have to find out yourself, Misan.” My Mom answered. I sighed, “Well, thank Aunt Rose for letting me have the gorgeous hairclip.” “You will be able to thank her yourself if you leave for the arena now.” My Mom replied, ushering me out of my room after giving me one last look. I was wearing a gray off-the-shoulder evening dress with glinting stones embedded along the straps and waistline. It was a beautiful dress and I loved how I could move freely in it. “Let’s go meet my destiny.” Cautiously, I said to my mom. She nodded and held the door for me. I slipped past her but her hand found the slope of my back as we both walked out of our middle-class home. My mom was from a rich family and she grew up living the life of a princess with her twin sister, Aunt Rose. Aunt Rose and Mom weren't identical twins and I would say that my mom was the prettier one because I am her biased daughter. Un-ashamed… However, while Aunt Rose got mated to the Alpha of our pack, my Mom was destined to be the dutiful mate of an abusive man. My Mom got the better name though. Ruby. Yes, my aunt is the Luna of the Pack; the Luna Queen of the territory; and Kaden is her son, which made him kind of my cousin. Do you see why no one should find out about my impure fantasies? I would be screwed. “Why are you tense, Misa?” My Mom asked, cutting my chain of thoughts. “Chin up and relax. We are here.” Mom informed me, but the loud music had done justice to that. We were here. The Arena where destiny is made and tied. “I have to sit with the other parents. I will be right here if you need me, baby.” My Mom pointed to a corner far from where I would be sitting as one of the candidates for the ritual. I immediately missed her as she walked off, but I swallowed hard and started taking steps to the assigned seats in the enormous open-sky arena. The moon was shining bright in the sky, gracing the occasion. I could feel eyes on me as I walked but I muttered to myself, “Screw them.” Little did I know that I was about to be screwed. I mean, a few minutes into the ritual, when I finally began to feel the tingles of the bond, and when Adia recognized the one for me, I was broken immediately when he took one look at me and concluded that I was not good for him. My supposed destined mate said and I quoted, “I will pass. You aren't worth me.” He held my gaze and added even though I was visibly shaking in agony, “I reject you… whoever you may be.”