Beyond Fate

MINE

One month later

(Lucas pov)

I lay in bed coming out of my sleep filled haze. The first thing I recognised was her beautiful fruity scent. I was quickly coming to love the smell of mango and passion fruit first thing in the morning. I looked to my side to see her sleeping form lay next to me, her naked body covered only by the thin sheet I’d managed to grab before I’d passed out next to her last night. I lay there silently for a moment just studying her relaxed features as she slept peacefully, her golden hair was spread across the pillow behind her. I reached out to move a stray strand of hair behind her ear caressing her face. She was so beautiful. Sometimes I’d stare at her like this and I couldn’t believe this angel was lying next to me. This whole, having a girlfriend and sleeping next to a female was a new experience for me. I'd never thought about women beyond the obvious. I wasn't the kind of guy out to collect notches on my bedpost, sure I’d had my fun but I’d never wanted anything more. Females were a complication. My lifestyle had no room for added complications. In fact I’d broken so many of my own rules by staying put for as long as I had. It was all because of the beauty lay next to me. My fingers trailed down along her body stroking the raised skin on her shoulder that in the past weeks I’d learned had been caused by a silver blade from the rouge attack a few years ago.

These past few weeks have been beyond bliss. Alisha was amazing. She filled every day with so much light and happiness. Everything was better when she was around. In the past four weeks we had barely spent more than an hour apart; it was like I’d known her my whole life. We had been trying in vain to find a way to break her mate's bond with the mutt and as of yet we were coming up with nothing, I was running out of underground contacts and I’m not gonna lie it was beginning to worry me. The only other thing I could think of was to contact one other person who knew more about this than anyone, however doing so would open a whole new can of worms, one I wasn’t sure either Alisha or I was ready to face yet.

I also knew that the person would want to meet with Alisha face to face. Not that I wouldn’t mind putting some distance between her and that mutt that kept loitering round every corner. He hadn’t given up in his bid to get her back and he was becoming desperate. Even my threats were not detouring him anymore and a week ago he had caught her alone in the kitchen the first night she had moved into my room. She had gone downstairs late for a snack. Luckily I had followed her down shortly after finding her pushing him away from her. He hadn't done anything and she had told me she was fine but I could tell whatever he’d said had shaken her up.

He wasn’t giving her up without a fight. I couldn’t say I blame him, the i***t was only now realising what an incredible mate he’d lost, he was a fool to have not accepted her when he had the chance, now I would make damn sure he never got the chance to steal her back. Their mate bond has been a fascinating study though if that doesn’t sound strange. I’d seen werewolves deny the mate bond all the time back home, it was extremely common in my pack but the werewolves always suffered for it and they felt it when their mates were betraying the bond but as far as I could tell neither knew when that was happening any more.

During our research Alisha had told me she used to feel that way, her wolf would know Nathan was being unfaithful and the effect would cause her body to be overcome with excruciating pain. She had described it as feeling like her insides were being ripped apart by a silver claw but it had thankfully been almost two years since that time.

Their bond it appeared was hanging on by a tether, they could move on with chosen mates without it affecting them but without the break completely they would eventually be brought back together. Alisha had fallen victim to it far too many times for it not to be true. It had been a hard story to hear but it showed me how strong she was to try to even keep fighting and I wanted her to be free.

Nathan didn’t seem to be affected like he claimed he was either, I knew wolves that went crazy from the separating but Nathan’s obsession came from something more human. Male wolves became possessive of their mates after they found them, that was true but the human side could confuse the gift of the mate bond with possession, they would come to the belief that their mate was somehow their property even if they were unwanted.

I knew the type of male Nathan was. He looked at Alisha as a toy that he didn’t want but didn’t want anyone else to have. The man made my blood boil every time I saw him and taking his head off was becoming more appealing by the day but I couldn’t do that to Alisha even if she didn’t care about Nathan as a mate she would never want a pack member to die because of her she’d carry that guilt forever.

One thing had become clear in recent weeks despite her original desire to leave the pack, it was easy to see she was a home girl through and through. She loved it here despite the treatment she had suffered the last few years. Her love for Mitchell’s pup was overwhelming to watch. I'm not entirely sure if she’d have been able to leave the pup behind for good. Something tells me even if she had left she would have returned shortly after. She had a close bond with her entire family. It was heartwarming but clear she had everything she wanted right here. When we talked she told me she wanted to work with children which she was already doing. Mitchell had organised for her to help out at the pack nursery part time in between taking care of his pup. She liked staying in. She never wanted to go out partying or talk about travelling the world. She had everything she wanted right here and I knew if I asked her to come back home with me she would most likely say no.

I got up from the bed not liking where my train of thoughts were heading. I knew sooner or later I’d have to move on, eventually the inevitable question would have to come but I couldn’t stand the thought of her looking into my eyes and saying no.

It was becoming apparent to me how quickly this female had found a place in my heart. I headed to the bathroom turning on the shower hoping it would wash away my worries and self doubts. I stood under the hot water letting it wash over me hoping it would release the tension in my shoulders. Tension I’d been feeling the past few weeks, as hard as I was falling for Alisha, there was space between us and it was all my fault. How could I let her love me when she didn’t know who I was. I knew she felt me lying to her too. I could feel the questions on the tip of her tongue everyday and soon I knew she wouldn’t hold back, I’d be faced with having to lie to her or tell her the truth but that would put her in danger.

I didn’t want to lie anymore. I wanted her to love the real me, would she though, when she knew all my sins. she was so pure and good, would my dark past scare her away, would knowing the real me make her want to leave me. Lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear her come in until her hands came around my waist touching my bare torso.

“ I was calling you, you ok?” Her sweet voice floated around the room, her fingers drawing patterns on my skin tracing the lines of my abs. Her hands were teasing me and she knew what she was doing. little minx. They dipped low but never touched my hardening c**k. When I didn’t answer her she pressed her naked body into my back tracing her lips along my spine.

“ You know it’s ok, you don’t have to tell me what’s wrong” and there it was. I wanted to tell her so badly but the thought of her walking away made my stomach churn. Without a word I turned fast using my werewolves speed, grabbing her waist and pulling her flush against me making her squeal.

“ All that’s wrong sweetheart is that you weren't in here with me, now all is right in the world again” I whispered in her ear making her giggle, pulling us under the water.

I ran my hands down her smooth skin cupping her soft behind picking her up. she wrapped her legs around my waist smashing her lips into mine. She moaned into my mouth and I felt my c**k harden painfully.

Alisha’s shyness had disappeared over the past few weeks as we’d gotten to know each other’s bodies more, there were so many new experiences I’d been more than happy to give her. I couldn’t believe her mate had been with her and never took the time to explore her beautiful body. I hated to think that she had ever wasted any of her time on him but It made me angry that no man had ever worshipped her before me, or shown her how beautiful she was.

She rubbed herself against my erection growing impatient, the lips of her s*x slid across the top of my c**k teasing me. she was already wet and ready for me, I pulled my lips back to watch her face feeling her warm breath against my lips. I keep watching her as she strokes herself against my c**k, she closes her eyes breathing hard and I can tell she’s enjoying the sensation. The sight of her actions causing a growl to riverbarate up my throat Alisha moans in satisfaction smirking against my lips as she kisses me.

Years of being put down meant she had no idea the power she had over men, over me. She didn’t see the looks of lust they gave her around the pack, they all wanted her but she was mine even my wolf had become possessive he hadn’t been telling me to mark her but he wanted nothing more than to ravage her until she only smelled of us and every male in this pack knew exactly which male she was with.

With that in mind I couldn’t hold back anymore. I positioned her over my throbbing c**k thrusting into her warm opening, taking great satisfaction in her cry of pleasure watching as her back arched away from me. I held her close, keeping my grip on her thighs tight so she couldn't go anywhere. She gripped my shoulders tight, digging her nails into my back. I felt the slight bite of pain but it only spurred me on. Claiming her mouth again I pulled out only to trust hard back into her once again.

“ Lucas!” She panted into my mouth as I repeated the action over and over, a few minutes longer and she wrapped her legs tighter around my waist and began to meet my thrusts. Our panting became louder than the noise of the shower and Alisha’s moans were only spurring me on more. I felt myself growing closer to sweet release and I knew she was right there with me. I pressed her back against the shower wall to help support her, moving my one hand in between us, finding her sweet spot I began rubbing her with my fingers. Alisha’s movement became shaken and her breathing erratic. I could tell she was close.

“ Oh goddess, I can’t take it” she cried, her nails digging into my forearms. She was so close, her eyes clenched shut and I kissed her, not slowing my thrusts.

“ Let go sweetheart, I’ve got you” I whispered against her lips. A few more strokes and she threw her head back screaming my name. The sight of her finding her bliss sent me over the edge and I followed her pulling out of warmth, my seed spread across her stomach instead. I held her still for a moment. She was beautiful like this, her hair a matted mess, flushed cheeks and panting as she trembled in my arms. Coming away from the wall I gave her one more breathless kiss before I lowered her back down so her feet touched the ground again she clung to me unable to hold her own weight yet.

We stood there for a moment holding one another. Her head lay against my chest while I rubbed circles on her bare back with my fingers, coming back down from our high. I held her close, threading my fingers of my other hand through her tangled locks wondering how anyone could ever part with this incredible woman, hoping in my heart I’d never be one that would have to find out.

(Nathan’s pov)

I wasn’t sure if I could do this, it was too much, more painful than I’d ever thought possible. I could hear my wolf crying out for his mate, smelling her delicious scent throughout as I shifted though all the personal items within the room that she now shared with that American prick. The male whose death I had not only fantasised about on an hourly basis the past month but had also actively been planning it. He had stolen her from me and he was going to pay.

I’d been so consumed with making sure the males of this pack stayed away from her I hadn’t been keeping a closer eye on the visitors that were only supposed to be passing through. I had been too hasty in my need to get her settled in her rightful place and that asshole had snatched her from under me with his bullshit hero act. He had been brainwashing her against me since the day he’d got here. I could see the look of hate in her eyes that day at the hospital when I’d told her our plans for her, could she not see why this would work out for everyone I’d be able to keep my position with a strong beta female and Alisha would get me her mate, the man she was made for. How could she not have been happy about that?

I bent down noticing the black duffle bag I knew was not Alisha’s, wincing as I did. I sighed, rubbing my sore ribs that were trying to heal still after that mutt's latest threat to stay away from her. He hadn’t liked me answering him back and had broken several of my ribs in response. I didn’t care he wouldn’t stop me from seeing her. It was laughable. Stay away from my own mate. Never. She was mine and soon she’d know it. I just had to get rid of the dog first.

Looking into this guy's background was like looking for a needle in a haystack. No actually it would be easier to find a needle in a haystack. No one seemed to know who this guy was. I'd exhausted any contacts we had with any neighbouring packs without drawing attention to myself that is. The Americans wouldn’t respond and Mitchell was about as much help as he’d ever been. I’d tried to bring it up with him before, I thought at first I might get somewhere with him and he’d even help me to separate them. He didn’t seem to like this blossoming romance either but he would keep shutting me down anytime I asked him about his so called friend which meant he either didn’t know or didn’t trust me to tell me. Both seemed like a likely answer.

Cry’s of pleasure ripped through Alisha’s throat from the other room. I dug my extended claws into the palm of my hand feeling the familiar bit of pain that came with it.

MINE!!! My wolf roared and I knew how he felt we were going through this assholes stuff while he f****d our mate in the other room. I wasn’t sure how I was able to stop myself from killing him right now, maybe it was the drive to find something that I could use to get rid of the fucker for good, this was my final attempt at getting rid of him without getting my hands too dirty but I was walking a very thin line I had already planned out how to kill the piece of s**t if this didn’t pay off one way or another this fuckers days were numbered. They had been since the day he thought he could touch what belonged to me.

I kept riffling coming across his phone. He didn't even have a passcode on it so I wasn’t expecting to find much. There were just a few messages from a number. From the sound of them it was a female and she was pissy that he wasn’t responding to them, the last text sent only a few days ago. I wrote the number in my own phone, placing it back on the table after. There wasn’t really anything identifiable. He just had a few clothes and one expensive looking suit that didn’t fit his bad tattoo boy image but not much else. There wasn’t even a wallet or keys, nothing to I.D him at all.

I heard another cry feeling sick to my stomach knowing Alisha was with this man was one thing but having to hear it was another. Was this how she had felt all those times Kelly had set up her little schemes for Alisha to find us together.

My chest felt tight and I rubbed it to ease the pain but it was still there. I had to hurry now, they would be finished soon and I’d need to be gone before the shower stopped running. I had two minutes tops but this was my only shot. It was taking everything in me not to storm into that bathroom and rip the filthy dog from my mate and claim her there and then to show her who she belongs to.

The last four weeks had been hell on earth. My wolf was ready to kill and no amount of screwing Kelly was helping. I needed Alisha back. She was the only thing that could set my wolf straight again. I’d hopped by now I would have been able to scurry her into the flat I’d accommodated for her in the block but since that American had gotten his claws into her she’s become untouchable. The asshole even had Mitchell watching her back now and he’s paying attention to everything since the lashings. Since the omega hit his pup he’s started tightening the security. I haven't even been able to move about the pack without him knowing where I am. He might as well have me tagged like a f*****g poodle for all the freedom I had and it was becoming a nuisance. The only one that seemed to distract him was his pup but even then I couldn’t get close to Alisha. If she wasn’t with Mitchell and the pup she was with that American dog she was now covered from all bases and I couldn’t take much more.

At first I’d figured she was just trying to make me jealous. She liked to play hard to get my mate, this much I knew. I loved the thrill of the chase. It was all the more sweet when she finally gave in but bringing another male in to prove her point was a step too far. I’d finally caught her alone last week but when I’d confronted her she acted like she had no idea what I was talking about. It had infuriated me beyond words and I’d lost control for a moment. My wolf is becoming crazy with need for his mate and my resolve slipped. I hadn’t hurt her but I had seen the fear in her eyes that night. Thankfully her lap dog had chosen the right time to follow her and It had been enough for me to regain control of my wolf. First time I’d ever been grateful to see the asshole.

I sighed in frustration, looking around again. There was nothing here, the guy was a ghost. It seemed whatever he was hiding he was determined to keep it a secret. The only other thing I didn’t recognise as Alisha’s was the stack of books that were sat on the desk by the bed. I moved towards it needing the distraction from the sight of the unmade bed and the faint scent of s*x in the room.

This is all your fault, I told you to accept her if you had she would be in our bed writhing under our touch. Not that mutts.

You know our agreement.

I have told you to get rid of that w***e and accept our mate. You don’t even like touching her. Don’t think I haven’t noticed she’s been stinking of another male recently either. so I know you’ve noticed.

He was right. I had noticed. It had been a couple of weeks now Kelly had been coming back to our room with a strong hit of another male on her skin. She must have been scrubbing her body raw and piling on the blocking agent to cover the smell but I was still picking it up on her. It was disgusting but what was worse was she wanted to screw after coming in from being with another male.

I wasn’t sure if she’d found her mate or not. We'd never talked about it. If she had and she was with him I didn’t really have any kind of right to complain. Kelly had been putting up with it from me for years. How many times must I have come home stinking of s*x with Alisha. It was probably why Kelly was always so set on hurting Alisha. Maybe if she had her mate she would finally see how hard the bond was to fight.

Ignoring my wolf I scanned through the books on the table, mostly spell books and werewolf lore, nothing of any real interest. I’m about to give up when something catches my eye. I glance at a piece of paper sticking out of one of the books as a bookmark flipping it open. My eyes widened and my stomach dropped at the title of the paper ‘ breaking the bond’ along with a list of possible solutions, one of them being to mate that wretched dog. They had clearly been working hard together on this all these weeks. I stumbled back feeling like I would vomit. My wolf was going crazy in my head. It was giving me a headache so much I had no choice to block him out.

They were trying to break mine and Alisha’s mate bond, that bastard was poisoning her against me. She was trying to leave me for good. No she couldn’t. I wouldn’t let her.

Anger coursed through me and not from my wolf it came from me she was actively trying to separate from us. I picked up the first thing I could reach which just so happened to be the mutts bag throwing it against the wall in order to stop myself from roaring. The bag landed hitting the wall but it was the sound it made that drew my attention. There was a sound of something metal clanging against the wall. I knew from my earlier examination that there was nothing but clothing in there along with the phone but that was resting on the table beside the bed. Going over to the bag once again I rifled through it finding everything as before shaking everything out I heard the noise again, the sound of metal as the bag hit the wooden floor. I felt around the side finally ready to give up when my finger grazed something hard in the lining. Using my claws I picked at the seam on the edge and sure enough hidden inside was a small round solid gold medallion. I could tell just from the way it had been concealed it was important, more to the point it was defiantly something the fucker didn’t want to be found. Hearing the sound of the water turning off I quickly made my way back out into the hallway taking the concealed item with me.

Once I knew I was in the clear I examined it more closely. It was heavy for such a small item, solid gold in fact. it looked incredibly old too, ancient even. A family heirloom perhaps. I flipped it over examining it further studying the engravings and crest on it. Around the edges there were some kind of symbols,I had no idea what they meant but they weren’t from anything in our werewolf culture they looked to be witchcraft. In the centre there was an engraving of a wolf howling at the moon and on either side in the centre were expensive looking jewels to finish the whole thing off. It looked familiar but I couldn’t place where I’d seen it before. I knew without a doubt this was exactly what I’d been looking for, smiling to myself. I felt a sense of calm come over me for the first time in weeks. Soon. Soon I’d be rid of that evil little mutt and she’d come back to me begging for my forgiveness.