Accursed Bond

Narla only left the school vicinity when it was nighttime. She did not want to go back home or any place that she had been to with Jared. Luckily, she had some money on her. So, she rode to the mall, bought some toiletries, pajamas and a change of clothes, before checking into a three star hotel in the city centre.

"Being an adult has its perks. Now I can even book a hotel without any obstacles, huh?." Narla mused as she stepped into the elevator. Once in her room, she decided to clean up before ordering room service.

Narla ate without even savoring the taste of the food. Not that she didn't want to, but she was just eating to survive. Her mind was preoccupied by the message Jared left her earlier. Whenever she recalled his cold words, Narla's heart would ache.

Narla set down her cutlery and clutched her chest. "What in the actual fvck is happening? I admit that I truly fell for Jared , hook line and sinker. But is it necessary to experience physical pain just by thinking of how he left me? Damnit! This is insane!" Narla cursed through clenched teeth but the pain in her heart did not ease up.

'Could it be I was so shaken by the break up that I developed a heart disease at such a young age?' She thought. 'Other than that, I have no explanation of this pain.' She shook her head, in a bid to clear it.

But her thoughts still ran wild. 'I doubt that everyone who goes through a breakup experiences this. But then again, I'm truly heartbroken... Maybe that's why it is called a friggin heartbreak. My heart is broken and in pain!' Narla's thoughts were spiraling and she tried to come up with reasons for her pain.

However, she decided to sleep it off, because she believes that 'there was nothing a good night's sleep won't solve.' Hand still clutching her chest, Narla retired to bed. However, she had no idea that her worst nightmare was impending.

The pain she was experiencing was just a drop in the ocean for what would befall her halfway through the night. The cold sweat, nails digging into sheets, her scream being muffled by a pillow, lights swimming before her eyes, were just a teaser of the impending hell.

At the Bloodfang royal palace after dinner, Hunter called Ravenna out for a walk. The siblings walked for a while in comfortable silence until Hunter decided to break the ice. "Venna, did you think father would accept my human mate?" He exhaled slowly, dreading his sisters response.

"Bro, I am not sure about that. However, we both detected something about that fiery girl in the alley. When she was angry and dealing with those thugs, there was something about her aura. It was neither human nor wolf. It was confusing. But if I dare be truthful, I would tell you not to despise the Moon Goddess by rejected her. Our creator never makes a mistake. She paired you with a 'human' for a reason."

Ravena spoke with sincerity, looking straight into her brother's eyes. Hunter heaved a sigh of relief. At least his sister was not biased like the older generation. "Thanks, Venna. Hey, I almost forgot. When I was checking Narla's social media handle, I saw that she was quite invested in her so-called boyfriend. And guess what I discovered?"

Ravenna scrunched up her nose and shoved Hunter, pouting and countered. "Come on, bro. Must I guess? Just spill it, already!" Hunter smiled and said, "Her boyfriend is that spoiled brat from the Redmoon pack. He is one of us."

Ravena's eyes nearly popped out their sockets, petrified. For a while, she was dumbstruck. Then suddenly, she grabbed her brothers hand, dragging him towards the garage. Hunter was confused yet he did not pull away.

Ravenna took the driver's seat and Hunter immediately fastened his seatbelt. He knew his sister's driving skills. She drove as if flying. "Alright, Venna, what's going on? Do not let me use my ability to read your mind because I do not want to pry into your privacy. Just talk, because right now, you're...scaring me." Hunter coughed in awkwardness.

As the heir apparent to the werewolf realm throne, he hardly ever gets unsettled, but today, two people had unsettled him. His human mate, and his beloved sister. "If she was with Jared, then your MATE, IS IN BIG TROUBLE!" Ravenna screamed as she floored the car, heading for the city center.

"Hey, Venna! Slow down! What do you mean she is in trouble? Talk to me and stop acting like the world is about to collapse!" Hunter raised his voice, clearly exasperated. Ravenna suddenly applied brakes before pulling over to the side of the road.

She fumbled for her laptop and started typing furiously without responding to her brother. Hunter glared at her and snatched the laptop. "Either you tell me what exactly is going on, or return back, right now!" That did it.

Ravenna suddenly glared daggers at him and Hunter was shocked. "Tell me, honestly, dear brother. Do you also despise the fact that she's human just like Jared? Is that why you are trying to delay me from rescuing her? Do you think I'm only doing this for you? I'm doing it for your mate! She's all alone, and Jared was probably her mate. I just heard some elders talking about Jared choosing the Redmoon pack beta's daughter tonight!"

Hunter was shocked but still slow to process what his sister meant. "But if they broke up… why would she still be affected? Wait...you don’t mean…?" Ravena let out a humourless chuckle. "Why, you ask? Because with that mongrel's pride, I doubt he even revealed his true identity to her and I doubt he severed the mate bond with her. Now, tell me what would happen if he claims that shewolf tonight? Huh, brother?"

Hunter felt a chill course through his veins. "Damnit! If anything happens to her, I will bury the Redmoon pack with her. So, how do we find her? I need to be there for her. Goddess, Venna, couldn't you have just explained everything at once. Here, take your laptop, let me drive."

Ravenna smirked but felt better because her brother was now on the same wavelength with her. "We don't have her number or address, but I'm going to hack into the surveillance system and trace her movements from that alley. Trust me, it won't take an hour."

"Thanks, Venna. Instead of driving aimlessly, I'd rather we wait until we know her exact location. At least we know her full name." Hunter could not truly express his thoughts. He was confused yet he knew that he had to save his clueless human mate. He sat silently beside his sister waiting....when suddenly, Ravenna screamed.

"Found her! From the alley, she went to Elite Fangs High School, then to the downtown mall and checked into Oasis Hotel. Let's go, brother. She needs you..." Hunter knew that what his sister said was the truth.

Meanwhile, at the Redmoon pack, Burke Redmoon had already stepped down for his son, Jared. The Luna ceremony was just finished and the young couple headed for their chambers. Only a few elders and Jared's father knew that they were not fated mates. The pack was clueless.

Kate knew that it might be difficult for Jared to claim her, therefore, she had sourced a potent aphrodisiac on the supernatural black market. She had quickly suggested going to rest because she could see the effects of the drug on Jared.

By the time they reached their chambers, Jared was overwhelmed. He wasted no time, before he tore off his and Kate's clothes. However, as they were mating, he kept mumbling Narla's name. Kate was hurt but still wore a victorious smile.

She knew that Jared had not severed the bond with that human. Kate knew that their consummation will break, if not completely kill Narla. There was no way she was going to compete with a pesky human for Jared's attention. This was her plan from the beginning.

At The Oasis Hotel, Narla was awoken by an excruciating pain in her lower abdomen and heart. She screamed and tried reaching for her phone but another wave of intense pain hit her. Her mind blanked and her body went limp. She could feel her life force slowly seeping away from her and she could not even call for help.

Suddenly, she had faint sounds as if someone was scraping at the door. Then she felt herself being cradled in a warm embrace. "Have I died? Is it mommy holding me? Mama, it hurts so bad. My heart, my abdomen, my whole body hurts." Narla murmured weakly.

Her body was curled up like a broken doll, tears dried on her cheeks, sheets twisted around her like a shroud. Hunter held her closer and spat, "Damn this accursed mate bond!" Hunter did not care what the elders said. As Narla whimpered in his arms, fragile and fading, one thing became terrifyingly clear, if she died, so did a piece of him.