Chapter 21: Bondstrain.

Sofia pov:

I managed to dodge the black wolf's attack, but he was aiming for my neck – a clear attempt to kill. I tried linking Josh or anyone, but there was no response. My wolf, Albaz, spoke up, "Sofia, we need to fight back. But we can't shift, we don't know who this wolf is. I can’t get a scent. We need to share control."

Albaz and I shared control, and we started fighting the wolf. Using every training technique we learned. When an opportunity arose, I grabbed an arrow from the ground and stabbed him on his legs, knowing the wolfsbane poison would weaken him. He fell, whining, and shifted back to human form, he won’t die, wolfsbane doesn’t kill werewolves, it weakens us.

As I caught my breath, but before I could question the wolf. I heard a clap behind me. Josh and Mark were smiling, looking like annoying freaks. Josh said, "Wow, Sofia, you really surprised us. We didn't think you had that in you." Mark added, "You brought him down without shifting. He's one of our best fighters.

I looked at the wolf in his human form and I realized the wolf was a member of our pack and I looked at Josh, "What the hell were you thinking? You shot me with arrows laced with wolfsbane!" Josh shrugged, "We knew it wouldn't kill you.

I shook my head, "You two are taking this training thing too far. Why couldn’t I get a scent or mind-link?." Mark said, "We need to make sure you are strong enough to fight and defend yourself. You're mated to Damian, an Alpha With enemies you need to be able to fight, for your question, we used scent blocker and Elder Michael helped us with a little spell to prevent you from mind-linking..

I glanced at them, "Does Damian know about this?" They exchanged a look, and I knew he didn't. Just then, Damian's scent hit me, followed by his voice, "Know what?"

I turned, taking in his fine features – black hair, Adam's apple, piercing eyes damn my mate is really hot and fucking attractive. and his sex appeal is to fall for, shit what I’m I thinking what has gotten into me? Is the maté bond, Albaz said, He looked around, confused, "What happened here? Why is Tom on the ground?"

Mark said, "We put Sofia through a test , and she passed." Damian's expression turned dark, "You used a wolfsbane on my mate for a test?"

"What were you two thinking? You could've really hurt her!" Damian's voice was laced with anger as he glared at Josh and Mark. "This is the end of it. You guys are no longer training her."

I raised my hand, "I don't need your permission to train. I don't need you to tell me who to train with or when." I looked at him, my eyes flashing with anger. Who does he think he is? "I'm doing this, Damian. You have no right to tell them to stop training me. You have no say in what I do. I can't.

Damian's expression was hurt, but I didn't care. He tried to take a step closer, but pain shot through his chest, and he winced. Josh and Mark rushed to his side, holding him up.

Mark turned to me, "We'll go to the gym together to continue training." He instructed the other warriors to take Tom to the clinic for treatment.

As they left, I asked, "What's wrong with Damian?" Mark's expression was serious. His having “Bondstrain” Being away from you is hurting him."

I felt a pang of guilt. "How long has it been happening?"

"A month. The last time we had an attack, he got distracted by the pain and almost got hurt."

Albaz spoke up, "Maybe it's time we talk to our mate. Figure things out. Baby steps."

Mark added, "Give him a chance to make things right, Sofia. Don't forgive him easily, but give him a chance."

I looked at him, "Do you know why Damian changed? Why he became cold towards me after my grandma died?"

Mark shook his head, "I don't know, Sofia. We were all surprised."

Mark dropped me home after training, and I noticed three pack warriors stationed around the house. Mark said, "Damian's order. They're here to guide and protect you."

I went inside, took a hot shower, and ate the food the help had left in the microwave.

I couldn't help but laugh at the irony. A few months ago, I was a slave to this pack, but now I'm treated like a princess. After dinner, I went to the seating room to watch a movie, but my mind kept drifting to Damian. I needed to talk to someone.

I called Lily, and she listened as I shared what Mark told me. "I know, Sofia, what Damian did was bad, but he's your mate. Give him a chance. Make him work for your forgiveness. Accept his date request, and talk to him."

My wolf, Albaz, agreed, "Let's give him a chance. The Bondstrain It's affecting us too." But I don’t feel pain in my chest,that’s because I shield you from it, Albaz said, making me feel bad.

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. After my morning routine, I went to the home gym, did some exercise after an hour, ate breakfast, and showered. I picked up my phone and typed "hi" to Damian. He replied instantly, "Hey, is everything okay?"

He called, before I could reply and I picked up. "Hey, are you okay? Do you need something?" he asked.

I teased him, "You're not the first person I'd call if something was wrong."

He laughed, "I deserve that. So what’s up mate? I thought about what you said... let's go out and talk, not a date, just talk."

I picked a location and he said he'd pick me up in an hour.

An hour later, Damian picked me up, and we drove to my favorite lake. He'd turned it into a picnic. The air was thick with awkwardness, neither of us knowing what to say.

I broke the silence, "Fine, let me ask you something." But he beat me to it.

"If you're asking why I changed after your grandma died, Sofia, I don't know. I don't know what happened. I was angry whenever I saw you, like something was controlling me. I tried to intervene, but something kept pulling me back. I don't know..." it sounds stupid.

I looked at him, disappointment and anger swirling. "That's your answer? You don't know what happened? You don't know why you left me?"

I stood up, "Maybe there's nothing for us to talk about. Let's go."

He grabbed my hand, "No, Sofia, it's not like that..."

His touch sent shivers down my spine. The bond was pulling me in, pushing me to kiss those kissable lips of his, his voice pulled me out of my thoughts, I cared about you so much Sofia I stopped them from hurting you I couldn’t just get myself to show it..something kept pulling me back. He said his eyes were full of pain, regret.

I looked at him, tears pricking my eyes. "You hurt me, Damian. I was a kid who lost her grandma, and you did nothing to comfort me.

He pleaded, "Give me a chance to make things right. Please, Sofia. I'm not asking for Immediate forgiveness or a mating ceremony... just a friendship first let’s take it slow. Being away from you hurts, please baby.

I sighed, "Fine, let's take it slow. Prove to me you deserve my forgiveness. But if you hurt me again, I'll reject you."

He nodded, relief washing over him.