Chapter 6: Bound By Fate

Lev

I stood still as the threatening creatures surrounded us.

“So, this is what Nightingales look like?” I scoffed.

Unlike other cane-wolves that, when transformed, stood on four legs like normal wolves, the Nightingales stood on their hind legs. Their canine heads rested on nearly ten-foot, humanoid bodies covered in fur. Aside from the dark aura they emitted, they looked exactly like my beast form.

For the impending battle, I smiled and slicked back my hair, which complied effortlessly.

I turned to Mabel. “Run and find a place to hide,” I commanded.

A wolf without its beast form had no place in this battle. Her strength would be just a little above that of an average human.

The battle began with a sudden lunge from one of the three Nightingales. I sidestepped with agility, causing it to miss, then gripped it by the tail and swung it into another.

They kept coming, each taking turns to attack. Like a beast I am, I took them down, beheading them one by one.

The last one was exceptionally swift, dashed at me. I hissed as its claws tore through my flesh, pinning me to the ground with its heavy body. It gnashed and snarled at me, attempting to bite, but my hands pushed it back, preventing the attack.

Mabel hurled stones at it. She was still here. I thought I told her to hide.

Distracted by her attack, I clawed out its heart. It howled in pain before its red eyes turned white.

“Are you okay?” Mabel extended her arm.

“Of course.” I got up without her assistance.

She stared around, her eyes teeming with disbelief.

I heard pounding steps—more were coming.

Her eyes widened as I scooped her into my arms. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“More are coming. You’ll slow me down if I don’t carry you,” I responded.

I dashed out of the woods, my speed allowing me to outrun most of them. But one kept pace with us.

“Brace yourself, I’m tossing you up.”

Before she could reply, I grunted and tossed her into the sky, above the tall forest canopies.

“Fuck you, Lev!” she yelled, her voice echoing through the forest.

I laughed—the first time I heard my name from her lips and it came out with disrespect. I’d deal with the disrespect later. For now, I needed to concentrate on this beast.

I moved so fast that I appeared behind it, drew out my claws, and beheaded it. Its body thudded against the forest floor.

I ran up a tree and leaped to catch her, grabbing her back into my arms halfway down. Her eyes were wide, too stunned to speak.

In a few minutes, we were out of the forbidden lands.

“You can put me down.” Mabel frowned at me.

I lowered her and approached Sebastian and Andreas, holding my hands over my wounds.

“Let’s head home,” I said, slipping back into the car.

Mabel sat with crossed arms, tapping her feet on the car floor."You didn't have to throw me like that. You could have just put me down," she frowned.

“Where’s the fun in that?” I replied, wincing as the adrenaline faded and the pain from my wounds crept in.

“We need to stop your bleeding,” Mabel insisted.

"I'll heal; don't worry," I dismissed her concern.

She chuckled, tinged with irritation."Wounds inflicted by nightingales don't just heal." She ripped her gown with a knife, exposing her thighs, and used the cloth to wrap my wounds."Take this." Mabel handed me the medicine.

Its pungent smell assaulted my nose. I didn't know what it was made of, but I knew I didn't want it.

"Get that away from me," I said, pushing her arm.

"You have to drink it, or you could get a bad infection.” Mabel pressed.

“No,” I stated.

As she tried forcing me to take it, I pushed her back, my eyes flickering yellow. “There’s no way that disgusting shit is going down my throat.”

“What are you doing?” I stuttered as she rapidly crossed her legs over me, pinning my hands to the car seat with her knees. Her thighs pressed against against mine and I could feel her warmth through the fabric of my trousers. My breath got slower and deeper as she pinned my face by the chin, her long black wavy hair cascading around us, my eyes staring at her blue eyes— one that mimicked the colors of the sea. My heart should have raced—if only I had one.

My body quaked beneath hers as she leaned in. “You are going to take this. Cora told me to watch over you. I’m not letting you get any infection.” She forced the liquid down my throat.

She didn't have a beast form; even if she did, I could have easily overpowered her, yet my body refused to move. I sat there, powerless, and swallowed the potion.

With a teasing smile on her lips. Mabel whispered, "See, it went down.” She returned to her seat.

“I hate herbs,” I grumbled as a frown walked its way onto my face.

“I hate Heights.” She retorted.

I turned my face away, frustrated with how powerless she'd made me feel.

The rest of the drive home passed in silence. I couldn't wait to get out of the car.

Upon arriving at the mansion, I stepped out.

“How did it go?” Cora asked.

My blood still tinged with anger; I ignored her, ascending the steps leading to the mansion’s entrance.

“What happened?” Cora pressed.

“I made him drink his potion.”

Cora chuckled. Irritation coursed through me to my bone marrow as I recalled how powerless I felt.

I headed straight to my room and collapsed onto the bed. The memory lingered despite my efforts to shake it off. Slowly, the potions took effect—they always made me sleepy.

****

The next morning, I stared at the outfit in the mirror before changing back into my normal black outfit.

“Do you like it?” My two companions walked in.

“Take this.” Cora handed me the portion. “Mabel is busy, so I brought it for you.”

“No way am I drinking that stuff,” I smirked, settling into my king-sized chair in my room.

“But you need to take your potion,” Malia advised with her soft tone. “Today is your mating ceremony; after now, you won’t have to take it.” She took the potion from Cora and placed it on the stool beside me.

An unsettling sensation burned in my stomach as the thought of mating ceremonies ravaged my mind. It’s been held almost every year, and they always end up in failure.

“I am going to call Mabel to make you drink your potion,” Cora declared, drawing me out of my reverie.

With a resigned sigh, I pinched my nose and quickly chugged down the potion. I didn’t need her to come and pin me down. I didn’t want to see her face. There was something about her presence that made me uncomfortable.

“I hope Mabel becomes your mate—so she can keep you in check.” Cora smiled.

“Why don’t we first bother about him having a mate?” Malia rolled her eyes.

Cora snapped at Malia. Although Malia is older and our families have been close, Cora dislikes Malia on the basis that Malia doesn’t want me to have a mate so she can have me to herself. But Malia cares too much for me to wish that.

“I’m going to the sacrarium," I stated, raising my feet.

I had to beseech the moon goddess for her favor.

****

Evening came too soon. The half moon hung alone in the dark expanse of the sky.

Nervousness gnawed at my core as I descended the steps toward the field where the ceremony was being held. Despite the cool night breeze, my body simmered with heat.

As I reached the scene, my eyes were greeted by many beautiful women, some familiar faces, and some strangers.

The high priestess offered me a cup, which I drank without hesitation. Taking the cup back, she began her chant. Mating ceremonies were usually unnecessary; wolves found their mates by scent alone. But for me, it seemed different. They had to beseech the moon goddess to grant me a mate.

Two hours passed with chants echoing under the moonlit sky. As the event neared its end with disappointment etched on many faces, the scent finally arrived—a hint of pine. A tingling sensation coursed through my body. Moving closer to the women assembled, I realized it wasn't any of them.

Following the scent out of the field, Cora and the others trailed behind me. As we approached the temple, the scent intensified. Opening the door, there she was—Mabel, kneeling in prayer.

Her blue eyes widened, her face paled, as I growled, "Mate."