Chapter 04

~EMBER

Deeply rooted in a spot, I couldn’t bring myself to utter a word except for the rapid beating of my heart and the movement of my chest rising and falling on rhythm. The mate bond is not a myth afterall, it’s the strongest feeling in the world. Unfortunately I get to experience this with Keres of all people.

My lips parted slightly as I clenched my fists tighter to keep my desires locked in but my trembling hands could see through my facade, probably he did too.

“Follow me” his voice finally broke the defeaning silence and tension thick in the air.

Stunned, my brows creased at his level of control and his demand. Where is he taking me to?

To my biggest surprise, I had tagged along subconsciously with my nose stuck in air to get more of his intoxicating scent. We had gotten to a large hall with a long dining table before I realized.

I peered over the long arrangement of foods on the table to his face, hoping to find him suffering and struggling to keep the mate pull in check as well. I mean, this should be a big shock to him as well.

The maids activities ended with a polite bow before they were dismissed. Now left alone in a large dining hall with him; Shameless and unfiltered thoughts started popping in my head. At the thought of my mate’s hands on every forbidden parts of my body, I let out a restrained moan, tightening my thighs together—I shuddered in disbelief.

“Have some shame Aethonerra!” My nails dug into my palm, deep enough to draw blood.

“Eat” Keres voice smacked me mercilessly out of my unholy thoughts. How is he not affected? Could it be the fact that he’s a half dragon and half werewolf? Was he like that back then?

“Snap out of it Shameless Paw. I will rather burn and turn into the finest powder of ashes than to mate with you” He raised a roasted beef to his mouth.

I scoffed at his arrogance “You must think highly of yourself to think I’m elated at such a cursed news. Guess I’ve been on your mind all day” With a worthy response to him, I picked up a spoon.

“You’ve been on my mind for years Ember,” he paused, chuckled softly before leaning back into his seat “My mind is where your soul is trapped and I can’t wait to reunite your cold, dead body with it” he said with a little laugh. For a moment, I saw myself slide over the table and finished him with a deep clean cut. My eyes shifted at the mere thought of his blood all over the table but reality settled in; there was no escaping from this large mansion on my own even if I managed to kill him. The only option is to try and reason with him or provoke him but I know too well he’s not familiar with reasoning.

“I won’t stop you from trying to get your revenge but I don’t plan on dying anytime soon. I have to get my pack back from that scrawny snitch” I said with deep contempt.

“Your revenge is not my problem. You’re holding on to a lost battle”

“You don’t know that. If you’re truly a god of war like everyone believes, you wouldn’t use a dirty trick to get me here. It’s only right you take me on, fight and drag me away under the watch of my pack fighters. That is if you’re capable of that” My brows arched at him mockingly, provoking him on purpose.

“With or without your pack, you’re nothing.” he blurted.

“I grew up in that pack. They are my people!” I banged the table in anger, causing a little crack to form.

He looked at the crack for a while “No one wants you there but if a little kind gesture of mine would give me a chance to see you miserable, I can’t wait to savor it” With that, Keres rose to his feet and two guards made their way in at once.

“Lead her out of the packhouse”

I was beyond shocked by his order but I’m least impressed. I cooperated with his guards and allowed myself to be blindfolded. It took a quite a while before they removed my blindfold. I turned to look but they had disappeared whereas I planned to take their heads back as a souvenir.

****

I shifted into my wolf to travel faster. I can’t wait to expose that fake Alpha dominating my pack. I wonder if the fame and respect I built for him would remain once they find out his true colors. I traveled for a full day before I arrived at the border of my pack. Excitement bubbles within me at the familiar sight and smell. I could feel the pack aura connecting with my soul as I drew nearer. I returned to my human form.

The guards at the border recognized me and immediately rushed to welcome me.

“Luna, you’re back” they chorused.

“I’m not your Luna. Call me Alpha” I corrected and they exchanged confusing glances.

“You there, I want you to inform all the elders of my arrival and they are to assemble in the court room. The rest of you are to follow me to make an arrest…” I hadn’t finished giving out my orders when the border guards came on me at full force, pinning me to the ground.

“How dare the likes of you lay your hands on me?” I yelled.

“The Alpha has informed us of your betrayal and intentions. We had so much respect for you Luna but you had to let us all down with your madness” one of the guards said with so much hatred in his voice. What the hell did Teneger tell everyone?

“Fools! Let me go right now or you’ll regret ever waking up today” I warned, with pure rage filling me up.

In no time, the guards increased, ready to take me down. There was no sense of judgement or respect in their eyes. It would be wrong to hurt my own people but they were determined to take me down. I managed to escape from the border without much casualties. As soon as I approached the pack house, a loud horn blared across the dark land and all the lights came on.

I didn’t stop. I dash towards the Alpha’s Villa.