Chapter Four – Mate

Aiden's POV 

As I sprinted through the dense forest, my wolf, Black, taking the lead, a surge of anticipation coursed through my veins. The mate bond guided my every step, drawing me closer to the one who would complete me.

Black's instincts honed in on her presence, the faint scent of her unique smell of lavender and chamomile mingling with the forest air filled every bit of me, leaving Black Restless as ever. And then, I saw her while long hair shimmered in the moonlight and her fragile body about to fall on the ground, her delicate form shrouded in pain and vulnerability. My heart clenched, a mixture of protectiveness and relief flooding my being.

Within the blink of an eye, black was beside her grabbing her in his arms, she blinked twice, her beautiful electric green eyes met mine before she closed them. I took over my wolf, kneeling and kept her gently on the ground and examined her.

I plucked a few leaves from nearby plants, crushed them and applied it on Ella's feet as a scorpion bite and the left leg. She sprained her ankle, her eyelids fluttered, and she groaned in pain as I touched the swollen ankle. But she nozzle and went back to sleep. Feeling better.

Scooping her in my arms, we needed to go somewhere save as the forest of warriors searching for something or someone in particular. I don't know anything yet, but my beautiful mate here seems to be running away from someone or them. 

....

She slept for a whole day that's making  Black go on edge to talk, I had to calm him down because he wants to get to know her more. I'm worried about her past, she is perfectly healed by now and is sleeping peacefully. Is she sleep deprived and abused because I saw traces of yet to heal scars around her neck. The men were gone now after they were tired of searching. I found a discarded tunnel nearby amidst the woods and sought refuge there, thanks to Alpha Celeb hard warrior training and hunting skills. I'm no stranger to the woods. I can live there perfectly and comfortably without leaving any trace.

Sitting next to her as the sunset dyed her white hair pinkish orange, her skin is beautiful. I sat in front of her taking in her view for what now I've known every detail about her face. From the long bangs that almost cover her eyes, her long lashes, her short pointed nose and her plumb full libs. 

I can't take my eyes away from her. She shifts under my shirt I use to cover her. She gradually wakes up. Her eyes flickered open, and our gazes met. I can feel the time stopped, lost in her electric green eyes that beams under the setting sun, she seems familiar. 

"You are awake?" I uttered, breaking the silence. " Here, wash up and eat this. I passed the grilled meat. 

"Umm.. yeah," she let out a cute yawn and glanced at  the surroundings. "How long was I sleeping?" She asked, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"It's been a day since  you've been sleeping."

"Ohh... I see."

"Yeah."

And with that small  awkward conversation she stood up to wash her face. But end up taking a bath in the lake nearby.

....

It was already night and we sat down after eating the grilled deer meat. She had been more comfortable than earlier, it seems she grew a strong wall in her heart that found it hard to trust people even for her mate. She seems to go through much and I really wanted to know but don't want her to feel uncomfortable. Plus I'm not good with words or how to make people feel comfortable, it will be an easy thing for Jayden. He always was a people person and one of the things I admire about him. 

"Err...You seem familiar, I think I've  seen you before but can't remember where." I asked. She was quiet for a while, staring at the stars above us. The scenery is beautiful and perfect. I hope she opens up now, she always answers with a hum, no or yes that makes it hard to communicate.

"Well, I'm Aiden.  Aiden Cole, and I know you sense the ... our mate bond. I was worried about not finding my mate. Who would have thought I would find you on my way back home." I continued, trying to make a decent chat, and hearing my name she was amazed and interested.

"Aide?" She whispered, trying to confirm for herself.  There was a moment of recognition, a spark of familiarity that passed between us. It was then that I saw it in her eyes—the dawning realisation that we were more than just mates. We were also childhood friends, long separated by fate's cruel hand.

"Aide?" She spoke again, her voice was barely a whisper, filled with a mix of surprise and disbelief.

I nodded, it was her, she was the only one that called me with that. "Yes, Ella. It's me, I can't believe it's you." 

There are many questions I have for her for the years we spent apart, the shared memories that had been tucked away in the recesses of our minds. It was a strange twist of fate, to have found each other again in this manner, as mates in the midst of chaos.

"Where is Jayden, and everyone I'm the pack? What are you doing out here?" Her eyes brimmed up with tears. 

"Everyone's fine and worried about you. We searched and searched for you, and at last thought you were dead. But I always feel it deep down that you are still alive and would keep searching for you." I let out a heavy sigh. "And here we are, I found you but the marks on you burn my heart to know you've been through much." Where are you all these while? And where... Are Beta Really dead?" I rambled with fury filled in my heart, wanting to know just who did that to her. 

Her emotions hold a sign of hurt, sadness and a gleam of wanting revenge. I can sense that she was not just the fragile little El I know, this one is stronger and has the eyes of the one who wants revenge. 

I gazed into Ella's eyes, searching for the courage to break the silence that enveloped us. I had to know so I could end him.

"Ella," I began, my voice steady but tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "I want to understand. Tell me who did this?" I asked to come closer and trace the scar around her neck, it sent a spark through me and I know she felt it too. Her expression shifted, a mixture of pain and hurt and sad etched across her beautiful face. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before she spoke. Her voice quivered slightly as she recounted her harrowing experiences.

"A Alpha River was the one who found me and took me to his pack, the Bloodmoon pack.  And my whole life there was a nightmare," she whispered, her eyes glazing over with memories she wished she could forget. "His Luna, Scarlett and his Alpha River... they ruled with an iron fist, and torture me however they want.  I was their plaything, subjected to their cruel whims. All the captives in the pack lived in fear, and we were trapped in a world of constant torment."

My fists clenched involuntarily as her words resonated within me. Black was in rage. 'I'll kill that son of a bitch, how dare he touch our mate!' I felt the same rage  towards Alpha River, I wanted to storm into his pack and pull his heart from his chest, my heart fuels my desire for revenge. But I pushed those emotions aside, calming myself down, I have to focus on Ella and I need to calm her now, she needs me now more than ever. 

"I'm so sorry, Ella," I said, my voice laced with regret. "I wish I had known. I wish I could have protected you."

Ella reached out, her hand brushing against mine, offering a small comfort amidst the darkness that surrounded us. "It's not your fault. Aide, you didn't know where I was. What matters now is I'm out of there, and we have each other, and I'll be back to my pack." She rubbed my finger and smiled. Her words and her smile penetrated the walls I had built around my emotions, and a flicker of gratitude washed over me. Ella's strength in the face of adversity inspired me to share my own journey.

With every touch, a surge of electricity passed between us, intensifying the mate bond that connected our souls. It was as if our very beings recognized one another, responding to the undeniable pull drawing us closer. We let go of our inhibitions, allowing the currents of fate to guide us.

Our fingers intertwined, sending shivers of warmth and comfort through our bodies. I could feel Ella's heartbeat in sync with mine, the rhythm of our connection echoing through our joined hands. It was a dance of souls, a testament to the unbreakable bond we shared.

As we continued to explore this newfound connection, our touches became more deliberate, more intimate. A gentle caress of her cheek sent a wave of tenderness coursing through me, as if I could touch her very essence. I traced the lines of her face, committing every contour to memory, silently promising to cherish and protect her for eternity.

Ella's eyes, filled with a mixture of vulnerability and trust, met mine. At that moment, there were no words needed. Our connection spoke volumes, weaving a tale of love, acceptance, and unwavering devotion.

Leaning closer, our lips brushed against each other's, igniting a fire that burned deep within our souls. It was a kiss born of longing and yearning, a merging of two halves finally reunited. Our bodies moved in harmony, guided by an invisible force that only true mates could comprehend.

As the kiss deepened, our embrace grew tighter, as if trying to meld our very beings into one. The world around us faded away, leaving only the two of us in this ethereal moment. Time ceased to exist as we surrendered to the magnetic force drawing us closer.