Bonded beyond lies, p.6
Bonded Beyond Lies, page 6
“As much as I hate him and as much as I wished that it wasn’t true, I did feel the connection. Even my wolf identified Todd as her mate,” my voice is filled with barely restrained rage because I hate the fact that I thought I was paired with him, even if it was a lie. Was it a lie? “How is that possible?”
I cling to Tristan as his hands run up and down my back, soothing me and lulling me into calming down. The tingles racing over my skin, little sparks of sunshine and contentment, help matters immensely. This is something I never had the chance to experience with Todd, thankfully. I don’t want anything to cheapen what is happening between us. I want this to be real so badly.
“I have a feeling witchcraft is involved,” Tristan’s voice contains violence, but I know it’s not directed at me.
I nod against his chest, it’s the only conclusion that makes sense. Witches and wolves don’t necessarily get along, but witches can be bought for a price. If Tristan is right and the point was to weaken him by using me, it makes sense.
“Everything changed that day, after you left,” my voice is muffled against his chest, but I know he’s heard me by the way his body stiffens. “I remember your eyes and feeling safe as you looked at me. I remember being introduced to you and Alpha Nathan. My parents spoke with Alpha Thomas and Luna Lori after you left. Then,” I suck in a breath, his berry-cedar scent helping to center me, “everything was different. I lost everything that day.”
He growls, the sound telling me that his wolf wants to know just as much as the man, “What happened, Serenity?”
“My f-f-,” I cut myself off and shake my head before I try again, “the Beta accused me of flirting with you.” Tristan scoffs and I have no doubt he’s thinking the same thing I am and was at the time—I was a ten. “He slapped me. It was the first time it happened, but then physical abuse became a normal part of my life. I was allowed to go to school. I was no longer allowed to train. I was treated like scum, like a servant. Nothing was the same. I was alone.”
“I’ll kill every one of them,” Tristan snarls, more wolf than man.
It should frighten me after everything I’ve endured. It doesn’t.
I snuggle deeper into his chest, part of me reveling in the bloodlust I can feel coursing through this male who vows to protect me. I can feel the truth in his words. If witchcraft was used and it was a means to an end to get to Tristan, so much of my past makes more sense than it ever did before.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.
Why didn’t my parents fight for me? Why did they go along with everything? Who knew the truth?
Even though I try to stop them, the words slip past my lips, “If you knew I was your mate, why did you leave me behind? Why didn’t you check on me?”
Tristan pulls back from me, just far enough to look down into my eyes. I can see the regret there, the burden of his past decisions weighing on his shoulders. He grips my chin so I can’t look away, his green eyes imploring me to listen and give him a chance.
“I’m so sorry, my little mate. I’m so sorry,” he sounds desperate. “I wanted you to have a childhood. I wanted you to enjoy your life and become the woman you were meant to be. Normally we would have only crossed paths when you were of age, for both our sakes.”
“The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes,” I murmur.
Tristan smiles at me, but it’s sad and forlorn, full of yearning and his own pain. I realize the last eight years must not have been easy for him. He must have seen others, his friends and packmates, find their mates and happiness. He didn’t have that.
Was he waiting? Did he sleep with the she-wolves in his pack because I was too young to even know he was my mate? It’s not like I could really blame him for it if he did.
“I can practically see your mind teeming with questions, Serenity,” there’s a fondness in his voice, an adoration, which has me blushing slightly. “Leaving you at Waning Moon under the care of your parents was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Waiting for you,” I arch an eyebrow and he gives me a knowing look, “and I did wait for you little mate, was painful and difficult.”
My voice comes out like a squeak, “What? You waited for me? You mean you didn’t, didn’t…,” I trail off, my face heating from the unspoken words that lay between us.
“I would never betray our bond. As difficult as it was to know where you were and not see you, I looked at it as an opportunity to make Blood Rising worthy of you and your devotion,” there is pride in his voice that has my heart pounding in my chest.
When I was a young pup, I remember the stories we were told about the mate bond and how love blooms as the bond strengthens, making the connection between mates stronger than steel. I had been looking forward to that connection my entire life, hoping that it would be what saved me from the pain. What I experienced with Todd was so far from what I wanted and needed. But this is everything I was told to look forward to and more. Even though it’s not whole yet, I can feel the bond.
It glows, twists and bends, but it doesn’t break. I have a feeling that it never will.
I can only hope I’m right, but for the first time in so long, I don’t fear the hope in my heart. I’m embracing it.
CHAPTER 8
SERENITY
As Tristan holds me, I find myself looking at the past eight years through a new lens. I have no doubt that the Alpha wanted to know why Alpha Nathan was speaking to my parents. I have no doubt he only wanted power and to make Blood Rising weaker. They’ve been one of the strongest packs for a long time and Alpha Thomas has always been hungry for power.
Being used for someone’s agenda has my stomach turning. I hate it. If witchcraft was used, it makes me wonder how much of the last eight years was real and how much was a lie. Does it even matter?
I cling to Tristan and let grief wash over me. It’s so much to process, but the realization that I have something better, something more, to look forward to gives me a sense of peace I didn’t know I was searching for. I need this future; I need this male.
“Thank you for coming for me,” I whisper against Tristan’s chest.
He tenses before he relaxes again, there is shame in his voice as his fingers run through my hair, “I’m sorry it took me a week to get to you.”
I look up at him, feeling like there’s more to the story. I don’t blame him for not being there on the day of my birthday, but it does make me wonder what happened. “I’m not mad at you for not being there,” I tell him firmly. “What happened? You don’t strike me as the kind of male to not be where you say you’re going to be when you say you’re going to be there.”
Tristan smiles at me, it’s melancholy and wrenches at my heart. “There were some rogue attacks here and at Crew’s pack.” I must give him a confused look because he gently explains, “He’s the Alpha of Golden Summit. We grew up together and have each other’s back.”
I nod slowly, pondering what it means. Would they go that far? It’s almost too sinister for me to consider. Then again, if there’s witchcraft in the mix here and the plan was for Todd to mark me, it would make sense that Alpha Thomas would do anything in his power to prevent Tristan from being at Waning Moon for my birthday.
“I can see your mind working through all the pieces.” I look up into Tristan’s eyes and the adoration there has my breath catching. “I have no doubt that Alpha Thomas is, somehow, behind the attacks. It would make sense.”
“He seemed upset when I was called to his office a few days after Todd rejected me. Luna Lori was there as well and they, very clearly, expressed disappointment about the rejection,” I muse.
Tristan nods and kisses my forehead. The sparks from that simple contact has my pussy fluttering. It’s a totally new sensation. I’ve never really been attracted to anyone before, and it wasn’t just because I was afraid of the males in my pack. None of them did anything for me.
It made it easy to wait for my mate. I was always about the fairy tale anyway. My mate would love me. We would fall in love in an instant. He would be my other half, the part that completes me. I wanted to make sure that I could give all of myself to him.
The fact that the rest of the pack treated me horribly made it easy.
I make a humming sound as Tristan’s large hand moves up and down my back, soothing the ache in my body and making me feel like I can conquer the world, even while I’m covered in bruises. It’s kind of strange and something I didn’t even think about at the time, but when I found out Todd was my mate, I didn’t feel some overwhelming attraction to him.
“Because he wasn’t really our mate,” my wolf pipes up.
Maybe it is that simple. Or maybe it’s because I know that he’s a horrible wolf and male. I feel sorry for whoever his true mate is. She’s going to have a horrible time.
It’s not my problem, not really. I push those thoughts aside.
“Come on, little wolf,” Tristan’s voice is deep and husky, “Let me feed you breakfast and then I have someone coming to see you to find out what has been done. If we’re right, then she’ll try to undo the spell. We also need to get you inducted into the pack.”
My eyes snap up to meet his gaze and I almost get lost in the deep green there. I used to love to spend hours looking up at the canopy of the forest, trying to find peace. It was difficult to do then but looking into Tristan’s eyes it’s easy.
My voice is tentative, “A witch?”
He nods slowly. “Yes. We have one in our pack.” I let out a small gasp. That’s not the norm, from what I understand. Tristan flashes a devastating smile, one that would make me weak in the knees if I wasn’t cradled in his lap. “She’s mated to one of the top warriors here. The Blood Rising Pack values the mate bond, and we would never turn away someone’s goddess-given mate.”
“She doesn’t make mistakes,” I sass, and he throws his head back and laughs.
It completely transforms his face and I become wet. Like embarrassingly wet. I’ve never seen a more attractive male. The knowledge that he is mine, all mine, settles deep in my soul.
I’m not sure if I deserve him, but I’m not going to turn my back on the gift the Moon Goddess has given me. I’ll cherish him and his pack. I’ll do my best to stand beside him as he continues to lead Blood Rising.
When he leads me into the bathroom, he kisses my forehead again and lets me know he’s going to find me some clothes along with the promise to take me shopping later. I don’t need much. I never have, even before everything changed in my life. I’ve always valued people over things, but it did me no good at Waning Moon.
The shower feels wonderful, and I take as long as I dare to allow the hot water to sluice over my skin. It feels like I’m washing away so much more than just the events of yesterday. It feels like the last eight years swirl around my toes to be dragged down the drain.
They tried to change the course of my life, knowing it would be an affront to the Moon Goddess. They tried to break me in the process. I won’t let them win. I will move forward and embrace this new life I’ve been granted.
“It was always our destiny, my human,” my wolf hums gently. “We were always meant to be with Tristan. I feel it. His wolf is powerful, and I can feel the love they have for us. They have been waiting for us. All we need to do is embrace what they are offering.”
“We need to put the past behind us,” I murmur.
“After we allow Tristan to get some justice. Those in power at Waning Moon tried to mess up the plans of the goddess. Tristan will right those wrongs in our name. We have a very powerful male to worship us,” the smug note in my wolf’s voice has me giggling as I get out of the shower.
When I step into the bedroom, a towel wrapped around my body, I feel a little self-conscious because I know my bruises are on display. Tristan immediately stands up from where he’s perched on the bed and pulls me against his chest. I’m a little disappointed to find him already dressed for the day, but I push it down.
I had been pressed against the bare skin of his torso earlier since he was only wearing a pair of light sweatpants. I can’t let my mind linger on my mate’s sexy chest too much. I’ll devolve into a panting, horn-wolf.
Tristan chuckles like he can hear my thoughts and I let out a huff. He pulls me back to the bed where undergarments, with the tags still attached, along with a maxi dress are waiting for me. I arch my eyebrow while looking at the clothes. It shouldn’t make jealousy flare inside of me. I know packs have a lot of extra clothes around. It’s a requirement with all the shifting going on.
“Don’t worry, little mate,” there’s amusement coloring his words, “I went to my sister, Cora, for your outfit. She’s about your size.”
I blink up at him and smile shyly before reaching for the panties and bra. I remove the tags and let out a gasp when Tristan takes them gently from my hands. Before I can process what’s happening, he’s on his knees in front of me.
When he gently tugs at the towel wrapped around my body, I let it go, but I do so begrudgingly. The way his eyes become hard as he takes in the bruises and scars has me wanting to cover myself. He shouldn’t see me like this. Nudity is common in wolf packs, but that’s when you’re a normal member of the pack.
Tristan grips my wrists gently and pushes my arms back to my sides. I hadn’t even realized I had moved my hands to cover myself from his gaze. “Don’t, Serenity,” there’s a slight command in his voice, but I could easily ignore it, just like I’ve always been able to ignore an Alpha’s commands. “I want to see. I need,” there’s so much angst in that single word, it has teas stinging the backs of my eyes, “to see.”
I nod and Tristan starts to kiss all my bruises. It’s more comforting than sexual, but there’s something about having this powerful male, this Alpha, on his knees for me, that I can’t ignore. His hands are gentle as he helps me get dressed. I don’t think he leaves an inch of skin out of his loving perusal, and I have never felt more cherished.
When he stands, he pulls me against his chest and just holds me. It’s exactly what I need to quiet my racing heart and rioting mind. Without a word, he twines our fingers together and leads me out of his room. While we’re walking, I marvel at his packhouse.
It’s much bigger than the one in Waning Moon. The other surprising thing is that every wolf we pass gives me a bright smile, even the Omegas who are working. No one looks sad or mad. No one looks like they’ve been abused, and I make a point to look closely at the Omegas. I might have been at the bottom of the pack at Waning Moon, but the Omegas had it almost as bad as me. They were treated horribly, and, in turn, they took out their frustrations on me.
As we get to the bottom floor, I whisper the question that has been running through my mind, “I can ignore any Alpha’s command. Is it because I’m mated to you?”
Tristan’s eyes light up as he looks down at me. “Yes, my sweet mate, it’s because you were born to be a Luna.” His eyebrows pull together. “Did they know you could ignore their commands?”
I shrug one shoulder as we enter the pack’s dining room. I’m taken aback by the number of wolves in the room at first. When I realize I haven’t answered and Tristan squeezes my hand I murmur, “I’m not sure. I never let on that I could ignore it. Even before,” I let my sentence trail off, but I have no doubt he can finish my thought.
He gives my hand another squeeze right before a petite dynamo of a she-wolf bowls into me, hugging me tightly. I’m momentarily stunned, especially when Tristan lets out a warning growl the female ignores completely. I look over the woman’s shoulder to find a male standing there, an indulgent smile on his face. He looks familiar, but I can’t place why at first.
“Serenity,” Tristan’s voice holds a note of censure, but I get the feeling it’s not directed at me, “this is my sister, Cora, and her mate and my Beta, Mack.” He leans down and whispers in my ear, “He was with me yesterday, but I’m not sure if you saw him or not.”
I nod and realize Cora isn’t going to let go anytime soon. I could fight it, but my wolf makes a sound of contentment and I realize just how starved I am of touch and affection. I wrap my arms around Cora and settle into the comfort she’s giving me.
“Thank you for letting me borrow some of your clothes,” I murmur softly.
Cora pulls back and the first thing I notice is that she has the same eyes as her brother, the same eyes I remember Alpha Nathan having now that I’m willing to remember that day. Mack pulls her back to his side gently and kisses the top of her head just as Tristan does the same with me. Cora is practically bouncing on her toes. Her excitement is infectious.
“I’m so glad you’re finally here, Serenity,” she chirps. “You have no idea how much of a boring old fuddy duddy my brother had become while waiting for you.”
I tense, and I’m not the only one, Mack does as well. His face becomes a mask of surprise when Tristan throws his head back and laughs. Quiet fills the dining hall and every wolf seems to be looking our way, their own surprised faces mirroring Mack’s.
“She’s not wrong,” Tristan admits through a chuckle. “I had become almost unbearable to live with.”
Cora eggs him on, “Almost?”
Tristan smirks down at me and kisses my forehead, sending those sparks and tingles throughout my entire body. I’m in a daze as he guides me through the buffet style line and then to the head table. I hesitate when we step up to it, but my mate doesn’t.
He pulls out the chair to his left for me and I swear the entire dining hall holds their breath. When I sit down, the excitement that washes over me is palpable. I look around the room and find that there are a few she-wolves staring at me with jealousy written all over their faces.
I can’t really blame them, I’m sure they wanted a chance with Tristian. The way he’s looking at me though, as if I’m the only woman he can see, settles the last of my nerves. This male is my mate and I’m not letting him go. Too many lies have tried to get in our way already, what’s a few bitter she-wolves?
