Word Count: 1859

~Alvera

To avoid other werewolves overhearing, we take the conversation into a sitting room, Venn closing the door behind us.

I keep my distance from everyone, lingering near the far wall. I don't want to get too close when Venn inevitable explodes again from Able's pushing.

"Get on with it then," he mutters at his brother.

Able collapses into a tall back chair, stretching his legs out like he owns this place. Belle lingers close, her smug smile painfully familiar.

"I suppose you've known all along," he muses. "I want the power I've always deserved."

Venn's expression is murderous. "Deserved? And who dictates that?"

I can hear the thrill of power in his voice. It's enough to make Belle's smile drop and for a shiver to rattle her limbs. She may feel comfortable in her upper hand, but she's scared.

"Me, my bloodline. I'm the eldest son, I should have been the Alpha," Able growls, motioning over himself as if anything about his appearance indicates he deserves the position.

I'm starting to see why the Moon Goddess disregarded him as capable....

"The Moon Goddess chose me, and with it has become unbelievable burdens that you yourself have admitted to want no part of," Venn grits out, sharing a look with Able that suggests there is something they both know that I don't.

An uneasy feeling crawls across my skin. I don't like being left in the dark, especially on important matters.

"This way, I get power and I get none of the problems," Able says simply.

Venn takes a step closer. "Power? And what power has this given you."
 
"Being connected to the Alpha's mate is nothing to sneer at brother." Able's eyes fall to me. "I can imagine there is a lot I'll now be able to do with her at my side."

For a moment his comment goes over my head, until Belle's attention whips to me and her mouth opens.

My eyes widen, my blood chilling. There is not much I know about what he said, but I know that it's a vitally important bond that means more than being Venn's Chosen.

"Mate?" I say breathlessly, hoping I misheard Able, or that he's only saying this to instigate problems.

"Wait, she's your mate?" Belle splutters in disbelief.

Venn's eyes soften as he meets my gaze. "I was going to tell you..."

So it is true...I'm not even sure what being his mate means, what it entails. I never thought it would apply to me, a human. This must be some perversion of nature, something that is not quite right.

Although I have always felt an inexplicable connection to Venn. I thought it was just sexual chemistry, or just straight attraction. He is exceptionally gorgeous, and being that he's Alpha, I figured others were naturally drawn to him as well.

"Let's not have a break down right now, this is a time for negotiation," Able grumbles, waving his hand flippantly. "I know a way to break the bond I've just formed, and I'll do so if I can trust you'll act in accordance with my terms."

My heart launches into my throat. Is Able truly suggesting there is a way to get this horrid mark off my body?

"You've forged a undesirable connection with Alvera against the Moon Goddess's desires. Can you even fathom what the consequences may be for all of us?" Venn asks.
 
Able only grins wolfishly. "I don't particularly care."

Great...he's going to get us all killed.
 
"You're going to tell me how to sever this bond or I'll kill you," Venn threatens, a deep tension in his jaw that seems to be holding all of his tension.

Able doesn't even blink, looking up at Belle to share an amused smile with her.

"And cause Alvera immeasurable pain, possibly death? No you won't." He rubs his hands together. "You're going to do as I say."

"And what is that?"

"Well, that remains to be seen. For now, I want Belle and I to be invited on the tour we are going to start next week." He pins Venn with a cold stare. "You'll need me there, and you'll need an excellent excuse so as to not make yourself seem weak for having your Chosen connected to your brother."

My hand involuntarily rises to rest against my chest. It feels so violating knowing Able's chosen item is now engrained in my skin, suggesting something to werewolves that humans cannot decipher.

"This isn't going to grant you the power you think it will."

"I think it will," Able says confidently. "Alvera is the perfect bargaining chip. She's your one weakness, brother."

"This can't be happening..." I mutter, turning away so I can breathe, so I can gather my thoughts.

Able's known I'm Venn's mate. Maybe werewolves can sense it, but what I know for certain, is that it's the reason why he feels so confident binding himself to me.

"I'm going to want a room with my lover upstairs somewhere." He sweeps out of his seat, taking Belle's hand. "I'll need to be close to my bonded, after all."

Both Belle and Able's attention sways to me. My sister looks like she wants to gut me, which is insane considering I'm in this mess because of her involvement.

Venn says nothing, rubbing his jaw. He knows he isn't in the position to deny him.

"Come now Belle. It's time to make ourselves at home."

They stalk past me, leaving Venn as I alone in the room together. For a while, we just stand in silence, letting the gravity of the situation drape over us.

"I...I have no words," I mutter numbly after a long pause.

Venn shakes his head. "I'm going to kill him."

"He's made it clear you can't without hurting me." I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling very cold and uneasy.

Able hasn't made his demands yet, and waiting for them is going to make me sick. He could ask anything of Venn, and unless he wants to hurt me, he has to abide by whatever Able wants.

"Once I've found out how to sever that bond, I'm going to kill him," he amends, dragging his fingers through his hair tensely.

"We'll see, I guess..."

He watches me for a long moment. "About being mates—"

"I don't even entirely know what that means," I admit quickly, my cheeks flushing.

It's almost impossible to meet his eyeline right now. We haven't spoken since we slept together, and there's so much we haven't spoken about regarding out future.

I mean, he's the Alpha King. I don't know where I fit in.

"It's a soul bond between two people," he explains carefully. "It signifies an unbreakable bond, one that is meant to be honoured forever."

I blow out a long breath. Forever is a long time.

"So we're destined for each other?"

"The Moon Goddess is careful in her selection of mates. You're likely the first human to be mated." He watches me plonk down on the couch unceremoniously, my legs failing to hold me up a moment longer.

"But...you and me?" I breathe.

I'm still reeling about Eldon, and now I'm supposed to consider a soul bond with a werewolf? The thought is suffocating, pressing down on my ribs to the point I can barely breathe.
 
"The bond has manifested for a reason. It doesn't sense you're ready. It's not supposed to sway our minds, but to let us come to the conclusion on our own," Venn explains carefully, seating himself next to me but with enough space so I don't panic.

"How did you know then?" I wrap my arms around myself.

"I'm not like most werewolves. I can sense the bond." He looks down at his hands, his dark brows furrowing. "And...well I receive visions from the Moon Goddess, and it has been hinted at before."

My head collapses into my hands. I can't even fathom the amount of people that would do anything to be in this position, but although I'm intrigued, I can't be excited. Now when Eldon and I only just broke up.

"But why us?"
 
"No one has ever been able to decipher the Moon Goddess's choices," he says softly. "But almost every mate forges a lifelong bond."

The intensity of his silver gaze forces me to look away. Whatever this bond is, I can feel it between us. I don't doubt that it's true, that he isn't just saying this to get something out of me.

"Is it always romantic?" I ask tentatively.

"Not always." He wrings his hands together. "But in most circumstances, yes."

"This day just keeps getting better and better..." I groan, rubbing my temples.

The worst part of this mess is that I have no one to talk about this with. I'm surrounded by werewolves, and my human sister can't be trusted anymore. She may as well be a werewolf, since he allegiance is with one of them over her own blood.

"This isn't a human burden, so do not feel the need to honour it," Venn reminds me gently, his voice caressing my skin. "But it is why we go through this monthly ordeal."

"Oh..." I suppose that makes sense.

"If you do not first accept me, the bond may never manifest, and that is fine. I would never pressure you into anything." He says it in such a way that I believe that he would harbour no resentment for my denial of this mate bond, although it's clear it would hurt him greatly.

"Sex is one thing but...I need time to think."

I'm not ready to dismiss the concept of the mate bond just yet. It exists for a reason, and Venn and I are clearly drawn to each other. I want to explore it, I just need time.

"Of course, I understand completely." Venn smiles softly, warmth spreading to his eyes. He's relieved that I'm at least somewhat open to this.

I stare off ahead of me, a dark feeling swelling in the pit of my stomach. "I can't believe Able would do that."

"I can." He shakes his head. "He wants power. I just worry about the Moon Goddess's reaction."

"What is the tour he mentioned?"
 
"It's time to go assert my power as Alpha King to the other Alpha's in the area," he explains, squaring his shoulders back. "It's not always an enjoyable experience, but it is necessary."

I shudder. "I'm sure they will love your human mate."

I can only imagine their reactions. A werewolf as important as Venn hasn't paired with a human in all the history I have studied. Werewolves deeply distrust humans, and now I'm going to be tracked into their packs, at the mercy of their Alpha's.

Venn levels a hard look. "They won't have any other choice."

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The Night I Met The Alpha

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