"Are you bored?" King asked.

"I'm doing fine," Bone answered as he enjoyed his champagne.

"You didn't have to come, if you didn't want to," King said.

Bone knew that, but Klaus asked him to watch King's back since he couldn't come himself. And Bone never denied King or Klaus anything if they asked something of him. He was ready to serve them however he could.

"I came to watch your back," Bone answered. "Don't worry about me."

King nodded. "So," his eyes grew curious, "did you talk to Alister yet?"

Bone's glass halted mid-air. "About what?"

King raised a brow. "You seriously thought I wouldn't know," he remarked.

Bone had a feeling since the night he stayed over at Alister's home and he drove him back the day after. He spent the night with Alister and they even had breakfast together. No one saw them nor did Bone tell anyone. He wondered if Alister told King about the bond. Bone wouldn't be surprised if he did, since they were friends after all.

Bone watched as everyone at the rooftop party was busy socializing. Vincent and Ryder stood with Gabriel and River as they talked to the man who hosted the party tonight. It was lavish event and something for the paparazzi to go insane over. Thankfully, the music was loud, so Bone could talk to King about Alister who did attend the party tonight.

"Yes, I talked to him about the bond," he told King truthfully.

"And?"

Bone stared at him. "What?"

"What decision have you made?" King asked. "Will you mate him or not?"

Bone didn't find himself in a position with an option. Alister made his intentions quite clear but Bone didn't understand him at all. He didn't see why Alister would be interested in mating a cage slave. The night or in the morning when they were together, he didn't give Alister an answer. Bone only told him to think it over again after learning the whole truth about his past.

"I told him the truth," Bone confessed.

King straightened and drew in a heavy breath. "That's good," he admitted.

"Not most details though, but I'm sure it's not hard to imagine what being in a cage would be like," Bone mumbled as he finished off his drink.

"Alister may be arrogant as hell, but he's not oblivious to the way of the world," King replied.

"He wants to mate," Bone told him. "I just-" his voice trailed off when his eyes caught Alister standing with Gabriel now. He was tall and handsome in a dark tuxedo that was perfectly tailored for his broad figure. His dark hair had been jelled back and neatly trimmed like his beard to his jaw and cheekbones. There was a wicked darkness to his look, it made him tempting but dangerous too.

Suddenly, those stark blue eyes shifted from the group of men and turned towards Bone. His heart skipped a beat and he felt as if he was pinned under Alister's intensity. The air of dominance shifted in the man and it was as if a fire lit beneath the blue in his dark gaze. Bone tried to breathe and he looked away first trying to ensure that he didn't make a fool out of himself.

"This is actually entertaining," King said over his drink. "I never thought someone could ruffle your perfect feathers, Bone."

"Shut up," Bone remarked.

King smirked. "There's a library in this hotel, you know?"

Bone's ears perked. "There is?" he asked excitedly.

"It's right inside across the hall," King said. "If you're bored, you can check it out. I'm sure no one will mind."

Bone wasn't sure about that. Klaus told him to stay with King, it wouldn't be right to leave him like that. "I don't know," he said.

"We're about to head inside for dinner anyway," King said.

The host did just announce that dinner was about to be served and everyone could head to their respected seats. Only Gabriel and the rest of them were escorted to a private room inside the hotel. Bone noticed when Vincent and Ryder slipped away to the room next door but he didn't say anything since that was probably normal for mates to do. King would've done the same if Klaus was here too, Bone thought.

Just as he was about to enter, Bone saw the dark burgundy doors at the end of the great hallway, on a gold plate it spelled out 'Library' and it called out to him.

"King," Bone whispered and his friend turned his head back. "I'll be back in two minutes." He secretly gestured towards the library. King gave a single nod and closed the door on him.

Bone scurried off down the hall and entered the library by himself. He shut the door as he was exposed to a beautifully crafted room that was styled to mimic Victorian design. The golden walls and floors shined from the massive chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling. There were long windows across the wall ahead of him and crimson red curtains hung heavily across golden beams securing them to the walls. Right beside him encompassed massive shelves with books after books. Each edition and volume perfectly set in their place. There wasn't a single speck of dust anywhere. The only thing was that the fireplace wasn't lit, otherwise Bone was convinced he'd never leave this place. With the donation, perhaps Bone could renovate the Institute's library by adding new windows and curtains like the ones here. He quickly took a photo and was about to head back when the door opened to the library.

"King, I was just coming back-" Bone went quiet when he saw that it wasn't King who entered.

"You can spare your mate five minutes, right," Alister said as he shut the door, his hands tucked in his pockets and a playful grin on his lips. He stood powerfully in front of the door like he was preventing Bone from leaving and guarding it against anyone that wished to enter.

"Alister," Bone stepped back.

"Why do I always find you in libraries?" Alister said as he stepped forward.

"I like them," Bone answered truthfully.

Alister revealed a private smile that made Bone's heart flutter uncontrollably. "I'm going to have to build one in my house then," he told him.

"You don't need to do that," he mumbled.

Alister stepped closer as his gaze darkened even though the chandelier was right above them. The light shined over his sleek black suit and it contoured his cheekbones and rigid jawline down to his corded neck. Bone didn't realize how close they stood until Alister's hand circled around his waist. His breath stopped right away in his throat and he stiffened as Alister commanded his response. Bone was pulled closer and he couldn't stop him- he didn't want to nor did his wolf. He gave up control in front of Alister because it never worked out in his favour.

Although, ever since the night they had dinner together, Bone came to trust Alister and his wolf. Even after Bone told his past to him, he didn't turn around and run off, which was surprising but relieving in a way. To Bone, mates were the epitome of trust. He could trust Alister because it had been proven to him.

However, deep down, he felt the unfamiliar bond carve its way into his soul and brand him to this man. All of this was so new to him. He never touched anyone nor did he deal with these types of emotions before. He was like a fish out of water. He ran on instinct with Alister, even now, he didn't understand why his body was yielding to Alister and why his heart was opening to accept this man so easily. Bone felt defenceless and he was terrified... but what was that hint of excitement?

Alister's hand shifted under Bone's jacket and he pressed it on the small of his back, holding them tightly together. The buckle of Alister's belt was cold through Bone's shirt, but that wasn't the reason behind the chill down his body. Alister's scent spiked, the dark turned dangerous and the fire turned into a thick smoke consuming Bone into a world unknown to him.

"I want to do a lot of things to you," Alister whispered as he towered over Bone. "But you're still new to this and I don't want to scare you away so let's just stop here. Come, I'll walk you back." He dropped his hand and turned to leave when Bone felt his entire body beg him to stop... or to call out to his... mate.

Bone hadn't realized what he had done until Alister stopped dead in his tracks and turned with a surprised look on his face. Bone looked at his own hand that had reached out and grabbed the end of Alister's blazer stopping him.

Bone made a mistake just now, didn't he? "I-"

Alister's eyes blazed and all control shattered. He grabbed Bone's hand and kissed him hard, pressing both of their bodies tightly together, that even air couldn't escape through them. Bone gasped, which let Alister slide his hot, slick tongue into his mouth. The sensation was unfamiliar but tantalizing and raging with desire that was enough to cause a dangerous storm. Bone's body surrendered without trying and he let Alister lead him as both of their mouths moved over one another. This wasn't like the other times when Alister kissed him which was softer and controlled. This time, Alister broke all defence in himself and showed what he was capable of doing. He was skilled with his mouth and drew Bone into a world of passion and lust that drove them wild.

Without lifting his mouth, he stepped ahead leading them towards something. Bone didn't know what it was until the back of his legs hit a hard surface. Alister lifted Bone enough that he sat back on a table and he spread his legs far enough to fit himself between them. Bone held onto Alister's strong shoulders trying not to fall back against the counter and break something. Alister didn't look like he cared what was around them at all. There could be a whole audience that could walk through those doors and it didn't feel like Alister would stop.

Bone's lips felt numb as the kiss grew hot and fast, he was overwhelmed and his heart hammered against his chest. He didn't know what to do so he let himself be led as Alister consumed him, hungered for him alone.

A deep growl escaped Alister as he pressed closer forcing Bone to lean back, his hand instinctively braced behind him on the table to stop him from falling back. Alister's hand raked into Bone's hair and he cupped his nape tilting his head higher up so the kiss could get deeper, which Bone didn't even know was possible, but apparently it was. The hot tongue twirled and caressed until Bone melted against Alister and the desire spilled into his body, turning him into something he didn't recognize.

The sexual act was always repulsive to Bone because of everything he'd seen and what was done to him. But this... this was completely different. Was this what it truly was supposed to be like? This was what it was like to be safe and protected, he thought as he lost himself to this kiss that was only meant for secret dreams at night where no one was around to witness you lose your mind to darkly tainted sins.

Bone broke the kiss first because he couldn't breathe. Alister laid his forehead against his. "Okay," he confessed softly.

"What?" Alister asked.

"Yes. To us," Bone answered, as he felt the shattered part so his soul mend together as he confessed his truth that he felt the moment he met Alister. "I will try to heal myself for you so we can be together, but it will probably take me time. So, please, be patient with me."

Alister's jaw tightened and Bone saw the way the muscle ticked. "You can go through whatever you need, but you will do it with me, because I'm never leaving you." Until, Alister had wiped his thumb across Bone's cheek, he hadn't realized that tears poured out from his eyes. One moment, Alister was gently kissing Bone's cheek and lips, and then, he flipped. He tilted Bone's head back and kissed him carnally, taking his mouth and his breath all for himself like he possessed them for himself.

Bone gripped onto Alister's shirt, trying to focus and stay calm but he was drowning. The waves of pleasure rode him each and every time Alister stroked his tongue against Bone's.

Bone laid his hand over Alister's; the roughness of his knuckles matched the way he held Bone with such possession. He leaned into the touch letting himself feel what he never felt before. There was a dark hole in him that ripped open and let Alister's light pour in, healing it and beckoning Bone to step out of the cage that he built around himself.

Alister broke the kiss but his mouth trailed down Bone's jaw to his exposed throat. He moaned against the hot sensation that poured through him as Alister's teeth raked across the pulsing nerve. Alister tore away the tie around Bone's collar and ripped the few buttons of his shirt off when he tugged it apart, giving him more space to kiss down to the crook of his neck.

Unexpectedly, the lights in the room shut off and the emergency sign in the corner flashed red. Bone stiffened and looked up at the flashing red light behind them. Alister cursed with a deep growl and lifted his head staring at Bone even though it was dark around them.

"What's going on?" Bone said as he tried to get off the table, but Alister prevented him with his hands planted on each side of Bone and his strong figure standing firmly in place.

Alister kissed Bone sweetly on his lips. "I swear to god, anyone that walks through that door is fucking dead," he growled as he bit Bone's lip and kissed his cheek.

The door behind them did open and Bone could count the six men that stormed in with their guns pointed at them. They were armed like a goddamn swat team and this was obviously a planned attack. Bone reached out his belt to the gun strapped to his waist.

Alister turned his head behind him giving the nastiest stare to the attackers before he sighed and looked at Bone again. "What should I do, baby?" he asked. "Fight or ignore them and continue what we're doing?"

Bone gaped in disbelief. "We need to get out of here and get to King and the others," he said as he pulled his gun out. The others must have been attacked too. "This must be Isabel again."

"What do you mean by again?" Alister asked.

"Put your hands up," a man behind them forewarned.

"I'll tell you later," Bone said as he pointed his gun and shot all rounds at the man closest to Alister.

Alister and Bone both moved with agility around the table and threw it down acting as a shielding as the armed men started shooting at them after losing a partner. Bone wasn't concerned how they'd get out of here because these guards were only human. They didn't have the sense of smell or sight like wolves did. Bone re-loaded his gun and Alister shot the red flashing light in the corner that was their only source of light. But both of them knew that they could see perfectly in the dark, it was only a problem for their opponents. Bone got to his feet now and saw the five men huddle in a circle. Alister moved first and he didn't use his gun. He silently grabbed the first man pulling him into the dark and snapped his neck in half before he could let out a sound.

A chill crawled down Bone as he remembered the days in the cage and how ruthlessly they killed there too. Bone stepped around the dead man in front of him. The guard that had his back to Bone with no clue what danger stood watching and waiting.

In the dark, Bone locked eyes with Alister who watched curiously as Bone wrapped his hands around the man's neck and twisted it to an abnormal angle. The big body dropped to the ground at his feet and Bone tried not to remember how many times he went through this cold, bitter feeling of taking a life. No one ever got used to it. The sickening sensation took all of the warmth he felt earlier. Poison filled his veins and it returned to haunt him.

Bone didn't care about noise now. He aimed his gun and shot the remaining two right in the skull. He knew he was ruthless and cold, but that's who he was. He only acted the part as a civil man who had a respectful library job.

Abruptly, Alister crossed the room and kissed Bone hard. He was left speechless and overwhelmed as Alister thrusted his tongue into his open mouth and they slammed against the wall behind them. Bone's gun dropped and he wrapped his arms around Alister. The chains of his torment past bound to his body broke right then and there.

"That was so fucking hot," Alister growled.

"Wh-what?" he asked breathlessly.

Alister grinned with his teeth. "Fuck, you smell of roses, but when you're aroused or angry, that scent catches fire and comes alive," he said. "Leaves me to wonder what else have you hidden away under that innocent smile of yours?"

Bone didn't see himself like that but he didn't say anything. He simply leaned in and kissed Alister's lips gently leaving him in awe "We need to go," he pressed as he took them out of the room and into the dark hallway ready for the fight that came without permission. But Bone knew his pack, they'd end this without mercy too.