"Eventually, everything connects"

~Pinterest.

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ANASTASIA'S P.O.V.

Breathe.

The one word I kept reminding myself of as I followed the Alpha. I was beginning to doubt he was ever injured as he stormed out of the pack house with such speed that I had to start jogging to keep up with him.

As we left the pack house, I couldn't help but not notice the stares that were directed my way. I guess seeing the Rogue chase after their Alpha must have been a sight for them.

I shook my head, trying to focus on the task ahead. The Alpha had said he was taking me to a place where no one could find us. The current guesses I was shouting out at him seemed to be all wrong answers according to him.

"All right, I think I got it. You're taking me to the orphanage? Right?"

The Alpha shook his head in response, "You already suggested that," he growled.

I huffed, throwing my hands in the air. "Yeah, but I was hoping you were just lying."

The Alpha halted, planting both feet into the ground he slowly turned towards me. I had just a second to readjust my position before I crash-landed on him, "What the hell are you doing!" I shouted.

I was already frustrated with the following and chase. My patience was warning very thin.

"You can-."

"I never lie," he deadpanned.

"What?".

"I said... I won't lie. So, I will never lie to you. Especially if I've made a promise. "

I blinked and swallowed hard as the Alpha's blue orbs held me captive. I tried to digest the information he'd just given me. I continued to stare back, noting that his lips fell into a grimace and brows were drawn tightly.

Why did he seem so upset?

"Okay..."I drawled out completely unsure of how to respond.

The Alpha shook his head before clucking his tongue, "You don't believe me, do you?".

I shrugged, "I don't trust people that easily," I explained. Especially after they've tried to kill me, I thought. Although we were beyond that point, or were we?

The Alpha narrowed his eyes, focusing on my face, "Hmm... I'm beginning to see that," he retorted.

I was no longer able to handle his intense gaze, so I pushed past the Alpha and continued to trek forward, trying to ignore the crimson flush that crept onto my cheeks.

I hate when he does that!

Why? I love it when mate looks at us with such heat, growled Roxy.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, she would side with him.

"This way," the Alpha's fingers brushed against my skin as he tugged me towards the stone pathway. I sucked in a deep breath as a million electrifying tingles shot through. My arm, particularly the place he had touched, was left ablaze, leaving me momentarily breathless and stunned.

"Stupid mate bond," I mumbled.

"Hmm?" the Alpha questioned.

"Nothing-g," I growled, although my voice was strained as I tried to catch my breath.

I could feel the Alpha's gaze on my back but chose to ignore it, and instead, I tried to fasten my current pace.

At this moment, I hadn't realised where we were going. I'd been so caught up trying to guess where we were heading that I'd missed the actual location. Well, almost...

I looked up and gasped.

"This is beautiful," I whispered.

I was in complete awe, we were currently high up in some sort of field? Or meadow? , away from the pack house and training fields. It was quiet and blissful, with only
the sound of the wind and a nearby waterfall.

The drops from the waterfall filled the air, creating a more alluring atmosphere. Though it was the trees that cascaded on each end of this meadow that caught my eye. Several wisteria trees stood tall and danced vibrantly against the winds. The lavender and spots of lilac were absolutely mesmerising.

As I continued to trek, I spotted a few large rocks that seemed to be purposely placed right across the waterfall.

I slowly turned around and eyed the Alpha, "How?" I whispered.

The Alpha's lips twitched into a smile, which filled his face with a positive aura. Before I could explain what, I meant, the Alpha let out a chuckle, his arms swaying around his sides as he continued to laugh.

I looked at him in utter surprise. My eyes grew wide at the Alpha's cheerful laugh.

"What's so funny?" I snapped.

The Alpha sucked in a deep breath as he tried to collect enough air into his lungs to form his next words. I scrutinised his every movement as he rolled his shoulders back and shot me a meaningful glance.

"Do you really think black is the only colour I like?" he asked, sounding quite bemused and at my blank expression.

"Hell yes!" I shouted.

In fact, I'm positive it's the only colour in his palette that he acknowledges.

"Well, I hate to disappoint, but I do admire other colours such as those-" he gestured towards the wisteria trees, which I drank in earlier. "Now those are quite delightful," he mused.

I didn't answer him as he continued to eye the vines of lilac. Instead, I chose to sit down and lie on the grass. Opting for a comfortable position, in a talk which no doubt will be triggering the opposite feelings.

"Well..."I tried to prompt the Alpha.

Sighing, he slowly looked down at me, and a small grimace replaced his earlier cheerful expression. A pang immediately sprang in my heart, I regretted the reminder, and I hated seeing the Alpha upset.

Though I had to know what caused his earlier self-harm, why did he detest Rogues so much... these questions were driving me crazy. I already had many unanswered questions that flowed throughout my life, but this was a mystery I had to resolve.

The Alpha crouched down next to me whilst he sprawled his legs against the lush greenery that filled the expanse of the meadow. Clearing his throat, he began to undo the barrier he had built.

"Well, for starters, have you ever noticed the scar that is on my mother's face?".

My brows furrowed as I tried to conjure an image of the Senior Luna. Despite the earlier altercation with her, she appeared in the forefront of my mind. The mention of the scar reminded me of the moment I had initially met her, I distinctly remember how it etched to life with each pull and tug from her cheek.

"Yes," I murmured.

"I was there when it happened," he explained. From the corner of my eyes, I saw him shuffle and fidget in his current position.

I nodded, prodding him to continue explaining after all I wanted to know.

"My mother surprised me with a spontaneous picnic that day. It was amazing outside. My father had a mind of his own, though he always wanted me to be training or readying myself for his Alpha position, ever since they discovered my ability, of course. " The Alpha sighed; I glanced up towards his face, trying to read his expression.

The Alpha seemed to have a faraway look as his eyes grew distant, and his face took upon an impassive expression.

"But my mother had persuaded him that I needed a break, so she decided a picnic was the way to go about it. We made our way to a field my mother had purposely built to escape the pack when it became overwhelming. My mother had set the picnic up, and we began to delve into the delicious canapes she had prepared, "he explained.

His body seemed to be visibly tense as he continued reciting the incident that had sparked all of this. I continued to nod lightly, signifying that I was actively listening and watching the inner turmoil that currently flowed through him.

"They came out of the bushes. At first, it was just one, and then another came out from a different side and another until there were more than four. It was my first time seeing one, and I was only a child. I freaked out and screamed. "

I eyed the Alpha before questioning him. "What came out?".

He sucked in a deep breath before he mustered the next words, "Rogues."

I cursed under my breath as a feeling of dread began to settle over me.

"There were too many of them. They rushed towards us at a speed we couldn't keep up with. My mother immediately jumped in front of me, trying to protect me. She put her life on the line in an instant for her pup." The Alpha's face immediately grew dark, as his irises reflected a vivid ebony.

Clearing his throat, he continued on," She tried to shift, but it was too late. They had her, and the rogue's claw had already swung and cut deep into her cheek. The blood. There was so much blood Anna".

I was no longer able to leisurely lie down as he continued to unveil the tragic story. I sat up and shuffled closer towards the Alpha.

He looked down at his bare palms, with such misery I was certain the blood that smeared on his hands that day was forever tainted.

"Worst of all, I couldn't do anything. I was defenceless. I hadn't shifted yet, but they didn't care. They were savages, trying to claw their way through. My mother shouted for me to run and alert the others, but I couldn't move, Anna. It was like I was glued to the ground. Realising this, my mother let out an ear-piercing howl that filled the field. She was alerting the others. "

He sucked in a shaky breath before he continued.

"They almost took my mother, Anna. That day, I could have lost her. She was so close to death. We were lucky that the warriors were training in the field when my mother called for them, and they came in time... but my mother had already lost too much blood with her injuries, "he explained.

I looked at the Alpha, and I noticed his arm twitching towards his injured hand before he could tug at the wound, I snatched his palm and nestled it into mine.

"Is that why you hate the rogues?" I asked curiously.

"One of the many reasons, Anastasia. They're vile creatures that shouldn't exist, that is, of course, until I met you. I expected you to be just like them, savage, reckless, and purely murderous. Though I was wrong-," he remarked.

The Alpha turned his body my way. We were both only inches apart from each other. I could feel the heat of his skin and the intoxicating sandalwood that carried over with the wind.

"You contest my every thought; you keep me on my toes and show me such grace and care. Especially when I don't deserve it, considering the things I've done, the mistakes or sins I've committed against you in my haze, "he rushed out.

He inched closer towards me, and I gulped at the proximity. Something about it felt more intimate than our earlier embrace in his office. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Was it the way his eyes glistened under the sun? or could it be the revelation that tugged on many heartstrings?

"I took you to the witch, desperate to free myself from you because I couldn't be tied down for a lifetime to someone who held the status of a Rogue," he explained.

I continued to look at his blue orbs, and now I was aware of the weight of his words, I was beginning to see the reason for his earlier actions when we met.

"You know, that day, I was ready to give in and be rid of the bond as well. You're a hard man, Kawan.", I voiced coolly.

The Alpha squeezed my palm, causing more electrifying currents to course through my arm. "I know. They're regrets I'll carry with me. Honestly Anastasia, right now, I'm all shades of fucked up. I still have moments... as you witnessed earlier, I can't control", he reasoned.

A small smile crept over my lips; nobody is perfect I thought.

But I swallowed back a lump in my throat, how could fate tie us in such a sick and twisted way? My kind the reason why his vengeful ways had come about.

What had the goddess done?

I also felt like a mere pawn thrown into a chess game doomed to fail to begin with.

I squeezed his palm tightly it was the only thing I could do as I tried to recollect my thoughts which raced around so rapidly. I inhaled a few deep breaths as I scanned the scenery around us.

The Alpha followed my gaze before he murmured, "it happened here, you know...the attack".

Now, that was what activated the waterworks. The last drop to overflow the glass. Slow and sullen tears began to stream against my cheeks as I looked away from the Alpha.

How befitting to revisit the place of torment, I thought. He tried to reveal a personal story that had left a tainted scar.

Though as my silent tears continue to shed, I shook my head how could such a beautiful place be plagued with such a hideous memory?

Roxy howled in the distant space of my mind. She too was feeling the immense weight of his words.

I couldn't look at the lilac streams the same way, it was beautiful earlier, but now it seemed out of place. Like it didn't belong here. The waterfall that continued to spray with life was also a part of this, it seemed alive and blissful compared to the emotions that churned in my heart.

"Don't," he growled.

Before I could decipher what the Alpha was saying, he tugged me into his arms almost aggressively. And began to rub circular motions on my back with his uninjured arm, "please don't cry," he whispered.

I clutched onto him for dear life.

My chest tightened with each shaky breath I took. The Alpha continued to hold me against his chest. It was crazy. I should be the one consoling him, yet I couldn't help the overpowering emotions that bubbled and sprung to life.

You care about him, Roxy stated.

I do?

Roxy rolled her eyes in response. You know it deep down, Anna, no point denying the truth.

I sniffed and withdrew my hands away from the Alpha's shoulders. His blue orbs were filled with such intensity it was difficult to maintain eye contact with him. I needed to break away from the heated gaze.

"For the record, I blame the tears on the mate bond. So, this is your fault." I pointed an accusing finger his way.

The Alpha let out a light-hearted chuckle, shaking his head as he began to slowly rise from his position.

He held out his arm for me, which I took cautiously. I tried my very best to ignore the tingles that danced across my hand. I looked up at the Alpha quickly, noting his change of demanour.

The Alpha's expression quickly morphed to his usual stoic mask, which I immediately knew meant business talk was coming up.

"We have a pack to save, Anna, and I want you by my side." The Alpha, reiterated.

I smiled internally. Roxy was howling with a sense of glory.

Nodding in response to his request, we walked out of the meadow and back to where it all began.

Our pack house.

ANONYMOUS P.O.V.

The wolf rushed quickly towards the office, although it was the last place he wanted to be right now.

Knocking on the door, he finally entered, "Sir," he greeted.

The man looked up from his paperwork and nodded, "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes, sir, we're ready to go."

The man dropped the paper onto his desk and leaned forward. His eyes narrowed onto the shaky wolf at front.

"On my command..." he said.

The wolf nodded. "Their fates will forever change."
Murmured the wolf.

The man's gaze focused onto the wolf, confirming he had heard his remark. The wolf immediately cowered away, his eyes focusing on anything but the menacing man at front.

He clucked his tongue and awarded the wolf with a dark look, "...not all mates are destined to be..."

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A/N

Okay... I know this chapter was a bit slow, but I really wanted the Alpha and Anna to have this deep conversation.

I'm thinking of it as 'integral truths and foundations being laid out.''

Although, that ending is... 👀