Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers
Chapter 51: The Mate Bond

Chapter 51: The Mate Bond

Oscar:

I should have been at the mansion.

It was Sunday, and we had a rule to always return home during weekends no matter what. These were the days we always spent together, no matter how busy or angry we were during the week.

But not today. Not with the heavy storm brewing between us, especially between River and Kethan.

I held myself back from sighing and instead ran my fingers through my hair as I walked through the empty halls of the academy.

I wasn’t planning to ever use my quarters here in the academy, let alone doing so in my very first week as an Instructor. My quarters here were supposed to be a backup, a formality... not my shelter.

And yet here I was... and that’s when I saw her.

She appeared as I turned a corner, like some cruel trick of fate.

Evaline Greystone.

She was walking alone through the quiet hallway, and from what I could guess, she seemed to be heading to the library.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

There was no one else around. Most of the students were out enjoying the day in the nearby towns, leaving the academy feeling ghost-like and still.

Except for her.

I should have turned around. I should have walked away, remembered every reason why getting close to her was wrong.

Instead, I just... stared.

My wolf started pushing hard against my chest and a growl vibrated low in my throat. It wanted what I had been denying it.

And this led me to do something I shouldn’t have. Without even realizing it, I started following her, making sure to not alert her.

I followed her into the empty library and watched her walk between the tall shelves while she trailed her fingers lightly over the spines of old books.

Few moments later, she disappeared deeper, oblivious to the way my heart was hammering in my chest or the way my wolf was practically howling now.

She was too far and I couldn’t see her face anymore. But I needed to see her face.

The beast inside me demanded it.

Before I could think better of it, I moved with quick, quiet strides. I followed the thread of her scent - fresh, warm, soft - and found her again near the back of the library, scanning the shelves with her back to me.

"Eva."

Her name left my lips before I could stop it, rough and low.

She turned sharply at the sound, surprise flashing across her features... and then she stumbled.

Just like last time.

I moved on instinct. One step. Two. And then my hands were on her, catching her before she could fall. I wrapped one arm firmly around her waist while the other steadied her shoulder.

And the moment our bodies collided, it hit us both... the bond.

It slammed into me so hard that I staggered, and I felt her gasp against my chest.

The pull between us wasn’t just me.

She felt it too.

She clutched my shirt as if to stop her body from trembling, but ended up pressing herself closer as if on instinct.

And I... I was lost.

I tightened my arms around her and pulled her flush against me before burying my face in her now black hair, breathing her in like a starving man.

My wolf howled with satisfaction as I finally had her in my arms, finally touching what was his.

She smelled like wildflowers and sunlight and something sweetly forbidden.

"Eva..." I breathed her name against her hair in a hoarse, broken voice.

She tilted her head up and her wide amber eyes met mine. And Moon Goddess help me, I almost kissed her.

Her lips were parted slightly and I was able to feel her warm breath against my collarbone. I was also able to feel her heart pounding wildly against my chest, matching the frantic beat of my own.

Without thinking, I brushed a strand of hair from her face and my fingers lingered against her soft skin.

Her cheeks flushed under my touch, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned into it.

The small, unconscious movement shattered the last of my restraint. I cupped her face in both hands and lowered my forehead until it rested against hers.

Our breaths mingled while ours souls begged to interwine... at least mine did.

Mine.

The word echoed through every fiber of my being.

I didn’t know how long we stood like that - seconds, minutes, an eternity. I didn’t care. All I knew was that the ache inside me, the hollow, empty space I hadn’t even realized was there, finally felt whole.

But reality was a cruel, cold thing. The harsh reminder of her identity pierced through the haze like a knife, cutting me deep.

I pulled back sharply, as if burned, though my every instinct was screaming against it.

She stumbled slightly at the sudden loss of contact, her eyes looking confused. And I hated myself for putting that look on her face.

I turned away, running a shaking hand through my hair while trying to gather the pieces of my shattered control.

"You need to stay away from me, Eva," I rasped, my voice raw and unsteady.

"But... I nev-"

"No." I cut her off in a much harsher voice than I was intending. "This - whatever this is - can’t happen."

With my back to her, I couldn’t see her reaction. But I couldn’t make myself face her, not when I was hanging just by a thread of control.

For a moment, neither of us spoke and the bond thrummed between us. But then, I opened my mouth to ruin things further.

"What we felt just now... it doesn’t matter," I forced the words out before I could take them back. "You are the daughter of the man who destroyed my family. My brothers would never accept this. I can’t accept this."

I wanted to sneak a look at her, but I knew I couldn’t stay. Because if I did, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from touching her again.

From kissing her.

From claiming her.

"Stay away from me, Eva," I repeated in an almost broken voice before I fled the library, leaving the only girl I could never have behind.