Bounded

06

Chapter Six

When you know that you had f****d up.

-

Fate Pierce’s Point of View

My phone is in full blast.

I would have minded my own business if it was the alarm, but I am partly sure that it was my ringtone. While the question of who would have the audacity to ring me at such an ungodly hour, I know that I have myself to blame since I forgot to silent the f*****g thing.

“Motherfucker,” I breathe, hearing it blast again in full repeat. Whoever the f**k it was, I would be hitting them by the head.

As my hand slowly pats through the desk by my side, I could not have any feel of my phone. Despite my struggle in finding it, I couldn’t even touch the surface of it. The motherfucker just continued ringing as if the world would end soon. I wanted nothing more than to throw it across the room and break it into pieces.

“Ow,” I winched, feeling my head throbbing.

I grumbled a soft curse under my breath before flipping to my stomach. Maybe I am to die soon if even my fox couldn’t help me ease the pain. My hands were quick to hold onto my pillow, needing it to cover my ears when I stilled. All the exhaustion flowed out of my body the second I felt another presence sleeping beside me.

Shit!

Did I do what I think I just did?

Slowly facing the figure of the person, I breathed a relief sigh the second that I saw a woman—Somi Hawthrone. The remainder of last night flashed through my mind like a scene in a movie. Johnny didn’t feel threatened when Somi and I continued on drinking. Instead of intervening, he called more knights to assist him. I clearly overestimated my skills.

Then again, betas are used to fixing any errors that any pack member has done. In severe cases, I have seen my brother’s beta try to amend things he, himself had f****d up. So I would have seen that coming. They are the kind of werewolves who are not easily ticked off. Since they are usually the one facing all the criticism before his Alpha.

Johnny was only frazzled when he knew that there would be variables that he couldn’t control. For example, having someone grope his probable mate.

“Somi,” I called, cringing as I felt the strain in my throat.

Somi sprawled into her bed, her mouth still releasing soft snores that clearly reflected her exhaustion. She didn’t look like she would be hearing anything from the sound of her snores. It is clear that we are both tired. The party was fun, not going to lie about that one. Despite what I initially thought, it wasn’t all that bad. I had missed that small burst of happiness. The fact that I could see Somi enjoying herself did make most of my day. It was the reason why I forgot that I was setting the Royal Beta for failure because I was transfixed by how Somi felt alive that night.

She finally looked like she was having fun.

My heart is hammering through my chest, reminding myself that for that split second—I thought that I had mated a man without an intoxicated mind. I was sure that my mother would be willing to fly into this place just to smack me in the head—followed by my brother Kun. While it was not really frowned upon for a woman to have i*********e with another man… it was slightly not allowed in my kind.

I am someone who is a special breed, and I could not spread my DNA however I want.

My body moved back into the bed as I still need some sleep. It took me a few seconds to remind why I woke up in the first place. My phone. Someone was calling me. The second that I was reminded that I spent the entire night in Somi’s place made me jump back to grab my phone. Nothing but horror was flashing into my eyes as soon as I saw a missed call from my entire family.

Most of them were from my Mom.

Oh, my heavens.

“I hope that party was worth it, Fate,” I whispered to myself, still looking at the ringing alarm as if it was the announcement of my death. Well, in this situation—it really looks like it is. Seeing the one notification from my father made my body feel cold. “...because that will be our last. It was a good life while it lasted.”

My mother bought me here to stop myself from partying and missing nights spent in the packhouse—and not even a few months later, I was already doing that. Only this time, it is in a foreign land and with countless noblemen roaming around the area.

I am so f*****g dead.

Then again, I could form any excuse in the book. I could even use Somi’s rank in play. Maybe my parents could tone down the threats the second I inform them that I was babysitting the Princess.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” Somi asked, slowly pushing herself up from the bed. It seemed like she was now affected by the loud blaring that my phone was making.

I looked at her carefully, as my hand carefully die down the volume of the phone. “No, it’s my parents. I don’t want to die.”

She chuckled, falling down the bed as she replied.

“Relax.” of course, you can relax. You slept in your own room, and wouldn’t be facing the grim reaper at this point. “Someone called you last night,” of course they f*****g did. “and Johnny answered the phone for you.”

“HE f*****g WHAT!” I screamed out my thoughts, making her jump in surprise.

All her exhaustion seemed to flow out of her body from the scream. A small cry escaped her lips, clearly terrified. “You scared me! I was drunk, too, okay! So he answered the phone for us since you’re hammered and basically screaming with me.”

“Oh, no.” I cried, holding onto my phone. The second it displayed my mother’s contact number, I almost cried. “My mother will kill me!”

“Mine too.” She yawned, clearly not frazzled.

Slowly pushing myself out of the bed, I start to panic. That was the reason they were calling me—because a guy answered the phone! They must have thought that I was playing around again. My body fidgets around the room, pacing back and forth as I wait for another call.

What do I need to say to her?

Not only did I fail to notify my grandparents that I would not be home, but a man answered my call. I don’t think that I could save myself from this. My tomb will surely be close to my pet fish. I doubt they would mourn.

I knew that my tomb will state: Fate Pierce, a woman who died because of her own stupid decisions.

As my phone rang for what seemed like the hundredth time, I jumped and panicked even more. I know just how bad I f****d up. Mommy does not use phones much often so when she calls us, we are all screwed. Not having any other choice at hand, I had swiped through the screen and pressed the phone in my ear.

It’s easier to accept defeat now.

“So you finally know how to answer your phone, huh?” The composed tone made me fear for my life. My mind scrambled any excuse, but it seemed like my fox still wasn’t in her clear mind. I could hardly hear her. I could hear some rumbling in the background, alerting me that everyone was near her. “Did you have fun last night?”

“Mommy, I’m sorry! I did not mean to get drunk, I swear!”

A lot of collected noise from the background was heard, informing me just how worried everyone was. Judging by the time difference, it would still be in the middle of the night to the pack—and they were all probably gathered in the meeting area, frantically trying to reach me. I do understand the level of caution since I am far from where they are.

“What the f**k do you think will happen if you drank a f*****g beer? Do you think you'll get sober doing all that?!”

I cringed, knowing I have no escape from here. She really did not like me drinking alcohol as I easily get drunk. Naturally, that was good for people since I am fun when I am intoxicated, but my mother does not agree with them

A soft sigh escaped her lips. “I am close to flying in that place and smacking you hard in your head. What do you think you’re doing!”

“I made a friend, and there was some welcoming party. We went there last night,” I explained, looking into Somi, who was now sleeping her ass off. Before my mother could scream, I quickly remembered who she was. “Somi Hawthrone!”

Somi raised her head, still half asleep as she raised her hand. “Present!”

There was silence on the other side of the phone, as every werewolf in the realm knew exactly who that person was. From the second that they seem to realize that she will have bodyguards on end, it would then explain who had answered my phone.

Mother, who had easily read my mind, whispered, “And the man who had answered your phone is?”

“His name is Johnny Carter,” I answered.

Collected coughs exploded into the room, making me cover my mouth, as I did not want a laugh to escape. It was not hard to know that my brothers had cussed him out and accused him of an animal who can only get girls when they’re drunk.

Maybe Johnny got pissed and ended the phone call, or maybe he was too stressed dealing with me and Somi to even get triggered by anything that he had heard from my family.

“You better not let them know who you f*****g are and the family you’re affiliated to! From now on, you’re an orphan!” Kun’s voice rang through the other line, informing me just how deep the grave that he had dug for himself was. “I am serious, you brat!”

I nodded, chuckling softly. All the panic that was inside my mind for what seemed like hot minute vanished through thin air. “Of course, I know that. That was always implied, brother. You can calm down.”

“Good.” He sighed relief washing through his voice. “I swore that my heart falls as you told me that it was the Royal Beta. To know that I had cussed out a man like that when he is only making sure you’re both safe.”

“I’m surprised Dad did not fly here,” I whispered.

Kun chuckled on the other line. “What do you mean that he did not fly there? He’ll be there in three hours, Fate. You should drive your ass home before he storm in the palace and demanded his daughter back.”

“What?” I muttered, surprised as I look at the phone. “No! Mother is there, he couldn't have left her when—”

“He’ll be home after an hour of visiting you. Saying that he wanted to talk to the man who dares touch his intoxicated daughter and I cannot be there to calm him down.” Mom answered for me.

Oh, f**k.

I shuddered to his words, but my body was nothing but excited about having my father back into my arms. As much as I am sad that Mom was not here, I could still have my father for a couple of hours.

Quickly grabbing my items, I have shaken Somi. “Somi, who can give me a ride? My father would be visiting for a couple of hours, and I wanted to meet him.”

“Give…” she paused, her head still not functioning by the heavy drinking that she had done. “...me… five minutes,” she whispered, eyes still closed. “You can use the bathroom as I call someone.”

Knowing she will link someone and only needed an excuse to do so, I quickly nodded as I head into the bathroom. My father’s anger will only happen in seconds, so I have some time to spend with my father!

My fox was jumping on the inside, knowing that he’s here.

Yes!

I could not be more excited!

.

.

“What the f**k were you thinking?”

Okay, I expected this welcome. While I explained everything to my family back home, my father wasn’t well aware of what happened. Not only that, but my grandparents must have carried the same level of panic. I didn’t even have time to explain everything when my father looked worried.

Still in the same clothes that I had worn last night, I was caught with words. While I knew that I didn’t do anything wrong, I had mixed emotions dealing with this right now.

“Fate.”

Jutting my lips, I muttered. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

I would often forget that my father is a werewolf. A former Alpha who could hear any murmur that would escape from my mouth. Slowly taking a step back only made him growl.

Fuck.

“Daddy,” my voice was sweet and calming. “Why don’t we calm down and talk this out?”

He didn’t seem to like that. Yet he couldn’t get anything out when his own father pulled him down, giving him no other choice but to listen. Despite his reluctance, the tension covering my Dad seemed to simmer down.

“Pumpkin,” Grandpapi ushered me down, as granny held my heels. Without question, I sat down. “Then, we can talk. Nothing will be fixed with anger, Laurence.”

Dad only seemed to huff. “We’re werewolves.”

“Exactly, my child. We aren’t beasts. Act accordingly. You’re in my house.”

“That I bought,” Dad replied.

It felt like home seeing them banter at each other. Dad liked to argue, seeing that he is an Alpha. My grandfather, in contrast—is a former beta. As much as he was submissive to his Alpha, he doesn’t show the same attitude to my father. That’s why my grandfather is used to dealing with people like my father.

“I’m sorry,” I started the words before they could get to me. As much as I wanted to continue dwelling in this conversation, I would rather spend the whole time bonding with the man who had flown a few hours prior to this. My father looked at me, clearly waiting for me to continue. “But it wasn’t what you think. While I was out drinking, I want to be clear and say that I was with Somi Hawthrone,” a shine of realization dawned on my father. “Somi and I were in the right mind to talk so his bodyguard answered the phone for us.”

Grandpapi nodded, clearly taking my side. “So you stayed at the palace?”

“Yes, I apologize for failing to alert you that I would be spending the night. I wasn’t planning on it. I just liked that Somi was having fun, and got caught up with the moment.”

Dad offered a sigh, and I could see how the worries left his shoulder. I have my episodes of being a brat, but I wanted my parents to see that I am reflecting to what I have done.

“Who answered the phone?” Dad asked, making me chuckle. He seemed to sense that it was a question that needed further conversation, as he fixed his posture. “No,” he breathes as if realizing that it was someone important. “Who was it?”

“Johnny Carter.”

“You’re packing your bags right now.”

I simply jumped into his arms, automatically shutting him up. I was sure that Johnny didn’t mind the way they were protective of me. As a werewolf, he realizes the importance of family and the ways to make them safe. While I am sure that he was pissed with how he was being harassed, I was sure that Somi and I were much harder to deal with last night.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I whispered, hugging him close. “But I am glad to have a visit from you. While I do feel bad making everyone worry, I am glad to see you.”

“This is why you’re the one who always gets spoiled. You can read people so easily.”

It was a skill that I loved most. Seeing the love and happiness radiating in a room had always been a comforting feeling for me. Since I was young, I had seen the aura radiating on most families and I was worried that it would reflect on mine sooner or later. However, my parents would often find ways to solve things before getting carried by darkness.

While I am hard to deal with, I could not lie that I was raised in a healthy environment. Sure, there are lots to deal with because of how protective my family is—but that is part of their genes, as they were werewolves.

“I missed you, Dad.” I whimpered, clinging more to the man. “And I am sure you’re both dealing with this harder than me. I am sorry for everything. Trust me when I say that I’m reflecting well.”

“I know you are, little one. We all know. that”

I did my best to control my emotions, not wanting to cry like a big baby. I really did miss them. The warmth coming from my family had always been a calming thing for me. Having the scent and warmth that I was deprived of for so long made me homesick. I could smell the pack from the fabric of his clothes.

“You’ll be home after this year, I promise.”