Bounded

04

Chapter Four

The perks of being friends with royalty

Third Person’s Point of View

“What is going on?”

Somi whipped her head back to see people gathered in a distance, waiting for some posters to be filled in the announcement board. A small frown etched on her face as she looked at her phone, checking the date that was before them.

Alas, she was right.

It was that time of the day.

“Is everything okay?” Fate questioned as she looked at Somi, looking like she has trouble about something that she could not configure. Her face seems to fall flat, but a part of her seemed to want to do anything that was opposed to what she was feeling. “Somi, what’s going on?”

A sigh escaped from her. “It’s a yearly party, there are all waiting for the details about it. The school has them every year to welcome new students to the campus, make some friends, and the new year ahead of us.”

It seemed like a homecoming in their pack. They were always dressed in something nice during those days and she would always have to act prim and proper. While her mother is just the perfect woman to embody the form of a fox, she clearly took the vixen part of their ancestor.

“Then, why do you seem like the world is dropping you?” Fate questioned.

“I always missed it,” Somi whispered as he plays with her food, clearly losing the appetite to the years she had to sit and listen to all their stories about the party. She never realized that their term of the party was different from what they have in the palace. All they have is nothing but fun, while all she had was proper and classy.

Fate frowned. “Because you’re not allowed?”

It seemed weird that someone in her position will not be allowed to attend a gather. What should be normal was that her family would be the first person in that kind of gather. She remembered that back in her day, even if she does not want to come - she was required to.

Why wasn't Somi having the same thing?

“No, it is not like that. I had rejected all the offer of the parties in my school year.”

"Why would you do something like that?" Fate questioned.

She sighed. “I do not have someone to come with.”

Nothing but a frown etched on Fate’s face, confused to the words that were escaping to this woman. While she does remember that this woman rarely had friends before, it was weird that she was stripped out of this experience because she wanted to spend it with someone else. Very carefully did she pointed to herself. “Then, what am I?”

She had quickly whipped her head to Fate, suddenly remembering that she finally has a friend to spend the day with. The frown that settled in her mouth was long gone as she grinned, face beaming with nothing but happiness.

“That’s right!” Somi cheered, clutching close to her. “I have you now, I can spend the day with you! This is the best year ever! I can finally experience that party!”

“We should check the details.” Fate muttered as she noticed that there are already people surrounding the board. She was not sure how they could get past those people, as they were really dedicated to having to read that thing. “I am sure that in like ten seconds, ambulance can come into this school just because they wanted to read the announcement so bad.”

A man in a black suit had walked to their direction, making Fate frown as he had handed a copy to them. Judging by the small glimmer in Somi’s eyes, she was sure that the woman had linked someone for a copy. There is always a perk in being the friend of the royalty.

“Thank you, Joseph.” Somi smiled, grabbing the paper to look into the details. Joseph had only bowed as he had excused himself, making her note that they have a fake earpiece to act like something that will explain whenever they were called. “It’s tomorrow? That seemed rush.”

Fate frowned as she looked at the paper. A small chuckle escaped from her, not aware that they would give a party that seemed to be located in a bar. No dress code was written either, so this is very different to the one that she was used to at home. She could never have believed that the first party that she will have in this place was orchestrated by her school.

“They let the students gather a party in a bar?” Fate questioned, doubting her own words.

Somi only nodded, excitement sparkled in her eyes. “Yes! I heard they are very fu,n and many students say that it feels good to have liquor in your system. Says that it makes the dances go wild.”

Fate only covered her mouth to hide her laugh. This woman is really sheltered by their family to know that those words are from nasty boys who wanted to see something that will incite their lust. Alcohol is nothing but uncomfortable on your first try, especially if it would come from a woman who was used to class.

“I am sure that they are fun, but I do not think that it’s the alcohol fuels the fun.” Fate smiled, already not wanting her to drink something that will have them both intoxicated. “We can always try dancing, but we do not need something to fuel our dance.”

She frowned, tilting her head to the side. “I do want to try drinking one.”

“Just one?” Fate questioned, raising his brow.

Somi only laughed as she pushed her away, already having her aware that this woman is clearly not just going to take a single sip from that alcohol. One thing about alcohol is when you enjoy it for the first time, it is very hard to stop when you have unlimited access to it.

She can already know that something is bound to go wrong at this party.

“I am so excited!” Somi cheered, her hand shaking with nothing but nerves.

But Somi seemed very excited for her to put a stop on it.

She guesses that she should just humor this and help with everything that she could have. Then again, she still was not sure if this woman would be allowed by her family. A part of Fate that felt like a part of the royal family will not allow the only woman in the family to be associated with a scandal about her being a drunkard.

But has anyone ever said no to this woman?

.

.

Somi woke up with a bright smile.

Today was the day where they will be having the yearly party and she had never been in one. From the stories that she had heard from Ten, they were all very fun if you have someone to share the experience with. Every single thing that he had told the woman was transferred to Fate. For someone who had loved having a party, she was very excited.

Somi was ecstatic about finally being able to be in a place where she could have someone there that could vouch for her. Her friendship with Fate is something she does treasure, seeing that she does not have many friends to share her worries and troubles with. Fate was extremely quiet at first but she was beginning to open up to her and slowly, she was having a healthy relationship with a friend.

“And your brother knew about this, right?” Fate asked on the other side of the phone. Somi stilled, surprised with her question. A loud laugh came from her friend as she freaks on the inside. “I am not helping you escape from an influential man, Somi! I love to live life!”

Somi then frowned, not having to realize that she had told her brother that she does not feel the need to be in this kind of party... and she remembered emphasizing the word ‘never’. Oh dear, she could definitely get teased on by him. “No, I can tell him to grant me access to the party.”

“And how are you going to achieve that?” Fate questioned, knowing that she had done the same thing to her brothers all the time. She loves her brothers dearly and hearing Somi talk about her brother made her still.

Kun might be busy these days as the others would do almost everything that is possible to annoy him further. Her father, Laurence, will join in the stress until her mother finally walks in and cleans all the mess they have made. She will then enforce to have Kun relax for a second.

Fate’s older brother is loved by her mother, not the most or enough that she does not give any care to her other brothers, but her mother does put a lot of attention to him. She would give him energy by transferring hers whenever he would be too tired on the job and when Kun had realized this, he had never appeared weak in front of her.

Even when her brother is already old enough to have a family, she had never stopped. For her mother was aware that an Alpha has the toughest job in the pack.

She missed everyone.

“I’ll talk to him,” Somi muttered after a while.

Fate, being awaken into reality, only nodded her head to what her friend had said. Slowly losing the happiness that was once in her. “Okay, good luck with the most dangerous task at your hand. Please tell me as soon as he rejected your proposal.”

“Ok — hey! That is not nice to say when someone is really worried to what can happen.”

"I thought you're sure that he will agree?"

"Even still! Not nice!"

Somi only pouted as her friend laugh on the other end of the phone before cutting the call. She did not know how everything will turn out but with such hopeful confidence about the love that her older brother has on her, she only dashed down and into his office.

Her feet stilled as the door has some warrior pilling up. It would mean that some meeting was going through the door and she was just not sure if she was willing to disrupt him. Her brother might be the sweetest part of the family but he’s a very scary King. He strives perfection and would always want things to be in a way that would make sure that he would have less of a loss in terms of every detail.

“Somi?”

She looked back to see her younger brother rubbing his eyes. “Matthew, is everything okay? Why are you holding your teddy bear?”

“Clayton told me that he will help me sleep since I woke up earlier than I wanted to have.” He yawned, walking close to the door but she had easily grabbed the man into her arms. There was some relief in the warrior’s eyes, letting him aware that her brother is in a solemn meeting. “I need to talk to Clayton.”

Somi only smiled. “He’s talking to someone, how about I read you some stories to help you sleep?”

“I am not five, sister.” Matthew frowned.

“No, you’re seven.” Somi smiled as they walked back into his room.

Despite him claiming that he needed Clayton in his arms, Matthew seemed to be already snoring in her hold. It would seem like the youngsters are nothing but worried about her brother too. She would only guess that it was one of those people who had always visited him to force him to pick his own mate.

Somi hated that they were forcing her brother to pick for a bride. All of those people wanted to have something in return, and that is a favor to the bride that he will choose. Of course, her brother was not stupid to see right through this.

“Somi,” Matthew whispered as she had put him to bed. “Please tell Clayton that I will never like the woman he will marry if it’s forced.”

She smiled, nodding her head. “Do not worry, I will not like her too.”

“We all wouldn’t. I will tell father to scare her.” Matthew mumbled as his eyes close.

Somi holds her mouth, wanting to laugh by the way that her brother would fix everything. Their father really does seem intimidating to others despite him being nothing but a sweet man to them. He has his own set of rage and such fire in his body, but he had always been nothing but soft to them.

“I am sure that Clayton is fine with all of us behind his back. The second that he is in deep problems, we always have ways to save him,” Somi whispered to the little man before kissing his forehead.

Since her parents were mates, they have no problem having more than one child. Unlike the usual ancestors, they will only create to have an heir and nothing more. Their mother wanted to have three children, but their love and her adoration with kids let them produce five children.

Carefully escaping his room, she smiled as soon as three guards were already outside his door. It was automatic in this house, as one could never be sure to be aloof even in the palace. She took some time to walk into the office, frowning as the same warriors were still outside.

Her feet grew cold as she saw Johnny walking out of the room. His hair was slick into perfection, but the face of nothing but strict and fierce would have everyone cowering behind him. A lot of people say that he does balance the softness about her brother, but she doubts that anyone could see the kindness that her brother naturally projects.

His eyes darted into her, having her to back away but the way he looked at her. Unfazed, he had only bowed to her before dragging a man who seemed dejected out of the room. She does not know why her body grew to immobilize when seeing him. There was something about Johnny that was making her quiver into nothing but a scaredy-cat.

She wonders why.

Disregarding her thoughts, she had walked into the office with nothing but her hopes that her brother will allow her to go to this party, for she really wanted to have at least one memory of this happening to her since they all got some yearly party experience.

Especially Johnny.

He attended all of them.

She quickly bites her lips to that thought, wondering why she seemed very angry that the man was dancing and drinking with girls his age. It was only natural for him, why is she acting like a jealous pup? Hmph.

“Clay! Clay! Clay!”

Clayton frowned with the nickname’s use as he looked at the running figure of his little sister. She was sprinting before him with such a beautiful smile printed into her face. Never had he seen her this excited into going to a school, she was mostly horrible into waking up in the morning since there are hardly people in the there that would talk to her.

He smiled, patting her head. “Good morning, Somi. What made you run around my office this early in the morning?”

“Can I please attend the yearly party today?” She asked, her hands folded together in a pleading form her eyes that were sparkled in nothing but happiness now look at her brother with nothing but a plead. “Please, please! I really want to go!”

He frowned, confused with her words. There was nothing in his memories that entails that she would like to go through that experience. She had always hated it when they would tell experiences about the yearly party and she still claims that she will never be that person who enjoys those parties.

Clayton crossed his hands as he looked at her. “Didn’t you tell me that they were stupid?”

“I did and that was very selfish of me! Please forgive me!” She replied with nothing but a smile printed into her lips. “But I finally found a friend that I could come with and my friend is really cool! I want to hang out with her outside the school halls!”

Clayton quickly frowned at that. He had seen the verses of friends that Somi has and they were all nothing but trouble. Some of them were werewolves who wanted to visit the home to see me, the humans would just see her as someone rich that they could use. He does not even want to get started to vampires and witches. If his father did not stop him, there would have been a brewing war on the three kinds. Not only was his little sister easy to fool, but also someone could easily take advantage of her during those yearly parties that would be held by the school.

He was not sure about this.

“I don’t know.” He said, frowning.

Somi frowned. “Please, Clay! I never really begged anything from you, and I am sure that you had agreed, Dad won’t have a say in it!”

“Dad is not even aware of this?”

Oh no.

She felt like her chances were getting nothing but bleak with her stupidity. There was just a part of her that was sure that her father will never allow her into this kind of party. He was nothing but relieved when she was telling everyone that she will never join these parties.

“Somi,” he started, already sighing as the little child was already morphing into a small frown. She was already giving him something that he could hardly say no to. To how little sister could do this is something he didn’t know. Somi had perfected the art of asking them for something. “You know how easily you get trampled into something that could not be good. How many days have you been connected with this woman?”

“Who said that it’s a woman —”

“Then it's a f*****g hard no. Why would you even ask me of something that will not be saved by your sad eyes?” He said firmly, eyes giving him nothing but rejection of her offer.

A small laugh escaped from Somi, shaking her head as she chuckled to how protective the man was to her. Clayton really does feel possessive over him, scared into having her date someone whom she was connected with. He had never let her not experience having some fleeting feeling for some guy, but she had never felt that way to others. Her reaction to other male makes them nothing but relieved. It does make sense since she was only seventeen.

“I’m just kidding, Alpha King.” Somi giggled, walking to where her brother was as she hugged him. “My friend is a girl and I have only known her for a week, but she’s really cool! She’s not using me at all! If ever, she was helping you to let me eat the food you order in our school. Thanks to her, I am eating the right food.”

Clayton smiled, looking back at her. He was amused that someone had really pulled such a thing to his little sister. She was always really frail, and he wanted her to eat something that could help her grow. “Really?”

“I was beginning to suspect that you planted her.” Somi squinted her eyes at him.

“I hope that I have thought of that before.” He teased her.

He was still not sure if he should let a woman to handle her sister. While nobody will dare put their finger on her, not a whole bunch of students in the school were aware of her status of who she was. He still needed to make sure.

After all, most of those fuckers will be drunk and could use that excuse to do something to her. What could he do to fix his dilemma without breaking his sister’s heart? As his eyes drifted into the folder in his desk, he quickly caught one that will work.

“You can go.” He said, smiling at her.

“Yes! This is why you're the best and my favorite older brother!!” Somi cheered.

Clayton frowned. “I am your only older brother.”

“Oh.” She grinned. Her feet were excited, already scurrying into her room when he had grabbed her back, raising a brow in her direction. It seemed like nothing but nerves were coating her body. “What? I needed to prepare for the party, there are no classes for today.”

“I just have one condition.” He said.

Somi nodded, innocent as ever. “Whatever you want, brother. I know you are the best of the bunch.”

“But you’re bringing Johnny on the ride.” He added, cutting her happiness altogether.

A small frown escaped her lips, knowing that Johnny is a tough man and would really ruin her fun. He is a strict man who will make everyone stay away from them, and her brother knew that. Then again, it seemed like she has no other choice.

Clayton would not allow her either way.

“Fine, I’ll have Johnny guarding me.” Somi sighed, holding her frown.

He nodded, letting her off the hook as the frown soon settled. A small frown was escaping from him as he was nothing but confused. When Somi had come close to him, he could smell her scent dominating around him.

But there was something faint from her.

Maybe it was a perfume?

It smelt good though, something enchanting.