Torn between two

Chapter 7

Daniel’s POV

After my encounter with Dunya at the beach, I was bewildered. Our mate bond should draw us closer, but somehow Dunya still managed to pull away from me. Werewolf – human mate bond isn’t rare at all, and normally the human doesn’t feel it at first, but with time; it gets stronger.

With Alpha blood running through my veins, the bond pull should be stronger. And I’m sure she felt something, our handshake alone was proof of that. She should be at least more eager to get to know me, but she seems to just shake it off.

I had to find out how all of this is even possible, I had to know why I couldn’t find her earlier and all of the sudden she just pops up and literally runs into me.

Alphas in our family usually find their mate during the first few years, after their first shift, which is when we turn 18. It´s been like that for generations, especially, if we’re to take over the pack from our fathers. In my case, she was nowhere to be found. It is rare, but no-one though much of it, because it has happened before.

After two years mateless, the elders stepped in. They suggested that I should go and explore other packs. It´s not unheard of, many wolfs do it and they called it “diplomatic” visits, even though everyone knew what it was really for.

Age 21, my father thought that I should just claim someone, introducing me to high ranked members of other packs. I went with it for a while, but I had a gut feeling this wasn’t right. The women were beautiful and nice, but none of them, stopped the yearning in my heart. None of them were right for me.

Age 23, we sought help from witches and warlocks, with no results. Not even one location spell came with the results I was hoping for. Elders tried to understand the situation by saying, maybe my mate had died, it’s not rare, but that wasn’t the case. The spells should have led to her burial site. It was as if she didn’t exist.

Same year Layla found her mate, my best friend and soon to be Beta Eric, who was just got home his few years abroad studying. I was more than happy for her, for them, but seeing her happy with her mate, made me lose hope a little. I was desperate of finding her, my mate. My father postponed my alpha ceremony, because of that fact. He didn’t want me take over right after Layla finding her mate and well me still being mateless. To be honest, in that moment I didn’t care of being an alpha. There was something missing from my heart, and I wasn’t going to stop until I found it.

Age 25, with the help of elders, I searched for oracles, seers, any supernatural creature that could help locate my mate. Everyone I managed to track down had the same answer for me: there isn’t anyone for me. With anger in my heart and mind, I was close of losing my sanity. If it wasn’t for the help of my sister and mother, I probably would have. They brought me back from my darkest thoughts. With each day I grew farther away from my father, he was disappointed in me. He wanted me to claim a mate and take over my responsibilities, but how could I when everyone around me was happy with their mate.

Age 26-29, with each passing year, I had tried everything I could think of. Searching help from witches, warlocks, gypsy’s, shamans, witch doctors, seers, oracles. Been to almost every country there is in search of information, for a smallest knowledge on my predicament. Still nothing. I even tried to plea an audience with the moon goddess herself. There were stories that the moon goddess gave audience to the most desperate of wolfs, but I couldn’t. She had forsaken me.

You might think that why is it so important for me to find a mate. Since I first got my wolf, I just knew half of my heart was missing. I knew there was someone, somewhere who was my soulmate. Every time I thought about my mate, it was like I could picture her in my mind and my heart swell with happiness. As if I had actually met her and fallen in love with her. As if I knew every inch of her and that I knew how kind she was in her heart. No-one has ever felt that way about a mate and that´s what made me want her even more.

Finally, one day I had given up. It’s been years and I have found nothing. I couldn’t do this myself anymore. Even though of my situation, the pack wanted me as their alpha. My beta Eric and gamma Mickael had already taken over their predecessors' positions, and I were to follow soon; I couldn't wallow in self-pity all my life.

***

I was headed to the pack house when I felt a burning feeling in my heart; she was with someone. My wolf whimpered in my head, almost forcing me to shift. Luckily, the feeling didn’t last long, and I could calm down. It broke my heart, that she was with someone else. If only she knew what we were to each other, what it did to me, every time she kissed someone else.

Luckily, I had arranged a meeting with Amelia, our packs trusted witch. I was going to ask her about all of this, maybe now, that I’ve found my mate, she could give some light on my situation. As I was walking towards our meeting room, I felt another sting in my chest. Before it went away, Amelia saw me and approached me worriedly.

“Danny what’s wrong?” she asked while lending me her hand and guiding me to sit down.

“I found my mate, Amelia.” I sat down and looked at her as her eyes widened in shock.

“What are you talking about? You found her? Where, when? Are you absolutely sure, you found your mate?” She said suddenly pacing the room with her arms crossed, asking me question after question, without letting me answer.

“Amelia, I’m telling you, I found her. The pain in my heart is pretty solid evidence of that” I managed to blurt out.

“Pain in your heart?” she stopped and stared at me questionably. “Did she reject you?”

“No, she didn’t. I don’t think she knows what we are. She doesn’t smell like a werewolf nor a regular human.” I said while gathering my thought. “She’s seeing someone else.” I managed to confess.

“Oh no Danny, I’m so sorry!” she said apologetically. “That doesn´t explain the pain you´re feeling though. Let me see your destiny” she said as she came closer to put her hands on my head.

Amelia is a powerful witch with the ability of destiny reading. Just by touching someone, she can see what their future holds. She has done it for me many times before, but she hasn’t seen anyone.

Her eyes went snow white, as she was seeing my destiny. “I don’t see her. It’s like something´s blocking my vision” she said shaking scrunching her brows. “I can see your memories of her, but she is a blur.” she said, and I noticed blood coming down her nostril.

“Amelia, you’re bleeding” I said worriedly.

“Your destiny is still the same, I don’t see a mate on your side. I can push through. I can feel I’m close.” she continues and holds on more tightly. “I know I can do it, just a little more.”

I notice her white eyes darkening a bit, blood coming out of both of her nostrils. I take her hands and pry her fingers open, so I can break the connection. She stumbles backwards panting looking at me confused.

“Why did you do that for?” she says looking up at me.

“Amelia, your nose is bleeding, and I can swear I saw your eyes darkening.” I help her sit down and go to the mini bar my dad has put in almost every room. I grab few napkins and hand them to her.

“Thanks.” she says and wipes the blood. “That’s never happened before. She’s hidden from the world. It’s like a concealer magic, but at least ten times stronger. Who would put such magic on her?” she said putting her hand on her chin deep in thought. “Is she a witch, or cursed, or...” she suddenly stops and looks at me with a marveling look.

“What are you thinking?” I manage to ask as she’s still silent.

“Bring her to me. I need to read her.” She says with furrowed brows.

“I can’t exactly do that...” I answer honestly.

“Of course, you can, she’s your mate” she answers looking at me like, I'm dump.

“I just met her. I can’t go, kidnap her and bring her here.” I roll my eyes at her. “Besides... she’s dating a leech”

“Well then, I have to go with you.” she says determined. “I still have few things to do around here, but I’ll be able to leave in a few days. In the meantime, you should go see your father and tell him about this.”

“No, not now. I don’t want him knowing anything before she’s in my arms.” I reply annoyed.

“Okay, fair enough” she says taking a pause. “Wait, did you say she’s seeing a leech?”

“Unfortunately, yes. None other than his royal highness.” I said rolling my eyes.

“That family is trouble. You should definitely do something about that!” she says concerned.

“You don’t think I know?” I answer her annoyed. She crosses her hands again and rolls her eyes.

“Come on, let me make something for you for that pain. I have a potion, that helps, you must be careful with it though. It helps temporarily, meaning you’d have to take it every time it starts. Here’s the tricky part; you can't take much, because it will weaken the mate pull. I originally created it for wolfs that lost their mates, to make the loss hurt less. For them, there isn’t a pull anymore, but for you it’s a different story.” she says and leads me to her potions room. “Let’s just hope your mate isn’t horny all the time”

***

I look at the vile filled with blue liquid, that she gave me. “One drop, per heart ache. You’re an alpha, you can manage through most of the pain. Remember, it’s not forever, she will feel the pull strengthen and will become yours” she said and left me alone with my thoughts.

I laid in my bed daydreaming of Dunya, when this sudden burn in my heart came back. It felt like someone was stabbing my heart repeatedly. My wolf raging in my mind, a pounding ache in my skull and my body was aching all over. I couldn’t control the pain, but I didn’t want to take the potion, I couldn’t risk the bond weakening. This was worse than a regular kiss, they were doing something else. After few minutes, it stopped. I was relieved at the thought that they didn’t have s*x.

After a while of gathering myself, I went downstairs to the kitchen. Mrs. Adams, Omega and head of kitchen, was already preparing lunch. She looked happy when she saw me. She was a such a sweet lady, like another mother to me, well to all of us.

“Daniel dear! Welcome back, I didn’t know you’d be home so soon.” she said as she tightly hugged me.

“Thanks, I had to see Amelia.” I said as I hugged her back. I could smell her famous apple pie in the oven and my mouth started watering at the thought of devouring it.

“It’s almost done” she said with a smile noticing my stare. “Sit down, I’ll fix you something to eat”

I did as I was told and sat down on by the kitchen island. She made me turkey sandwiches, with freshly squeezed orange juice. After I was done, she cut me a slice of the apple pie, with some ice cream. I devoured it in seconds. We were chatting, when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“What are you doing back here? You’re supposed to be in Greece.” I turned to see my father with and unamused look on his face.

“I had to see Amelia, for something. I’ll be heading back soon.” I replied turning back to Mrs. Adams.

“Couldn’t you have just called? What is so urgent, you had to come all the way here?” he asked clearly annoyed with me.

“It’s nothing. Like I said, I’m heading back.” I continued eating the second slice of the pie, that Mrs. Adams was kind enough to bring me.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” he said raising his voice. I turn around to him rolling my eyes.

“Yes, father.” I say mocking him.

“What happened to all the meetings you were supposed to have today?” he asks furiously.

“I rescheduled some and I’m having a skype call with the investors this afternoon.”

“This is your future company; you should take it seriously. There’s plenty of women in Greek, you can sleep around with, no need to come here for a booty call” he says madly.

“I didn’t come here for that, like I said, I had to do something. I’m not sleeping with Amelia” I stand up, completely annoyed with him.

“Oh please, I can smell her all over you.” He says with a smirk. I roll my fists, ready to punch his smug face, when I hear my mother coming around the corner.

“Daniel honey, I didn’t know you would be here. Why didn’t you say anything?” She comes and hugs me, as if she knew my intentions. “Come, tell me all about your trip.” She leads me away from my father.