Breaking the Bond

Sneaky Ninja

He hovered over her. His hands either side of her body caging her in. She dared not move. His face lowered closer to hers and stopped just a whisper away from touching.

“You smell divine. Let me taste you sunshine”. Her eyes were wide. Her treacherous body arched up slightly needing the contact. She couldn’t control it and a small part of her hated herself. She wanted to taste him too. Her logic telling her this was her new captor; she was in another cell created by a different monster. Her little voice inside her head screaming for her to knee him in the balls and run for help. Yet she arched further into him. Stupid body.

His lips slammed down on hers hard and dominate in possessive way. Eager and wanting. Powerful and strong. Her face flushed and pulses of delightful sparks traveled all the way through each and every nerve ending in her body, igniting the fireworks that exploded between her legs. She could feel the wetness coat her slit and leak to her panties. A growl rumbled from the back of Ryan's throat. His tongue darting out, licking her lips demanding entry. Lexi too stunned to know what to do, clamped her mouth shut. His hand traced her hip as she felt him grind his hard body against her softness making her gasp causing her to open her mouth in pleasure. His tongue wasting no time invaded her mouth. Exploring every part of her, her tongue bowing down to his dominance. Lexi relaxed as her hands moved up his back and into his thick hair, tugging it slightly making Ryan groan in appreciation. A moan formed at the back of her throat moving to her lips, finally he captured it in his mouth.

Ryan's body stilled. His movements stopped. He shot off the bed. Lexi lay there in a panting mess. Her shiny brown hair strewn across the pillow. The sheet gathered around her knees and her clothing twisted, exposing parts of her hips and legs. She looked at Ryan, his face contorted and full of anger. Was it due to the moan? She thought it must have been that, it was the second time he reacted like this, maybe it wasn’t natural. She had read about the noises people made in her romance book but never made them before. She felt embarrassed, on the verge of tears. She never asked him to make her feel like this, an emotional mess. She should have stopped it. Why didn’t she push him off? Was that her or the bond? No. She reassured herself it was the bond, it was the only logical explanation.

 A vibrating noise came from his pant pocket.

Ryan smoothed down the creases in his clothes, striding out of the room, pulling his phone to his ear. Why did she feel empty now that he was gone? Why did it feel like he was rejecting her? It hurt and increased her anguish. The new feeling of self-hatred grew. When it was clear that Ryan was not coming back, she let the tears fall.

“Lexi? Come on. I have made us pancakes”. Tom knocked lightly on her door. Some time had passed since Ryan had left. All she could think about was that kiss as she hugged her pillow, trying to make sense of her confused feelings. Her friend would have giving her a scolding if he found out that she had fallen for her new captor. 

“Please little star. Come on. Ryan will be angry with me when he gets back if he finds out you haven’t eaten. I made the pancakes look happy”. Tom whined at the door. It wasn’t locked and she appreciated Tom giving her the privacy she needed by not entering.  It would seem that Ryan had left the apartment without a care. Lexi tried to make sense of it all. His actions compared to his words of how mates treasured one another yet he made her fell so unwanted. May be the bond wasn’t as strong between a werewolf and human. She came to the conclusion that Ryan was probably able to suppress his feeling like he did his aura. Her throat was dry so the words came out hoarse. “I'll be there in a minute. Just need to wash my face”.

“Okey dokey little star. I'll wait for you”. She heard Tom retreating back to the kitchen pulling herself together she found her favourite hoody, washed her face and headed to breakfast.

She stood at the island bar as Tom moved around the kitchen trying to rap out some music with the radio on blasting. His arms flung in and out, as he emphasised the words with each jab of his fist. His hips slightly moving in an awkward dance. Lexi found the sight hilarious and she burst out laughing.

“Oh. Fuxk. Lexi. Ha! Sneaky ninja”. Tom laughed as he handed her a plate of pancakes stacked high. Two strawberries and a line of squirty cream made it look like they were smiling at her. It made her shoulders relax. “I know you loved my rapping. Say it and I'll pass you the syrup”. She shook her head.

“That noise you call rapping happens to be the worst thing I ever heard, I loved the dance moves though, snake hips”. She teased.

He feigned hurt and they settled into their breakfast. They chatted about the apartment, Lexi asking about the City, steering away from any specific facts about their lives. As if this situation was the most normal thing in the world and she wasn’t being held like she was under house arrest.

Tom stayed with her the rest of the day as they watched films, which she grew to love. She became comfortable around him, Tom was charming and funny. He entertained her, telling her stories about the pack even down to his latest night out on the town. He laughed wildly telling Lexi about one of his warrior friends attempting to flirt in their clubs, ending up on receiving end of an angry she wolf when he tried the chat up line 'sexy legs, what time do they open?' She had laughed with Tom, her heart warmed at the possibility of a friend in her peculiar circumstance. She welcomed the feeling, like hope in her despair. A small beam of light in the darkness.

“Tom?” They were lying on the big couches playing cards and watching some soap opera she couldn’t follow.

“Yes little star?”

“Will Ryan let me go to the meeting I have in Baal City?”

“I doubt it little star.” She looked back at the TV. Her face saddened.

“What's with the meeting little star? Why is it so important?” She looked back at Tom who turned down the TV volume and placed down his cards on the coffee table. There was no point trying to avoid the conversation.

“Coming to Baal was supposed to be my fresh start but there were things that were holding me back, lose ends that needed tying up”.

“Do you mean people?” Tom studied her face for any confirmation. Lexi smirked.

“I just want a....normal quiet life, you know”. She wanted to go out when she felt like it, be in control.  “A small apartment of my own. Start new hobbies”. Not have people stare at her, pity her. The constant feeling that her monster will return and take her. She wanted to feel normal, again. “Knit woolly jumpers, do puzzles and cross words. May be work at a library so I can read the books”. Close the door after her shift, locking out the world, snuggling in the confines of her safe place.

“You want to be alone?” Tom asked.

She frowned. “I guess I do. Guess my dreams a little anti-social. I wasn’t always like that though. When I was young, mother told me that one day I could be anything I wanted to be. All I ever wanted to do was care for people. Children being my favourite. So full of life. When I was 6 I told my mum I wanted to open a place full of toys and activities for kids, a safe place for them to have fun and have sleepovers. Even open up a sort of orphanage but never call it that, hate that word”. She laughed. What kid wouldn’t dream of living in a safe fun house? “I wanted to be surrounded by joy and excitement. A house full of children. Suppose that came from the fact that I’m an only child that craved company. Then my mother died and.....” she lowered her head. She didn’t want to go down the dark path of her past. “Now I just want peace and quiet. The meeting was set up so that my co-worker would hand over papers and I would deal with the money. I actually have no idea what the business is or what the money is supposed to be for, I’m there just to collect the money only. Heck I don’t even know the names of the business Partners, I’m not supposed to speak. It’s funny, you know, I can see everyone’s face so vividly, describe my town right down to the rose bushes around the border sign but no matter how had I try, I cannot see the letters on that sign. I cannot recall the name of soft pale face who is smiling at as if I’m their favourite person in the world. All the memories, all the people that stroll around in there”, she tapped her head, “for the life of me, no idea who they are, I just now feel if they were good or bad, nice or horrible, how they made me feel, who they were to me; friend, foe, mother, father, aunt, uncle”. She frowned. “I can’t even remember how I managed to get to the cabin. What I know for certain is I have to be at the New Theatre on a particular date at that time. It was my friend’s last gift to me. Enough money to start a new life he said. Told me to never look back. That he will deal with the rest of the details, I trust him so never asked questions and set my sights on Baal City”. She let out a heavy sigh. “I'm worried if I don’t show my friend will think something is wrong and come for me. I don’t want him to get hurt”. Her co-worker will raise the alarm earlier than she wanted. She needed time to vanish just in case word made it back to her monster that she was no longer in the town and come searching here for her.

“Why would you need to forget everyone and where you came from? Why are you running? What happened to you Lexi?” She knew that he would have questions but she wanted to keep her demons at bay.

“Life”. She shrugged. That's all she was prepared to give him. Both lost in their own thought when the floor creaked behind her.

Ryan. 

Both her and Tom turned to find him standing there looking over them. His looming figure surrounded by a black haze. His eyes flickered from black to green. A box in his hand, Lexi noted he looked dangerously delicious in tight black jeans and a black v neck t shirt. The kiss played on repeat in her head and she flushed with embarrassment. 

He inhaled loudly. “I picked up pizza for tea”. He moved to the kitchen taking his desk cloud with him. Lexi shivered.

“About time. I'm starving marvin”. Tom practically ran to the kitchen dropping the sad subject of Lexi’s past, ignoring the broody wolf that was lost in Lexi’s predicament, focusing on his empty belly like a child distracted by a shiny new toy. “Mmmm....so good. Not as good as mine of course. You need to let me get some food in this place Ryan. This kitchen is calling to me. That cooker needs to be used”. Lexi and Ryan at quietly as Tom dramatically described how he would cook all sorts of different dishes using all the kitchen gadgets. It went over Lexis head, she never cooked. She was glad for his constant blabbering between bites of pizza, the wolf could talk.

“Ryan”. His name came out as squeak. “Please may I attend my meeting ”.

“No. Lexi”. He shook his head. “I can’t let you go”.

“Please Ryan. I promise I'll come back”. She hoped that they could at least build some trust between them now she knew what mates were. She tried to give him a small smile as reassurance that she was telling the truth but her face muscles failed her.

“Lexi. Stop asking. You are not leaving this apartment until I can move you to the pack house. It's for your own good”.

“But Ryan...you don't understand I need to go there....”she tried to explain that her absence would raise suspicion. He held up his hand to halt her speech.

“I heard everything you said. Let your vamp friend come. I'll tear him apart if he tries to take you”. The last sentence came out in a demonic deep voice. His wolf at the surface. Lexi should have shrunk away but no one dares to threaten harm on her friend not after everything he done for her, he saved her. She literally owes him her life. She slammed her hand down on the table.

“You lay a measly claw on him I will stab you in your sleep. You can do whatever you want with me but don’t you dare threaten him or touch a hair on his head”. She never mustered up the courage to fight for herself but she managed to summon something to fight for her friend, it felt liberating. They glared at each other. An epic stare off started and Lexi refused to submit. He was an Alpha but he wasn’t her Alpha. The wolves were taken back by her raised voice.

“Ryan. May be I could take her...” Tom broke the silence.

“It's on another territory you stupid boy”. Growling at his suggestion.

“Careful Ryan, don’t insult me”. Tom growled back. Ryan's head turned to him. His aura must have swept over Tom. The young werewolf may have Alpha blood but Ryan was a true Alpha through and through. Tom submitted lowering his gaze. 

“There’s no need to go all Alpha on me brother”.

Ryan sighed. “Sorry but you are not helping me keep her safe”. Lexi frowned, keep her safe? The only one she needed saving from was sitting at the table with a angry aura turning the pizza into acid.

“f**k you. I don’t have to be here every hour of the day to babysit your mate. You ungrateful git. I've been here since you came stumbling back on your territory, without a break may I add, even the guards at the cells get a break, I’m helping you out”.

Lexi was so naive that she thought Tom had stayed behind to keep her company, because he was kind, that a friendship had blossomed. It was clear he was here at the Alphas request, Tom was her prison guard. A lump formed in her throat. Friends were so scarce to her. She felt like an i***t. Even though his brother was her captor she saw Tom in a different light. He was young and fresh. He joked with her made her feel welcome. A tear fell down her face and she wiped it away quickly so the bickering werewolves wouldn't notice. She let her guard down; she had acted so silly joking around with him, telling him her secrets. She must be the butt of their jokes, the simple human so desperate to be liked she tried making friends with her kidnappers.  

“Excuse me”. Lexi stood pushed her chair away from the table.

“Where are you going?” Ryan straightened up. She kept her eyes lowered. Before heading to the room she slept in she looked at Tom, both wolves noticed the hurt flash across her face.

“I’ve lost my appetite. There’s no need for Tom to stay here tomorrow. If you don’t trust me just lock the door, I’m sure I’m too weak to break it; we are too far up for me to jump, not that I would do either. I won’t try to run; I know I won’t get far”. She felt defeated. She had fought before and it got her nowhere. What was the point of fighting now, they were werewolves, and they’d always win. Heck she didn’t win last time, she was rescued. This time she prayed her friend wouldn’t come, she didn’t want him to get hurt. It had taken her years to piece together parts of her broken soul after the suffering she had endured. All her efforts done for nothing, she was back to square one. Trapped, trying to break new chains that held her in place.

“Little star. I didn’t mean….”

“You don’t have to pretend any more Tom. I get it, you’re my guard and I’m your prisoner”. Her words hurt both the werewolves more than they would admit. She would learn to cope with anything they threw at her, she hoped, but not the pretense. Not the feigned acts of kindness. Kindness had been denied to her for so long she couldn’t tell what was real or fake. “You can stop with the pet names, this is the nicest cell I‘ve ever seen, with a bed comfy to sleep on and warm food, I promise won’t try to run”. She submitted. What else was there to do? She couldn’t outrun them, unless she managed to get to another territory she was stuck, partly afraid of the consequences if she did run.

“Little star, look I’m….” She heard Tom try to speak but she was already in her room before he finished. She withdrew further into herself; the self-hatred grew like unwanted weeds, their roots stretching deep into her heart. Why was she so pathetic? Who gets held against their will more than once in their life? Who promises not to run from their captors? Was she cursed? Why did her heart flutter when she heard heavy steps approaching her door? She knew it was Ryan who stood on the other side. Then she heard him leave. She was alone. Wasn’t this is what she had wanted when she came to Baal City, minus the fact that she was being held prisoner, why did she feel so dejected?

Hours passed and her jailers never entered her room. She watched the daylight fade and the moon shine through her window onto her bed. Sleep was broken and never fully consumed her. A fresh day came, a tray full of food left on her side table, unsure when someone had entered her room. She took a chair by the window to watch the city come to life, hours went by in a blink of an eye. The scheduled meeting organised by her friend came and went, she stayed in her seat. Someone entered her room and tried to speak to her, taking her empty tray and leaving fresh food. Time would not wait for her to move, to try to break free. It ticked on. The only constant that she had in her life was that time passed, day turned to night. The sun rose and set. Every day she would get up, shower and take her seat at the window. Her appetite became smaller. Her self-hatred spread. Her nights became calmer as her nightmares faded. She had yet to realise this was due to Ryan who would hear her whimper at night and sit by her bedside, letting their bond comfort her and ease her sleeping.

Tom had tried to approach the girl, to gain her trust once more. He wanted to make her laugh, he missed her even though they had only spent a short time together but she refused to let him in, she distanced herself from him, hardly spoke and never smiled. He could not scale her wall she built to protect herself, her feelings. He didn’t realise how much his short outburst would affect his little star. He needed to explain, those things were said out of anger. He would not give up. Instead he sat in her room and watched over her as she stared out into the City. Ryan grew angrier, impatient, feeling his mates despair and sadness through the bond that only grew stronger due to their proximity. He spent his days investigating the events surrounding his k********g and his nights researching the mating bond with a human, neither fruitful. He had given into his wolf and would sneak into his fated mates room to fall asleep in a chair next to her bed, even after he knew she no longer had nightmares. He was exhausted with all his Alpha duties, she soothed him. 

“She hasn’t spoken for days Ryan, where are you with the research, what are we going to do?”

“I know. I’m trying ok. It’s not my fault she’s being so stubborn” Ryan was agitated enough he didn’t need his baby brother scolding him. “I want answers too.”

“What has Owen found?” Tom was chopping up an apple for the little star.

“Nothing, he thinks we should bring her to the pack, it may be months until we find an answer”. Tom noticed Ryan’s dishevelled look and pitied his older brother, he'd never seen him in such a state.

“May be we should tell her Ryan, you know, maybe she will understand why we are keeping her locked away like this”. Ryan huffed; he knew this human would be problematic.

“She already knows it is because she is my fated mate and that I’m keeping her safe”. Ryan slammed down the bottle.

“Does she? She needs to know the whole truth, Ryan. A fated mate is rare but a human fated mate, there’s only ever been one in our whole pack history. Even our allied packs have never had or even heard of a human mate”. Ryan growled in disbelief.

“I told you to keep it quiet, at least until I deal with the rogue hunters and find out who handed them my movements, Tom”.

“Chill out Ryan, I just been making general enquiries of my own, nothing that would raise suspicion that you have found you fated mate and that shes a human. Speaking of which, when are you going to tell you know who and the rest of the pack about little star”. Ryan tensed, he didn’t want to tell anyone, not until he knew his fated mate would be safe in his own pack or he knew more about the bond. Right now he only trusted Tom and Owen, his blood brothers, with the information.

“Fine. I will support you brother, but you need to do something about little star, she’s fading away and I don’t want you to regret this in the future”.

“Little Star?” Both Tom and Ryan turned when they heard light steps heading towards the kitchen.

“I need some fresh air”. She hardly made eye contact, in truth she couldn’t look at Ryan, he made her almost frozen heart thaw and she wanted to hate him. It had taken her two days to build up the courage to ask for something so simple. She had even practiced in the shower. Even murderers get an hour out in the yard. She had started to feel more alive, the peaceful sleep at helped. The more time she spent thinking the more she found her position to be an unreasonable one, she should be allowed her basic rights, she channelled her anger towards herself into some useful energy, determination. Compromise, that’s what she needed to do. She had assessed her situation. She was in the City, that’s what she wanted. She had found the solace she yearned. She didn’t feel afraid. She was living in a comfortable apartment, though she didn’t know how long that would last, she should enjoy it, may be show her appreciation to her captors for giving her a stylish cell. If she ignored the fact that she was a fated mate to an Alpha werewolf who was so possessive he wouldn’t let her leave the building, she had exactly what needed to start her fresh new life. Now she needed to work on making her life better, burying the feelings for her captor. She wanted to know more about this bond that so cruelly linked them together but she would need access to a library or the internet. Another plus was that her monster that haunted her dreams would never think to look for her at the Jade Moon pack. Suddenly her situation looked better.

“No Lexi”.  She was prepared for this response, she would have to wear him down.

“Look Ryan, I am a human, I cannot out run you or fight you. I need fresh air, I need to feel the wind. Its driving me crazy being in here, its hor….”

“Fine, I’ll take you out”. She looked at him in astonishment. That was easier than she had thought; her life may just get better.

“Really?” She almost squealed in excitement, smiling, for the first time in days. Tom felt elated, Ryan froze in pure amazement. She looked like sunshine after a rainy day.

Ryan made preparations for their departure, Lexi hoped for they would go to a park, maybe pick up fresh coffee, then the library. In her wildest dreams she wished he take her to a museum. When Lexi stood in the lift, he pressed for a higher floor. She deflated slightly until they reached the roof. The door opened and Lexi gasped, in front of her a grass lawn covered the roof top; bushes, shrugs and pot plants scattered throughout, at the far end a wooden gazebo. Lanterns draped down from the structure. Wind chimes hung on one corner and an egg shaped chair hung in the other corner, blankets and pillows scattered on the seat and benches underneath. In the middle of the gazebo; a fire pit. It looked so beautifully out of place on the concrete building. She gasped at its charm. It wasn't what she expected but she was willing to compromise especially looking at the space. She loved it already.

“Will this do?” Ryan stood behind her.

“Yes, thank you, it’s so pretty up here” She beamed at him.

“if you want anything or like to change anything let me know”. He kept his eyes on the girl who was exploring her surroundings in awe.

“May I have a book or two to read up here?” She wanted to curl up next to the fire pit and travel to a fictional world.

“Yes of course, I will have some books dropped off at the apartment”. The lift door buzzed and the doors opened.

“Wow Ryan you out done yourself, brother”. Tom was holding a wicker basket.

“What?” Lexi looked between the wolves.

“Well, I just told them what I wanted, I’m not gifted with green fingers”. Ryan and Tom laughed.

“Wait you did all this for me?” Ryan grinned and nodded. The gesture made her heart swell.

“Here, why don’t you two have lunch up here”. Tom handed Ryan the basket.

They both moved toward the gazebo and unpacked the basket full of sandwiches, fruit and pastries. They sat in blissful silence, just enjoying the moment. Lexi thought of how successful her day turned out to be and Ryan felt content for the first time in weeks. When they finally spoke, they shared their love for detective and thriller books. Ryan talked about his love for vintage cars, in his own collection a 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra and a 170 Chevrolet. Lexi had never heard of either but she listened intently enjoying how passionately he spoke of his hobby.

“Have you made any progress finding out who kidnapped you and the what about the drug”. She sipped on her lemonade.

“Bola-Monkshood, is a hybrid drug, we are not hundred percent sure what they are trying to do with it, at first I thought it was to kill the inner wolf but my brother thinks it has something to do with controlling the wolf, as it would be impossible to kill the wolf without the man. I’m an Alpha wolf so it didn’t have the desired effect, it just dulled my senses. Owen, my other brother, found another’s DNA mixed in my blood. He thinks, in a non-dominant wolf, it will make the wolf obey whoever is the owner of the DNA, much like an Alpha command. Who betrayed us, is still a mystery along with their motives”. Lexi looked at the concerned wolf.

“Did you try to trace the DNA?” Ryan looked at Lexi intrigued, she seemed genuinely interest, and she was indeed. Controlling the werewolves would have a catastrophic effect on the rest of the species, including her friend.

“No it was strange, if wasn’t a werewolf that is for certain. It could be two individuals. The markers similar to a vampire and human but they were mixed somehow”.

“So like a Dhampir?” Lexi licked the last of the ice cream from her spoon that Tom had just delivered and who was now sitting crossed legged by the egg chair she perched on.

Ryan looked at Lexi. “What do you mean a Dhampir?”

Lexi looked up to find both wolves looking blankly at her. “A Dhampir.” She looked at them whilst emphasising her words. Still they looked at her blank. “So in one of the books I read at”. She stopped what did she call that place with its own library. She couldn’t think. “Anyway. There is this book about the union of a male vampire and a female human. In some unique circumstances their union breeds a hybrid child, its unusual. Half human and half vampire. They are kind of an abomination, from what I understand neither species accepts a human mating a vampire let alone a Dhampir child. Its why my friends parents never would accept me as their sons bride,  even if I was his cupitas. We could create a Dhampir. They would never risk it”. Ryan growled hissing something similar too stupid blood suckers. Lexi chose to ignore him.

“We’ve never heard of a Dhampir before”. Tom looked at his brother. Lexi observed the pair, they were mind linking again, Lexi didn’t mind this time as she enjoyed sitting in the peace.

“Sunshine, do you know anything else about Dhampirs?” Ryan was shocked how much knowledge his little mate had, it filled him with pride.

“Hpphhhhmmm, only if you agree to my conditions, stop with the pet names and apologise for kissing me”. Lexi folded her arm across her chest.

Tom looked at Ryan with a bemused experssion. "kissing?"

"Right about that". He rubbed his hands up and down his knees as if to wipe away something on them. "Sorry, don't know what came over me". He tried not to smile when he noticed Lexi blush

“What are your conditions?” Ryan smirked at his tactical mate.

“One, I want to be able to come here, at any time, even sometimes alone” Ryan nodded.

“Two. I get to pick what to have to eat some nights, even if it’s just a big bowl of fries”.  She noted that the food Tom prepared was healthy and a fry had yet to pass her lips since she was here. Tom nodded, reluctantly.

“Three. I want access to your pack history books and you will tell me everything about your pack”. Ryan narrowed his eyes.  “Why?”

“I want to know more about the werewolves I will be living amongst when you move me to the pack house”. Ryan nodded. "Within reason, I agree". She rolled her eyes.

“Four, I want my backpack back with my phone and laptop”. She knew she was starting to push the boundaries.

“Agree to the backpack and your own laptop, to be used under supervision. I will supply you with a new blank phone”. She had almost forgotten about her backpack, the last time she saw it was when she had tried to creep out of the apartment.

“Five. You will take me to a the museum”.

“No”. Well now she knew the limits.

“Fine”. She saved her energy for that fight another day, she was determined to see the City.

“Like I said a Dhampir is half human and half vampire, in one book they were described as demonic creatures, with pointed teeth and ears. Missing limbs were common. One drawing depicted them without any lips or nose. Another drawing made them look like gremlins, with twisted bodies. In another book, they were described as vampire like, pale and cold with blood lust. The only difference was their eyes, they would be all white, petrifying to look at. They had an actual picture of a Dhampir child in a cage. The world is so cruel”. Lexi had been extremely upset to see a child in a cage. Even if the child was different they shouldn’t be treated with such distaste. “My friend told me they feed off chaos, find your deepest darkest fear and exploit it in a wicked way making some people lose their mind but I think he was just messing with me. In all the centuries he had been alive he had never come across one”.

Tom looked concerned, Ryan was hypnotised with his mates melodic voice.

“And they have powers”.

“What?” Ryan looked worried. “What sort of powers?”