Bounded

19

Chapter Nineteen

Restrictions for myself aren’t destructive.

Fate Pierce’s Point of View

Knights are surrounding my house.

Oh, excuse me. Royal knights. The kind of werewolves that are usually dispatched to any crucial affairs, and one who is used in any war and conflict from the realm. Even if they were not making themselves known, I could see their aura from a mile away. The protective atmosphere had been covering our home like a barrier.

Despite how annoying it is, I know that I shouldn’t be surprised.

Why did I think it would happen if I continued to be this hardheaded? There is a sure possibility that they would be here now that I continue to miss school. Despite my grandfather wanting me to continue going to school, I found a more valuable way to hide from the King himself.

Despite that, he had opted to do this.

While I know that they could not see through the windows, I can’t seem to focus on improving my skills in this condition. They could understand that the source is coming from the house, and I wouldn't say I like that. Focusing on their forest could make them think it's coming from a fae or something else.

While I doubt that they could pinpoint it to a known human, I could not take the risk.

“Fate, darling,” Granny called, opening the door and looking quite surprised to see me in my human form. A small tug of frown expressed from her face. “Did you know that palace knights are surrounding the house?”

I bob my head. My expression darkened with another movement coming from outside. Even if I did not want to, I found myself shifting more on my good side. “It seems like that will be normal now, and I am sorry about that.”

“Maybe something happened in the forest. Do not blame yourself for something you can't control.” My sweet grandmother assured me, walking towards me to comfort me despite the situation we have put ourselves in. “You are now seen everywhere with the sister of the King. Maybe your safety is getting compromised.”

Despite my heart feeling quite bad for lying to her, there are things I still can’t openly say. My other grandfather was aware of me being the King's mate because the man could understand my judgment correctly. Silvester knows everything the foxes had gone through, and while I love my father’s parents, they are wolves.

They will always stand with their King.

Silvester might be a werewolf, but he is bounded with a fox.

“You can still practice here.” She said, carefully patting the top of my head.

The idea seemed promising, but it was simply a risk that I could not take. “No, I can’t do that. The risk is too high now that our house is being watched in all the possible directions. Palace knights are highly trained, and nothing can bypass them.”

Despite them providing me with safety, I feel nothing but restricted.

Having them here feels like there are shackles in my feet, and I won’t ever get away from them. There’s a thing about foxes about their mates—we have our soft spot for them, and if it’s triggered too much, we can die from it. I was not too fond of that about us being quiet and compliant with our mates, but that’s how we were made.

We were always someone who helped others and had the softest heart.

I am not particularly glad to know that.

“You look so glum, pumpkin.” Granny noticed, slowly pulling my chin up so she could see my face. It was hard lying to my parents, and I could hardly keep myself composed during such a situation. Even still, she blindly believed my expression. “This would not last long, do not fret.”

My lips pulled a small sigh. “What if they visited the house since they are knights? Could they strike a conversation with you and grandpa?”

“No, that is not possible.” She ponders through the idea before finalizing her words. “You’re human, and that would seem weird for you. They all know that we have no relatives here. That would be a breach in the treaty, and you’re not dumb to not figure out that something is off.”

For my own sanity's sake, I hope that is true.

I do not want anyone royal inside this home and knowing that I am not human. As my eyes glanced at the speeding warriors, all I could do was hope for the best. Walking out of my safe space, my eyes caught a glimpse of my grandfather. He was on the phone, slowly following my Granny into the kitchen.

My forehead creased, knowing full well that no one would call him that wouldn’t require any video call. After a second of silence, my grandmother had linked me that the palace knights were talking to them through the link. From my human view, they have to grab something that makes sense.

“There are Marked Red in sighting in the area. They are here for protection. All are apologizing if they could cause some disruption.” Granny passed the information in the link.

Could that be the case?

Marked Red does pose some threat to everyone, and it was obvious that Clayton would order his troops to guard me when such a threat is lingering through the area. Maybe I was indeed overthinking things. Walking to where my grandfather was, I pressed a soft kiss on his cheeks as he looked in the forest. On impulse, I see a number of knights guarding the house. My eyes did not meet them, not wanting to alert them that they could be seen. Even still, I saw shades of surprise and worry coating the balcony.

It seemed like they had seen it.

In order to miss my classes, I am wearing a fake cast on my legs. The thing doesn’t seem that concerning through anyone’s eyes—but knowing that these are werewolves who prioritize making sure that I am alright, it was no surprise that all were worried.

“Your phone is ringing, pumpkin,” Granny informed me, slowly patting my shoulders.

Walking to my phone, Somi’s name was blaring on my screen. She couldn’t even wait for a second to call. An average person would have been confused about why she was calling, and I am sure she would mention my cast.

“He—”

“Fate, are you okay!?” Somi screamed on the other end of the line, having me physically move away from the device. Even if I had my phone away from my ears and she was not in loudspeaker mode, I could hear some words spilling from her. She’s very loud. “Fate!” She continued my name.

I chuckled, placing my phone to my ear. “Please do not scream. I just hurt my ankle, that’s all..”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

I could feel shades of guilt when I hear how worried her voice was. Even still, I knew that I needed to keep my composure. “I’m fine,” the words escaped my lips, followed by some voices on the other end of the line. There were faint voices in the background.

It must have been her brother.

Fuck.

“Good. Clayton’s just worried.”

My heart beat faster.

Fucking hell.

I hate this f*****g link.

I controlled my emotions, not wanting to appear happy since there are eyes on me right now. These knights could send some information to their King. “Oh, I’m doing well. Do thank him for worrying. He’s a good friend.”

Laughter ensued on the other side of the phone.

Even Somi had roared her version of a laugh. My face still seemed confused, wanting to appear like a human who is not interested in the man despite my heart falling every time he’s f*****g mentioned.

This is probably the one time I hated being a fox.

“She had put me in that one. This is a first.” I heard a rough man's voice in the background, making me want to feel the shiver in my body, but I chose not to dwell in it. Without being aware, I heard some complaints on the other side of the phone before the rough voice became dominant. “Since I am your friend, there is nothing is wrong with visiting you, right? We can offer you some aid.”

“What?” I asked, pushing myself to sit up in the chair. “Wait, no. That’s not necessary.”

“A good friend would check on you.” He said, with a voice so dangerous.

I don’t like this.

“No, my grandparents don’t like guests.”

“We love guests, darling. What do you mean?” Granny muttered, thinking that I was talking to Somi. My eyes grew wide as I looked at her, clearly baffled by her words.

What!

A soft laugh escaped on the other side of the phone. “Seems like it’s settled.” He said, my body shivering in sparks, despite not feeling his skin. It informs me just how badly I am close to accepting the link. I would have pulled myself together, but Clayton ended the call with such a swoon-worthy voice. “See you soon, Fate.”

Gosh.

Freaking.

Damnit!

I hate my life sometimes.