Bounded

13

Chapter Thirteen

Another human for a Queen

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Third Person’s Point of View

“Mine.”

The way the words vibrated into his mouth felt divine, enough that she had fought hard and long not to sprint into his hold and let her fox be petted by his strong hand. Fate dreamt of this time since she was young, and she could not believe that the world would bring her in this fate.

A small itching part of her wanted nothing more than to be with him.

But she couldn’t do that.

Fate felt her heart quiver at his words.

She’s the Alpha King’s mate.

Her.

In all the people that could be destined to such a man, they had picked her—a fox who is in isolation, hiding from the King and his entire family. From the second that she will be mated to this man… he will have power like any other, and she could breed what the palace wanted for years.

Strong pups.

No.

Everyone was looking at her, surprised at the words that the man had growled. All she could do was act confused about everything, her heart beating faster than average, and she was trying her best to control her fox. The last thing she needed was to have them see her shift the color of her eyes to her fox’s.

It has to be her mate in all the things that she could have found.

Fuck this life that she has.

“Is everything okay?” She whispered, with a voice that seemed terrified—knowing that she has the advantage of people knowing that she’s a human fit into this scenario. Her hands hold onto Somi, whispering in a soft voice but enough to have these wolves hear her too. “What is happening? Why is everyone looking at me? Did I do something wrong?”

Somi chuckled softly, covering her as she looked at her brother. “Clayton, this is my friend who I told you all about.”

Clayton only stood from his seat. Fate struggled to keep her eyes react from the small action. She had seen him through the videos and papers, but there are none that could beat the real thing. Clayton’s brown hair seemed more soft in this view, and those piercing blue eyes were following her with a warm gaze. He was walking towards her in a normal pace, but she swear that she could see everything in small motion.

Fucking mate bond.

Fate was doing everything in her power not to swoon over the man. As Somi did not know what to do, thinking that her brother would do something irrational. Both were surprised when Clayton stopped before them, offering a gentle smile to his mate. Fate felt her heart clutch upon having to see such a beautiful sight. His blue eyes and irresistible smile were not helping as he offered his hand, bowing at her. “I apologize for not meeting you as you had arrived. My name is Clayton Maximus Hawthrone.”

“I… I’m Fate.” She replied, clearly forgetting the last name that they had talked about.

He smiled, looking a clear depiction of what temptation is. “Fate,” the words rolled over his tongue so beautifully, clearly testing her reaction to the small mention of her name. Clayton was smart, she will give that.

Despite being aware that she is a human, he was making sure if he elicits any reaction from her. To see her blinking at him in confusion, he was quick to give her the win for now. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Everyone snickered at his words but knew full well that Clayton had his side that was not known in public. He had personally offered Fate a chair that was close to his, and offered her no other reason to decline. Even if she was not part of their pack, a part of her was a wolf that needed to follow through with his instructions.

She is, after all, a daughter of one.

But she was trying her best not to let that be known.

“Thank you.” She smiled, doing everything she could not touch him. As her eyes moved to the ones close to her, she could not stop herself from bowing into seeing the King Father. Something about the man is intimidating, that she was compelled to show courtesy. “I… uhm. thank you for inviting me to your home.”

Dyci smiled, having her hands together with a smile. “I am just thankful that you have made our family so happy about your presence. You are always welcome here, dear.”

“No wonder we liked her so bad,” Maxwell commented.

Fate knew what the Prince meant.

It did feel weird that she was oddly comfortable with everyone. Hearing that she was mated to the Alpha King heavily explained why. She could feel the burning gaze in her side, having her face the person who was looking at her. Fate did her best not to get carried away with the smile printed on his lips. It was dangerous when he was openly looking so handsome when she looked at him. She is well aware that an Alpha can change expression before their mate and during their work.

She can’t fall for him.

She can’t give him powerful troops.

Foxes had suffered enough in the hands of the palace. So many horrors and death had happened in this land; she will never let her children take bare of all of that. Fate will not be the first fox to ever enabler this place.

Everyone gave her some space as she walked into the living room with a phone in hand. As her phone rang, she readily excused herself with a smile. Nothing but relief passed her lips as she saw her grandmother’s name on the screen.

“Granny, are you close?” She asked carefully, hiding the way her tone shakes by every tone. A soft sigh etched on the other side of the phone. It was enough to have her heart feel heavy. Her grandfather’s voice could be heard by the background, and it honestly did not look good. “Is everything okay?”

Eyes followed her without question, hearing the worried tone in her voice. Clayton had already informed the staff to clean a room, as he was aware that a storm was coming. He knew that it would be impossible for her to get home in this weather.

“Fate, I believe we have bad news, dear. There is a strong storm brewing, and you know what your grandfather feels about this type of weather.”

She does.

Her grandfather’s wolf does not act well with the storm. The man suffered badly in his last conquest, and could hardly shift during such weather. Not only that, but his body would feel sore and beaten. There is no way he could drive in that condition, and her grandmother could never go alone. Her heart stammered into the fact, knowing what this meant.

“I believe that you needed to spend the night in there, darling. I am so sorry.”

She gulped, already admitting her defeat. When the world wanted her to stay in the palace, nothing could ever control it. She was a mere person who was following through her path. After all, she was linked with the Alpha King. Everything around them would work in their favor, as it normally does to everyone else.

There was no way to get away from this.

She could not risk her grandmother’s health just to pull her away from the palace. “No, granny. Calm down. Please don’t worry about it. I understand what happened. Please take care of granpapi for me.”

“He’ll be alright, dear. I am more worried about you,” She heard her grandfather sigh in the background, clearly fighting his wolf to take control. “Do everything you could to survive for tonight!”

That’s easier said than done.

Especially when she’s mated to the most powerful man in the realm of werewolves.

Fuck.

What is she supposed to do now?

An overnight stay with the man who can break and claim her. Fate doubts that the King would force a mark on her, but it was a constant fear to face in the situation.

She felt like this was the most challenging night yet. While she had already spent the night here, it was easier when she did not see anyone in her family or knew that her mate was the Alpha King.

Her hands clutch on the phone as she looks at the servers which were already guarding her. It seemed like this would be a busy night, and she was unsure how she would handle this. It was natural since the King was already aware of the brewing weather.

Moon Goddess, save her.