Bounded

10

Chapter Ten

The scares of the imminent danger.

-

Fate Pierce’s Point of View

Today already seemed like a painfully long day—and it hasn’t even started.

I have simply not taken anything more than ten steps away from my house, and even then, I could feel the exhaustion crawling through my skin. Maybe it’s the way of my body to decline any wrong decision I am about to embark on today. Then again, it could also be the dreaded feeling that had lingered inside me the second that I had a nightmare about this whole incident.

While I know that it’s my own brain that is making it harder than it should be, it does not help that the situation I am currently in is the very rendition of my childhood nightmares. Many werewolves probably dreamt of this happening in their life—and while I could not lie and tell that it does not happen to me, I am sure that mine consists of them killing the s**t out of me.

“Are you okay?” Granny asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror. “You look pale, sweetpea.”

Still hazed and out of my mind, I found myself nodding. “Just peachy, granny. Thank you for asking.”

My mind was hazy for the whole ride in the school. I wasn’t even aware if I was replying to any of the questions offered to me by my grandparents—or if they were even asking me things. That is how f****d my brain was. For the whole ride, I had briefed through what I should and shouldn’t do inside the palace walls.

As not as it is much as a surprise, the place is littering with gifted people. I am aware of just how easy I could get killed on that ground and not a single soul would even bother to even think that it wasn’t a wise decision. I wasn’t sure how many of those people even knew foxes, or even had an interaction with one.

I am blindly entering that place completely blindfolded.

To know that a fox would be willing to walk through the palace with her own two feet. It seemed insane to hear, especially when I know how I have gotten here. I could probably do a lot of stupid things, but I am sure that no one would be able to top what I am about to do. For no one in their right mind would offer their own head to the tiger.

“What is the plan for tonight?” Grandpapi asked, snapping me to reality.

Slowly looking at the back of his head, I replied. “Somi wanted me to stay for the night. I wanted to decline, but before I could say anything else—she mentioned how she had never experienced any sleep-overs. She walked me through her room, and what she had prepared for the both of us.”

While it was implied that I would be heading straight to their house after school hours, it was a surprise that I would be staying the night. Mother had already advised my grandparents to fetch me earlier than what was expected since she was worried that an error could occur. Now, I am now informing them that Somi wanted me to stay longer than what was comfortable with everyone.

“Are you sure that this is your decision, pumpkin? We can work something out.” Granpapi asked, making me look at him with a shaky smile. Judging by how they were antsy, I am sure that my emotions were extended on the link. Something like this rarely happened, as I am normally in full control of my emotions. Having it exposed out in the open is not usually how I deal with it.

We have talked last night about the events.

Even my parents were informed about this, and I made sure to ask for their opinion. My father was apprehensive at first, but he was almost sure that nothing could happen. He clearly trusts the King, and his family to allow his fox daughter to go through with this. Then again, I am sure that I would be overlooking his dismissal if he was to reject the invitation.

Fuck.

I am losing my mind.

While it was true that werewolves were the ones who hunted our kind, it had been quite a while since it happened. Dad mentioned that there is only a small probability that the palace would even identify me as a fox—since it was hard to identify one these days.

“I’ll be fine, Granpapi.” the words were meant to assure them, but the shaking tone did not help my situation.

There was some judgment on my side, worried if I was making a huge mistake. Lying to the face of the Alpha King seemed like an impossible thing to accomplish. He wouldn’t be in his current position if he was easily swindled.

“You will be just fine, Fate,” Granny whispered, her lips were pulled in that professional smile. I have seen them in their working faces despite their old ages, and I could clearly see them handing me with their worried expression. “For the years that you had protected your identity, I am sure you mastered the art of hiding it.”

A cringe escaped my lips.

That was not a good thing to say. I wrecked a lot of things, and the very reason I am in this place was that I was close to compromising my identity. While it was true that it had happened all because I was under the influence of alcohol, my nerves were still not calm.

“Stop the car for a second,” Granny whispered, patting her husband by the side.

The second she does that, Granpapi stopped on the side of the road. I quickly pulled the handle and opened the door, escaping the car that seemed suffocating. I was sure that none of the situations in my life feels like I needed to vomit in a car—and yet, here we are.

I feel like my Dad was right when he mentioned that this place would let me experience things that I have never done before.

My body wanted to physically vomit whatever I ate—which was f*****g nothing. I fought the urge to listen to my brain, slightly aware that I was making things as worse as they should have been.

The reality of what I was about to do was nothing but terrifying to me.

Not only will I be of the foxes who will be put into the mill and be r***d my entire life—but my parents would get targeted if I ever did make a mistake. My lovely mother, who had escaped the life of violence and terror, would be thrust back into that same world.

I could suffer at any time and day, but I would rather die than have my own family go through the same hardships that I will receive.

“We can always say that you are feeling under the weather,” Granny advised, looking at me with a small frown. Her left hands were soothing my back, as the other was offering me a bottle of water. “To see you that pale all because you are walking into the palace makes me fret, dear. I don’t think we’re all making the right decision.”

“Should I call your Laurence? Maybe you need your father’s guidance.” Granpapi asked.

My hand easily declined the offer, not wanting to appear doubtful of my own decision. Father mentioned how he was proud that I was willing to stand my ground on this. I talked to him over the phone yesterday, and while he was firm and serious to walk through different situations with me—I could sense that he trust me enough not to f**k anything up. Dad knew me well enough that I do not easily break into pressure.

If there is a wolf who could go through this without being discovered, he informed me that it would be me.

“No, that won’t be necessary,” I informed him, slowly pushing myself up. “I can do this.”

While I am aware that I am overthinking things, I was notified that there is a reason why Hawthrones was ruling over the werewolves for the generations. I might have never seen them in combat before, but I never doubt the power and strength of a Lycan. While I am not sure if the family was involved in killing my entire kind of people… the past Alpha Kings had some say in it.

The Hawthrones had always been different from that category, hence why they continued to win over the favor of the Moon Goddess. It was probably why the King Father—Blayze Hawthrone, was granted a mate.

“Are you sure, dear?” Granny asked.

“I’m fine.” I breathe, looking at them. Both of them seemed frazzled, and I feel bad for scaring them. Even my fox could not help me process all of this, as I had blacked her out completely from my mind. While she is not easily frazzled, hearing her inside my head would make things harder for me. “Somi is a wonderful friend, and her brothers seemed very adorable. I am sure that all my fears were subjected to the past King who had sat on the throne and not their family. In order to get past this fear, I needed to face whatever is offered in my door.”

Granpapi smiled, nodding his head. “There is nothing but good news about the Hawthrone, pumpkin. I have numerous issues about the previous one, but I am sure that Hawthrones would not hurt you. You are safe. Keep that thought into your head.”

Yes, they are good werewolves.

If they managed to create someone as sweet and adorable as Somi, they are nice people. Then again, if we are using that example—my mother was raised in a terrible household, with a kidnapper who had beaten her until she was close to turning 18. She lived her entire life in fear and pretended that her life was beautiful. Yet behind closed doors, she was suffering her entire life. That asshole was bad, but my mother continued to stay loyal and innocent.

Ah, f**k.

I just made it worse.

As we had reached the school, I tried calming myself. I paid no attention to the people passing around. I could not even see anyone. All seemed nothing but a big blur walking around the hallway. The tension only grew on my shoulder the second that I spotted Somi casually writing in some notes. Her nose twitched, easily spotting my scent. A wide smile escaped her lips when she caught my sight, quickly racing to where I was to tackle me. The woman was physically jumping around as she shouted in glee about my stay in her house.

This is why it is hard to ever reject her invitations.

She really is a kind soul. Even without my fox eyes, I am sure that she is radiating nothing but kindness. I chuckled, hiding my worries. “However, I could not possibly stay over for the night. I am sorry about that,” it was an excuse that I needed to get across, as I do not want to dig a bigger hole for myself. “I am taking care of my grandparents, so I do not think that I can crash to your place.”

“Oh, that’s fine! The important thing is, you’re coming to visit!” Somi smiled, making me somewhat guilty for lying to her. “My brothers just really wanted to meet you. Everyone seemed so excited. Even my father is interested in meeting you. We can schedule the sleepover for next time.”

The King Father? f**k.

My heart beats faster, looking at her with worry. “W… why would he want to meet me?” I could stop the stagger in my voice, thinking that they were already aware of my identity. The last thing I needed to ask was was if I had done something wrong. Somi might not realize what I am implying, but some people passing by could.

Unaware of my scares, Somi only smiled. “You are the very first person who had passed the Johnny test!”

“The Johnny test?” I asked.

“Johnny chased off all my friends, you know?”

That wouldn’t be a surprise, since I really think that the Royal Beta is her mate. He would want nothing more than for his mate to gather true people that would be a good influence on her. Not only that, but as a future Beta Female—Somi needed to have good credibility with locals.

Normally, the Luna would be the mother of people. People would come to her, and tell her their worries. But since Somi would be assisting the Queen, it would be vastly different from how my mother had done it before. Somi would be a bridge between the Queen and people, whilst simultaneously adhering to her own jobs.

While it is hard to think about it, I am sure that Somi would easily adapt to it. However, she does need more recognition on who are the people who would be offering her more troubles as they would good karmas.

“Johnny does not have a filter, and his expressions are scary. When he met you, the man seemed composed and well behaved. Like a puppy that was being pulled on a leash. The fact that someone like him did not pose any threat to you, and he trusted you for taking good care of me.” Somi continued to explain, bouncing through her excitement.

I see.

So that was the reason that I was being invited.

For some reason, it did manage to brush off some worries that I had earlier. Everyone was seeing me as a good outlet for Somi to get comfortable in her duties the second she turned 18. I have read about how humans would turn into a royal’s lady-in-waiting.

Maybe that’s where this could go from here.

Of course, as flattering as it was, I would never accept the job.

Even still, I could see how it was not a surprise to hear that. From what I have gathered from different werewolves, Johnny is a rigorous man known to be cruel and wanted things to be perfect. If Somi had friends who used her, facing someone like Johnny Carter would be enough to drive them away.

However, the natural intimidation of a wolf does not scare me.

It was the perks of being a fox.

“Don’t worry,” Somi whispered. A small smile was on her lips as she inched closer into mine. “I know that with the passing talk around the school, it might seem like my family is terrifying, but we are normal as everyone else is.”

I was not sure if that was true.

How could her family—the Hawthrone’s—be ever placed in a standard of being “normal”?

Not only were they royals, but they could be the very cause that I will have to fight back and reveal about my kind not being extinct. But to see the small fleeting expression on her face, I had controlled my expression to seem relaxed.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, taking a soft sigh. “I am just anxious.”

Somi nodded, seemingly understanding my reaction. Maybe she had seen many paranormals who displayed the same worries from before. “I do know, everyone does feel the same thing whenever they would meet my family. However, my family is prepared to meet you, and I promise you that no one will scare you!”

“You will protect me?” I teased, nudging her sides.

Somi seemed determined by my words. For her, it does not seem like an empty question that she could easily dodge. Like a true werewolf, her eyes shine with recognition—even without my fox eyes, I could sense her sincerity flowing through her body. “Yes!” she said.

“I—”

“Rest assured that I will protect you no matter what! You have nothing to fear; I know my brothers are well behaved. Therefore, if anyone acted anything wrong to you during the whole trip in my house, tell me, and I will let Johnny take care of them.” I blink at her words, seeing the Alpha genes of the woman who had always been meek. Her forehead creased as she leaned closer, but not enough. “You will not get damaged or hurt in my watch, as I never had such a great connection with other females before.”

A small smile escaped my lips, making me question why I ever doubted this girl.

She’s a good one, and if she had that enough trust in her brothers, and everyone working inside the palace—I could very much see that I am safe inside that palace, as I am outside of it. From the way that she was speaking, it seemed like my safety is the number one priority of Somi Hawthrone.

With now a lighter mood, I offered my pinky to her direction. “Pinky promise?”

“Oh!” She easily fixed her books, and then carefully linked her pinky with mine. “Pinky promise!”

Despite her lack of sense about her friends, it seemed like her reaction towards me was genuine, and with the sincerity and truth ringing in her words, I have calmed down.

I already know that Somi Hawthrone will never betray me.

She is a true friend.