Chapter 4 - Lachlan

She was giving as good as she got, while I was struggling, battling with the noises from within coming from this new wolf I was trying to adapt to. He had been one thing before this new development, but this was something else entirely. Now he had gone from the cocky and cheeky character he was, to one that was a whimpering mess. One that so clearly had decided that he needed his mate. That was not the strong, ruthless Beta wolf I had been expecting to receive when meeting my wolf, that is for sure!

But, one thing is for certain, my wolf, Tyr, was determined. He was resilient in fighting me to get out. To get to his mate. But, I knew that could not happen. Because the moment I allowed that to happen, he would be all over her. I had seen what an uncontrolled wolf could do, and I had no intention of letting him take over with Seren. She may have been fated to me, but she was never going to be mine. And I don't think Tyr was ready to accept that just yet.

I felt her eyes upon me, but as I raised my gaze to meet hers, she dropped her eyes to the floor. My head tilted slightly; Tyr whimpered even louder as his gaze evidently caught the same as I believed I did. Were there tears in her eyes?

“Have you been crying Seren?” I demanded. Unsure if I even cared if she had or not. Hell, I was usually one of the causes of her tears. But right now, the fact I had seen the remnants of what appeared to be tears sitting within her chocolate-brown eyes bothered me. It really, truly bothered me. In a way I could not quite comprehend.

“No.” she said icily. I laughed. A short, sharp laugh.

“Sure.” I hooked my index finger under her chin without even thinking. To allow myself a better view of her eyes that she was now guarding from me, shocked at the sensation that greeted me. The electric shock feeling was like a tingling pulse that shot through my finger, sending a shiver down my arm and into my spine. I had felt nothing like that before in my life. It was almost addictive...

The matebond was strong. I had heard the sensation it could create and the feelings it caused and right now the tingling through my body, combined with the overwhelming scent of her taking over my senses, was too much… Tyr was going out of his mind. I was sure of that from the noises going off within my mind. But, in truth, I think I may be going out of my mind if this continued.

I knew Seren would feel none of this. She had no wolf to make her aware of the bond we shared. Our matebond was my secret until she came of age. But as I pulled her chin upward, so I was able to gain a better view of her eyes, I could see her chest rapidly rising and falling. I think I may be making her uncomfortable. Her eyes, however, were still looking downward.

“Look at me, Seren.” I ordered, and she raised her gaze, to look at me through her long lashes. Giving me a perfect view of those big brown eyes. And, as I had thought, there were tears there. Something had upset her. Tyr whimpered, before a small growl slipped from me, or more precisely, my wolf, causing Seren's eyes to widen in shock at the noise.

‘Who made her cry?’ he demanded, and I realized I wanted the answer to that question too.

“Did someone make you cry, Ren?” I asked, all the while, my eyes, never leaving hers, and she raised her perfectly formed brow, in question.

“Oh, are you disappointed it wasn’t you? I know it is one of your favorite pastimes.” she questioned, and instinctively I rolled my eyes in frustration.

“Stop it.” I snapped. “Have you been crying?”

“No. I already told you that, not that it is any of your fucking business, you fucking asswipe.” She snapped, causing me to widen my eyes in surprise. Wow, seems I really get under her skin. But, I resist the urge to laugh at her insults, because they always do amuse me, because I still want an answer as to the tears within her eyes.

“I could always ask your brother if you like.” I suggested “There are tears in your eyes, Ren, and I simply asked if someone had made you cry, the same as your brother would do. So the least you can do is give me an answer.”

She rolled her eyes at me, the way I had seen her do so many times before. I was trying hard not to smile. I found it amusing annoying her. ‘Stop being a jackass. Maybe she was right with the name.’ Tyr snarled angrily at me. Of course. My wolf was always going to take her side, because my wolf wanted his mate. He did not like the way in which I acted with her, and least of all he did not like the fact that I did not want her.

‘You may want to quit with that.’ I informed him, pushing back, as he once again attempted to surge forward in a bid to get to Seren. He was getting desperate, I could sense it. ‘Before I block you out completely.’

‘Well, this is a great day to meet.’ He grumbled, dropping back into my mind, only to leave Seren watching me inquisitively. Her hand was upon her wrist, fidgeting anxiously, making me wonder what was bothering her. She did not normally act like this, so something was clearly upon her mind.

I glared at her, ready to demand an answer again, just as she spoke up, her voice barely there. “I lost my bracelet, okay?” her voice not only barely audible, but it wobbled too. She was upset, there was no denying that. Though the almost tears should have told me that. “The one my Dad gave me.”

I felt my heart clench. I know she struggled when she lost her Dad. The man of their house. The one they all depended upon. It near broke Seren, losing her Dad. But, it near broke me, losing mine too, and that was all down to her. She had been the cause of him never coming home all those years ago. Seren was the reason my Dad had not been there for so many big events in my life. Including today. My coming of age...

I was torn. I knew what a keepsake from the one you had lost meant to you, and I knew what it would mean that she had lost it. But, a cruel part of me liked the thought of seeing her suffer. The way she had made me suffer… Tyr snarled heavily in my mind. I was so close to blocking him out, I swear. He was letting his heart and the matebond interfere already, in a way I would never allow...

“I think I dropped it when I was on my run. It could be anywhere.” Her voice was so soft. Broken. Hurting.

I had party celebrations to return to prepare for. I didn’t need to be here with Seren. The small part of me that wanted her to suffer was urging me, while Tyr snarled once more. “Right, where did you run?” I asked, with a heavy sigh. "We will have a look, and I will ask the warriors and patrol to keep an eye out. I am sure we will get it back for you, Ren, don’t worry.” I said, trying to reassure her, despite the resentment sitting heavy in my chest. Seems the matebond was making me softer than I would like, but I would not be allowing that to continue...