Chapter 4 Bound by Fate

(Aiden’s POV)

At the heart of Evermere is a luxurious party located at the fancy ballroom of Darkwood pack that will serve as my abode for seven days. Sparkling chandeliers and floral arrangements made the place look like a scene from a movie come true. Everyone is dressed in their designer gowns and tailored suits, arriving in their sleek limousines and sports car, laughing and chattering. The sound of an orchestra playing in the background struggled to keep my boredom away.

Growing up as a werewolf prince, I am already used to the lavish lifestyle. It’s all the same flaunting and boasting in the past twenty four years.

I’ve grown tired of it.

“Prince Aiden!” A small pup chirped, making me move my eyes down to his direction. I was sitting on an elevated table and he was just there down below. I never really like the feeling of being above others.

“Yes, kid?” I responded.

As ironic as it might sound, this child is the first one to interact with me at this party. Maybe, it’s my royal status that makes them distant towards me?

The two corners of my lips lifted when the kid bent his one knee before me.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Prince Aiden!” he chirped. Cute thing

“Georgie!!!”

Suddenly, a lady came rushing to pick up the kid. I arched my brows confusedly as they both lowered their heads before me.

“F—Forgive my child, Prince Aiden…” she begged, almost breaking into tears.

I stared at them in silence.

Judging from her soiled clothes and dirty face, she’s not a high status werewolf, probably an Omega servant.

I was about to lift my hand that was resting on the long table to dismiss the matter when a nerve-wrecking voice intruded. “Restrain them…” he ordered. The guards standing behind him immediately went to the frightened mother and child to put them on shackles.

My brows furrowed at the unwelcoming sight I’m seeing. What did they do wrong? “I believe that isn't necessary…” I rebuked, freezing the two guards and Alpha Cyrus himself.

He was introduced to me before I came here. I was already oriented with his cruel demeanor.

I’m not that type to believe what others say about someone but I’ll have to say that people's opinions about him are true.

The pack’s leader lowered his head submissively as soon as I rose from my seat. I went straight to the mother and child to release them.

“You must be Alpha Cyrus…” I stated, cutting off any attempt of pleasantries.

“Indeed, Prince Aiden. It is my greatest pleasure to have you here with us. Forgive me if those Omegas ruined your night—”

"They didn't," I interrupted, my tone cutting through his attempted apology. "But you did.”

Surprised, he raised his head to look at me. There was mixed confusion and embarrassment in his eyes. He immediately went back to bowing his head again when he realized his boldness.

The look on his face is a typical expression of an arrogant leader abusing his powers.

“I don't want to see you discriminating another Omega, do you hear me?” I asked dominantly. His jaw clenched. There are so many of his people here waiting for his response to me. It must be hard for him to fold against another more powerful werewolf. “I don't really enjoy repeating what I have already said. So, tell me, are we clear?”

He closed his eyes in a controlled manner, lowering his head once again.

“My apologies if my behavior offended you, Prince Aiden. I’ll make sure that this won't happen again…” he yielded.

I nodded curtly, masking my earlier intimidation with a disarming smile.

Placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, I continued, “You understand that as leaders we should empathize with our people, right?” He nodded his head. “Shall we have a drink?”

This is my attempt to have company tonight. He followed me to my table.

As we helped ourselves to the table, I took the initiative to break the ice. “I admire your loyalty and leadership to the pack. I have to say that you're one of the most trusted pack leaders of the kingdom…” I commended, pouring him wine. The anxiety in his eyes melted away.

“You're too kind, Prince Aiden. Let's just say that behind my success lies the guidance of the royal family's principles,” he praised back. I chuckled at his flowery words. No wonder why he made it this far. He knows how to talk with people.

I heard that he lost his true mate to death. I can't imagine the pain he must have gone through. Well, at least, he was able to meet his mate unlike me.

Behind my intimidating and serious demeanor is a boy crying on the Moon Goddess to finally give me a mate. As a royal prince, people pay more attention to my private life. A royal heir like me can lose his inheritance and position in the kingdom if I fail to find a mate. This is why the King tasked me in an exploration to visit all the packs in an attempt to find my mate.

And I stopped counting at sixty four.

We were in the middle of conversing when his usually steady voice started to tremble. He glanced around as if looking for someone in the big room.

I followed his gaze curiously.

The anxiety on his face looks so real. It makes me curious about what’s troubling him in the middle of a party.

“Is everything okay?” I finally asked.

He turned his chalk-white face to me. A forced smile flashed on his face. “I suddenly felt unwell, Prince Aiden. Would you mind if I excuse myself for a moment? I’ll have some rest and come back soon when I get better.” I nodded understandingly, granting him permission to leave.

I chased him a stare as he left in a hurry.

He’s lying.

My wolf’s voice rang inside my head.

“Let him be. As long as it doesn't concern us then it’s none of our business.” I don't feel good about him.

I narrowed my eyes on leaving Alpha Cyrus.

“That makes two of us.”

At that moment, my senses are suddenly awoken by a tantalizing sweet scent—the fragrance of my long-awaited mate. With a sense of urgency, I dashed to the exit, abandoning the clamor of the banquet hall. I followed her sweet scent in the wilderness of the dark forest. Behind every sure turn is her scent drawing me closer to her direction.

Help, someone please help me!

My eagerness to find her became more intense as soon as my eats caught the desperate plea of my mate echoing through the night air.

The tangled maze of trees blurred past as I raced through the wilderness. With every step, the intensity of the bond grew stronger, guiding me deeper into the heart of the forest.

Under the moon’s gentle glow is a figure of a woman glancing around worriedly in the middle of the forest. Her eyes glistened with tears beneath the silver light. Her long blonde hair bellowing in the night wind.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as I drank in the sight of her, my heart pounding with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

Never before had I seen someone so breathtakingly beautiful, so utterly captivating in every way.

She was so focused on running forward that she failed to see me standing on her way. The beautiful woman ended up running straight into my arms. And that's when I became sure that she’s my mate. I could feel my heart racing in my chest.

We finally found her.

My eyes gazed down at the beautiful woman in my arms. I can't believe I finally found her.

However, my happiness was quickly replaced with fierce anger upon seeing the dry scars and large blood stain on her dress.

A primal growl ripped through my throat.

Who would dare? Who would dare lay a hand on her?!

The traces of abuse and maltreatment pained mu eyes. I can't imagine the pain my mate had to go through without me. Why did it took so long for destiny to let us meet?

We’re here now, Migumi. You're safe now.

Migumi?

It's her name.

Beautiful…

A sense of wanting to protect her awakened my Alpha instincts. I could not

stand anyone hurting my mate. I’ll make sure that whoever is behind this pays tenfold the pain she caused her!

“Hmmmghhh…” she whimpered, as she looks at me in the eyes.

I brought my hand to her soft cheeks.

"What happened?" I softly asked.

She closed her eyes and opened them again, making me fall in love with her eyes once more.

At that moment, I knew I was going to protect her with all my life. And I'll make sure they feel the weight of that promise.