Chapter 26- Break The Bond

In a dark fortress looming at the top of a hill, a huge black and white wolf leapt into the building through the balcony, unseen. The wolf's body size began to shrink, taking the appearance of a male human who walked naked in his lavishly spacious room.

He headed towards the bathroom, turned on the shower and drowned himself in it. It was cold, even cooler since the weather itself was brimming with an intense chill after the rain. Rafael stayed under the shower, cooling his heated body before he loses his senses completely.

He leaned his back against the wall, fingers tangled in his hair, and his eyes were sealed shut. He couldn't stop thinking about it— it was a very wrong move, a serious misstep, and he'd been stumbling through a series of them without considering the fallout. But the expression on her devastatingly beautiful face when he pulled back was making him go crazy.

He'd never felt anything like this before. It frustrated and intrigued him at the same time, knowing that someone was capable of making him feel like this. Normally, patience was his strong suit; he could wait for what he wanted, not once has he ever tried to rush into anything, but today, he'd blown his cover and kissed her in the midst of her fury.

The mate bond was wreaking havoc inside him. He hated the fact that he was enduring this torture alone. While she looked at him, dazed, he wrestled with his inner wolf not to devour her like a starved predator eyeing its prey, to resist the urge persuading him to claim her right there and then.

He was disgusted with himself for the dirty thoughts that crowded his mind when she came near, yet he held no regret.

Her audacity to confront her stalker, he wasn't sure if it was stupidity or bravery, but it was somewhere in-between, and she had brought it upon herself. He wondered how long he'd have to settle matters here before bringing his mate to his pack, right where she belonged, and not with those scums.

'You traumatized our Luna.' His wolf grumbled somewhere in his mind, and Rafael snorted. She would undoubtedly hate him for what he did, she might not handle it so well after she recognized him, but he did not regret it one bit, cause he was done playing hide-and-seek.

That so-called beta she was with had been ogling at her when she wasn't looking. Feeling territorial over his mate, he kissed her to prove some foolish claim– If that can even be considered a kiss. It didn't matter if she didn't have feelings for him yet, he would make her have them, and he would never let her go.

When he felt better, he cleaned himself up and stepped out in a white shirt and gray sweatpants. He was in the middle of debating whether he should mind-link his beta or just go down to meet him when a knock on the door interrupted him.

"Come in."

Rafael approached his sofa when he heard the door open, and he didn't find it necessary to turn around since he was already aware of who stepped in. That man's aura can be felt from miles away, and a sudden frown settled on Rafael's handsome features, dimming the vibrant light in his eyes.

"Rafael Demetriou! What is the meaning of this??" Ultima's rage was evident in his face, most especially his gleaming red eyes after they settled on the unbothered Alpha who casually lounged on his sofa.

He sternly asserted, "You are not bringing that enemy for a mate into this pack! Not only is she from the crescent moon pack, but she is late Alpha Bernard's daughter! His blood! Do not put the pack through another generational torture just because you found yourself a mate! Break the bond!"

"First off, Ultima," Rafael began, his eyebrows furrowed as he habitually popped out his usual cigar. "I am your Alpha, and you must learn to address me as such. We are not equals, and your disrespect towards me will not be tolerated. Also, she is my chosen mate, and if it bothers you so much that I'm crazy about her, then die. That doesn't sound too difficult now, does it?"

He lit his cigar, taking a moment to glance at Ultima, who had grown quiet.

Ultima were extremely powerful wolves, capable of challenging and even defeating an Alpha– that's how powerful they were, but they were never allowed to lead a pack. These formidable beings could only be found in the most powerful territories, like his pack for example, and if an Ultima attempts to become an Alpha, they shall be expelled from the pack.

Ultima also had their human form, and their role was to guide the Alpha, but Rafael was not in the mood to listen to Ultima rant about his choice for a mate. He didn't care that they were equal in strength; he was the Alpha, and Ultima had no choice but to respect that.

"I'm surprised." Ultima finally found his voice, "after everything they put the moonshadow pack through, you still have the urge to mate, Alpha." he didn't hesitate to say, "I still remember how much you despised sexual appeal after… what that woman made you go through as her slave. When she enslaved you that fateful night, defiled you without mercy, and here you are."

"Stop talking." Rafael commanded in a low, dangerous voice, and Ultima's silence returned. He was standing in front of Ultima, taller, and more intimidating, to the point where his iridescent orbs darkened. They turned a shade purple, signifying his Alpha authority.

"If you are trying to get on my nerves, then it's working. Mind what you say to me, or your tongue will be the first thing I chop off." Rafael suddenly remembered a bitter memory and growled, "Polly isn't her. Polly is my mate, do you understand? Two different people."

"You make me sound like an enemy, Alpha Rafael." Ultima's voice softened, "your hatred for the crescent moon pack still burns within you. It's because your father trusted those people blindly that he got betrayed, and we were sold to the worst people in Aleyska. I can see it in your eyes that you'll never be able to forgive them, so why are you interested in being with the daughter of an enemy?"

Ultima was no longer enraged after confirming Rafael's hatred for the crescent moon pack still smoldered. He placed a comforting hand on Rafael's shoulder, then he proceeded to say,

"We could not kill Alpha Bernard with our own two hands, but we can avenge the ones who have died in our pack by extinguishing the life of his children. I only say this cause I believe her presence here will bring nothing but bad luck to our pack, your people. History is bound to repeat itself if we do not rewrite its ourse."

Ultima pressed on, "reject the bond. You don't have to this, it doesn't have to be her. A second chance mate is bound to be given if you can reject this one."

Rafael returned to his sofa, his mood soured. "I'd appreciate it if you saw yourself out. This conversation ends here." His tone was laced with strict finality. His decision to have Polly as his mate still stood, and there was nothing anyone could do about it to get him to change his mind.

The frown on Ultima's face only deepened, and he stormed out. Rafael did not bother to question Ultima regarding why he sent his gamma to Dunecliff without his knowledge. He couldn't give anyone his full trust, even within his own pack, and Ultima's motives he'd discover by himself.