Page 13 of Bond To The Alpha (Fated Bond #1)

KANE

Grinding up to a halt, I crouch down to brush my fingers over the forest floor.

"Hold on," I say.

The ground here is different, softer, and more porous. I close my eyes to focus on the scent— there’s a faint trace of something unusual that has my mind peeking up with vigilance.

"The soil composition here is unique," I note, looking up at Sam.

"It's more alkaline than the surrounding area, likely due to mineral deposits beneath. This could affect the local flora and, by extension, the behavior of the rogues."

Sam nods thoughtfully as I continue,

"If we map out these soil anomalies across the territory, we might be able to predict their movement patterns. It's possible they're using these areas as navigational markers or even as meeting points."

I swear I’m not surprised when I hear the scoff behind me.

“You think a bunch of mindless beasts are following some dirt map? That's a waste of time when there's an SOS signal coming from the eastern border.”

"You have a better idea, Jimmy?” I raise an eyebrow to meet his challenging gaze.

This guy constantly trying to one-up me and antagonize me always grates on my nerves as much as I try to hide or stay cool about it.

He grins smugly.

"Well, if you had let me speak earlier, I was going to say that I've been working on this…”

He holds up rolled-up paper he’s been keeping all morning, then unfurls it as he drops to his knees. There are a couple of red markings on what looks like a complex map of the territory we’re currently in.

"Heat-sensitive ink," he starts.

"I've been tracking rogue sightings and attacks. When you look at it this way, there's a clear pattern forming."

Sam and I lean in to study the map. I would be lying if I say the work done isn’t quite impressive, or that it isn’t worth incorporating with my own theories. But Jimmy himself has shown that he doesn’t deserve to be praised by me.

"Not bad…but have you considered how the terrain might be influencing their movements? Your map shows they're avoiding certain areas.”

"Or it could be because those areas are more heavily patrolled,” Jimmy snaps. “…not everything comes down to fancy science explanations, you know."

Forcing a smirk, I reply, “Why don’t we overlay the soil composition data onto your map? It might give us a more complete picture."

"Fine. But I'm not letting anyone take credit for my work,” Jimmy answers gruffly.

He’s such an immature man, so it’s unsurprising to see that at the end of the day, what he would care the most about is someone overshadowing or hogging the glory off his efforts.

"But anyone might just take credit for making it useful,” I shrug sarcastically.

Sam clears his throat.

“Jimmy, we appreciate your initiative with the map. We'll review it thoroughly after we complete our roundup of the area. For now, let's continue with Alpha Kane's approach."

Jimmy's face falls, but he nods stiffly and rolls up his map, shooting me a glance of dissatisfaction as he gets to his feet. I continue to keep a watchful eye on Jimmy as we go deeper into the forest, and there’s just something about him that sets me on edge.

But I take my mind off him for a bit to sort through the new myriad scents of the woods, soon stopping again to examine the ground closely. There are claw marks on a nearby tree and tufts of fur caught in the underbrush. To the untrained eye, they might look like normal animal signs, but I know better.

"What do you see?" Sam asks, his voice low and curious.

I run my fingers over the claw marks.

"These aren't from any normal wolf. The spacing is too wide and the depth of the gouges suggests unnatural strength."

Jimmy scoffs again behind me, but this time doesn’t say anything.

"The fur is from what we think,” Sam also adds as he touches the fur.

“You reckon they've started marking territory?”

“Yeah,” I reply to Sam, standing up to survey the area.

There's a slope leading up to a rocky outcropping about fifty yards away.

"I think they came from up there," I add, pointing.

"The tracks clearly lead downhill. They must have come from the valley.” Jimmy, of course, points in the opposite direction.

I turn to face him, now barely containing my irritation. "And how exactly would they have gotten into the valley without leaving any signs on the way down?"

"Maybe they're smarter than you give them credit for," Jimmy retorts without turning.

Oh, that’s it.

I rush behind Jimmy where he’s standing, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and hoisting him up. Before he can even react, I've gotten him pinned to the ground.

Fear flashes in Jimmy's eyes for a moment before he hides it with defiance and I twist his jaw to face away from the valley,

"Look," I growl, pointing at the scuff marks on the rocks. "See how the debris is scattered downhill? That's from something large coming down fast."

Then I drag him a few feet to the side only to shove his face close to the ground again.

"And here… those are blood droplets. Notice how they're spattered in a downward arc?"

I still can't believe this punk tried to hit on my Liana. The people of this pack naturally keep to themselves, but if one is able to push the right buttons, they tell anything and everything, and so I heard. How laughable of this fool with a cocky grin and inflated ego to think he could have a shot with her. I'm here doubling him over when I actually want to raid him with punches till he passes out.

I just feel so proud whenever I think of how Liana must have handled his advances. It's not just about jealousy—though I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of it. But the fact that she's raising a daughter on her own, running a business, and still managing to keep losers like Jimmy at arm's length just proves what I've always known; Liana is one hell of a woman.

I can imagine how she must have shut him down with that cool look she always gives when she’s unimpressed.

“I can also see that they came from above,” Sam’s voice comes between us.

This is when I decide to release Jimmy with a slight push, watching as he jerks away and angrily dusts off his jacket.

At the tavern now, I cut the ignition.

Although I feel a tiny bit exhausted from the day’s investigation, the sight of the warm, glowing windows of the tavern is enough to lift my spirits. Coming out of the car, I can already notice Lina waving enthusiastically from the top balcony.

I break into a smile instantly and wave back at her.

That little girl has wormed her way into my heart faster than I'd like to admit. She's got Liana's eyes, as well as that spark of intelligence and mischief. I’ve come to love her to the extent I get jealous whenever I remember I’m not her father, and that there’s been some nameless, faceless man who got to be a part of Liana's life when I couldn't, who helped create this amazing little person.

It's refreshingly empty of customers inside the tavern and the "Closed" sign is already hanging on the door. I hear the patter of small feet on the stairs, and there's Lina standing halfway down with a shy smile.

I pull out a small, colorfully wrapped box from inside my jacket, holding it out to her.

"Here. I saw this and thought of you."

With eyes blossoming with eagerness, she scampers down the rest of the stairs to take the gift.

"Thank you!" she chirps, already working her fingers at the wrapping.

"You're welcome,” I pat her pigtails softly

Then she looks up at me. "Mama left you some food."

"Is that so?"

A tender thrill rushes through my body knowing that Liana at least thought of me.

"Come on!" Lina tugs me towards where a covered plate of food sits waiting.

"Thank you, Lina." I smile down at her and gently pinch her chubby cheek. "I'll make sure to enjoy it."

She grins up at me with her gift.

"I'll enjoy this one too!"

Then she happily bounds back up the stairs while I settle into a chair, already lifting the cover off the plate.

My mind instantly wanders down corridors of the past, during our university days…from the time she would refuse to eat with me to when we started sitting together every single day.

I want them back…those days.

I stare down at the plate, inhaling its aroma like something I don’t want to forget, and eating it morsel after morsel until there’s nothing left but the delicious flavors on my tongue. Even the empty plate looks like it’s mocking and reminding me of what I've lost and am desperately trying to regain.

I stand up and gather the dishes to take them to the kitchen. Then I lather some soap in water and start scrubbing the plates. I know Liana wouldn't want my help, but I can't help myself.

Suddenly, I hear the creak of floorboards behind me. I turn to see Liana in the doorway. There’s not much of an expression to read on her face even as we stare at each other for a few seconds. But I can see in her eyes and the way her lips part slightly that she wants to say something.

Nothing comes, she merely turns and heads for the stairs.

My wolf starts to pace restlessly, and I feel its desperation festering inside me. It so badly wants me to chase after Liana and make her understand how much I want to be a full part of her life again.

I touch my sternum exactly where it’s aching, as I watch her climb up the steps.

It's getting harder and harder every day to accept Liana's indifference towards me. Every dismissal, every avoided glance, and every moment of silence continues to chip away at my resolve.

I know I hurt her, and that it would be very hard for her to forgive me, but this... this is torture.

I can't hold it anymore.

"Liana.” I rush to the foot of the stairs.

She stops but doesn't turn around.

I can see the tension in her shoulders and the way her hand tightens on the banister.

"Can we talk?"

"Please..." I add.

Liana half-turns, her profile illuminated by the soft light from above.

"I'm quite busy right now—"

"It won't take long," I interrupt. "I promise."

She fully faces me now, and I can see the conflict in her eyes.

"I'm not—" she starts to say, but her words are cut off as the tavern is suddenly plunged into darkness.

A power outage, it seems.

But even in the inky blackness, I can still see Liana's silhouette at the top of the stairs. She starts descending the stairs slowly but hesitantly, while I hold my breath watching her.

A step followed carefully by another, and another, until there’s a rough landing on a loose board that sends her stumbling forward with a startled gasp.

I practically fly up the stairs to have her fall against me, and when her body hits me, it’s warm. My chest pounds furiously as my fingers move to instinctively hold her. Her scent is intoxicating and it’s overwhelming my senses.

Liana looks up at me. Her eyes glow faintly in the darkness. My wolf feels her wolf responding to our proximity even if she’s fighting to suppress it and every point where our bodies touch burns with awareness.

Her hands rest on my chest, and I wonder if she can feel my heart thundering under her palms. My own hands span her waist, and I'm struck by how perfectly she still fits against me.

I can't think. I can't breathe. All I know is Liana is here in my arms, closer than she's been in so long.

And before I know it, I’m leaning in.

My lips find hers in the darkness.

It’s soft and tentative at first. It's like coming home and discovering a new world all at once.

I feel her stiffen for a moment, maybe surprised, but then…oh, then she melts into me and my hand rises to cup the back of her neck, pulling her closer to me… where she belongs.