Page 18 of Bond To The Alpha (Fated Bond #1)

LIANA

The door slams shut behind us, cutting off the howling wind. I lean against it to catch my breath as my body trembles from the cold, while Kane stands a few paces away with his broad shoulders dusted with snow.

We only spoke a word or two to each other during our frantic run to this abandoned cabin, and I'm not about to add more now.

I push away from the door, surveying our temporary shelter.

It's small and dusty, with cobwebs clinging to every corner. An old couch with faded and torn fabric sits against one wall, and two chairs are occupying the center of the room.

There's a fireplace, thank goodness , but it's stone cold.

Without thinking, I reach for the light switch on the wall. Nothing happens, of course. I wasn’t expecting that there would be power here, in the middle of nowhere, that too, in a blizzard.

"I'll make a fire," Kane says.

I don't respond and just wrap my arms around myself, watching as he moves towards the fireplace.

He pats his pockets, then frowns.

"Damn. Must've dropped my lighter when we were running."

I start looking around the cabin, hoping to find anything that might help. The cupboards are mostly empty, but in one, I find an old box of matches. It's damp, and I'm not sure if they'll work, but it's better than nothing.

"Here," I say, tossing the box to Kane.

He catches it and nods his thanks.

While he works on the fire, I continue exploring.

There's a makeshift bedroom off to the side of the wall, with a bed that looks like it might collapse if anyone so much as sits on it. On another side is a sparse kitchen area adorned with a rusty sink and a few dented pots and pans.

I hear Kane cursing softly and turn to see him struggling with the matches. They're too damp to light easily, so he shouldn’t go through them quickly, I think to myself, but I don’t help.

A small flame soon catches on some crumpled newspaper Kane found. He nurtures it carefully, then adds some pieces of wood he's scavenged from around the cabin. The fire grows slowly, now pushing back the chill that's settled into my bones to some extent.

Crouching down by the fireplace, I hold my hands out to the flames, feeling the heat seep into my frozen fingers before rubbing my palms together and pressing them to my face, ears, and neck.

Kane moves away from the fire to rummage further around the cabin. I keep my eyes on the crackling and popping flames, which for some reason, reminds me of Lina.

"Here," Kane's voice breaks into my thoughts.

I look up to see him holding out a large, musty-smelling shawl.

"Found this in one of the closets. It’ll help keep you warm."

After a long moment of wordlessly staring at the offered shawl, I take it and mutter, "Thanks."

Then I wrap the shawl around my shoulders, pulling it tight. It smells of mothballs and dust, but it's thick and warm.

I'm not sure when I fell asleep, but when I open my eyes again, I'm lying on my side on the floor, in front of the fireplace. The shawl is still wrapped tightly around me, and the fire has died down to glowing embers.

I blink slowly, trying to figure out if it's morning or not.

The cabin is still dim, and I can still hear the wind howling outside.

As I lie there, still groggy from sleep, a hot cup appears on the floor in front of me. The steam rising from it curls in the cool air. I slowly push myself up to a sitting position as my muscles protest after a night on the hard floor.

Kane crouches nearby. "It's tea," he says, nodding towards the cup.

"Made from some wintergreen leaves I found near the cabin. Thought you might need something warm."

I say nothing, just reach for the cup and take a slow, cautious sniff. The scent is unfamiliar but not unpleasant.

I take a small sip and let the liquid warm my throat. It doesn't taste particularly great, although I’m glad for this proper heat inside my body.

"Thank you.”

"You're welcome," Kane replies, already moving away.

I watch him return to the far side of the cabin, where he starts working on the rickety bed. The sound of Kane's hammering fills the small space, and I find myself studying him as he works. I then force myself to look away, setting my half-drunk tea aside and standing up to stretch my stiff muscles.

Then I drape the shawl over a nearby chair.

"I'm trying to fix up the bed," Kane says.

"So you can sleep somewhere warmer tonight."

"You don't need to bother about me. Besides, we might not even be here by nightfall,” I respond.

I start moving around the cabin. I'm not sure what I'm looking for, exactly, but my growling stomach reminds me that we need to find something to eat, and I doubt there's much left in this old place.

I check some of the few dented cans in the kitchen, but their labels are so faded I can't read them. There's a rusty can opener that looks like it might give me tetanus if I tried to use it.

A sound from outside catches my attention.

It's faint and I stop to listen intently.

The rumble comes again, and I look across the room, at Kane, who has also stopped what he's doing. I know he heard it too.

Slowly, I stand up and walk to the nearest window, which is mostly covered in frost which makes it hard to see outside.

I use the sleeve of my shirt to wipe a small circle clear on the glass and peer out.

At first, I see nothing but swirling snow. And then I squint to try and make out any shapes in the white blur, at the same time, fumble with the window latch and manage to push the window open a crack.

Something large and dark lunges so suddenly at the opening, that I shriek back and immediately pull the window shut.

A tiger. It was definitely a tiger.

Of course, I'd be startled by a tiger, even though it's as much prey to us werewolves as anything else.

However, without my ability to shift, and without a weapon or practice, my chances are that taking on a creature that size in my human body would likely end in severe injury.

I step down from the crate I'd been standing on and look around the cabin.

Kane is gone.

Where did he go?

Did he go outside?

I walk to the door, noticing it's unlatched. Then I carefully open the door just enough for my eyes to peer outside. The wind whips snow into my face, but I can already see traces of blood ahead which are stark red against the pristine white. And soon, I see Kane standing over the mangled body of the tiger. He’s bloody all over, but he seems relatively unharmed.

Hours later, we sit by the fire, roasting chunks of meat on makeshift spits. The smell fills the small space so richly it makes my stomach growl. Also, Kane keeps offering the best pieces and making sure I'm warm enough.

When I've had enough—both of the food and his attentiveness, I set my stick aside.

Kane clears his throat. "This weather isn't letting up."

"We won't be able to journey until it subsides a bit. Could take more than a day, I'd wager."

I sigh, staring into the flames for a long time.

"I wonder who the traitors might be," I don’t realize I’m musing this aloud until Kane answers,

"Whoever they are, we'll root them out soon."

We lapse into silence again. The magnitude of what we're facing is weighing heavily on me. There’s also that fear that makes me ask myself questions like:

What if we don't solve this?

What if, for some reason, I have to run again for safety?

"Then I'll be happy to search for a safer haven with you,” Kane answers.

I turn to him in silent shock as I wonder how he’s heard what I’m thinking. But I find it surprising…and somewhat unsettling that he doesn't mention ‘going back to Blood Moon Pack with him.’

I stare at the fire again.

"I don't want to keep moving from place to place with Lina. Changes are too overwhelming, and I don't want to her to suffer from these things.”

I'm not complaining to him directly, just voicing my thoughts aloud. But I can feel his eyes on me, absorbing every word.

Kane shifts closer

"The real change needed is within you."

I glance at him.

He continues, "You can't keep closing off your heart, suppress your emotions, or endure unjust treatment.”

Jeez, he’s started again.

“I’m not being treated unjustly here. But that place did,” I retort.

‘You did too’, I almost add, but don’t.

I bite down on the upset that’s starting to cause a ring in my ears.

I never asked him to lecture me.

"I know I hurt you. I know I betrayed your trust. But please, Liana, I'm asking you to open your heart to me again. I promise, I swear on everything I hold dear, that I will never hurt you like that again.

“I want to be there for you, always. For you and Lina."

I choke back on a squeeze in my chest at the mention of my daughter. Our daughter.

"These past years without you," Kane continues. "I've felt...empty. Incomplete. Like a part of me was missing. I threw myself into my duties as Alpha, making the pack stronger and better, but nothing ever filled that void. Nothing but the hope of finding you again…."

My heart is pounding.

I want to believe him…

I want to throw caution to the wind and trust in the sincerity I hear in his voice….

But…

"I was young and stupid. But I've grown, Liana. I've learned from my mistakes. I want to make things right between us, if you'll give me the chance."

I say nothing and just let the sound of the wind continue in our midst.

For the next few days that we remain trapped in the cabin by the relentless storm, I can't stop thinking about Kane's words.

They replay in my mind as I go about our daily routines of gathering firewood, preparing meals, and keeping watch for any signs of danger.

I'm tired.

Tired of holding back. The walls I've built around my heart are too heavy and suffocating.

It’s the fourth night, and I lie on the bed Kane fixed, wrapped in the old shawl, staring at his sleeping form on the floor, near the fire. The urge to be closer to him grows stronger and my wolf is pushing me towards her mate.

Should I trust him again?

The question haunts and keeps me awake long into the night.

I can't deny the pull I still feel towards Kane and the way my body and soul continue to recognize him as my mate, despite everything that's happened between us.

Before I fully realize what I'm doing, I'm on my feet.

I silently pad towards Kane.

My heart thunders so loud it’s like I’m going to have a heart attack.

I stop, hovering uncertainly with the shawl clutched tightly around my shoulders.

What am I doing?

But my wolf knows. She's been waiting for this moment and is pushing me towards it.

With a deep breath, I lower my trembling self to the floor behind Kane and slowly drape the shawl over both of us.

Kane's warmth immediately engulfs me, so much so that I have to stifle a shudder. My wolf howls in triumph on being finally close to her mate after so long.

I lie still, barely breathing as I watch the rise and fall of Kane's shoulders. His scent awakens long-buried memories and desires. The years of separation fall away, and I'm transported back to the early days of our relationship when everything was new and full of promise.

I want that back.

Kane stirs to turn slowly beneath the shawl and suddenly I'm drowning in pools of deep blue.

His eyes are soft with an emotion that makes my heart skip. Neither of us speaks because we’re afraid of breaking the fragile moment.

I search his face for a sign of the boy who hurt me. But all I see is the man who wants me just as much as I want him.

Enough second-guessing now.

I slowly press my lips to his, closing my eyes.

He’s still for a heartbeat, and I fear I've made a terrible mistake.

But then his hand comes up to cup my face, and he's kissing me back with a gentleness that brings tears to my eyes.

The kiss deepens, years of pent-up longing pouring out in a rush of sensation. Kane's hand pulls me closer as if he can't bear any distance between us. My own hands find their way to his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart under my palm as our kiss grows more heated and passionate.

Kane pulls back slightly, his forehead resting against mine our hot breaths fan each other’s faces

His thumb traces my cheekbone. “I've missed you so much."

His voice breaks something loose inside me, causing the tears to spill down my cheeks as I finally allow myself to feel everything I've been holding back. I kiss him again, more hungrily this time, and press my body against his so that he holds me.

I feel his hand at the back of my waist as he pulls me closer, slowly turning to lean directly over me and plunging his tongue deeper into my mouth.

Kane's lips trail fire down my neck, and I gasp at the sensation.

I desperately tug at Kane's shirt to feel his skin against my body.

He obliges and breaks away just long enough to take off his shirt, before returning to slant his lips possessively over mine.

The feel of his bare chest hard against me electrifies my entire being.

His hands fumble with my shirt, undoing the buttons, until he’s completely bared me to his view. Then he slips his fingers under my bra, brushing them against my nipples.

I loudly take an inhale, splaying my hands wildly over his back; still dueling with his lips and arching beneath him.

Kane’s hands reach for the top of my skirt and panties pulling both of them down my legs at the same time and I kick them off my legs. Almost immediately his hand slides between my damp legs.

I mewl against his face as his fingers start working slowly over my slit.

My moans increase in frequency as I gyrate my hips against him. He kisses down my neck again as he pushes more fingers into me, circling consistently until I can’t hold back my need anymore.

"I want you now Kane," I manage to say between shallow gasps of air.

"I want you too," he breathes an eager chuckle against my neck.

“Undress me,” he then adds huskily, staring me deep in the eyes as he straightens up on his knees, with my body heaving heavily in-between his legs, as if to say he’s all mine.

My heart swells that Kane is laying himself open to me again, like it used to be.

Smiling, I lead my eyes from his face, down his pectorals glistening like molten steel in the dim of the firelight; to the V of his torso, till they land on the bulge that’s aching to be let loose from behind his jeans.

And today is the first day I hear my wolf’s voice, loud and clear:

This is where I belong.