Chapter 2 Chapter 2: The Mate Bond

Darius's Pov

I shouldn't be here, but I wanted to beat the shit out of Lucas Blackthorne.

Have you ever had one of those moments where time snaps like a rubber band stretched to its end?

That was what it felt like when my eyes locked on Lucas in the club. My hands curled into fists as I stared at him, wearing a cold look on his face.

The arrogant bastard…

Yesterday, I'd gotten a report that he'd beaten one of my pack members and they had crossed the boundaries or annoyed him in any way. I was also here to find my sister, Sierra.

But now, I was getting distracted by Calla, her best friend who was currently holding her chest like she was going to pass out soon. The only reason Calla remained Sierra's best friend was because she was not yet fully an eclipse wolf.

“What…he…help!” She gasped, her hands floating in the air.

I rushed to her side when no one else bothered to, throwing the drunk guy that had harassed her earlier, aside.

The music was cut out, and a small crowd was beginning to form. I watched Calla whimper as a glowing silver thread weaved from her chest to Lucas's.

It was unmistakable. She was his mate.

Everyone gasped and someone was even bold enough to call her ugly. I pitied Calla. She had a rough childhood with her mother dying and her father remarrying. She had no one and even her step brother Lucas, hated her.

That was another reason why I let my sister stay friends with her. Calla's face brightened and she smiled.

“A…are we mates?” The smile on her face confused me. She was no longer in any danger. Why was she happy to be Lucas’mate? Even though she knew he hated her?

She took a step forward towards Lucas, brushing my hand away. On the other hand, Lucas looked like he would faint.

“You've got to be kidding me, moon goddess.” He scoffed and tsked. “Her? Definitely not.”

The silver thread flickered but didn't break. Calla's smile faded and she looked so small. “I…please. The moon goddess brought us together. It's my birthday today. Maybe today is the day I'll finally get my wolf.”

Lucas stepped to her, and every girl in the room leaned in like they were watching a car crash. I clenched and unclenched my fists, doing my best to control the annoyance I felt.

Lucas was so arrogant.

“The goddess must be drunk.” Lucas finally said and tilted his head. “The Alpha King, bound to a girl who hides in hoodies and bookstores? A girl who’s too weak to even shift?”

People laughed, and poor Calla made a small noise. I wanted to do something, but what? I wasn't even supposed to be here.

“Lucas I…” she started to say, but he cut her off with a wave of his hand.

“I reject this. Right here, right now.”

I watched Calla's legs wobble, and I gritted my teeth. Lucas knew what rejection did, he knew it wasn't just words. It was like ripping out your flesh and throwing it on the floor for everyone to see.

Calla staggered as he leaned in. She reached to hold him but he stepped away and she fell to the floor. “Better luck in your next life, charity case.”

Sierra pushed through the crowd, her dress glittering under the lights. “Lucas, stop—” she didn't mind that she was a dragon claw and rushed to help Calla.

“Lucas, we need to talk.” I heard myself say, stepping between him and Calla.

“So.. There's two dragon claws here? You're crossing boundaries, Darius.” Lucas growled at me, Calla was forgotten.

“You crossed boundaries first when you beat a member of my pack, half within an inch of his life. I don't need to remind you that messing with dragon claws is not a good idea.” I sneered at him, baring my teeth.

Dragon claw was known for its strength and brutality, and Lucas had no idea what he's doing.

“Fuck off!” Lucas answered, closing the gap between us. His eyes flashed with his green werewolf eyes.

I started to say something, but Calla suddenly got up and dashed to the front door, shoving past everyone.

“Calla!” Sierra called, but her voice was swallowed by the music blasting back to life, like nothing had happened.

I followed her. It was not safe at night for young wolves like her. Today, the rogues were particularly violent, and the moon goddess forbid, she ran into one of them.

“Damian, wait for me!” I heard Sierra call out behind me, but I didn't wait for her. For some reason, I wanted to find Calla and protect her.

She just kept running. “That bastard.” I muttered under my breath. He was such a shitty person for treating his stepsister this way.

I followed her through the alley and behind the club, and into the woods on the opposite side of the club.

Branches scratched at my arms and I batted them away. That was when I heard a low growl coming from the direction she was running towards. Damn it!

I turned towards the sound recognizing it all too well. “Calla! Watch out!” I yelled, as my wolf senses kicked in.

She was way ahead of me and I still had a lot of catching up to do. How was she so damn fast? I saw two glowing red eyes between the trees where she'd just run past..

“Oh, shit,” I muttered.

But it was too late. The rogue stepped out, its fur dirty and ribs showing. It looked like a zombie and smelled like blood and rot. The smell made me almost gag.

One bite from a rogue was dangerous. The rogue snarled and pulled back its lips. Drool slid off its teeth and dropped to the ground.

“Easy…” I called out. “You don't want to do this.” but the rogue ignored me, and ran after her. Calla turned back, sensing she was in danger.

But before she could move out of the way, the rogue wolf slammed into her.

“Shit.” I hissed.