Mate by Fate, Bound by Love

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*Adrian’s POV*

“How many times do I have to tell you that no one knows I’m here… except-” Lena paused as if suddenly recalling something.

“Except what?” I asked anxiously.

She seemed lost in thought. I moved closer to her cell, standing directly in front of her, and repeated my question. Finally, she answered.

“Except my only friend back in my former pack,” she sighed, as if she had completely forgotten about this person.

“How have you been communicating with her?” I pressed.

“We communicate through letters, but since I was called a spy and framed, I haven’t written to her,” she explained.

“What were the contents of these letters?” I asked, trying to maintain my composure.

“I told her how my life had turned out for the better. The last one I sent was about Claire wanting to end me by all means possible, and that you were involved in it.”

Anger surged through me. I banged on her cell loudly, the force throwing her back. Surprisingly, she didn’t fall or hit her head. She appeared stronger than before. The Lena I had always known would have fallen.

“What have you done, Lena?” I growled.

“What do you mean? I only wrote a letter to my friend. Is that a crime?” she retorted.

“It is a crime! You told an enemy everything that was going on in this pack. You really are a spy, Lena. I can’t believe this. I tried so hard not to believe it, but this…” I couldn’t continue, my anger overwhelming me.

“She’s my friend, not an informant,” Lena defended. “She’s an omega wolf like me. Nobody knows her, no one talks to her. She’s always by herself, so there’s no way she would tell Ethan or-”

“What did you just say?” I interrupted, my blood running cold.

“She’s my friend-”

“No, not that!” I cut her off. “The name you mentioned?”From NôvelDrama.Org.

She bit her lip as if regretting her slip. I wondered what she was hiding. Was Claire right about everything all along? These thoughts raced through my mind.

“SAY THE NAME AGAIN, LENA!” I shouted.

“Ethan,” she murmured.

“Ethan,” I repeated.

The name rang a bell. I must have encountered him before. I was certain I had heard it somewhere.

“What have you done, Lena?” I said as I recalled who Ethan was.

“You’re scared, Adrian. Why are you scared?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.

I looked at her, then walked out of the holding cell. I called back the wolves guarding her and gave them strict instructions to be alert and ready for battle. It was certain now that Ethan was coming. He was definitely coming to save Lena.

My first battle with Ethan was unforgettable. I had never met such a formidable opponent. He was strong and ruthless. I won that battle by sheer luck-we had been fighting for hours when he suddenly surrendered. I was surprised he did.

If he hadn’t surrendered, I probably would have lost. Ian was of great help that day. Now Ethan was coming here, but Ian was nowhere to be found. I panicked inside, but I couldn’t show it. My fear would only spread to my pack.

I called out to my Beta, “Send our fastest sniffer after Claire. Track her down and tell her to come back with the warriors she took. There’s a situation in the pack right now, and we need all hands on deck.”

“What’s going on, my lord?” he asked.

“We’re about to be attacked by Ethan,” I replied grimly.

“Ethan?” He paused. “The ruthless alpha who surrendered?”

“Yes, that Ethan,” I confirmed.

“What is he coming here for?” My Beta was always an inquisitive one.

“He’s Lena’s alpha. He’s coming to save her and probably take revenge on us for the damage we caused to his pack.”

“How sure are you, my lord?”

“Trust me, I’m very sure of this. Never doubt an Alpha’s instinct,” I said firmly.

“Okay, sir. I’ll do as you said.”

“And tell the rest to be alert and strengthen their forces. Make sure everywhere is barricaded, especially the gate to the execution ground where Lena is locked up. Ensure it’s totally secured,” I added.

He left, and I was alone with my thoughts and fears. I kept praying to the Moon Goddess to help me, even if just this once. Let her bring back Ian, even if just for today. I couldn’t afford to lose this battle. I couldn’t let Ethan take away Lena and my child.

Restless, I paced around, trying to formulate a plan. I decided to oversee the barricading process. They used iron armors to block the entrance to the Palace.

I followed my Beta down to the execution room, where he placed electrical barricades around the holding cell.

“I advise you don’t come close to the gate of the cells. In fact, do not touch any iron in this cell if you value your life or your child’s,” my Beta warned Lena.

“Adrian, what’s going on?” Lena asked, looking confused.

“Are you asking me? I should be asking you this question, Lena. WHAT IS GOING ON? Tell me their plans, and I can let you escape with me and my pack. We’ll move to another place where we’d fight no more, we’d only live for each other,” I pleaded, hoping to reach her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Adrian. Why is my holding cell being electrified?” she asked, fear creeping into her voice.

“Okay, so this is what you’ve decided to do. Feigning ignorance till the end, right? I must say I respect the loyalty you have for your pack. It’s just sad that such loyalty wasn’t channeled to me. I promise to slit every last wolf’s throat in your pack. I’ll bring their heads here for you to recognize them,” I threatened, my patience wearing thin.

“What are you saying?” She looked more confused than ever.

But I couldn’t care anymore.

“BOOM! BOOM!! BOOM!!!” The sound came from the entrance.

“They’re here!” I announced, my heart racing as the inevitable confrontation drew near.