BOUND: Mates at War | 18+

26 I Found One

Romans POV

They both gape at me. No one has said anything for several minutes.

"A-Are you sure? Maybe it's not real?" Dylan stutters.

"Why would she have a magical ball that shows her killing the King? Whether it's true or not, why the fuck would she have that?" Miles is agitated. I expected him to react this way. He's an asshole but he will be weighted down by guilt knowing that he's spent the last five years killing elves for no fucking reason.

"It was real. I don't know how to explain it, I could just... feel it. She killed him."

"Fuck," Miles jumps up and starts pacing beside the fire we made.

"What about her?" Dylan nods his head toward Solana.

I feel her tense beside me.

"She's my mate."

Miles lets out a loud, hysterical laugh, "are you fucking with us? Your mate?"

A growl rumbles in my chest, my wolf doesn't like where this is going.

"Why would I be joking about this? She is my mate, I've known...awhile."

Her small hand links with mine and I feel an odd sense of pride. Telling people she's my mate makes it real, I can't deny her again. I bite into my tongue to keep from smiling. These men have been in my scouting group since I was made chief guard. I won't act like a love struck puppy in front of them.

"H-How ?" Dylan looks mystified.

"If it makes you feel better we've tried to kill one another on multiple occasions," her voice cuts in as I open my mouth to respond.

We all turn to her, surprised, before Miles barks out a laugh.

"What a fucking mess! I didn't even know we could be mated to elves!"

Dylan suddenly looks panic stricken at the thought. He isn't mates yet. I know he's thinking of the possibility.

"Are you going to mark her?"

She tenses again, her hand squeezing mine nervously.

"We should report back, it's going to be hard but we have to act casually," I ignore the question.

Truthfully, my wolf wanted to mark her earlier and I had to fight to keep him at bay. We're in the middle of a gigantic shit storm, I haven't even asked her how she feels about that.

A mark is a permanent, unbreakable bond. After all the shit that I've done, she may not want to be tied to me forever. A cold shudder rolls through my spine at the thought.

I would understand if she decides that my egregious past is too much to forgive but it also weighs on my mind constantly.

"Fuck, this is going to be hard, how are we supposed to just...act normal?"

"I want to tell the rest of our scouting group, Cale and Aric. Otherwise, lie, for now. I have no idea what we should do."

They nod and quickly stand and move out of the small clearing. They both nod awkwardly to her before fully stepping out of sight.

She sighs heavily beside me before pouring water over the fire. She's upset, I can feel it.

"Solana?"

She ignores me.

"Solana?"

She hums, acknowledging me without looking at me.

"What's wrong?" I grab her arm, I know the guys are waiting but I don't want to leave her upset.

"Do you..." her voice is soft, sad, "do you not want to mark me? We obviously don't do that but I thought it was important to you."

I take her face in my hand, her soft skin feels like silk against my rough calluses.
"Look at me," I tilt her chin forward, "I want to mark you, you don't understand, I'm biologically compelled to claim you, I'm holding back constantly, because it's forever. Once it's done, there is no choice, it won't matter if you want me or not, you'll have to kill me to keep me away. After everything I've done, you need to be completely sure before we do that..." my voice trails.

She relaxes in my arms, nodding her head,"be careful."

"Worried about me?" I nudge her shoulder jokingly but I know she is.

Her eyes sparkle, "Just hurry back, I'll be here waiting with little dove."

We look up at the branch hanging over our heads where the bird is sitting.

I can't help but groan. The only reason I'm not snatching up that stupid bird and bringing it back to my mother is the small satisfaction it gives me to know she's upset that it's gone. For now, it's the only revenge I can have.

I hold my breath and lean down to press a chaste kiss to her soft lips. I'm not sure how to act, I don't want to overstep.

When she smiles up at me my shoulders relax.

A new feeling washes over me as I walk away from her, an uncomfortable bubbling in my stomach. My wolf is restless, edgy.

The guys are waiting for me when I step out of the brush onto the shore. I have to force myself forward, I want to go back, to check on her.

Fuck... it dawns on me. I'm worried about her, I'm afraid something bad will happen to her while I'm gone.

"I'm shifting and running back, I'd rather just get this over with."

——-

When I get to the doors of the throne room I have to check my rage. Until we have some kind of plan I don't want her to know what I know.

When the drools are pulled open my body goes rigid. I have to only appear as uncomfortable as I normally do in her presence.

"Roman, where have you been?"

"You told me to go out as soon as my shoulder was well enough, I've been in the forest."

"Did you find anyone?"

"I found one."

She nods, "I assume you heard there was an intruder?"

"Did they take anything?"

"Just my little dove."

"You're positive she didn't just escape? That's a strange thing to take, there are more valuable..."

She rises from the throne, her black silk robes flowing behind her as she walks toward me.

"You do not question what items are of value to me, boy. You do as you're told. Until she is found, your scouting team is to search for her exclusively. I want her back."

Her hands flex, I can see her trying to remain calm.

I nod my head, "anything for you, Mother."

I move to stand at attention, my arms pulled behind my back. I have to hide the fury making my hands shake.

She brings her hand up, caressing my face, "my brave boy, after losing your father I was so afraid. I'm a very lucky woman to have a son like you, always keeping me safe."

My stomach rolls. I want to shove her away.

"I only wish I could have been the one to avenge him, to punish his murderer."

She hums and drops her hand, watching me closely.

"Don't worry, you won't meet the same end he did, I'll make sure of it..."

I turn on my heels and walk through the doors, I need to find the rest of my team.

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