EKA: Tale of a Wounded Heart

Linking

Ivory led Dantero down to meet everyone. Dantero was a bit hesitant because he knew his rogue scent was different.

"How are you sure that I won't kill the whole family in sleep and leave?" asked Dantero.

Ivory snorted.

"As I said, you wouldn't have been able to finish the mating with ill intention. Also, what you don't know is that my parents can sense the right sort for themselves," said Ivory.

"And you?" asked Dantero.

"You are asking someone who is pervy to the wild thoughts through the bond link," said Ivory.

Dantero looked at him.

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Dantero was introduced to all and he saw the looks of surprise and inquisitiveness in all their faces.

Then his fathers in law led him out from the harrassing of his three sisters in law. The girls were a menace.

"You are wondering why we trust you?" asked Avadh.

"Ivory gave you answers but you are not satisfied," said Avadh.

Dantero looked in astonishment at them. He did not see Ivory talk to either of them after they got down.

Avadh placed an arm around Iker and both looked at him.

"The royal family has a mind link. Something like an internal communication bond. If nothing helped you believe it, understand this that, if you are hostile you would never be able to be part of the link. Only the genuine one can be linked to it, just like the Alpha's hear their pack. And there are exemptions, yes. The golden granules are one. If you are surrounded by golden granules we won't be able to hear you,"said Iker.

Avadh nodded.

"Because the granules were made to bend the rules of the bond link calls," said Avadh.

"We accept you as our child," said Iker.

"We do," said Avadh.

Avadh came over and so did Iker. Both pecked on his forehead and walked inside.

Dantero felt the buzzing noise in his head and then he could feel it. With the head of the family accepting him as their child, he was let into the link, also because he passed the test of conviction and genuineness.

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Dantero walked in to absolute mayhem at the dining table. He expected some prim and proper dinner. He saw Magnus carrying around Arth trying to feed him but Arth seem to be excited about something he was telling his father, to be eating.

He saw Isco resting his head on Kanwar's shoulder and was eating obediently all the while playing with Kanwar's beard.

Samuel was making a very reluctant Carles eat. Clement was howling something over the din only to get a ladle thrown at him from Jeev. Jeet was conspiring with his sisters and Ivory he saw was with Vir, Pran, Aren, French and Ishq. They were teasing Ivory, that was evident.

The older generation was talking amongst themselves and he saw them all as playful and ridiculous as possible for the greatest warriors they are known to be. Tim and Ira were having some silent conversation.

Then there was Antony and Ili, probably the only people silent. They were barely having anything and he realised that the others were not oblivious if the look Jana and Eka were throwing them were anything to go by.

He jerked when he felt a hand on shoulder.

"Come on, it's time to start eating," said Ivory, who he did not realise had moved from the group.

They all began the official dinner which was filled with ridiculous topics of discussion beginning from - if Aren was going to mate first or Ishq. Aren looked more like Avadh but with Iker's complexion and hair and so the blush blooming in his face was clear.

"Stop teasing my kid," said Avadh.

"Yeah, he is too young to be bonded," said Iker.

"But- " started Jwala.

"Enough, why don't you eat?" asked Ili.

"Well, you are just miffed that you can't mate with big brother," said Jwala.

All froze.

Antony got up and left. Ili looked down and soon walked away.

"Good job," snapped Jana going after Ili.

"Know when to stop talking Jwala," said Iker and he and Ahem followed Antony.

"Poor Antony, 'I' can't imagine being on the recieving end if those two's fury," said Cris.

"That's because Papa scares you sometimes," teased Ananya.

"He does. He really does," said Cristian.

Avadh snorted.

"We have seen you beg dad to let you back inside the bedroom, don't snort. It's unbecoming, tut tut," said Carles.

Avadh looked at his son who was daring him to challenge what he said. Avadh decided to not battle with his very pregnant son making Samuel snort as he went back to feeding Carles.

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Ivory pressed his face against Dantero's arm and said.

"God, they can all be so embarassing," said Ivory.

Dantero snorted.

"I would use different words," said Dantero.

"So what is with Antony and Ilyes?" asked Dantero.

"Ili like him, like has liked him from the moment he heard about big brother and saw his picture. They didn't really get along when bro taught him archery, but it was going well. He is always aloof and distanced with Ili because we think be knows about Ili's crush. So now it's his revelation day tomorrow and I don't think Ili is happy. He is hoping bro is his mate, I am sure. But my dumb brother will ruin it all if that happens," said Ivory.

"Are they aware of these theories?,," asked Dantero.

"No, Of course not, they are oblivious, except now Jwala has poked somewhere too close to truth," said Ivory.

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Antony sighed as his Dad and Uncle left. He sat down on his chair and closed his eyes. Of course, he knew that Ili has a crush on him. It wouldn't have mattered if he didn't feel something intense when it came to the boy. And that was the problem, he is a boy, not a man. Even if they do end up being mates, the age difference is something that makes Antony uncomfortable. He was definitely not bonding to an 18 year old, no matter how much he wanted to.

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Ili sobbed into his pillow. He had always thought he will look forward to his revealing day. But now, he was not so sure. He didn't want to mate with anyone other than Alpha Antony.

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