Chapter 40 The Bond Awakens
As thoughts of Ella filled Valen's head, he wanted to go meet her and let her know that she belongs to him.
No. That's madness, if he saw her again, he wasn't sure he could stop himself from claiming her, instead he decided to go out for a run.
As he stepped out of his study, her scent hit him like a tidal wave—sweet and intoxicating, wrapping around his senses and refusing to let go. He inhaled deeply, trying to control the surge of desire that followed. His feet moved on their own, following the trail of her scent until it led him to the garden.
There she was.
The sight of her stopped him in his tracks. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, accentuating her graceful form. Her hair shimmered, cascading down her back like a dark waterfall, and her skin seemed to glow under the moon’s light. She looked extremely delicate, almost otherworldly, as if she belonged to the night itself. Her fingers lightly brushed over the petals of the flowers, the gentle motion captivating him. He swallowed hard, unable to stop himself from imagining those same fingers trailing over his skin.
Ella seemed to notice another presence and immediately turned around, drawing him back from his lustful thought. They stood in silence for a while locked in each other's gaze.
Her scent was all over the garden,her body looking so warm, tasty and fragile. Valen wanted to take her there and now, the feeling was almost breaking him as he fought for control.
Ella couldn't take her eyes off him either, The raw power and magnetism he exuded made it impossible. He looked like a god carved from marble, his pale skin flawless and his broad shoulders radiating strength. He was handsome, desirable, she could feel Lila stir, the wolf responding to his presence. Lila seems to come alive whenever she has an encounter with this vampire.
Her thoughts drifted to her earlier conversation with Lila. Her wolf had insisted that this man, this vampire, was their mate. But how could that be? Derek was still her mate, wasn’t he? How could she have another mate—and a vampire, no less? The very idea was unthinkable. Vampires and werewolves were natural enemies. This bond was a cruel joke, a mistake of the gods.
How could the Lord of vampires be paired with someone who's supposed to be his sworn enemy?. Yes, they were naturally born enemies for goodness sake, it was unheard of, this can't be happening, how would she survive in the land of her enemies if this vampire chooses to claim her? Is the moon goddess or whosoever the vampire's god is, playing some kind of tricks or what? How's this supposed to play out?.
Noticing she was staring for too long at this gorgeous man, she cursed herself mentally. Just then she heard him speak. This time his voice was gentle and not the thunderous commanding voice he used back there in his study. His voice was low and rich, making her skin tingle.
“I'm sorry about what happened earlier,” Valen said as he drew closer to her, closing the gap between them. “I momentarily lost control,” he continued. Let me introduce myself, he said in his husky voice sending chills down her body.
“I'm Valen, Vampire Lord of the Eastern Clan”. He said, extending his hands for a handshake, his crimson eyes watching her intently.
Ella hesitated, her gaze flicking between his face and his outstretched hand. Her thoughts wandered, Are all vampire lords this powerful, intimidating, and… domineering? She quickly shoved the thought away, shaking her head mentally.
Watching her closely, Valen knew she was lost in thought, his curiosity got the best of him as he tried using his vampire's influence to read her thoughts.
Ella immediately felt a push in her mind, spine stiffening,she glared daggers at Valen. “I know vampires can read minds, Lord Valen, but I don’t appreciate anyone invading mine. You should know I’m a werewolf, and my mind is not an open book for you.”
Valen raised an eyebrow at her sharp tone but smirked slightly. “It's a habit, forgive me Doctor Ella” he drawled, his tone not apologetic at all.
Ella stared at him, his hands were still outstretched. Of course he knows who she is after all, he was the one who kidnapped her, but this is the first time she's even learning of his name since her kidnap.
Folding her arms, she stared at him. “Why am I here?”
Valen chuckled lightly, “So quick to get to business, won't you accept my handshake?”.
“You can leave it hanging for a while,” Ella said, giving him a stubborn look.
A small smile escaped his lips which didn't escape Ella's notice. He is even more handsome when he smiles. Stop it, Ella, she scolded herself silently.
Valen’s expression shifted slightly, becoming more serious. “Why are you out here?” he asked, his deep voice pulling her attention back to him.
Clearing her throat, she responded “I came out for a walk and you?”
“This is my territory, do you need to ask me why I'm out here?” Valen said challengingly.
“Right” Ella muttered.
Finally deciding to be polite, she took his outstretched arms, “ Well since you already know, I'm Ella Brown, also known as Doctor South. I believe you brought me here against my wish because you need my services. Perhaps you're scared I might reject your offer”.
As soon as Valen locked hands with Ella, his vision opened and he saw flashes of her past, he saw her being attacked by rogues, he saw when she nearly died from the plague, he saw when she was being humiliated and rejected by her supposed fiance and fated mate. As if being electrocuted, he suddenly released his grips, taking a few staggering steps backward, his crimson eyes sparkled brightly under the moonlight.
The overwhelming flood of her emotions—pain, fear, sorrow, and betrayal—ripped through him.Staring at Ella and returning his gaze back to his hands where she had earlier held, he wondered. How could he share in her pain, hurt, fear, humiliation, betrayal, vulnerability and every other emotion she had felt. How could this be happening? Why does his heart hurt so much? Valen pondered clutching his newly beating heart.
Ella frowned, confused by his sudden reaction. She stared at her hands and she wondered if she had somehow hurt him. Lila had gone silent again ever since she told her about Valen being their mate. Out of frustration of not getting answers she needed, she had to come out for fresh air.
The garden was just close to her room, so it was easy for her to locate it. She never knew she would meet Valen here, Infact, she hasn't even wanted to meet him ever since their last encounter in the study.
He had been scary, even though her body desired him, she knew it is better to stay away from him. She had just taken his outstretched hand as a form of formality and he's acting like someone that just got burnt.
“Are you okay?” She asked moving closer to him.
“Stay back” raising his hands as a signal to stop her, Valen shouted before he could stop himself. His voice was sharp and edged with panic.
Ella stopped in her tracks, startled by his tone.
Valen, noticing his effect on her, immediately regained his composure. “I'm fine,” he said, straightening up as he took a closer look at her. In truth, he wasn’t fine.
This is the first time such a thing is happening to him since his thousand years of existence. The depth of her pain resonated with him, and his chest still ached with emotions that weren’t his own.
A Lot of things have changed since this new mate came into his life. He's supposed to hate naturally but why couldn't he? He stares at her eyes which looks innocent and drawing him in. Why does he feel the need to protect her and make sure no other harm comes her way.
Without thinking, he swiftly closed the gap between him and Ella, he drew her into his arms as he hugs her protectively.
Ella's instinct was to pull away but the warmth and comfort of his embrace made her hesitate and the electrifying buzz she felt couldn't let her. She let herself relax against him, even if it's this once.
For a moment, nothing else mattered. They stood there under the moonlight, wrapped in each other’s arms, the weight of their respective worlds temporarily forgotten.
Valen closed his eyes, savoring the moment. At this time, it didn't matter who she was, what she represented and their differences, he didn't care that their bond defied the natural order. He was slowly trying to come to terms that his second chance mate is a werewolf and not just any werewolf, but one that stirs up underlying powers in him, he was slowly coming to terms with their mate bond.
But the questions loomed heavily in his mind. How would he explain this to his clan? How would the vampire elders react? And most importantly, how could he protect her in a world where their love would be seen as a betrayal?
As they stood under the moonlight, listening to each other's heartbeat, at that moment, nothing else mattered. None of them spoke about the mate bond. As they held onto each other, the moon bore silent witness to their growing bond, a love that neither of them had asked for but one that was destined to change their lives forever.