Chapter 11: I Won't Submit To Something As Crappy As Fate

'I'm not trying. It's just what it looks like when I'm trying to be nice.'

'That's even worse,' Ran said drily.

An unusually serious expression came over him. His eyes glowed blue again for a moment. Static crackled ominously between them.

'Have you heard about bonded mates?'.

She took another sip to distract herself from the change in atmosphere, but her cup was empty.

'It was a thing in the past. Sort of like werewolf soulmates.'

Caph nodded. His eyes turned green as he turned to explain, 'Yeah. Our ancestors used to only marry their bonded mates. But we don't do it anymore. Because there's too many werewolves, too many packs now.'

Where was he going with this?

Was he implying that he was looking for his bonded mate?

Was that why he accepted her proposal of a fake arrangement?

'Yes,' he answered her thoughts. His green eyes pulling her in like quicksand.

He was flirting with her again! There's no way to make him have a serious conversation with her.

Ran brought her empty cup to her mouth, unsure of how to reply.

'Well, I, for one, won't submit to something as crappy as fate. If it's my uncle's fate to be Alpha of Eridanus,'—her coal black eyes flashed a hostile warning at him—'I'll make it mine.'

He smiled at her reaction and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. Caph tilted his head, red-brown hair tumbling everywhere. 'So, now that you know my secret, are you going to tell me why you're working so hard to become Alpha? Why not just take it easy and let your uncle lead the pack?'

Ran shook her head. 'My uncle had always despised the way my father led Eridanus. When the rogue attack happened ten years ago, he took the opportunity to denounce my father's leadership and led the pack the 'right' way.'

She took a deep breath.

Caph waited for her to continue.

Usually, she wouldn't have kept on talking. He wasn't a friend after all—just an arrangement. But the warmth that crackled between them caused her to lower her guard.

Also, he seemed concerned. Genuinely concerned.

There was no trace of mockery in his eyes.

'Acamar said my father was weak. And when Eridanus began to thrive under him, everyone believed him. They pitied me for having misguided parents.'

Ran's eyes flashed.

'But I believe my father wasn't wrong. He was the smartest werewolf in the county—that's why his father made him Alpha instead of his brother. He was just a little weak. And so, I will not be weak. I will become the rightful Alpha in my father's place.'

She leaned her head back to stare up at the stars in the sky, wondering if one of them was the telescope through which her father in heaven was using to look down on her.

'My uncle believes I am as foolish as my father though,' she mumbled. 'Even though I am much stronger than he.'

Suddenly, a warm hand enveloped hers and squeezed. An electrical current jolted through them. Ran flinched. He was close.

Too close.

Yet not close enough.

'You can do it,' he said in a low voice. 'I'll help you. I promised.'

Her breath caught in her throat.

She was definitely touched this time.

'Eh... Thanks.'

She ripped his empty cup out of his other hand.

'I'll get you another drink.'

Ran hurried away.

Caph watched her go.

His green eyes glowed, turning back to blue, as the crowds of werewolves faded away and he saw only her, weaving through the throng towards the buffet table.

His skin prickled uncomfortably as the distance between them grew.

Caph always thought that when he found his bonded mate, he would recognise her instantly. They would get along and he would want her so badly, he wouldn't be able to help himself.

He felt no such thing with Ran. They clashed and made each other bristle.

Yes, she was physically attractive and her reactions when he teased her were amusing, but that was because her personality was so different from anyone he had ever met before.

Whoever his bonded mate was, she would be someone who loved him and admired him, someone who was drawn to him as much as he was drawn to her. At least that was what the stories of bonded mates said.

'I won't submit to something as crappy as fate,' Ran had said earlier.

Fate.

What if...

A bonded mate wasn't someone you were drawn to, but someone who needed you the most?

Ran returned with soda in both cups.

She thrust one at him. The fizzy liquid was slightly pink from the cow's blood.

'You said you'll help right?' she asked brusquely.

Caph smiled indulgently.

He noticed that irritation didn't flash through her eyes this time.

'I did,' he agreed.

She sat down next to him again.

The energy that thrummed inside him when they were together picked up again, filling him up with warmth.

'Acamar will definitely start training you to be the next Alpha. It would be suspicious if you didn't go along with him.' She picked at the handle of her cup. 'I know I said that you could do whatever you wanted with your time but...'

He smiled at her. 'I can do that. It will be a good chance for me to meet the rest of your pack.'

And find your mate at the same time, Ran finished the thought for him.

He kept his expression veiled this time, green eyes revealing nothing.

'Also,' she said, 'in the evening, let me show you what my father did when he was Alpha. I...want you to see that he really was the smartest werewolf in Septrion County.'

She looked away and swallowed the burning liquid in her cup, face red with heat.

Ran wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

On the other side of the bonfire, just like before, Acamar was watching them.