CHAPTER 63: BOND

But why?

He’s her father?

"You’re too soft, Sylvie. Why do you so desperately want to be like them? You’re special." His grip tightened around her neck to the point where it was difficult for her to breathe. "No daughter of mine is going to be a weakling."

"Papa, hurt."

"You were blessed by the god of Lycanthropy, so make use of your gifts. Don’t bow to the rest of the filth around here. That’s the only way I’ll accept you. Otherwise, you’re better off dead." Danzo suddenly threw her, sending her flying into the tree behind her.

I tried to catch her, but she passed through me as if I didn’t even exist. They couldn’t even see me. The moment Sylvie hit the tree, she passed out, and Danzo walked away, leaving her covered in her own blood and tears.

I thought it cruel. She was hurt by that was suppose to protect her.

Even me...

The person who was suppose to be her fated mate.

While she was slumped against the tree, I examined her more closely, and she was in worse shape than I thought.

For one, her arm was broken in two places. She didn’t have a high healing factor, so she was left to suffer in pain. I watched her unconscious face and saw her chest rising and falling with every breath she took, and I felt a bit relieved.

For whatever reason, I was experiencing her memories as my own. In some ways, we were similar. I now somewhat understood why she was my fated mate.

I also now understood my role in this.

...

Suddenly, the world around me began to warp, and I was back to the same place I was before with Sylvie. My hands were still elevated, ready to take her life, as she stared up at me through gritted teeth and a bloody mouth, but in the next instant, I lowered my hand.

Her eyes were sharp as she glared at me, but then I reached out my hand and began patting her on the head.

"It’s alright, Sylvie. I won’t hurt you."

She stared at me with wide eyes, and I felt a silent understanding pass between us. We were now connected. Her expression softened a bit.

[BOND with fated mate: -10%]

"Sylvie must kill. Papa going to be mad."

"He can’t hurt you anymore, Sylvie. I’ll protect you."

"No, papa loves me. If I kill, papa loves me. Don’t touch my head; only papa! No one else," she said adamantly, but in the next second, I reached out and petted her head again. Her tail began to wiggle behind her, and her face took on a red blush.

[BOND with fated mate: -5%]

She seemed a bit confused by how her body was reacting to me. Maybe she reacts differently when others does it?

"I only like when papa does it," she whispered and lowered her head a bit.

"Hmm? Then why do you seem so happy now?"

"No, Sylvie not happy."

"Okay, then I’ll stop."

The moment I stopped petting her head, her tail stopped wiggling, and her ears drooped. She stared at my hand hesitantly before she reached out and placed it back on her head. Her tail danced wildly behind her, and her ears stood at an upright position.

[BOND with fated mate: 0%]

"Sylvie still not happy," she pouted.

With that tail of hers, it was impossible for her to lie.

"Alright, climb onto my back," I said, turning around.

"You’re back?"

"Yes, you’re injured, so I’ll carry you on my back."

"You’re going to give Sylvie a piggyback ride? Sylvie never had a piggyback ride before."

"Well then, hop on."

She didn’t even hesitate as she leaped onto my back and wrapped her legs around my waist. It felt strange carrying her now. Just a few minutes ago, I wanted to kill her.

"Where are you taking Sylvie?" she asked.

Now that she asked, I realized I hadn’t thought about it.

"I’m kidnapping you for the time being."

"Kidnapping?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

I needed time to think and plan my next move.

"Want to go to Sylvie’s hideout? No one will find us there."

"You have a hideout?"

"MmHm! Yep, it’s just up the mountain."

"Okay, show me to where it is."

Sylvie nodded and began showing me to where her hideout was. Thankfully, it was located just before you entered the Nyx pack territory. Her hideout was actually a small cave that looked more like a wolf’s den. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the bones of animals she had hunted and killed. She had also used their fur to create a small sleeping area.

Also, her face turned bright red the moment I entered.

"You like?" she asked, looking a bit shy. An emotion I had never seen from her before.

She was so used to others rejecting her because she was different that she was worried that when I saw her hideout, I would do the same.

"I do like it," I said, putting on a kind smile.

[BOND with fated mate: 10%]

Sylvie smiled, and her tail began wagging uncontrollably.

"Sylvie happy."

I then went over to the pile of furs and placed her down on it. I was actually amazed that she was still able to speak despite how injured she was. I suppose I should apologize for what happened.

I slowly stroked her head as I spoke to her.

"Sylvie, I’m sorry for injuring you. It was wrong of me; please forgive me."

I’m terrible at apologies.

[BOND with fated mate: 12%]

She stared up at me with big round eyes, then a smile came on her face. I found it miraculous that someone could be so cute. Maybe it was because we were fated, but every action she sent a ripple through my heart. I wonder if she felt the same way too.

"Sylvie sorry for attacking you too," she said.

I didn’t want to be like those bastards who hurt her for their own enjoyment.

Sigh.

This wasn’t like me. Caring about someone who isn’t even a part of my pack. Our connection seemed stronger than those of normal fated mates. I could practically feel her emotions as if they were my own. I even accessed her memories.

I petted her head again, then pulled her in for a hug. Her body stiffened at first, but then she slowly warmed into it. I wondered if she had ever been hugged before. From the way she reacted, I doubted it.

[BOND with fated mate: 15%]

"Umm, can Sylvie ask you your name?"

"Hmm?"

My name? I forgot to tell her.

"It’s Liam."

Hearing my name, a beautiful smile appeared on her face.

"Lee~" she whispered softly.

The two of us lay together on the pile of fur as I embraced her and slowly patted her head. A satisfied smile was on her face as she purred softly.

"Sylvie?"

"Hmm?"

"How would you like to join my pack?"