Mate by Fate, Bound by Love

*********************

Ethan’s POV

“Why is this taking so long?” I grumbled, pacing the room in frustration. My gaze flicked over to my sister, Sophia, who lay in bed looking far too calm given the situation.

“It’s been six hours since my Beta returned, saying they had some information. Why hasn’t anyone come to update us?” I vented, unable to contain the irritation any longer.

“Relax, Ethan. Someone will come soon. Just be patient,” Sophia replied, her voice calm and steady, as if she were the one trying to soothe me instead of the other way around.

I should be the one comforting her-she was the one who was sick, after all. Instead, here I was, burdening her with my own anxieties. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of my guilt. I wasn’t just worried about finding Lena for my sake, but for my sister’s as well. She had suffered enough.

I needed to apologize to Lena. I had wronged her in so many ways. It’s true what they say: you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. In my case, I had taken far too long to recognize what I’d lost. Even now, it might be too late.

But deep down, I prayed it wasn’t.

“Relax, Ethan. Everything will work out,” a familiar voice echoed in my mind.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“I just am. Things may not unfold exactly how you want them to, but you will find her.”

I sighed heavily, my eyes drifting back to Sophia.

“Was that your wolf trying to calm you down?” she asked with a soft smile

I nodded.

“Funny how they tend to show up when we’re at our lowest, isn’t it?” she mused.

“Your wolf talks to you too?” I asked, genuinely surprised.

Sophia chuckled, shaking her head at me. “Don’t tell me you thought you were the only one who talks to their wolf.”

“I guess I just never gave it much thought. I’ve never really had this kind of conversation with anyone,” I admitted.

“Every werewolf has a wolf inside them, Ethan. Sometimes we shift into our wolf form voluntarily, and sometimes our wolves take control in moments of danger. When we shift on our own, we’re not as strong as when our wolf takes complete control. But when they do, it’s a force unlike any other.”

I processed her words, realizing something I hadn’t fully understood before. “So that’s why I’m stronger sometimes, especially when I let my wolf take over?”

“Exactly. And as an Alpha, your inner wolf is even more powerful. The bond strengthens not just your wolf, but your body as well.

I frowned, feeling a deep sense of inadequacy. “I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know. Becoming Alpha… it all happened so fast, and I was far from prepared.”

Sophia’s gaze softened. “You didn’t have much time to learn from Dad before the responsibility fell on you. You’re still learning, Ethan, and that’s okay

Before I could respond, my Beta entered the room, interrupting our conversation.

“Your Highnesses,” he greeted with a bow. “I apologize for the interruption, but there’s someone outside. She claims to have information about Lena.”

“Really?” My heart leapt, and a grin spread across my face, all my previous irritation melting away. From the corner of my eye, I could see Sophia smirking at my reaction, but I didn’t care. My focus was solely on the news this stranger might have.

“Bring her in immediately!” I ordered, my voice laced with anticipation.

My Beta hurried out and soon returned with a woman who looked utterly exhausted. She was thin, her clothes worn and tattered, and it was clear she had been struggling for some time. From her scent, I recognized she was an omega. For a fleeting moment, suspicion clouded my mind, and I wondered if she had come just to fabricate a story in exchange for a reward.

I was on the verge of dismissing her when Sophia spoke up.

“Wait. She looks like she could use a hot bath. Please, arrange that for her, and make sure she’s well-fed before we hear what she has to say.

I shot Sophia a disapproving look, but she didn’t waver. My Beta hesitated, waiting for my command.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Adrian, please,” Sophia said softly.

“Do as she says,” I conceded, though the frustration still lingered in my voice.

As the Beta led the woman away, I turned to Sophia, barely containing my anger. “What was that about? Why delay this?”

Sophia didn’t flinch. “Doesn’t she remind you of someone?”

I frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?”

Sophia sighed, looking me directly in the eyes. “Is it Lena you’re thinking of? Or are you dismissing her because she’s an omega? Did you reject Lena because of the same reason? Because she was an omega?”

I blinked, taken aback by her accusation. “What? Of course not! You know I was blinded by my feelings for Lauren back then!”

“Maybe. But think about it. Why were you so quick to disregard this girl just now? Because she looked hungry and weak? Because she’s an omega? Ethan, if you want to change anything-if you want Lena to forgive you, if she’s even still alive-you need to start accepting people for who they are, not their rank. It’s time to treat everyone equally.”

Her words struck me hard. She was right. I had been quick to judge this woman because of her status, just as I had been with Lena. One of the main reasons I hadn’t thought twice about breaking the bond with Lena was because she was an omega. The realization felt like a heavy weight sinking into my chest. I slumped into a chair, feeling ashamed.

“If you want Lena to forgive you-if she’s still out there-you need to start changing now. Accept people, not their rank. And if you can’t do it for yourself, do it for me,” Sophia pleaded.

“I’ll accept her if she accepts me,” I muttered, feeling the weight of my own failures.

This moment opened my eyes to something I hadn’t acknowledged before: my unconscious bias, my judgmental nature. And those were traits no leader should have.