Chapter 13 Part 2 (parts of Chapter 14 to fit requirements)

Simon's POV

The bond was a strange thing. Despite being utterly horrified to go physically near him, my wolf, and everything in me told me that he was still my mate. Despite all the pain, nightmares, and anxiety he's caused, there would always be a part of me that asks the what if. That maybe things will change. And through all the sadness and depression I've faced, I wanted nothing more to know that he was happy. That all this suffering, albeit unjust, or uncalled for, at least meant for him to be happy.

Of course, during those incidents where I mentally and physically breakdown, all I want is for him to suffer the same pain I have when I see him cheat on his chosen mate, Sarah. But it'd always come down to the bond wanting to see him happy.

The bond was a terrifying thing. But in a way, there was something so sanguine and innately hopeful about it, that made me crave it.

When I regained my senses, I realized subconsciously, I had been inching out into their sightline, away from the safety of the dense foliage, and nearly in plain sight. I scanned over, breathing a sigh of relief when I realized no one had seemed to notice, so I stepped backwards before turning to sprint off. It seemed unlikely anyone would sprint after me as they all seemed intrigued and happy about Sally's return, but I didn't want to take any risks, especially with Vince nearby.

As I slowed to a trot, I wondered why I hadn't seen Sarah alongside him. Every time I had seen them in my nightmares and bond visions, as I liked to call them, they were practically glued together. Aside from Vince's sex-crazed rendevous where he'd sleep with some stranger at a motel, Sarah rarely left his side.

As I traced back my steps toward the cave, I had reached the bottom of one of the many hill areas of the forest when I heard rustling from behind me. At first, I took it as the wind, but when I noticed that the low-lying branches and bushes were eerily still, I picked up the pace, veering to the left where the forest became denser. I almost played it off as some vermin or bird when I heard distinct growling coming from closer behind me. I didn't dare risk looking back and sprinting off again, trying to and failing to dodge some of the shrubs in the unfamiliar part of the forest.

Suddenly the forest floor dipped drastically, and I didn't have time to brace myself as I stumbled, tumbling down the slope, falling over and over until pain exploded through my side as I collided with a tree. With my vision blurred and spinning, I tried to mentally check the damage before I heard the growling grow louder and the last bit of adrenaline rushed through me, as I shakily tried to stand and take off again. I knew eventually my body would probably go into shock, but all I could think was that someone, probably from the pack had chased me down to murder me.

I probably made it about thirty feet when a set of teeth clamped down on my neck, effectively pinning me down to the ground. The fear and sheer size of the wolf was enough to pin me down. All the shock, pain and anxiety hit me like a truck. I waited for death to wash over, only for the wolf to release my throat and stare at me in silence.

I didn't dare look up, but as soon as I got my bearings, and his scent hit me, the fear multiplied tenfold.

"Don't run," Lucas growled. All I could do was stare at his front paws, exposing my neck as far out as possible in hopes he'd just spare me, knowing full well he could easily kill me and get away with it.

As much as I wanted to run, there was no way I could, with the amount of pain in my right side, I didn't think I could even stand.

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you," he sighed. Lies, I thought. "I just want to talk."

I didn't even move an inch, hoping he'd just forget it and go back home.

He continued, "You saved my daughter. Thank you."

"You didn't have to, yet you saved her. For weeks I couldn't sleep knowing she was out there and I couldn't find her. So thank you, it means a lot," Lucas said. He waited for my reply, but I remained still. "I know I haven't been the best father to her, and I realize now how precious she is. I won't waste this second chance with her. I owe you one."

You're lucky you even get a second chance, I thought.

Lucas sighed, "Look, I'm sorry. I know you're terrified of me, but I really do mean it, I'm not here to hurt you. I wanted to thank you, sincerely. And warn you."

I frowned, glancing up to risk making eye contact with his sinister orange eyes. "Warn me?" I said so softly, I feared he didn't hear me.

"You remember Michael? Vince's brother?" He asked. It took me a while, but I did remember him. He had been kicked out before I had. It was shortly after Vince had taken on the alpha role around the time their father died. They had a massive fight about the title, both claiming that their father's position was theirs for the taking. From what I remember of what Xavier said when we were young, was that the two never got along, and this fight had been the last straw for the brothers.

I nodded, before replying softly, "what does this have to do with me?"

"He called us a few days ago," Lucas explained. "He wants revenge."

"For what?"

"Vince killed his mate a while ago, shortly after you left," he said. "I'm assuming the severed bond is making Michael go insane."

Lucas was getting on my nerves, I had nothing to do with Michael or his mate. Did I? I didn't even know who his mate was. "What does this have to do with me?" I asked again.

"He wants to kill you," he informed. "So Vince can experience the same pain of losing a mate."

I frowned. When I had been in the pack, Lucas and Vince had failed to even acknowledge the bond existed at all. Vince wanted nothing to do with me, and honestly, wanted me dead too. I think all the betas did too when they found out that day that I had become a traitor to the pack.

"Why are you warning me, isn't that what Vince wants?" I asked. "Killing me, I mean."

"Not if it means it'll kill him too."

"What?"

"A severed bond will make Vince go insane, whether he wants to or not, it'll destroy him. It could make him suicidal, depressed, or even lead him to a rampage," Lucas continued.

"It's not like we're mated," I muttered. "And Vince is an alpha. He's stronger than most wolves, so I doubt killing me would do anything. I'm already dead to him anyways. I don't understand why you're even telling me this, I'm a rogue, a traitor. You're not obligated to tell me anything, remember."

Lucas sighed, "your death would be a threat to the pack, to my alpha, so I do feel obligated to tell you. Besides, I owe you for saving my daughter, so I wanted to warn you about Michael. He's unpredictable and psychotic, so it's best you avoid him at all costs if you value your life."

I nearly scoffed if I hadn't still been petrified of his presence. He hesitated as if he wanted to say more, before walking away.

----

I had spent a few days back in the comfort of the cave mulling over what Lucas told me that day. Aside from the terrifying bright orange eyes that haunted me, his words of warning were even more frightening. Why Michael of all people would want me dead was beyond me. Revenge, maybe, but now of all times? It didn't make any sense to me. Killing me wouldn't do anything to Vince, it probably would make him happier, honestly.

And the way Lucas was making Michael out to be, was he really that scary? I hadn't known him that well when I had been there, but did losing his mate really make him psychotic and unpredictable? Would I eventually become like that, or was I already considered psychotic?

Maybe I was already insane, I mean I was a rogue for over ten years, some outcasted pack members don't even last that long on their own. But then again, I wasn't completely alone. I had Cedar and Aspen. When I didn't lash out or walk out on them like I did. Which looking back on it, arguing with Aspen was dumb, he was the only one willing to help me out, even when I was drowning in my own blood, or throwing myself at anyone for money with no regard to my own safety.

And in a way, Aspen was right. I was like another child.

Even when I'd make hundreds of dollars with the men at the clubs or bars, the outcome was always the same; a sobbing mess that Aspen had to come and collect. Sure, I knew it was unhealthy, but I didn't have much of a choice did I? I could've gotten a normal job, but when I was kicked out, I left with nothing. No paperwork, no extra clothes, nothing. I had no proof of residence, social security, or anything. And a job required me to stay in one place, and the three of us could barely afford a motel. Aspen could barely secure the job he had now, and he was emotionally stable. If an employer were to see the amount of issues I had, they'd easily let me go and would soon rather hire an underaged kid over me.

But no matter how much Aspen loathed me, he'd still be there, mothering me the same way he did Cedar. He had been there since I was kicked out, helping me back on my feet, making sure I didn't do something I'd later regret.

And my heart ached at the thought of them leaving me in the dust for good. Telling me they had enough of my pathetic childish ass. But after that stunt that probably left Cedar traumatized, the possibility of them moving on didn't seem too far-fetched. In fact, I wouldn't even blame them, considering how much of a burden I was. But it still hurt thinking about it.