Blood Bound: A Paranormal Romance (Fire & Ice Book 1)

by Idella Breen

  Cait’s hand guided her closer, and the girl felt the warm tip of the wolf’s tongue slide against the seam of her lips. She hesitated at first, but when the tongue asked for entrance again, she felt a sudden boldness and opened her mouth to accept the woman. Cait wasn’t polite upon entry. She immediately dominated Snow’s mouth as if she was trying to claim it as her own. When their tongues touched Snow let off a low moan at the silky feeling as they dueled for dominance.

  Snow’s other hand framed Cait’s face and stroked it softly as they moved against one another. She wanted to touch more of the woman. She wanted to be touched. Those thoughts startled her, and she pulled out of the kiss, needing air. She rested her forehead against Cait’s as she panted. When she met the woman’s striking blue eyes, she saw they looked more human. The wildness was still there, but it looked subdued. Cait’s gaze had softened. She was back.

  Snow moved back to give the werewolf some space. The brunette didn’t know when the other werewolves had let go of the woman, but she was now in a sitting position, as Gwen had moved off of her chest. Cait smiled at her causing the brunette to blush and tuck a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. “You’re back?”

  Cait nodded. “I am.”

  “Hi.”

  The werewolf chuckled. “Hello.”

  “I hate to break up the happy reunion, but we should probably move from the hallway,” Gwen said as she helped Remus stand. He staggered but nodded.

  “Cait, we need to talk.”

  Cait sighed unrepentant of what she had done. “I know.”

  She stood and held out her hand for Snow to take. The girl smiled and accepted it allowing herself to be led back into her small two bedroom apartment. All the werewolves filed in after them along with Mary. She wasn’t going to miss out on all this action.

  Cait and Snow sat down on the love seat while one of the male werewolves pulled a chair over for Remus and Gwen.

  The blond smiled at him. “Thank you, Sam.”

  “My pleasure, Gwen.”

  Remus sighed as he sat and waited for everyone to get comfortable. He cleared his throat and began.

  ***

  “I would like to start by saying that, I’m sorry, to you Cait. What I did was…” He trailed off.

  She sneered. “Stupid?”

  Remus nodded. “Yes, it was stupid, but I believed it was necessary. I hope you can forgive me.”

  Snow interrupted. She was officially confused. “Why are you saying sorry? You were the one to get attacked.”

  Gwen decided to answer that one. “A mating ritual between a werewolf and their imprint is sacred. When Remus interrupted, he indirectly challenged Cait for the right to have you, even if that wasn’t his intention.”

  “I’m confused.”

  Gwen nodded. “I can understand that. I take it neither or you are really aware of imprinting, or the mating ritual, or you wouldn’t have engaged so quickly without the proper precautions?”

  Cait growled before huffing, and looked away, while crossing her arms. “It would have been fine.” She mumbled.

  “No it wouldn’t have. You were out of control Cait. The wolf completely took over!” Remus yelled.

  “I said it would have been fine!” She yelled back.

  Gwen stood between the two of them breaking their eye contact. They both growled but Gwen cut them off. “That’s enough.”

  Then she turned to Cait. “You obviously have never seen an alpha mate if you think it would have been fine.” She turned to Remus. “And you aren’t her alpha, so quit trying to subdue her. She’s obviously stronger than you and I know she is older.”

  “She just got lucky.”

  Cait snorted.

  Gwen sighed. “Spoken like a true alpha. We came here to talk. So, let’s talk. Keep your teeth in your mouths and your claws in your laps.”

  Sam snorted. “Good luck with that.”

  Gwen ignored him and took her seat. “Remus, I don’t know the full situation. Why don’t you begin with what you have to say?”

  “My offer still stands.”

  Cait snarled at him. “I will not submit to you!”

  Gwen sighed. “You know what? How about I start this conversation. Cait, I don’t know you but I know werewolves. Not only am I one, but I have overseen many mating rituals in my lifetime, what I know is from experience. So, when I say it would have ended badly had you continued, please try to believe me.”

  “I wouldn’t have hurt her.”

  “Not intentionally.”

  “Not ever.”

  Gwen answered patiently as if speaking with a child. “Have you ever seen a blood bond?”

  Cait paused but shook her head.

  “Do you know how to consciously do one?”

  “I would have figured it out.”

  Remus gave a bitter laugh. “And probably killed the poor girl in the process!”

  Cait growled and was on her feet in minutes. Gwen was standing between them, and Snow had stood, and was gripping Cait’s arm tightly. The brunette didn’t know how she anticipated the werewolf’s movement but her body had moved before her mind caught up. She had just felt the sizzle of anger as if it were her own. This was all really beginning to scare her.

  Gwen looked at the couple in puzzlement before meeting Cait’s glare. “Take a seat.”

  “Please Cait. I don’t want anyone to get hurt anymore.” Snow pleaded.

  Cait relaxed and resumed her seat next to her mate. She threw her arm around Snow’s waist pulling the girl securely into her. Snow all but melted into her, resting her head on the werewolf’s shoulder. She felt exhausted.

  Gwen sat back down. The look of puzzlement deepening. Remus sighed. “Do you see what I mean Gwen. This is dangerous. The bond is advancing too quickly.”

  Gwen nodded. “How long have you two know each other? A year?”

  Cait nuzzled Snow’s hair causing the girl to relax further into her. “Snow just met me today.”

  “A day? You’ve only know each other for one day? You’re lying!”

  Remus shook his head. “No they’re not Gwen. Snow just transferred to Monster High today. Cait is her homeroom teacher. To my knowledge, they’ve only known each other for a day.”

  “That’s impossible.”

  “What’s the problem?” Cait asked annoyed.

  Gwen ignored her. “Is it because she’s a Fallon? Much of that clan’s history is a secret, especially their mating ritual.”

  Remus shook his head. “I don’t know. All I know is that this is dangerous for the both of them.”

  “Are you going to answer me or what?”

  Gwen turned back to her. “Forgive me Cait, but this is just so surprising.”

  “Why?” Snow asked.

  “The bond that I feel coming from you two is strong. Not as strong as a blood bond but-“

  Remus interrupted. “Why don’t you explain it from the beginning Gwen.”

  Gwen nodded. “Right, I’m sorry. Let me explain the mating ritual so you can understand.”

  Cait and Snow nodded.

  “As you know, the ritual begins with a touch. Just making eye contact or anything nonphysical isn’t enough. The two mates have to have a physical contact of some type. I heard it described as an electric shock or burning heat of some type.”

  “We had that.” Cait said.

  “After that, the two mates begin the courting. You have to understand that just because the werewolf imprints on someone doesn’t mean there is instant love or need for intimacy. Imprinting is simply the instance when a werewolf becomes completely devoted in every way to a person.”

  “What do you mean?” Snow asked.

  “What I’m saying is that, just because a werewolf imprints doesn’t mean the relationship the two people have will be sexual or marriage. It is simply the act of the werewolf swearing their life to the person for eternity. Some of the relationships remain platonic as really good friendships.”

  “What about the b
lood bond?” Cait asked.

  Gwen nodded. “What about it?”

  “Doesn’t it have to do with sex?”

  Gwen shook her head. “You really don’t know anything. And I say that in the nicest way possible. But no, a blood bond doesn’t have to involve sex. It does however, have to happen for the to mates to survive. I know you’re confused but let me keep explaining. Once the werewolf imprints the courting begins. It is during this phase when the two mates decide what type of relationship they will commit to. It ends when the imprintee either accepts or denies the werewolf’s commitment.”

  “Denies it?” Snow asked.

  Gwen’s features darkened. “It’s rare but sometimes the imprintee denies the werewolf. It’s very tragic. The wolf doesn’t last long afterwards. They either go insane or kill themselves.

  Snow gasped as the realization of what could have happened to Cait, had she not kissed her, sunk in. Her insecurities had almost killed the woman she was currently cuddled into. She was finally beginning to understand why the mating ritual was so dangerous for the both of them. She snuggled even closer into Cait and gripped the woman’s t-shirt tightly. She didn’t know if she loved Cait but she definitely didn’t want her to die. Her heart ached at the thought.

  “How long does the courting usually take?” Cait asked.

  “Usually anywhere from one to five years. It’s a big commitment for both parties and it takes them time to decide the relationship they want. They have to get to know each other. It’s like blind dating. They usually don’t even know the person they imprint on, all they know in the beginning is that they suddenly belong to this person for the rest of their life, and werewolves live a long time as you know.”

  Cait nodded. She couldn’t say she was shocked at that information but at the same time she was more connected to Snow then she was willing to let on. Though, she didn’t think she would ever imprint on the girl. This was indeed a turn of events. At least, this would make it easier to keep her promise from all those years ago.

  “What about the blood bond? What is that?”

  Gwen nodded. “It’s the devotions of both the werewolf and their mate to each other. The full acceptance on both parts. It can go one of two ways, but both require some guidance from the wolf's clan, either from the alpha or the omega. One way, is a blood bond of lovers, and the other is the blood bond of friends. Obviously, the lover bond is committed during the act sex.”

  “What exactly happens?”

  “In both, the werewolf completes the bond by marking their mate. By biting them.”

  Cait frowned. “That’s it?”

  “It’s a bite from the wolf. It hurts like fuck or so I’m told.”

  Cait shivered. Did that mean she had to transform completely into her wolf to commit the bond? Now that surprised her.

  Gwen continued. “That’s not the full extent of it though. The problem comes in when the imprintee is supposed to submit.”

  “Submit?” Snow asked through a yawn.

  Gwen nodded. “If the imprintee has any doubt during that moment when the wolf bites them, the wolf will sense it.”

  “What happens then?” She asked, a sinking feeling settling in her gut.

  “I’m sorry but the nature of a werewolf isn’t pretty. If the imprintee has any doubt during the bond the werewolf will sense it and eat them.”

  “Eat them.” Snow repeated.

  “Yes.”

  “Like put them in their mouth, chew them up, and swallow them?” She rambled.

  Gwen nodded. “Werewolves are animals, Snow. We are half human, but at the end of the day, we are monsters as well.”

  Snow shuddered. She couldn’t even think of Cait eating her. She always felt so safe in the woman’s presence despite only knowing her for a day. Despite her discomfort at that information, she was beginning to submit to the warmth emitting from Cait, and her eyelids felt heavy. She would just close them for a minute.

  Remus cut in. His voice holding an air of arrogance that grated on Cait’s nerves. The man had always been reliable to her, but whenever he felt he had one leg up on her, he wasn’t afraid to show it. “So you understand now? Why I had to stop you?”

  Cait nodded. “I do. “

  “So you’ll-“

  She cut him off. “Still, I will not submit to you. You will never be my alpha Remus. I will never belong to any other clan than that of Fallon.”

  “You can’t be serious!” He yelled.

  “I am.”

  “You’ll wait until you kill her? Then what? You either go insane or kill yourself? You’re the last Fallon. Do you want to end you bloodline in such a dishonorable way!”

  Cait waited until he was done. She had managed to gain more control over her temper, now that she understood the situation better, and that Snow had accepted her no matter how tentatively. She felt like her axis had been restored and she was fully back in control of her wolf.

  “Say what you will Remus. I’ve made my decision.”

  Gwen pleaded with her. “Won’t you please reconsider, Cait? I’d hate to see another tragedy? You two have progressed so fast but I fear without the right guidance you wont be able to handle the bond.”

  Cait paused to think all of this over. She wouldn’t ever submit to another alpha. Her wolf wouldn’t let her. Not after what had happened in her past. But how could she protect Snow from herself.

  “Would you be willing to help me Gwen?”

  “I would be honored to help the last Fallon to mate!”

  “Even if I didn’t join your clan?”

  Gwen paused and a snarl ripped from Remus’s mouth. “Never! She is my omega and I won’t let her.”

  “I was speaking to Gwen. To my understanding the omega isn’t subdued by the alpha’s power of subjugation. She only listens to you through loyalty, not power.”

  Remus was at a loss for words. This was one thing Cait was sure of from her memories as a child. The omega of her clan was the weakest but she was free of the alpha’s command. She had witnessed her father and their omega fight over things on several occasions. Her father had secretly loved the verbal battles, and had always made Cait part of them as her lessons to learning how to be an alpha, and therefore the next leader of the Fallon clan. She felt the familiar sting in her chest that always came from thinking about her clan. It had lessened over time but it would never disappear.

  “Will you, Gwen.”

  The Omega spent a long moment thinking it over as Remus rambled on about how she would never do it. Gwen didn’t know Cait or Snow, but she had felt the link when she was connect to the both of them. It was stronger than anything she had ever felt. She had kept her cool during the situation, as was her way, but she had been full of fear. The power of Cait’s wolf was massive.

  She had never felt anything so dark and ancient. What she did know was that Cait hadn’t fully lost control over her wolf. She had been restraining the bulk of it. Only a small part of her had given into it. Gwen had felt the struggle for dominance between the beast and the woman. It had terrified her. It had burned her when she tried to push deeper into the link she had established.

  Honestly, getting Snow to call Cait back and give the woman the edge she needed over the wolf, was the only thing she could think to do. She knew that at any moment, Cait would have massacred them all without a second thought, despite the wolf not being entirely in control. Gwen had felt her own wolf submitting to its better. The woman was a true alpha. Probably, the strongest she had ever had the pleasure of meeting. If Snow and Cait went through the blood bond, and there was no question that they would, then they would need help.

  Truthfully, she was excited at the prospect of helping the last Fallon continue the line of one of the greatest clans to have ever existed. Not only that, but her own wolf was intrigued by the ancient wolf it had brushed up against only moments before, and she herself was intrigued by the bond. It seemed she had already made up her mind.

  Gwen cut Remus off mid sentenc
e with her quietly spoken reply. “I’ll do it.”

  Cait smiled while Remus sputtered. “You will not!”

  “Remus, I love you like the friend that you are and even though you are my alpha you don’t control me. I follow you of my own will. I’m going to do this whether you like it or not.”

  She turned back to Cait. “I’ll do it but I don’t think either of you are ready yet in my professional opinion. Despite the bond between you two forming so quickly, Snow is still human and you saw how she hesitated with just kissing you. She needs time to sort out her feelings, to get to know you. Even though she has accepted your courting, she never had the chance to decide what kind of relationship she wanted with you. She was just acting on her own instincts, though human as they are.”

  Cait nuzzled into the girl's hair. Snow had fallen asleep. “She’s not human. Or at least not a full human.”

  Gwen looked genuinely surprised. “A half blood then?”

  Cait nodded. Remus cut in. “I wondered about that as well. Did she tell you what she was?”

  Cait hesitated, then shook her head. Her past and how it involved Snow wasn’t something she wanted just anyone to know, and despite how well she knew Remus, she still didn’t trust him completely. He wouldn’t hesitate to use the information against her if it meant he could control her. He wasn’t evil, just young and stupid. He didn’t know the fire he was trying to play with. He would learn in time.

  “So what should we do?” The red head asked.

  Gwen thought a moment. “You’re her teacher?”

  Cait nodded.

  “How old is she?”

  “She just had her eighteenth birthday a few days ago.”

  Gwen cooed. “She’s so young.”

  Cait smiled. “She’s old enough.

  “Well, how do you think you’ll handle her being around other people that might possibly try to court her? Do you think you’ll kill any suitors for trying to get her attention?”

  Cait growled and Snow snuggled into her tugging on her shirt. The werewolf immediately calmed before answering. “I’ll manage. I think.”