Bound (The Onyx Wolves Book 1)

by Raven K. Asher

  “You know I never wanted this life, I want what Alex has. I want a life where I can be free, where I can date who I want, and where I can kiss who I want when I want.” I continue on getting everything off my chest.

  “I want to be just like everyone else, Dad. I hate being a wolf.” I end with a huff.

  My father opens his mouth to yell something at me but someone else beats him to it.

  “You ungrateful little pup.” Gage snarls entering the room. “You have this all handed to you and you want to go out there and pretend to be human?”

  I open my mouth to speak but he continues.

  “You’re selfish, do you know that? Everyday our kind is dying off. Females are being born less and less each day. You are the future and I can’t believe you just want to throw this gift away.”

  “This isn’t a gift, it’s a curse.” I reply balling my fists in anger.

  Whoever thought this was some sort of grand life was out of their minds.

  This was hell, to be an animal trapped inside of a human body.

  All three men in front of me growl out in anger at my words, but I didn’t care.

  I was taking this argument too far but I wasn’t about to stop what I had started, I was on this rollercoaster for the long ride which would surely end with a crash.

  My father’s wolf was fighting to get out as I stare him down.

  The need to unleash my own wolf was almost becoming overwhelming.

  “You need to be put in your place.” Brock finally spits out as he moves forward.

  My eyes go wide when my father doesn’t stop him, I couldn’t believe he was actually going to let him even try to place me under his rule, but I should have known that he would allow it just to teach me a lesson.

  Brock had another thing coming if he thought I wouldn’t fight back.

  I would and I would fight dirty until I won.

  In an instant I’m hit from the side.

  My breath huffs from my chest as Gage flips me under him onto my back, and my head hits the hard floor with a thud.

  His wolf was just barely hidden under his skin.

  His angry eyes pin me in place and I find myself unable to fight back.

  “Being what we are isn’t a curse unless you’re stuck living with someone ungrateful like yourself. You make me sick to even be above you like this but you do need to understand your place in a pack. You are forever going to be below someone, never above.” He barks out.

  “Now, submit.” He commands.

  After a brief stare down I turn my head to the right exposing my neck to him and lower my eyes.

  All of my fight had left my body.

  His words had wounded me even more than I ever thought words could.

  Letting his wolf through for a brief moment his teeth graze the skin on my neck as he asserts his dominance towards me.

  My wolf whimpers in submission.

  As his human form takes back over I swear I feel his lips grin against my skin before he pulls back to look at me.

  His hand gently cups my chin bringing my eyes back to his.

  His smile was no longer visible, if it was ever there in the first place. “I won’t hesitate to do this again. If you speak out again like you just did I will take this farther to teach you a lesson, don’t forget that.”

  “I’m sorry.” I whisper out my apology.

  “You better be, now you need to end whatever you have with the human. If I or any of the others here catch you with him in any way we will make you both pay dearly.” Gage warns.

  I nod in understanding and he lifts himself up off of me to stand next to my father.

  Rising to my feet I glance over at Gage who was now wearing a smug grin, one that I had the sudden urge to wipe from his face.

  My wolf snarls as I show my teeth.

  All thoughts of being submissive for them had disappeared. I wasn’t going to be submissive, not when he was going to practically rub it in my face like that.

  God, I hated him.

  I hated them all, even my father, at this moment.

  “Don’t even think about it, Parker.” My father warns me. “If you do I won’t stop what happens next.”

  I growl again at his warning.

  At this point I really didn’t care what the consequences were going to be, I wanted to reassert my place in the pack as an Alpha.

  Taking a step forward I instantly allow my wolf through, changing into its pure black form.

  I was an onyx wolf, a rare breed.

  Gage meets me halfway in his wolf form along with Brock.

  In a flash we tangle in a mess of teeth and fur.

  Even as I get a few well placed bites in to Gage’s thick slate grey fur Brock comes behind me to catch a few good bites to me.

  I turn my attentions onto his red wolf form, taking my attention off of Gage.

  It definitely wasn’t one of my smarter moves.

  Our fight pauses for a moment as Dillon, Rowan, and a new stranger rush into the room.

  “Stay back, this is their fight.” My father commands them.

  Turning my attention back to the fight Brock lunges at me catching me just under my neck.

  His sharp teeth cut deep into my skin and my wolf quickly gives up as my breath is knocked from my chest and I’m unable to take in another breath.

  Letting me go I lie still as my form involuntarily shifts back into its human form.

  Everything that happens next happens in slow motion.

  Gage flies over me taking Brock out with a tumble of fur and teeth.

  My father begins yelling out commands and Rowan kneels down next to my side.

  He lifts my head trying to see my wounds better but it only causes me to choke out against the blood filling my lungs.

  “London, get over here now, she’s going to die if you don’t save her now.” Rowan commands quickly.

  The stranger that had come in with them appears before me taking my face into his hands.

  He chants out some words that I knew all too well as an Alpha. We were the only ones with enough power to heal each other or the betas.

  I choke some more even as I feel the wounds healing slowly.

  “Shhhh, you’ll be alright now, beautiful.” London whispers softly as his yellow eyes search mine for a few moments.

  He had the blondest hair that I had ever seen and the most perfect smile.

  One last loud snarl cuts through the room and everyone freezes.

  My father was ticked off.

  Both Gage and Brock were pulled away from each other, now in human form.

  “You nearly killed my daughter.” My father growls out. “This is why we have rules. This is why when we fight each other we don’t fight like you just did.”

  Brock’s head bows. “I’m sorry, Sir. I didn’t realize how I was attacking. You know I have issues with my anger, especially after the war.”

  My father nods placing his hand on Brock’s shoulder. “Do not allow it to happen again.”

  Stepping back he glances between the two before sighing roughly. “Go clean yourselves up and meet us for dinner.”

  Both men nod and walk away without another word.

  Pinching the bridge of his nose my dad turns to me. “This is why we have rules, Parker. If you think this is still a game you will only end up dead.”

  With disappointment in his eyes he walks away without another word.

  Tears threaten to fall from my eyes as I fight my way out of London’s grip.

  I hated all these rules.

  Rules sucked.

  3-Memories

  In my room I hold my phone in my hands as I sit on the edge of my bed.

  My friends were going to be disappointed and Andy was going to be heartbroken when I canceled my plans and then broke up with him.

  A loud knock on my door breaks me from my sad thoughts.

  “Come in.” I answer.

  The door opens and my father walks in.

  Coming over to
my bed he sits down next to me, pulling me into a side-hug. “I’m sorry about earlier, your mother would have been very disappointed with the way I treated you.”

  I nod in agreement and he continues. “Are you alright, Parker?”

  “I am, Dad, but I’m not happy about any of this.” I motions absently around the room. “I feel like I have no choice in any of this, like I’m being forced to live this life and to become someone’s prize.”

  “You do have a choice though, Parker.” Dad argues.

  “How do you figure that, Dad? You brought in these Alphas to fight for the right to be my mate, didn’t you?” I question.

  He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t bring them here to fight for you. I brought them here so you could have the chance to choose which one you wanted to be with. They are here for you to get to know so you can choose one for your mate when you’re ready.”

  Chuckling as my jaw drops he continues. “This was the last request your mother had. She knew even then that you would be a rebellious young woman.”

  Memories of my mother’s smile floods into my mind.

  I missed her dearly.

  She had been purely human like my older brother Alex.

  They were the lucky ones in my eyes.

  To have such short and full lives as they did was a dream of mine.

  It took two times as long for us to age at least a single year.

  I may have appeared to be seventeen going on eighteen but I was nearing my mid twenties.

  Going to school had had to wait until I had aged just enough that it wouldn’t have been noticeable by the humans around me, which meant I had been home schooled until I reached high school.

  I could still visualize those moments when my mother would set up a classroom in my bedroom just so I could experience what the other kids were.

  “I miss her, I miss her so much.” I mumble sadly.

  “I miss her too, Parker. I miss her every day.” Dad sighs pulling me close once again.

  “Do you think Alex will come to visit soon?” I change the subject.

  Dad nods. “He probably would if I ask him to.”

  Standing to his feet Dad walks over to my door turning back to me before he exits. “Tell your friends to come over here for movie night, and have the human, boy, come along. It’s best if you break things off with him in person.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea, to have humans here with all of this going on?” I ask while standing to my feet.

  “It will be alright, Parker. The pack will behave their selves.” He promises before walking out the door.

  Grabbing my phone up from my bed I quickly dial Ariel’s number.

  It rings once before she picks it up. “What’s up, Parker?”

  “Not much, I’ve got to stay home tonight.” I grin widely.

  “That stinks, Parker. We were really hoping to have a fun movie night for once.” She whines.

  Holding back my giggle of excitement I let her whine to whoever was in the background before telling her what my dad had said.

  “So, what are we going to do without you, Parker?” She asks.

  “Well, you’re going to get your pretty little butts in a car and drive over here. I said I couldn’t leave but my father has agreed for me to have you all come over.” I answer.

  She squeals into the phone making me hold it away from my ear.

  “Oh my god, Parker, we actually get to come over? What about the rules?” Haley cuts in on the phone.

  “Yes, you guys and Andy get to come over. I’m not going to question my father’s rules on this one. He’s the one who said you guys could come over.” I reply.

  They both squeal again and I’m forced to hold the phone away with a wide grin.

  A knock on my door is the only warning I have before Rowan walks in with a raised eyebrow.

  “I should probably mention that the guys that were in school today are staying with us for a while too.” I add into the phone.

  This time the screams are so loud both Rowan and I flinch.

  The squealing goes on for what feels like forever before Ariel comes back on the phone.

  “When do you want us to come over?” She asks.

  “Whenever you guys want to, I’ve still got to call Andy and tell him the news too.” I answer.

  “Alright, well, we will probably be over in an hour or so.” She answers with another low squeal of excitement before hanging up the phone.

  “It sounds like someone’s excited to see us again.” Rowan chuckles lightly.

  “They are, but Andy isn’t going to be happy once I talk to him.” I sigh sadly sitting down on the edge of my bed.

  Rowan sits down next to me. “It’s never easy to let go of the humans we encounter and sometimes grow feelings for.”

  “You wouldn’t think it would be so hard considering I’ve kept him at arm’s length but I don’t want to let him go, I hate that I’m going to break his heart.” I reply sadly.

  “You’ll find something better that you won’t have to keep at a distance, and it will be something you will never have to let go of let alone want to let go of, Parker.” Rowan promises.

  I hoped deep down that he was right.

  That I would find that kind of person I just couldn’t get enough of.

  With that thought the image of Gage hovering above me invades my mind.

  Shaking that thought out of my head I sigh.

  He of all people couldn’t be that way with me, he hated me.

  Now, London on the other hand I could see being with or even Rowan but a relationship between us was forbidden.

  An alpha had to be with another alpha.

  “I know this isn’t much but Gage is sorry for his part in the fight downstairs.” Rowan cuts into my thoughts. “He sent me to check on you.”

  “Why didn’t he just come himself?” I question curiously.

  “He’s mad. He hates this whole situation and he hates being pushed into stuff, just like you.” He answers.

  “Well, if he really wants to apologize he can do it himself, Rowan.” I state loud enough to where I knew Gage and everyone in the house could clearly hear my words.

  Rowan smiles widely. “You’re a funny kind of girl, you know that?” He pauses a moment before adding. “I like it though.”

  “You still don’t even know me, Rowan.” I laugh softly. “Just wait until my friends are here, then I’m sure you’ll change your mind.”

  “I doubt that, Parker. Any guy would be stupid not to like you at first glance.” He flirts but tenses and stops as a low growl filters in from the other side of the door.

  “And that is my cue to leave.” He sighs placing his hand onto my knee.

  I nod and watch him as he stands up to leave my room.

  His hand is on the door knob when Gage swings the door open. “Get out, now, Rowan.” He orders harshly.

  Rowan glances back to me before leaving us alone.

  Standing to my feet I walk past him and slam my door shut before turning to face him. “That was some way to act to your second, Gage. You’re a real jerk, you know.”

  Bowing his head he nods.

  My jaw literally drops.

  “Yeah, I know, but he’s been testing his limits a lot lately. You know I can’t allow him to do that. If I do I’m not the Alpha I need to be.” He sighs.

  “What are you doing in here, Gage?” I ask getting directly to the point while placing my hand on my hip.

  I was still pretty angry with him.

  “I just wanted to apologize. I heard what you said and I came to see you myself. I never meant for you to get hurt the way you did earlier.” He answers gently.

  Nodding, I accept his apology.

  “It wasn’t exactly your fault. You didn’t bite through my neck.” I spit out.

  “No, but I should have stopped him.” He replies.

  “Why would you do that, if you’ve forgotten I disgust you?” I snarl.

  I was picking anoth
er fight with him but I didn’t care.

  He sighs pinching the bridge of his nose before pinning me with his piercing green eyes. “Why can’t you just take an apology and be quiet. You’ve always got to pick a fight, don’t you? I bet you couldn’t care for someone even if you tried.”

  Tears build in my eyes as I point to the door. “Get out. Get out of my room, right now.”

  His eyes soften for just a fraction of a moment before he walks out the door, slamming it behind him with a loud thud.

  Regret creeps in as my tears begin silently falling down my cheeks.

  I did care, I cared too much.

  No one knew just how much I had cared about one boy though.

  It had been our little secret until he had been forced into a union with a female from another pack.

  One day he had been here with me, and the next he was halfway around the world forbidden to speak or communicate with me by his new mate.

  His name on my lips breaks me into tears further. “Derek.”

  Gage had been right, I did pick fights but only because I never wanted to be that close to anyone like I had been with Derek.

  I couldn’t handle that kind of loss again.

  Picking up my phone I quickly type a text to Andy to join Ariel and Harley before they came over.

  Letting him go was going to be hard.

  I had let him into my heart just a little too much.

  Another knock on my door has me wiping my eyes frantically as the door opens revealing London this time.

  Moving quickly he comes to my side taking my face into his hands he wipes the remaining tears away. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong.” I lie horribly.

  “Don’t even try lying to me, Sweetie.” He laughs. “I know damn well that something’s wrong. You don’t strike me as the type to cry for no reason.”

  I stay silent even as he pulls me into his arms.

  “I know you’re not going to say what’s wrong but I am a good listener. You can always talk to me if you need someone to talk to.” He states softly.

  I nod and pull out of his embrace.

  Wiping my face free of tears I take a deep breath and let it out slowly to regain control over my emotions once more.

  “I’m sorry.” I whisper.

  He stands. “Don’t be sorry for being emotional. It’s a good quality sometimes.”