ACCEPTANCE

Magnus

I watched without any emotion as Gamel stared at me in surprise. He placed the herbs and book which looked ancient.

"Are you sure about it, Alpha?" He asked, regaining his posture.

"I don't need to answer to you, do I?" My voice was cold, with my left eyebrows raised.

"Of course not, Alpha." He replied hastily, shifting nervously in his seat. "I would destroy the other things I have prepared for severing the mate-bond."

I nodded in response, and exited his abode. As I left Gamel's home, I felt like a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The sun shone brightly, almost in correlation with the joy and happiness I was feeling inside.

I can't believe I wanted to severe the mate-bond, and wanted to hurt an innocent soul like Astrid. I was sure my father would be disappointed in me.

I have also come to realize the mate-bond might bring us close and will lead to attraction, but will never force love on us. I had come to love her and realized how much of a fool I had been when pushing her away. My wolf growled angrily in my head, and I can imagine him prancing around, wanting to be let out. He clawed at the wall placed in my mind, and i pulled it down. The wall was an imaginary one used in cutting off communication between the human and his wolf.

"Thank you Moon Goddess your brain finally went on reset mood." He said lazily, but I could detect the happiness in his voice. Guilt burrowed deep in my mind. I can't believe I had thought of severing the mate-bond. It would have hurt not only Astrid and her wolf, but also my wolf. I might even lose him in the process.

I hummed in response to Kaiza's words, not really knowing what to say, but I agreed to his words. Since I stopped the severing of the bond, I have decided to love Astrid just like how it was meant to be in the beginning, like how I had meant to love her.

I missed her scent and loved her scent. It drove me crazy. At the thought of it, I hurried down the path to my home, eager to pull her close to me, and hug her.

My wolf snickered at my thoughts. Hug her? Without apologizing for your terrible actions?"

I knew he was angry because since he was my wolf, everything I did will also be associated to him. He was secretly worried Astrid's wolf won't accept him. Astrid is the most selfless and forgiving person I would ever come across, so he didn't need to be worried about her not forgiving him, instead I should worry about her not forgiving me.

"Of course, I would apologize to her for my past behavior and promise to change." I countered back through our mind link.

He scoffed, shutting off our mind link. The path leading to the house seemed not to end, and I was getting a bit frustrated.

"Alpha Magnus," some older pack members greeted with a bow of their heads, exposing their necks as a sign of submission.

I nodded in response. "Stand." They straightened their back and went about their daily business.

I imagined Astrid's emerald bright eyes shying away from me as I stared at her, and her biting on her plump pink lips which will become red instantly. I used lot of strength in stopping myself from pinning her to the wall anytime she bits on her lips. She does that when she's shy and nervous.

She tries to hide behind her chestnut hair which curls around her face, and I found it cute. Just as I was lost in thought, I caught sight of Beta Cayon walking towards me in a haste, a hardened expression etched on his face. I knew something was up immediately.

"Alpha Magnus." He greeted with a slight bow, showing off his neck.

"Beta Cayon. What is the situation?"

"The man we are searching for is found."

"Good." I replied, walking away from him, eager to get to Astrid.

"Alpha, he wasn't kidnapped. He ran away." He reported, pausing me in my track. I turned to stare at him, and found a large scowl resting on his face.

"He ran away." I stated, my face hardening with a snarl. Cayon straightened his back, seeing my eyes was shifting between my wolf and human.

"Where is he?" My voice was rough.

"At the pack's dungeon." Cayon's voice brisk and sharp. I walked in the direction of the dungeon, promising to look for Astrid later.

Soon, we got to the entrance of the dungeon. The guards straightened their backs, a chorus of 'Alpha' ringing in the air. They opened the gate instantly. The smell of blood assaulted my nose instantly, but I paid no attention, walking directly to where a man was tied to. He was asleep, his feet dangling. He looked rough and battered, a clear sign of struggle. He was asleep.

Cayon moved instantly, delivering a harsh slap to him. He was startled awake. He looked around in fright before resting his eyes on me. He smirked.

"Alpha Magnus. What a surprise seeing you standing alive and well." He spat. "But won't be standing alive soon." My eyes changed instantly to red, showing my wolf was out. Cayon dashed forward, grabbing the man's neck in his hand, tightly. He was reacting to the threat posed to his Alpha.

"And why is that?" My voice was gruff and rough, and combination of both my wolf and I. Cayon released his neck, glowering down at him.

He smirked. "I sold out useful information that can destroy the pack, reducing it to ashes. I gave it out freely with just a condition to your rival pack." He chuckled evilly. "My condition was they should allow me the honor of ending your pathetic life." He spat angrily, struggling against the chain holding him up. My fist hardened at the blatant disrespect. My eye changed to pure black.

He trembled in fear as my alpha aura surrounded the whole room. His knees buckled at the pressure, the chain preventing him from collapsing completely, and I can see Cayon trying not to go down in his knees also.

I chuckled evilly. "Why?"

"You…you…you have the audacity to ask me why you bas…basta...bastard! I did that with no single regret. You led my sister on, promising her marriage and good life, but after you found your mate, you abandoned her!"

"Your sister? Cayon, why am I not aware I promised someone a marriage?" I asked, not once averting my gaze from the man who wouldn't stop glaring with hatred filled gaze.

Cayon said nothing, but glared at the man, his eyes shifting between his wolf and human.

"I have associated everything with you, Magnus, but never cowardice. Because of your inability to take responsibility for your actions, my sister killed herself!"

Blinded by rage at his insult, I dashed towards him with an unearthly speed. With my claws out, I slashed at his neck ruthlessly. Blood spilled, narrowly avoiding my clothes, and his head rolled off his neck, his eyes wide open in shock.