Bonds, Ties and Strained Friendship

*Capítulo Cuatro*

The chamber was silent, save for the heavy breathing of Samael as he gazed down at Allistair's unconscious form, his body littered with marks and scars, a testament of their primal act.

The raw intensity of their encounter had drained both of them, leaving Samael in a rare moment of stillness. The once overwhelming scents of sandalwood, fire, rose, and vanilla now lingered in the air like a fading memory, a testament to the primal storm that had just passed.

Samael's crimson eyes flickered back to their golden color as he regained control, the chaotic swirl of his emotions settling into a cold, calculating calm. He gently eased Allistair's body down onto the soft matress, his fingers brushing away the strands of hair that clung to Allistair's sweat-dampened forehead.

"Rest now, my mate," Samael whispered, his voice barely audible, as he struggled to suppress the fierce protectiveness surging through him and at the same time the guilt that washed over him.

His gaze softened, a rare vulnerability flashing across his features before he quickly steeled himself. With a flick of his wrist, Samael clothed himself once more in his dark, regal attire, the black wings and blood-red hair vanishing as he returned to his human form. His expression hardened, his usual cold, unapproachable demeanor sliding back into place like a well-worn mask.Samael extended a hand over Allistair, summoning a soft, protective barrier around his mate. The barrier shimmered with a faint light, a sign that it was imbued with the ancient magic that ran deep in Samael's bloodline. It would keep Allistair safe while Samael dealt with the others waiting outside.

Outside the chamber, the tension had reached a boiling point. Alexander, Allistair's alpha father, had grown impatient, his fists clenched at his sides as he stared at the sealed door. Raine, the white omega, stood nearby, his calm facade cracking with every passing second. The faint sounds of the fierce confrontation inside had long since faded, replaced by an eerie silence that gnawed at their nerves.

"We need to find the entrance to that damn room," Alexander muttered, his frustration clear as he scanned the hallway for any clue that might lead them to Samael and Allistair. His alpha instincts were screaming at him to act, to break down the barrier that separated him from his son, but the ancient magic protecting the chamber was beyond his ability to breach. Raine's pale blue eyes, filled with worry, darted between Alexander and the others gathered in the hall. Caius, Rowan, Damian, and Fierro were all equally tense, their expressions reflecting a mix of concern and barely-contained anger.

The scent of fear and anxiety hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint remnants of the battle they had all sensed earlier."We can't just wait here any longer," Raine said quietly, his voice trembling slightly as he placed a hand on Alexander's arm.

"There has to be another way to get to them."

Just as Raine spoke, the crimson glow of the runes sealing the chamber began to fade, signaling that Samael's power was withdrawing. The air grew heavy with an oppressive aura as the door slowly creaked open, revealing Samael standing in the doorway, his gaze cold and unreadable.

The group tensed as Samael emerged, his presence dominating the space like a storm on the horizon. He stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Alexander's with an intensity that left no room for misinterpretation.

"Where is Allistair?" Alexander demanded, his voice a low growl as he moved to confront Samael. But before he could advance, Samael raised a hand, a silent command that held the alpha in place.

"Allistair is resting," Samael replied, his tone clipped and devoid of emotion. "He will need time to recover."

Raine's gaze softened slightly at Samael's words, sensing the truth in them. But Alexander was not so easily swayed. His wolf instincts bristled at the idea of his son being left in such a vulnerable state with someone as dangerous as Samael.

"Let me see him," Alexander insisted, his voice tinged with barely-restrained anger.Samael's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flickering in their depths.

"You will not disturb him," he replied, his voice carrying an unspoken threat. "Not until he is ready."

But he knew that his friends and Allistair's family wouldn't back down easily. They were as protective of Allistair as he was, and that meant he would have to tread carefully."Very well," Samael finally said, his voice a low, dangerous murmur. "But know this—no harm will come to Allistair while he is with me. Anyone who tries to interfere will have to answer to me."

The warning hung in the air, thick with the unspoken power that Samael wielded. Alexander's jaw tightened, but he reluctantly nodded, knowing that any further challenge would only provoke Samael's wrath. As the tension between them eased, if only slightly, Samael turned back to the chamber, his thoughts already racing ahead.

As the tension in the corridor began to simmer down, Samael retreated back into the secret chamber, the heavy door sealing itself behind him. The runes flared briefly, restoring the protective barrier that would keep the world at bay. The moment he re-entered the room, Samael's cold facade began to crack, his features softening as he looked down at Allistair.

The protective barrier he had placed around his mate shimmered like a veil of moonlight, casting a serene glow over Allistair's pale skin. Samael approached cautiously, the conflicting emotions that churned within him betraying the cool exterior he presented to the world. He had never been this protective of anyone, yet Allistair awakened something primal within him—something far more dangerous and uncontrollable than anything he had ever faced. (A/N: don't worry about that barrier it's just Samael being too overprotective and possessive of his mate. It's how the bonds work even if he didn't mark Allistair yet.)

He knelt beside Allistair, gently dispelling the barrier with a wave of his hand. The moment the shield dissolved, Allistair stirred, his body shifting slightly as consciousness began to return to him. Samael's gaze was fixated on him, waiting, almost holding his breath as Allistair's eyelids fluttered open.

Allistair blinked, his vision still hazy, his body aching from the intense encounter. For a moment, he was disoriented, his mind struggling to piece together the fragments of what had happened. The room around him seemed unfamiliar, and the weight of the memories that began to flood back only added to his confusion.

"Samael…?" Allistair's voice was soft, barely a whisper, as he pushed himself up on shaky arms. His gaze darted around the room before finally settling on the figure kneeling beside him.

The sight of Samael, now back in his human form with his dark, piercing eyes and regal demeanor, made Allistair freeze. The memories of the intense, almost otherworldly experience began to coalesce in his mind—Samael's multiple transformations, the overwhelming sensations, the scents that had driven him to the brink of madness.

But as the memories settled, a new, more disturbing realization crept in. Allistair's heart began to race, and his mind was flooded with questions he couldn't quite grasp. He searched Samael's face, his own expression growing increasingly bewildered.

"Who… who are you?" Allistair finally asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "Are you… are you the man from my dreams?"

The question seemed to hang in the air between them, thick with a tension that neither could fully comprehend. Samael's eyes widened almost imperceptibly, caught off guard by the inquiry. His heart clenched, and a surge of possessive jealousy flared up within him, sharp and unbidden.

*The man in his dreams?* The thought sent a wave of irrational fury through Samael's veins. The idea of Allistair dreaming of another—some faceless stranger—made his blood boil. But more than that, it unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite define.

Samael's jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists as he struggled to maintain his composure. He knew he had to respond, to reassure Allistair, but the jealousy gnawed at him like a wild beast, making it difficult to think clearly.

"Dreams…?" Samael echoed, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. He leaned closer to Allistair, his gaze intense, as if trying to penetrate the very depths of Allistair's soul. "What dreams are you speaking of?"

Allistair's eyes widened at the harshness in Samael's tone, but he couldn't back down. The dreams had been haunting him for as long as he could remember, their vividness leaving an indelible mark on his psyche. He had always felt a strange connection to the man in those dreams—an ethereal figure who seemed to hold some deep, mysterious power over him.

"The dreams…" Allistair whispered, his voice barely audible as he searched Samael's face for answers. "I've seen a man… a figure that feels so familiar, yet I can never quite reach him. I've felt his presence, his touch… and when I'm with you, Samael, it's almost like…"

He trailed off, unable to find the right words to describe the deep, inexplicable connection he felt. It was more than just the physical attraction; it was something rooted deep within his very soul. A pull that transcended time and space.

Samael's heart clenched painfully at Allistair's words. He had always been aware of a certain inevitability that surrounded his bond with Allistair, but this… this was different. The idea that Allistair might be tied to someone—or something—else, even in his dreams, was intolerable.

Samael's hand reached out, cupping Allistair's chin with a possessive gentleness, forcing the younger man to meet his gaze. The intensity in Samael's eyes was almost unbearable, a mix of jealousy, fear, and something else—something darker and more profound.

"You're mine, Amica Mea," Samael growled, his voice laced with both menace and desperation. "Whatever you've seen in your dreams, it doesn't matter. You belong to me, and I won't let anyone or anything take you away."

Allistair's breath hitched at the ferocity in Samael's words, his heart pounding in his chest. But beneath the fear, there was a flicker of something else—an understanding, perhaps, that Samael was just as lost in this as he was. The dreams, the strange connection between them—it all pointed to something far deeper, something buried in the past, hidden beneath layers of forgotten memories and untold secrets.

But as Allistair looked into Samael's eyes, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were both standing on the edge of something vast and unknown—a truth that neither of them was ready to face. And yet, that truth, whatever it was, seemed to bind them together in a way that neither could fully understand.

A silence fell between them, heavy with the weight of unspoken fears and desires. Samael's hand slid from Allistair's chin to his neck, his thumb brushing lightly against the pulse that beat rapidly beneath Allistair's skin.

"If there's a man in your dreams," Samael murmured, his voice dangerously low, "then I'll find him. And I'll make sure he never comes near you again."

The declaration sent a shiver down Allistair's spine, his mind reeling with the implications of Samael's words. He didn't understand the dreams, didn't understand what they meant or who the man might be. But he knew one thing for certain—Samael's possessiveness was as intoxicating as it was terrifying.

"I don't know who he is," Allistair whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't even know if he's real… but Samael, it feels like there's something we're both missing. Something important."

Samael's gaze darkened, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. He didn't like the thought of there being something—or someone—he couldn't control, something that might come between him and Allistair. But the truth was, he didn't have all the answers either. There was a mystery here, one that had been buried long before they had ever met.

Samael's thumb continued to stroke Allistair's neck, his touch both soothing and possessive. "Whatever it is," he said softly, "we'll face it together. But remember, Amica Mea… you're mine. No one else will ever have you."

The finality of Samael's words left no room for doubt. And as Allistair stared into his eyes, he felt a strange sense of peace settle over him, despite the confusion and fear that still lingered in the back of his mind.

There was a secret here, a truth that they had yet to uncover. And while Allistair didn't know what it was, he knew that he and Samael were bound to it, just as they were bound to each other.

Samael's possessive gaze bore into Allistair, but his intense focus was interrupted when Allistair, still reeling from the intensity of the moment, remembered something that made his blood run cold.

"The man in my dreams…" Allistair began, his voice shaky as he tried to steady his breathing. "He—he calls me *Amica mea* too… just like you do."

Samael's eyes narrowed, the jealousy that had been simmering beneath the surface flaring dangerously. *Amica mea*—his cherished endearment, spoken only to the one he claimed as his own. The thought that another had dared to use the same words with Allistair felt like a dagger to his heart. The air between them grew tense, charged with unspoken questions and volatile emotions.

"Allistair," Samael growled, his voice low and edged with warning, "do not speak of him as if he's real. Whatever you saw in your dreams… whoever this man is, he is nothing. *You are mine*, and that's all that matters."

Allistair could feel the force of Samael's possessiveness, but confusion clouded his mind. "But… what if—what if I'm not really your mate? What if these dreams are trying to tell me something, something that we don't understand yet?" Allistair's words were tinged with uncertainty, a desperate need for clarity.

Samael's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he fought against the rising tide of jealousy. "We *are* mates," he said firmly, the finality in his voice brooking no argument. "You felt the bond as strongly as I did. There's no denying it."

"But how can we be sure?" Allistair pressed, his eyes searching Samael's for answers. "How can we be certain that this isn't some… mistake? The man in my dreams—he feels so familiar, like a part of me, but I don't understand why."

Samael's heart twisted painfully at Allistair's words, but he refused to show weakness. "Tomorrow," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within, "at my alpha coronation, we'll know for sure. The bond will become undeniable in front of the pack. There will be no more doubts."

Allistair bit his lip, torn between the magnetic pull he felt towards Samael and the haunting mystery of his dreams. He wanted to trust Samael, to believe that they were truly meant to be, but the nagging doubts wouldn't let go.

"Please, Samael," Allistair whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "Let me go back home, just for a while. I need to clear my head, to understand what's happening. If I'm truly your mate, then… then I'll come back to you. But I need time."

Samael's eyes flared with anger and hurt at the request. The very thought of letting Allistair go, even for a moment, was unbearable. But when he saw the pleading look in Allistair's eyes, the pain and confusion that mirrored his own, he felt his resolve waver.

With a heavy sigh, Samael finally nodded, though his expression remained hard. "Very well," he said, his voice clipped. "You'll go home. But remember this, Allistair—when you come back, there will be no more doubts. You'll be mine, and nothing will keep us apart."

Allistair nodded, relief and anxiety mingling in his chest. The decision made, Samael helped him to his feet, and together, they prepared to leave the secret room.

---

The grand living room of the palace was an impressive sight, a blend of old-world elegance and modern luxury. High, vaulted ceilings with intricate carvings loomed above, while walls adorned with rich tapestries depicted the glorious history of the pack. A grand chandelier, dripping with crystal, cast a warm, golden light over the room, its glow reflecting off the polished marble floors. Plush, velvet-covered furniture in deep, regal tones of burgundy and gold was arranged around a central hearth, where a fire crackled softly, offering warmth to those within.

As Samael and Allistair entered the room, the tension was palpable. Allistair's parents, Alexander and Raine, were seated on one of the luxurious sofas, their expressions a mix of worry and anger. Samael's friends were also present, standing near the fireplace, their gazes shifting between Allistair and Samael with varying degrees of concern.

Alexander's eyes immediately locked onto Samael, the anger from earlier still simmering beneath the surface. The events of the day had strained the once-strong friendship between the two alphas, and Alexander was finding it difficult to reconcile his protective instincts with the trust he had once placed in Samael.

"Allistair," Alexander began, his voice tight with barely restrained emotion. "Are you alright?"

Allistair nodded, offering his father a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Dad. Really."

Alexander's gaze flicked to Samael, a dark shadow crossing his face. "What happened back there…" he started, his voice low and dangerous, "was unacceptable, Samael. You put my son in danger, you lost control."

Samael met Alexander's glare with a cold, unyielding stare of his own. "I did lost control that I'm very aware and I will atone for it every second of the day." he replied, his voice calm but laced with a steely edge. "Allistair is my mate. I would never let anything happen to him."

"Your mate?" Alexander's voice rose, his anger finally breaking through. "You claim him as your mate, yet you fucking did that to him you fuc—"

"Alexander," Raine's gentle voice cut through the tension, placing a calming hand on his mate's arm. "Allistair is safe now. That's what matters."

Alexander clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration, but he nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He knew Raine was right, but the sight of his son being caught up in something so dangerous was more than he could bear.

Samael remained silent, his expression unreadable. He could feel the strain between him and Alexander, the trust they once shared now hanging by a thread. But he also knew that nothing mattered more than his bond with Allistair. He would protect him, no matter what.

Finally, Allistair broke the tense silence. "I've asked Samael to let me go back home," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "Just for a little while. I need some time to think."

Raine's eyes softened as he looked at his son, understanding the turmoil Allistair was going through. "We'll support whatever decision you make, Allistair," he said, his voice gentle.

Alexander's expression eased knowing his son will come back with them "That's good you cannot stay in this god-damned palace any longer."  voice tinged with anger and concern for his son. "You're safe here, with us."

Allistair nodded, though the uncertainty in his eyes hadn't completely faded. "I just need some time," he repeated, looking between at Samael. "I'll come back… if it's meant to be."

Samael's heart twisted at those words, but he forced himself to remain silent. This was Allistair's choice, and despite his every instinct screaming to keep him close, he knew he had to respect it.

"Then we'll leave now. Right now." Alexander urgently said

"Yes let's go home Zaney." Allex seconded while tugging Allistair next to her.

"Let's go." She added in a whisper to Allistair's ear.

"Then you can leave." Samael said, his voice cool and detached, though his eyes betrayed the inner turmoil he was feeling. "But remember, Allistair… you *will* come back."

With that, Allistair together with his family exit the palace and the room fell into an uneasy silence. The fire crackled softly, the only sound in the grand living room, as the occupants tried to make sense of the emotions swirling within them. And though the tension had been momentarily quelled, the strained bond between Samael and Alexander lingered in the air, a reminder that the events of the day had left deep, unhealed wounds.