Forbidden Mate, Bound by Fate

Chapter 15

SYDNEY

I lay in my hospital bed, lost in thought when the door creaked open, and a towering figure entered. His presence commanded attention, and I could sense the weight of his authority.

As he approached, his eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. There was something about him that seemed ancient, as if he had seen centuries come and go.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unease growing inside me.

The stranger's expression was unreadable, but his gaze seemed to pierce through me. "I am Elder Thane," he replied, his voice low and gravelly.

I swallowed hard, sensing that Elder Thane was someone not to be underestimated. Despite his calm demeanor, there was an aura of strictness about him that commanded respect. His eyes, piercing and wise, seemed to hold a depth of knowledge that both intrigued and intimidated me but I wondered what had brought him to my room.

Elder Thane's gaze lingered on me, as if studying me. "And you, Sydney, are a very interesting young woman," he said, his tone neutral.

I felt a flutter in my chest, unsure of what to make of his words. Was he here to help me, or was he another pack member looking to use me for their own gain? I waited warily, sensing that Elder Thane's visit would change things in ways I couldn't yet anticipate.

As Elder Thane stood before me, I felt a sudden jolt of recognition. His voice, low and gravelly, echoed in my mind, and I remembered the man who had intervened when the pack members were beating me.

The man who had commanded the pack guards to remove the chains from my arms had ordered them to take me to the hospital instead of leaving me to suffer.

My eyes widened as the memories flooded back. "You're the one," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Elder Thane's expression remained neutral, but I sensed a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes.

"Yes, I am," he said, his voice confirming my suspicions.

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, mixed with a sense of wonder. Why had Elder Thane helped me? What had motivated him to step in when no one else would?

"Why did you help me?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Elder Thane's gaze seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for something.

"Let's just say I have my reasons," he replied, his voice cryptic.

I nodded slowly, sensing that there was more to Elder Thane's actions than met the eye. But for now, I was grateful for his intervention, and I hoped that he might be able to help me further.

Elder Thane's eyes narrowed as he studied me. "Why are you being punished, Sydney?" he asked, his voice firm but curious.

I took a deep breath and explained the situation, trying to be as honest as possible.

"Alpha Gray accused me of seducing him and of using drugs to control and manipulate him. But I assure you, it's not true, and I would never do that," I softly respond.

Elder Thane's gaze never wavered, his eyes piercing as he searched for any sign of deception.

"I see," he said, his voice neutral. "And can you prove that these accusations are false?"

I shook my head, feeling a sense of frustration. "I don't know how. Alpha Gray believes what he wants to believe, and the pack is following his lead.”

Elder Thane's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if trying to read my thoughts. He took a step closer, his presence imposing, and I felt like he was trying to see right through me.

"Look at me, Sydney," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Tell me the truth. Are you lying to me?"

I met his gaze, trying to convey my sincerity. But Elder Thane's eyes seemed to see right through me, searching for any hint of deception.

He stood there for a moment, his eyes locked on mine, and I felt like he was probing my very soul. Then, slowly, he stepped back, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I'll be watching you, Sydney," he said, his voice firm. "And I'll find out the truth."

Elder Thane's expression turned stern, his eyes glinting with a warning. "Let me make one thing clear, Sydney. If you're lying to me, you will face consequences unlike anything you've ever experienced. I will be the one to punish you personally, and trust me, you don't want that.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine. I had no doubt that Elder Thane was a man of his word, and the thought of facing his wrath was terrifying. I knew that he was ancient and powerful, with abilities that far surpassed those of the average werewolf.

"Did you drug Alpha Gray?" Elder Thane asked me again, his voice firm and commanding.

I shook my head vigorously, trying to convey my innocence. "No, I didn't. I swear it. I would never do something like that.”

I held his gaze, trying to show him that I was telling the truth. After a moment, he seemed to study me further, his expression unreadable.

I felt a sense of unease under his intense scrutiny, but I refused to look away. I wanted to prove to him that I was telling the truth, that I wasn't the manipulative person Alpha Gray made me out to be. Elder Thane's eyes still lingered on mine, as if waiting for me to crack or reveal something.

A piercing glare from Elder Thane made my heart skip a beat, his eyes fixed intently on mine, never wavering even as he asked his next question in a low, even tone.

"Sydney, are you mated to Alpha Gray?"

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. But I knew that lying would only make things worse, so I took a deep breath and told the truth.

"Yes, I am," I weakly answered.

Elder Thane's expression didn't change, but I sensed a flicker of interest behind his eyes. "Tell me about it," he said, his voice neutral.

I shook my head, feeling a sense of frustration. "I don't remember what happened. I don't know how we... how we mated. And I don't remember anything about that night."

Elder Thane went silent, his eyes gazing into the distance as if lost in thought. He stood there for a long moment, his expression unreadable, and I wondered what was going through his mind.

I wonder if he was thinking about Alpha Gray's accusations or if he was trying to piece together the events of that night. Whatever it was, I knew that Elder Thane was a man who wouldn't give up easily, and I wondered what he would uncover.

Elder Thane's gaze snapped back to mine, and he turned to call out to the nurse standing outside the room.

"Prepare a wheelchair for Sydney,” he ordered. “We need to take her somewhere.”

My heart skipped a beat as fear crept in. I don't have any idea of where Elder Thane was taking me and what he was planning to do. I tried to ask him, but he turned to me with an unreadable expression.

"Cooperate, Sydney," he said, his tone firm and unyielding. "The truth will come to light, one way or another."

His words were firm, leaving no room for argument. I felt a shiver run down my spine as the nurse entered the room with a wheelchair. Elder Thane's eyes never left mine as he nodded to the nurse, and she began to remove the dextrose from my arm and help me into the chair.

I looked up at Elder Thane, trying to read his intentions, but his face was a mask.

The nurse pushed my wheelchair out of the hospital room, with Elder Thane in front. As we moved down the hall, I wondered where we were going and what would happen next.

The hospital doors swung open, and we entered the elevator. The nurse pushed me forward, but my heart was racing with uncertainty. Would I ever go back to my safe room, or was I starting a new journey? The silence between us felt heavy with unanswered questions.