Blood Bound

--Prologue--

Sometimes the things you hate the most can turn into something you love the most.

Things seem like they might never work out.

Everything seems to be taking a turn for the worst

But

When nothing is going your way, you have to find a way to turn things around.

To struggle for the things you want.

For the things, that really matter.

***

>>Maya

I stood outside the university gate staring at the building in disbelief. I still don't know how I got in. I mean I've been here for a year now and it might be weird that I still think about it but in my life rarely anything has gone my way.

Taking a deep breath I walk in. My pace slows down as I begin to look around in search of a certain person.

My eyes darted everywhere but I couldn't spot him.

Strange, he's always here waiting around the benches.

I stop so that I could get a better view but exactly at that second someone wraps his arms around me from the back and twirls me around.

After getting me a single but powerful spin the person put me down and I glared at him.

"Ruda!"

He grinned, "Waiting for me?"

"Well duh!" I gently rubbed my sides. How is he so friggin strong? "We have almost all our classes together."

"To be exact we have all our classes together except one because you betrayed me."

We both started walking towards our department.

"Excuse you! I did not betray you! You betrayed me. I told you I was going to pick up psychology and you should too but you didn't listen."

"No! I said you shouldn't pick it up but you did! So, it's the other way around, YOU didn't listen."

I elbowed his side but he didn't even wince, instead he laughed.

Does this guy not feel any pain?

I looked at him bewildered.

"Are you even human? You're laughing?" He looked at me and flashed me a smile. I could clearly see those white teeth and sharp canines.

Sharper than any other person's.

"Of course!" He winked at me and I noticed his pretty brown eyes. A very light shade of brown really made the color stand out.

Come to think of it. He has many unique things about him. He doesn't really work out but still has quite a nice body.

I peeked at his arms, he was wearing a sleeveless shirt so his nicely toned biceps were out on display.

He's really strong and very good looking.

Compared to me, he really stands out a lot. Many girls have tried getting his number but he was never interested.

I wonder why?

I know he doesn't like me that way.

We both are just good friends.

How we became friends is a common story.

Or is it?

He got lost as soon as he entered the city and had no idea where to go. Frankly he looked like a lost pup.

Lucky for him he found a kind soul like me to guide him.

I chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?" He asked as we both reached our department.

"Oh nothing. Just remembering how you got lost the first time you came to the city."

He got embarrassed, "There's no need for you to remember that!"

People, especially the girls, looked his way, "Why not!? It's such a funny story!!" I raised my voice, "I actually found you in the abandoned puppy box!!"

"Ahh!!" He placed his hand on my mouth, "No you did not!"

I forced his hand down from my mouth, although it took me a lot of effort, "Yes! The box said, 'please take me'" I finally managed to say it quickly before he blocked my mouth again.

He looked around at the people, "It did not!!" He glared at me, " You little!"

I laughed as he dragged me to class.

You know, I think. I was pretty lucky too.

I smiled.

I'm glad I was the one who found him.

I was able to make such a good friend.

***

"Ruda no! Go alone." He stood outside my dorm pleading me to go to the party with him.

"Come on Maya! I need a partner!"

"You know I don't go to frat parties." I shooed him away with my hand.

"No darling, you don't understand. This is no normal party. It's a-" He wiggled his eyes at me, "dangerous one."

I rolled my eyes, "All the more reason, not to go."

"But," He looked down and pouted, "You're my only friend." He looked back at me. I don't know why but his eyes seemed a bit bigger and the way they stared at me was- strange, "Aren't you my friend?" He asked so innocently, as if a little kid was asking me.

"Well- I am..." The more I looked into his eyes the more I got drawn in.

"Then you'll come with me right?" He showed me his puppy eyes.

"I-" I shook my head, "Okay..."

***

Only when we reached there I realized what I had done.

How did I agree to this!?

I shot my head at Ruda. He looked back at me. His face was full of excitement so I couldn't really say anything to him.

I looked in front of me.

The party was at a huge house and there were all kinds of people there and I really mean all kinds of people. Every person on whom my eyes landed on was completely different than the previous one.

Ruda grabbed my hand and we both went in.

It was my first time at a party, and a crazy one at that but contrary to my expectations I started enjoying my time.

I had no plans of eating or drinking but I ended up doing both, especially drinking. I was never a heavy drinker, so it only took a few glasses to get me drunk and to start dancing on the floor with a few other complete strangers.

Ruda on the other hand drank a lot, but for some reason he was only a little tipsy unlike me.

The music blasted in the place and I heard some loud crash but didn't bother to even look at it. I was too busy enjoying this strange bliss.

After a little while I smelled some smoke.

Smoke?

I looked around.

Why is the room getting a bit grey??

Hmmm? Just a few seconds later I heard some sirens.

Must be a part of the party!

I grinned. Then I suddenly felt like puking and ran to the bathroom.

It only took me ten seconds to vomit everything out and I started getting a headache but that was not the problem. As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom I saw all the people running out in a frenzy.

What?

I darted my eyes around and noticed two things.

Fire and cops.

I turned on my heels and sprinted completely forgetting about the person I came here with and honestly it would have been best if I didn't see him that whole night and had just ran away but nope.

As I managed to escape through the living room into the yard through the broken window which I have no idea how someone had managed to break because it was a wall sized window, I began to run towards the edge when someone called my name.

I turned my head, "Ruda?"

I stopped when he shook his head, "No! Run!"

"Huh?"

Just the next moment I heard a clicking sound.

The cold metal which pressed against my wrists made me look back at the officer who had just arrested me.

Shit.

***

"I hate you so much." I sat on the bench with one of my wrists in a handcuff, tied to the metal bar window.

"Sorry..."

"You really are an idiot." I glared at him. He was in the same position as me except both his wrists were in handcuffs tied to the metal bar window, "If they had already caught you why did you say my name and stop me!?"

He looked down in shame, "Sorry..."

"Now what?! Who's gonna get us out of here!?"

"I called my older brother." He bit his lower lip in frustration.

"You have an older brother?"

He nodded, "He'll bail us out of here but," He looked at me, "He might kill me." He genuinely looked worried, "Honestly he told me not to get in trouble while I was studying with humans..." He sighed, "I'm so dead!"

I looked at him in disgust, "At least he'll get you out. Guess I'll have to spend the night here." I failed to hear Ruda's words properly at that time.

"Listen!" I looked at him, "If you tell my brother not to kill me I'll ask him to bail you out too." He looked at me in desperation, "Please!'

"What do you want me to even say!? And from what you're telling me he seems like a scary person."

"He is!" He didn't deny it, "But he doesn't hurt people unless they try to harm him so please!! Paaallleeeeezzzeee! You're my only hope." He tried giving me his puppy eyes again.

"..." I sighed and looked away.

"Oh!! Oh shit!! He's here!" He hid behind me.

"Who?"

"That guy with white hair!! Help me please!"

I clicked my tongue and stood up to look at the door to see the man who had just entered the police station and the moment my eyes landed on him my whole world stopped.

A beautiful person.

That was my very first thought.

As he walked in looking around, most likely searching for his younger brother, I noticed his features.

He had white hair and Jade colored eyes. His physique was a bit larger than Ruda's and he had a good build.

His jawline was sharp and so was the aura around him. He didn't feel like a human at all.

My heart began to beat fast but when his eyes landed on me it skipped a beat.

He stopped in his path and for some reason seemed a bit shocked, then he began walking towards me.

"Ah-uh-um!" I was at a loss for words. He drew closer and I couldn't help but stutter even more, "Um-ah..." I gulped as he stopped in front of me.

"You-"

I closed my eyes and cut his words only to sputter something stupid, "Please don't kill Ruda big brother!!!"

Wait.

Did I just call him big brother?!!

>> Yohan

The day was stressful like usual. Running a company can be very hard at times. Especially when you've taken over not too long ago.

At this point in the night I'm usually beat, so the only thing on my mind is my bed. After taking a shower I crashed on my bed and looked at my phone.

Not a single text from my trouble maker brother.

I threw the phone on the other side of the bed. I told him not to get in trouble and so far he hasn't.

It's fine if he doesn't contact me. It's not like we're close anyway.

Even though I was beat it took me some time to fall asleep.

Five minutes in and a loud ringing woke me up.

Who the fuck!

I growled as I looked at my phone ringing.

I should have put it on silent.

I snatched it up and looked at the caller Id.

Ruda.

Then I looked at the time.

1 am

I'm going to kill this brat if it isn't important.

I swiped the answer icon.

"What?"

"...Um..." He seemed a bit hesitant.

"Speak."

"Can you please bail me out? I'm in the police station."

"..." It took me a moment to process what he said.

"Please don't kill me!" He told me the name of the station and ended the call immediately while I kept staring at the phone.

This brat!

I gritted my teeth.

He's in jail?!

I told him not to get in trouble while he was staying with humans!

I laid back down in bed.

He should spend the night there. It should serve as punishment enough.

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep again. This time sleep was actually coming to me.

I opened my eyes.

But no peace was there.

"God damnit!" I stood up and threw on a shirt and pants to go to the station.

***

I had a headache and now that I had extra work because of Ruda it was getting worse. Wait till I get my hands on him.

I walked into the police station and began to look around for him.

My eyes didn't find him but they found someone far more important. I stopped momentarily when I saw the most beautiful girl standing in front of me.

Her dark hair were a bit messed up and her cheeks were flushed. Her small frame seemed tipsy, perhaps she had been drinking.

Her eyes were a dark color of brown that matched so well with her pale skin.

My mate.

All this time I thought she would be a wolf or a fae but it turned out to be a human.

The wolf in me was beyond happy. All my pain, my headache, my frustration, my tiredness. Everything vanished, the moment I discovered her.

I was relieved. I thought I would never find her.

I started walking towards her again and she began to stutter trying to say something.

"You-" I wanted to ask her name and why she was being kept here but she cut my words and spoke in confusion.

"Please don't kill Ruda big brother!!!"

...

What?

Big brother?

She slowly looked back at me again and then another pair of eyes peeked from behind her.

"Ruda." I stated his name sternly.

"Hahaha," He gave me a nervous laugh, "Hi?"

I noticed how both of his hands were cuffed to the window bars.

I really wanted to give this kid a nice scolding but then I felt someone grab my hands.

I looked down at my mate.

"I'm sorry mister!" She looked straight into my eyes, "It's my fault I should have stopped him from going to that party. Please don't be mad."

Shit!

She's so adorable.

Just look at those cute lips I could devour any second-

I sighed and looked down at our hands.

She noticed it and immediately retreated. It took me a lot of effort to not grab them again.

Quietly I walked to the officer incharge of them.

"Excuse me. I'd like to bail those two out." I pointed at my brother and my mate.

The officer looked at both of them, "Both of them?" He seemed a bit confused.

"Yes. Both of them."

I looked at them. They both seemed surprised.

"What's your relationship with them?" The officer was ready to type in the details on the computer.

"I'm his brother and her-"

"Her?"

Boyfriend.

Wish I could say that.

"Friend."

"I'm sorry sir, you can take your brother but not the girl."

"What?" He looked up and me and flinched. I was glaring at him.

"Uh- Just on the basis of being a friend you can't take her." My glare unconsciously intensified, "S-sir, she has a criminal record."

The expression of anger on my face was overcome by confusion, "What? A criminal record?"

"Yes. That's why I need her to bring a legal guardian."

I looked back at her and she immediately turned her face around. Clearly she didn't want to answer that or even think about it.

I looked at Ruda. He was as surprised as me.

I mind-linked him.

"Do you know anything about it?"

"Nothing! It's the first I've heard of it."

"Does she have anyone to take her out?"

"Actually, I'm not sure. She's never talked about any personal stuff but she might have a lover. I don't know"

"And you never asked?"

"Bro! I never asked because I would have to talk about myself too. I'm a wolf, she's a human. We both respect each other's privacy."

"Um," The officer gently knocked on the desk, "You can take your brother if you want."

"I'm taking the girl too." I looked back at him.

"But sir-"

"How much?"

"Yes?"

"How much to get her out too?"

***

I walked in front of both of them as we made our way out of the station but stopped when we reached the parking lot.

I looked back at both of them and they both flinched, neither of them met my eyes.

"Ruda."

"Y-yes?"

"I thought I told you not to get in trouble."

"..."

"Did I or did I not?" I asked in a stern tone.

"You did."

"Come here." I gestured him forward while my mate stayed there. He came towards me a bit hesitantly. I know he's scared of me. It's always like this, part of the reason why we don't meet up much.

"She's your friend?" I asked him and he looked up at me in confusion.

"Maya?" He gestured at my mate, "Yes. Why?"

So that's her name. Maya.

"She's mine." I answered.

"She's whaaaaaa?" He raised his brows at me, "Wait! She's yours? Your mate?" I nodded, "Oh."

He took a sigh of relief. It was awfully suspicious.

"But a criminal record?" I said.

"I'm surprised too." He answered, "She's a really good girl."

"You." I looked at him, "Go back alone."

He looked at me wide-eyes, "But her-" He looked at Maya and paused, "Um," He looked at me in fear, "Bro, she..."

"What?"

"Actually nothing, I'm leaving." He sprinted out of there.

"Ruda?" My mate called out to him. I know she's confused but she's mine now. I walked to her.

"I'll take you home."

"Oh no! I can go alone. You already bailed me out of there so, um," She looked down and tucked her hair behind her ears in embarrassment, "Thank you for that." She bit her lips.

I grabbed her chin gently and brought her face up to face me.

She was surprised by my action, "Shouldn't you look at the person when thanking them?"

"Oh yes..." Her eyes shone brightly under the moonlight. It was a cloudless night and I could see her every detail but the most captivating one was her lips, "Is there something I can do to repay you?"

"You want to repay me?" My hand still hadn't left her chin.

"Yes... No one would have gotten me out of there." Her eyes drooped again so I slid my thumb across her lower lip.

"Are you sure?"

She picked up the hint and her rosy cheeks turned redder but at the same time she got scared.

"Don't worry. I won't eat you." I grinned.

The pupils in her eyes shook but she didn't try to run away.

I brought my face closer to hers and she closed her eyes in anticipation. In the silence of the night I could hear her heart drumming in her chest.

I gently placed my lips on hers. A feeling of bliss took over my entire being. From one hand on her chin, it became two that cupped her face.

From what was only supposed to be a gentle kiss it turned into something more.

From something soft it kept getting rougher.

I was losing to my desires and couldn't help wanting to explore her more. I slipped in my tongue into her mouth.

More.

I want more.

My wolfish desires weren't satisfied.

I placed my hand down on her shirt when I felt her hands on my shoulder. She pushed me away, but with her strength she only managed to break the kiss and gasp for air.

"Enough..." She breathed heavily as she whispered the words.

Her lipstick was ruined, smudged around her mouth. It just made her more desirable but the tears in the corner of her eyes stopped me.

The sudden realization of what I was about to do hit me and I stepped back, "I- I'll take you home."

She didn't look at me, "I can take the bus." She said and ran off.

"Wait!" I yelled.

She didn't.

***

------The officer watching the whole scene from the hidden window : No wonders he paid for her. Friends my ass----

>> Maya

I reached my dorm and shut the door behind me while panting like a dog.

Slowly I slipped down against the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I gulped down my own saliva in an attempt to calm my dry throat.

Obviously at this point in the night I was not going to find any bus and I had no money to spare on a taxi or uber so I ran all the way back.

I'm out of breath and out of strength but! I touched my lips with trembling hands.

The feeling was still there.

That sense of desire.

Those lips against mine. The feeling of wanting more.

That feeling of bliss and attraction.

It drew me in so much that I would have gone further.

I shuddered and shook my head.

I can't!

No!

Not me.

The image of that beautiful man flashed before my eyes again.

How can someone be so beautiful?

He had white hair but it looked so natural on him like that's how he was born. His eyes felt so sharp but when he looked at me it was as if they were the kindest one.

I shook my head again and looked at my right hand, on the ring finger. The ring of promise I wore made me come back to reality.

I sighed. My heart beat began to stabilize.

It's fine.

It was just a kiss and a one time thing.

It's not like I'll be meeting Ruda's brother again.

I took a deep breath and placed my fingers on my lips again and then stared out of the window at the cloudless sky.

But no matter what, I can't deny the fact that the kiss was too good.

I guess one could say it was, sensual.

I placed my hand on my chest and stood up, walked to my bed and crashed on top of the covers.

I tried sleeping but couldn't.

I wonder why I can't stop thinking about him?

Come to think of it. I don't even know his name.

He looked like a model... Especially under the moonlight his features felt so magical.

This time I slapped myself. I had to because I just couldn't bring myself to reality.

I took a deep breath and looked at my ring and reminded myself of the things that mattered more.

"That's right." I whispered to myself, "There are many things that I need to do. So many things that are so important, way more important than a random beautiful person I met one night."

I have to make a future for myself first. I managed to make it to university, I can't waste my time on useless stuff.

Right at this moment I have everything I need.

After giving myself enough counseling I drifted into sleep.

***

I took a deep breath as I entered the lecture hall. Throughout the weekend I didn't talk or chat with Ruda. Strangely enough he didn't make any attempts to call or text me either.

I wonder if his brother told him what happened?

But well I'm sort of glad I didn't really have to talk to him. I calmed down over the weekend.

I looked around and saw Ruda sitting at the back of the lecture hall. The moment he saw me he waved his hands and called me over.

I smiled and walked over to him and sat down right next to him.

"How was your weekend?" He asked.

"Normal. You didn't text me at all even though you usually blast my phone with messages."

He chuckled, "Yeah, I was-um- busy?"

"Why is that a question?"

"I don't know?"

I elbowed him, "Idiot."

He chuckled again and then placed his arms on the long desk in front of us, "Hey?"

"Hmm?"

"What do you think of my brother?"

"What!!?" His question caught me off guard, "What's that supposed to mean?" I averted my eyes, "He's your brother."

"Yes. That's why I'm asking. What do you think of him?"

I didn't look at him, "He's your brother. That's all I think." I lied to him. I don't know what I really think of him. It was so hard forgetting that kiss we shared and the first thing he brings up is his brother!

"That's all?"

"That's all."

"That's not right..." He whispered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I heard him.

"Oh! Nothing." He laughed nervously, "I guess Yohan will be very disappointed to know that."

"Yohan? Your brother?" He nodded, "Why would he be disappointed?"

"Uh- well, he found you quite charming."

My cheeks flushed immediately, "What?" My voice was lower than usual but it wasn't a whisper.

Ruda noticed my reaction and smirked, "Oh~ It seems you have taken a liking to him."

"No!" I strongly denied it, "I have not!" I slammed my hand on the table, "There is no way I would ever fall for another man!"

His eyes traveled to the ring on my finger.

"I've been meaning to ask you." He looked me in the eyes, "Are you dating someone?"

I looked away, "That's none of your business, is it?"

"Yeah, right." He sulked, "I'm not really your friend, am I?"

He was making me feel guilty, "Ruda... It's not like that." He turned his head away and ignored me. I bit my lower lip and quiet down as well.

I didn't want him to be angry with me but at the same time I didn't want to talk about the topic.

This was the very first time neither of us made an effort to talk to each other again. It felt strange but in the end we both took all our lectures quietly.

In the last lecture which I took alone because Ruda didn't pick up psychology, there was an announcement by the university delivered by the teachers.

"Be sure to read the notice display on the portal everyone. It's very important, especially for the scholarship students." The teachers concluded her lecture with the announcement, "If anyone has any inquiries you can come to me or any supervisor." She then left the class.

It's important for the scholarship students?

I fished out my phone from my bag while most of the students began to leave the lecture hall.

I opened the university portal and went to the news announcement, but the moment I read it my hands began to shake.

The announcement stated, 'All the scholarship students living in the dorms will have their dorm scholarship removed. Starting from this month all students will pay their dorm dues equally. The reason for such an action is that there will be more students the university will fund for education with scholarships."

What?

What's that even supposed to mean?! I mean I know what it means! But why all of the sudden?! I don't have enough money to pay for my dorm! If I start paying for my dorm I'll be out of money before I graduate!

What kind of cruel joke is this!!

I picked up my bag and ran towards the teachers office.

I was thinking that some sort of miracle would save me, that they would make an exception for students like me but I thought wrong.

"I'm sorry kid." The student affairs supervisor said, "There can't be any exceptions, especially for a student like you."

"A student like me?"

He sighed, "You already know." He looked at me, "You have a criminal record. Even if they decide to make an exception for a student or two, it will never be you."

His words stung but I fought back my emotions and clenched my fists.

"Yes sir." I gave him a slight bow and left the office.

I trudged my way back to the dorm room.

What now?

If I start part-time to earn I wont have any time to study. I'll lose my scholarship all together.

I sat down on the bed.

I knew it was too good to be true.

Getting in college that is.

I sighed. I want to complete my degree...

I guess I'll have to live under the bridge again... I bit my thumb nail in anxiety.

Or maybe I can find some place that takes in people that have nowhere to go. I immediately opened my phone and started looking for a place but found nothing.

The one place that did offer such a luxury was for kids.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

I don't look like a kid from anywhere.

I sighed and quietly began to pack my things.

***

"Hey." Ruda called out to me during class but I remained focused on the lecture, "Hey I'm sorry." He apologized, "You haven't talked to me in days since I asked you that question." He moved in closer, "I'm sorry, Please."

I turned my head to him and gave him a smile, "I'm not mad at you."

He looked into my eyes, "You look worn out." He stated the fact when he finally got a good look at my face, "Are you okay?"

"Yea." I nodded.

How could I ever tell him I'm living on the streets.

That would be so embarrassing. I would rather die than tell anyone about it.

"You sure?"

I gave him a reassuring smile, "Of course." I hugged him and he flinched, "I just missed you too." I know he'll drop the topic with this.

"Oh- OKay." He awkwardly patted my back and I let him go. He gets so weird with girls sometimes that it makes me think he might be gay.

I chuckled.

I want things to stay like this. I only have one friend. I can't lose him.

I don't want him to find out how miserable my condition can get and leave me. He's not only my friend but also my emotional support after all.

---Story note: Ruda thought that Maya not feeling anything for Yohan can't be true because of the mate bond. It's a pretty strong bond between fated werewolf partners but a human can feel it too if his/her fated partner is a werewolf and feel attracted to their mate/partner.----