Bound by Fatee

Steven's POV

I fixed my gaze on the large screen with intense scrutiny, a wave of disappointment churning in my stomach like a twisted vine. I scoffed, unable to conceal my disdain.

"Is something wrong, Sir?" Mr. David, my fashion director and the presenter to the board, inquired, his voice trembling slightly under my intense stare.

"Actually, yes, something is wrong," I responded, causing the room to fall silent, all eyes now focused on me, their faces expressing a blend of curiosity and fear.

"Is this really the grand end-of-the-month plan you've been going on about?" I questioned, my tone laced with disbelief.

"Yes, Sir," he answered, his assurance clearly faltering.

"Well, it doesn't seem so impressive; your-"

"But, Sir..."

I slammed my palm on the table, the noise reverberating through the room, and I noticed everyone flinch, their eyes wide with surprise.

"Don't you dare cut me off when I'm speaking!" I yelled, my anger boiling over.

"I apologize, Sir," he mumbled, his voice shaky, mirroring the tension in the room.

"This is a fashion and modeling firm, and you boldly assured me you'd develop an outstanding new line of men's clothing by the end of the month, and this is the best your stagnant mind could produce?!" I tossed aside the presentation folder, the papers scattering like autumn leaves, a clear sign of my disapproval.

"Develop a better line by next week, or prepare to lose your job. I will not tolerate ineptitude," I proclaimed, rising suddenly. "I assume this meeting is over." I walked out, my heart racing with the rush of my outburst.

My secretary, Debby, hurried to match my stride, her footsteps ringing out against the polished floor. "We have hired a new team of fashion designers for the company as you requested, Sir. They'll start tomorrow," she informed me, her tone sincere yet cautious, as if trying to calm my rising anger.

I nodded, still immersed in my thoughts, the burden of the day weighing heavily on me. "I don't have any further meetings scheduled, do I?" I asked, hoping for a moment of peace.

"No, Sir, you don't," she replied, a look of relief lighting up her face.

"Good. I'm heading out then," I said as I got into my car, thankful for the quiet that surrounded me.

"Goodbye, Sir," Debby said with a slight bow, the respect in her demeanor evident.

"The mansion?" Liam, my driver, inquired, and I nodded, sinking back into the plush leather seat.

As the car drove away, I shut my eyes, allowing the humming of the engine to envelop me like a comforting embrace.

"Tonight is the full moon," Liam remarked, breaking the silence, but I feigned disinterest, retreating further into my thoughts.

"Will you be attending the Moon Goddess's shrine with us this time?" he pressed, his tone light yet insistent.

"Not interested," I replied tersely, using my silence as a shield against his cheerful probing.

"Maya has arrived at the mansion to join you for the ceremony," he mentioned, trying to ignite a spark of interest.

"What?!" I snapped, and a grin spread across his face.

"I suppose I finally said something that piqued your interest."

"When did she arrive at the mansion?" I inquired, my irritation simmering just beneath the surface, but I couldn't shake the tension it caused me.

"Just this morning," he replied, and I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"To be honest, I don't believe Maya is the right mate for you. She's as relentless as you are, no offense intended, but you might want to consider someone more."

"The only reason you are still breathing is that you are my blood relative, but if you continue to ramble on, I won't hesitate to cut off your tongue," I warned, my tone cold and steely.

"Sorry, Steven," Liam muttered, and the rest of the ride passed in tense silence, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.

"Steven!!" Liam shrilled as she rushed toward me, her arms wrapping around me in an exuberant hug. I stiffened, discomfort prickling at the edges of my patience.

"Can you not do that each time you see me?" I said, stepping back, my irritation barely contained as I walked toward my room, and she followed like a shadow.

"Why not? You are my mate," she said, her voice light, as if it should somehow erase the tension in the air.

"Mate to be," I corrected, my tone clipped as I sank onto the couch, the weight of the day still heavy on my shoulders.

"That'll change soon. We are getting married next week," she said, her excitement palpable, but I struggled to mirror her enthusiasm.

"Right," I replied, trying to muster some enthusiasm but failing miserably.

"When will you announce our wedding to the media?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"I've already asked my media aide to do that this morning," I said, attempting to sound casual.

"Our wedding will be amazing, right? Promise me you'll make it spectacular," she insisted, and I scoffed, the pressure of expectations mounting in my chest.

"You know an Alpha's promise is unbreakable. I'm always bound to fulfill the promises that I make, so I don't make promises; I don't take that risk." My voice was firm, a warning against the expectations she placed on me.

"Fine," she said with a sigh, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice.

"Yeah, so what are you doing here?" I asked, redirecting the conversation to escape the weight of her hopeful gaze.

"Tonight's the full moon night," she said, her voice almost pleading.

"And?" I replied, feigning indifference, my irritation simmering beneath the surface.

"Come on! I told you we'll join the ceremony tonight and seek the Moon Goddess's blessing for our union," Maya implored, her eyes wide and earnest.

"And I told you I care not about that fanatic Goddess's blessing, and therefore I am not going with you to seek any forsaken blessing," I said, removing my jacket with deliberate calmness, but inside, my heart raced with agitation.

"Steven!!" she yelled, her frustration spilling over. "The Moon Goddess is a respected being in my pack, and I won't tolerate you speaking ill of her. The next time you say something like this, I'll make you regret it."

I walked toward her, my anger bubbling to the surface as I gripped her throat, my fingernails extending and digging into her skin. "Don't you dare threaten me!" I said slowly, my voice laced with menace.

"Ste... Steven, you... you're hurting me," she stuttered, her eyes wide with fear as she struggled to break free from my grasp.

"You should know that the only reason for our union is to unite our packs and increase my stronghold over all the werewolves, so do not cross your limit, Maya," I warned, pushing her aside with a sharpness that echoed the tumult inside me.

"You want to seek your dear Goddess's blessing, right? Fine, I'll go with you, but you'll be the one doing the seeking," I said, the resolve hardening in my chest as I turned and walked out, leaving her standing there, a storm of confusion and resentment brewing between us.

Steven's POV

"Steven, it's time. The pack has arrived," Liam announced, his voice a mix of urgency and excitement, peeking into my room.

"I'll come," I responded, attempting to conceal the mix of anticipation and anxiety swirling in my stomach.

He nodded and departed, the door clicking closed behind him. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the Oakwood Moon mark on my shoulder, feeling a mix of pride and pressure. This mark was not just a symbol; it was a reminder of my responsibilities, of who I was meant to be.

"It's time," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper, as I took a deep breath to steady myself before leaving my room.

As I stepped outside, the sight of the Oakwood Moon pack gathered below the mansion struck me like a wave of energy. The air was thick with their eager chatter, the excitement palpable.

"Pay your respects to the Alpha of the Oakwood Moon pack!" Liam yelled, and they all bowed, a show of loyalty that warmed my heart. It felt good to know they looked to me for leadership.

"Tonight is the full moon night-the night we reconnect with our inner, stronger selves; a night we summon our natural-born instincts; a night to remind us who we truly are! Tonight is the night of The Hunt!!"

"Yeah!!!!" they screamed in excitement, their voices echoing in the stillness of the evening.

"But as we embark on The Hunt tonight, I want no injured wolves like before. We are not hunting ourselves but anything else out there in the forest. If you come across a human, you do not kill; you bring them to us to see if they are worthy of the werewolf bite. If they are not, we let them go. We do not kill humans. Those are the rules!" I declared, my voice firm, fueled by a fierce protectiveness for both my pack and those outside our world.

"Yeah!!!" They screamed in agreement, their enthusiasm electrifying the atmosphere.

"The wolf with the highest number of prey gets a reward and an increase in rank! So, are we ready?!"

"Yeah!!!" They roared, their voices rising like a crescendo.

"Are we ready?!!" I asked again, the thrill of the moment pushing my adrenaline higher.

"Yeah!!!!"

"Then let's go! We shall all reconvene at the Moon Goddess's shrine in an hour," I commanded, and they murmured their approval, anticipation buzzing in the air.

"We?" Liam asked, arching an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yes, my mate-to-be and I will be joining you at the shrine today, just for today," I said, a smirk creeping onto my face as the pack erupted in excitement.

"So... let's go!!!" I shouted, and they all transformed into wolves, shredding their clothes into rags and sprinting into the forest on all fours, their joy infectious.

"You aren't going with them?" Maya asked as she emerged from the mansion, walking toward me with an air of confidence. I grabbed her waist, pulling her closer, feeling her warmth against me.

"I'm the Alpha. I don't participate; I command," I said with a smirk, gazing into her eyes, a mix of affection and mischief swirling within me.

"So we have one hour to ourselves then. How do you suggest we spend that?" she asked, her voice laced with playful temptation. I lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around my waist.

I kissed her passionately, the heat of the moment igniting a spark between us. Pulling back slightly, I smirked, "What do you think?" She nodded, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

In a flash, I supersped us back to the bedroom and dropped her onto the bed, a thrill of exhilaration coursing through me. I climbed on top of her, pressing her down gently as I tore off her clothing, kissing a trail down her neck.

"I love you, Steven. I love everything about you," she breathed, her voice muffled by moans of pleasure.

We dressed in all white and made our way to the Moon Goddess's shrine, where the pack was already gathered. The sight of the ancient tree bathed in moonlight filled me with a sense of awe and reverence.

"It's nice seeing you here for the first time," Liam said, a proud smile on his face.

"Don't get used to it," I replied, walking with Maya to the front of the tree, my heart thrumming with anticipation.

I glanced beside the tree where everyone kept their prey, and my lips curled into a smirk. "Someone caught a human. Who?" I called out, scanning the eager faces in the crowd.

A figure stepped forward. "Your name?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Leo," he replied, his voice trembling slightly.

"Is he dead?" I pressed, concern bubbling beneath my bravado.

"No, he ran pretty fast when he saw me, but I caught up and he collapsed," Leo explained, pride lighting up his eyes.

"Is this your only prey?" I inquired, gesturing to the collection behind him.

"No, I caught a boar, a deer, a rabbit, and a snake," he said, pointing at his haul, his confidence growing.

"I guess we have the winner of The Hunt then! Leo!!" I announced, the crowd erupting into applause and cheers, their excitement contagious.

"Meet me at the mansion tomorrow," I instructed Leo, who bowed deeply, gratitude etched on his face.

"Thank you, Alpha," he said, his voice filled with awe.

"So... should we or should we not turn our captured human?" I asked, sensing the tension in the air.

"No!!" some screamed.

"Yes!!" others shouted back, their voices clashing in an energetic debate.

"You should let the Moon Goddess decide if you should turn him or not," Maya suggested, her voice steady amidst the chaos. I sighed, the weight of leadership heavy on my shoulders.

"Fine."

Suddenly, a white wolf emerged from the tree, transforming into an old woman with long, white hair and the mark of the Moon shining brightly on her forehead-the priestess of the Moon Goddess.

Everyone bowed, a ripple of reverence spreading through the crowd, and Maya tugged at my arm, urging me to kneel too. I complied, feeling the weight of tradition and expectation settle around us.

The priestess approached me, her eyes piercing and wise. "It was high time you came. She told me to expect you."

"Yeah, right," I scoffed, my skepticism creeping in. The thought of fate and destiny seemed absurd, yet a part of me was intrigued.

"Priestess of the Moon Goddess, we've come to seek your blessing for..."

"Turn him," the priestess interrupted Maya, her voice commanding.

"Turn the human; you will need him," she declared, and I nearly laughed in disbelief.

"I need no one," I insisted, my tone defiant. "In fact, the only reason you are seeing me is that Maya dragged me here. She wanted to seek your blessing for..."

"She is not your destined mate," the priestess cut in, her words slicing through the air like a cold wind.

"What?!" Maya exclaimed, shock and disbelief flooding her voice.

"Didn't I tell you this was a bad idea? You know what? I can't stand this anymore," I said, turning to leave, but suddenly, I felt an invisible force hold me in place.

The priestess's eyes turned white, and a heavy gust of wind swirled around us, making the moon shine even brighter.

"It's the Moon Goddess; she's possessed the priestess! This rarely happens," Maya whispered in awe, everyone quickly kneeling down, their expressions shifting from excitement to reverence.

"Why... Why can't I move?" I stuttered, panic rising within me as the energy in the air crackled.

"You haven't heard my message for you yet," the priestess said, her voice a chilling whisper that sent shivers down my spine.

"I don't need to. You're trying to separate me from the mate I want! Who gave you that right? It is my life, and I will take whoever I want as my mate!" I shouted, defiance thrumming in my veins.

"You made a promise; you are already betrothed to another," she replied, her voice echoing ominously.

"What promise?" I asked, confusion swirling in my mind as she moved closer, her gaze locking onto the Crescent Moon mark on my shoulder.

As she touched it, an intense heat radiated through me, igniting my skin like fire, and I groaned, overwhelmed.

Closing my eyes, flashes of different memories flooded my mind:

"Hey! Who are you?!"...

"I don't know, I can't remember."

"My name is Ashley," a young girl said with a sweet smile...

"If you are still single by 25, I'll marry you, I promise," a ten-year-old me declared, innocent and hopeful.

The priestess withdrew her hand, the burning sensation dissipating along with the memories, leaving me panting and disoriented.

"You made a promise, and it must be fulfilled. She is your destined mate, and choosing another will spell doom for you and your entire pack. You are warned," she said, her tone grave and unyielding.

And just like that, the priestess collapsed to the ground, while I gasped for breath, the weight of her words crashing over me like a tidal wave.

Steven's POV

"Hey! Who are you?" I turned back to see a blonde girl staring at me from behind.

"Well, I'm a boy," I said, unsure of the right response to her question.

"I can see that. I mean, who are you? Tell me your identity," she said boldly.

"I don't know; I can't remember," I admitted sadly.

"You can't remember? How?"

"I'm not sure. This morning, I found myself by the lake, and all I can recall is my mom instructing me to wait for her here, saying she would return to fetch me," I described.

"Are you still waiting for her?" she inquired, and I nodded.

After a brief pause, she joined me and sat down.

"I'm Ashley," she introduced herself with a smile.

""""""""""'''''''

"There's no way I'll ever listen to that fanatic goddess's sayings!" I yelled, frustration boiling inside me.

"You have to, Steven. She is our Matchmaker; you cannot disobey our goddess," Liam insisted, trying to reason with me.

"But how? How am I not your destined mate when we are so obviously perfect for each other?" Maya cried, her voice laced with desperation.

"I told you going to her for a blessing was a crazy idea to begin with, but you never listen, do you?!" I retorted, my patience thinning.

"I... I had no idea she was going to say this," she murmured, tears welling in her eyes. I sighed, trying to calm the tension.

"You don't need to worry, Maya; this won't change any of our plans," I assured her, though uncertainty gnawed at me.

"But she said...."

"What she said is utter nonsense!" I yelled, cutting Liam short before he could finish his thought.

"If you disobey her, it will spell doom for our pack; she warned you!" Liam pressed, his voice firm.

"Then what will you have me do? The girl that is my supposed destined mate is a human! I haven't seen her for more than fifteen years, and I don't know much about her-only her name, Ashley, that's all. Now tell me how the hell I'm supposed to find her and convince her to marry a werewolf alpha!" My frustration spilled out.

"The goddess has destined this; she will find a way for you. But now, you should cancel the marriage with Maya. She..."

"No one is cancelling my marriage!" Audrey interrupted, her voice steady despite her tears.

"But you heard what the..."

"Yes, I heard what the goddess said, and I am telling you now, no one is cancelling anything!!" she yelled, her temper flaring.

"You are crazy, Maya. How could you ever think of disobeying." I began, but she moved with such speed that she was in front of Liam before I could blink.

"You shut your mouth unless I rip out your throat," she threatened, releasing him after a tense moment.

"The wedding will go on as planned; no one is marrying Steven except me," she declared, storming out.

"I... I told you she... she's crazy, Steven, I told you," Liam stuttered, his eyes wide with fear.

"Crazy or not, she's powerful. She's the daughter of the Alpha of her clan; I'm marrying her for her power, so the wedding will hold. It must..."

*******

"Where am I?" I wondered as I walked into an empty house.

And then I realized, this is my mansion, my house.

"Who's there?" I enquired as I noticed a figure laying on the floor.

I approached slowly, my heart racing. For some reason, I felt scared.

"Hello?" I said, kneeling to tap the figure.

"Ahhh!!!" I screamed and fell back, horrified at the sight of a face covered in blood.

"Lia... Liam," I stuttered.

The body was Liam's, lying lifeless on the floor. I looked around, my heart sinking further as I saw dead bodies scattered throughout the room-my pack, my family. Maya was among them; everyone was dead.

"You are warned," a cold but overwhelming voice echoed, followed by a loud, hysterical laughter.

"Nooo!!!" I screamed, panic consuming me.

*******

"Is everything alright? I heard you screaming," Liam said, rushing into my room.

I stared at him for a moment, confusion swirling in my mind.

I just saw this guy lifeless and covered in blood seconds ago.

"Steven, are you okay?" he asked again, worry etched on his face.

"I am anything but okay," I replied, standing up and walking out.

"Where are you going?" he asked, following closely behind.

"I'll be back," I answered curtly.

"Leo is coming; what should I tell him?" he pressed, concern growing.

"Who's Leo?" I asked, perplexed.

"You know, the winner of yesterday's hunt; you told him to come by the mansion today, remember?"

I nodded, trying to recall.

"Just give him some money and fix him up a job in the company," I said with a wave of my hand.

"And the human we captured?!"

Liam yelled, panic rising in his voice.

"I'll turn him when I get back!" I yelled back, frustration seeping into my tone.

I stormed out of the mansion, my heart racing. I needed to clear my mind.

Then I started running.

I dashed into the forest, feeling the familiar pull of my wolf instinct. Soon, I was running on all fours, shapeshifting into my wolf form.

I sprinted to the moon tree, where the moon goddess's shrine awaited. I howled into the night, a sound filled with desperation.

The priestess stepped out, standing before me with an air of calm authority.

"Shapeshift back, Alpha; I doubt if I can communicate with you effectively in your wolf form," she said. I obeyed, shifting back to human.

"What brought you here?" she asked, studying me intently.

"Tell your goddess to stop sending me those absurd dreams!" I snapped, frustration boiling over.

She smiled softly, almost knowingly. "She's warning you, Steven. If you continue being disobedient and her warnings come to pass, you won't put all the blame on her like you did seven years ago..."

I stepped closer, my anger flaring as I grabbed her throat. "Maybe I should just kill you so you can go meet your dear goddess-in hell."

"If... if you kill me... you... you'll never... know... how to... find Ashley," she stuttered, fear flickering in her eyes. I released her, startled by her words.

"Her full name is Ashley Green, and if you love your pack, you'll obey the Moon goddess and make her your mate," she said, her voice steady.

"Is that all you know about her? Just her name?" I pressed, searching for more.

"Yes, and I also know that you do not need to find her; she will find you, Steven. When you finally meet her, the goddess will show you a sign, and you will know."

I shook my head, frustration bubbling up again. "I really should have killed you."

"I can't die yet, Steven. One day you will come in tears seeking my help. I am silently waiting for that day-the day the storm shall arrive," she said, turning back to the tree, her figure fading from view.