Mate by Fate, Bound by Love

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**Ethan’s POV**

My joy was boundless. Seeing my sister finally cured was a relief I could hardly put into words. The fear and anguish of potentially losing Sophia had haunted me, and the thought of life without her was unbearable.

To think it was my rejected mate who came to our aid at this crucial moment was almost unbelievable. I wasn’t about to let her slip away again. I proposed to her immediately, but she turned me down, saying she couldn’t decide right now. At least it wasn’t a definitive no. I still had hope. I could feel the mate bond between us, even though it was weaker than before my rejection.

I ordered a celebration to honor Lena and her heroism. I wanted everyone to know what she had done for our pack.

During the celebration, Sophia woke up. After coughing, she stood up, looking like the strong, fearless Sophia I knew.

“What’s going on here?” she asked, referring to the noisy celebration.

“We’re celebrating your recovery and Lena’s heroism. She’s the savior of our pack,” I said.

I had already told the pack about Sophia’s condition and how Lena had helped. Many members felt remorse for their past treatment of her, but I assured them that Lena had forgiven them.

“Where’s Lena?” Sophia asked.

“She should be in her chambers,” I replied.

“Why is she there? This party is about her. She should be here, celebrating,” Sophia said.

“She’s looking for answers. I told her about what the sorceress said regarding her bloodline, and now she’s confused.”

“Then take her to the sorceress,” Sophia insisted.

“I already told her I’d take her there first thing in the morning,” I said.

“Did she agree?”

“No,” I replied.

“Oh, Ethan, when will you learn? Go to her now and take her to the sorceress,” Sophia commanded.

With Sophia back to her strong self, she seemed to forget I was the alpha. But I knew better than to argue with her; it would be futile.

“Don’t worry, I’ll oversee the celebration. But I’ll leave as soon as you return,” Sophia said.

“Leaving? Why? You could stay longer,” I said.

“I have to go, Ethan. My children need me, my Beta needs me, and my pack needs me as well,” she explained.

“Okay, sis, see you when I get back,” I said, and left.

I grabbed my cloak, called my Beta, and instructed him to prepare three horses. We needed to go to the sorceress’s abode.

I found Lena deep in thought in her chambers. Realizing Sophia was right, I knew I needed to go with her now. This was a chance to build her trust, and I was determined to make it work.

“Let’s go find the witch,” I said with a smile.

She looked at me gratefully, then picked a cloak and followed me. We went outside where my Beta had prepared the horses. We mounted and headed towards the sorceress’s home.

Throughout the journey, Lena seemed lost in thought. I was glad I hadn’t refused Sophia’s request. This meant a lot to her, and I was happy to help.

After hours of riding, we finally arrived at the sorceress’s abode.

“Here we are, Lena,” I said.

Just as we were about to enter, a voice greeted us.

“Welcome to my abode,” said Joey the witch.

Her mischievous nature never ceased to amaze me. We entered the cave she had carved into a house. I wondered how she managed it-if it was magic or something else.

“Oh, the one with no name, the lycan King with an expressionless face is back…” She paused, eyeing Lena. “And we have a guest. Hmm, Lena, you’ve found her? I see, your sister is cured now.”

“Yes, she is. Thank you for your help.”

“So, what brings this ancient witch into my humble abode?” she asked, then shushed us, already knowing our purpose.

I disliked witches for their cunning and deceit. Yes, it was a witch who saved my sister, but one in an omega’s body-Lena’s body. Despite that, she was still a wolf, and that was acceptable to me.

“I see you need answers, my dear. And the one inside you doesn’t quite understand why she’s stuck inside you either,” she said, laughing hysterically.

I wanted to strangle her for that infuriating laugh, but what could I do? I was in a witch’s den, and who knew what was hidden within these cave walls?

“Oh, dear Lena and Lyla. Lyla is her name, right?” she asked, facing Lena.

Lena nodded.

“Ethan told me about my bloodline. He said you mentioned I was from a powerful line of healers. I need to know more about this.”

“Oh, my child, so inquisitive. It is your right to know. Yes, that’s true. Your mother belonged to that bloodline. Long ago, when the three species lived in harmony, a certain family of wolves was bestowed with the power of healing by a powerful witch because…” She paused.

“Why?” Lena asked.

“Don’t be too hasty, my child. Take a seat and listen carefully.”

Suddenly, a seat appeared near Lena, hitting her leg and forcing her to sit. I was ready to intervene but Lena gave me a signal to stay calm.

“Hush now, dear expressionless face wolf. I wouldn’t hurt your princess,” the witch said.

“Besides even if I decided to hurt her, what would you have done would you have been able to defeat me to save your little princess”

I felt like strangling her right now but she has a point I wouldn’t be fast enough to land the first blow on her and the fact that she could control things with her mind was enough to make me rest my case.

My Beta was awfully quiet he probably knew that there is nothing we could do in a witch den.

I decided to keep mute and watch how things would unfold, but I was ready to try if I see that the witch is going to hurt Lena