Chapter 3 3.

- POV NATE

My teeth grind as I clench my jaw. The heat under this navy blue suit is suffocating, and I restrain myself from loosening my tie to show how uncomfortable I am. But it's not the heat that's making me like this... Standing in front of me is the girl/woman who turned my life upside down. I had waited for years for the moment when I would be introduced to my soul mate... the person who would share a life with me. The main Hill Mansion was abandoned the day the new one was completed, leaving behind all my brother's dark past. I provided the residence to build a new family. After a lot of therapy, I decided that my past doesn't define me, my destiny is up to me, whether it's a success or a curse... it's up to me. I spent years of my life waiting, longing, watching my closest colleagues find their partners, having their heirs, and experiencing indescribable happiness. Even knowing how difficult it was to find a bandmate, I never gave up hope. When the system finally got in touch to inform me that they had found my bond, I thought that luck was finally smiling at me. They told me she was years old. Ten years younger, that frustrated me, but I didn't think it was a problem, because I had waited for so many years, I could expect more. I wanted her to live out her youthful experiences, in the best schools, receiving everything my companion deserves, all the luxury that the Hill name carries until the day we could finally make her Mrs. Hill. She should have known places, traveled, and seen different people and other cultures. She would choose her field of training and if she wanted to, she would work, but if she wanted to stay at home and look after our family, that would be fine too. It would be completely up to her, as there is no shortage of employees so that she could fulfill her dreams, without the worry of looking after a house. I would have liked to have courted her, given her gifts, made dinners for two, gotten to know her dreams and her desires, and learned to deal with her fears and frustrations. I wanted every part of her, just as she would have mine. I was going to make her the happiest woman in the world. I look at the curvy redhead sitting in front of me. She's different from the photos when she was in her teens. She's put on weight, her breasts are big. I wonder what her ass looks like. From the size of it, it's big, unlike any of the women in society around me. There isn't a woman in our midst who is overweight, so it makes me curious to know what it would be like to have her soft body against mine. The bond purrs inside me, wanting her companion more and more. Her hair looks like flames, her green eyes are surrounded by dark circles showing that she must not be getting much rest.  We made her wait on purpose. I wanted her to feel the same anxiety that I have felt for all these years. I still remember the fulminating pain in my chest the day she disappeared. Shade's team found her, he didn't mind going after her when he found out she was living on her own, and not under the enemy's thumb. The center of a bond is always very strong, everyone thought I would be the center when the time came. It was a big surprise to find out that I had a girl of years as my center and would have to share her with four other men, one of whom was my brother and the other my best friend. Noah turned his back on his family, as they were against him joining our bond, at the time he was just a boy. He shouldn't have suffered two rejections like that. The first by his blood, the second by the person he decided to pledge his life to. He became a younger brother to Ace, Shade, and me. His presence brought life into our home and relieved the tragedy of not being able to be with our partner. As it was a six-member bond, the residence was carefully planned so that everyone could have their privacy; my colleagues on the board even joked that I had built a city rather than a house. There was an indoor gym, whirlpool, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, a cinema room, a golf course, a sports court, suites for each member, the main one for our companion. I left her suite as a blank canvas for her to decorate when she took over.  The others came to live with me when everything was ready, we met every day for breakfast or dinner, and we got used to each other's presence. Even Tristan. I look at the vacant chair next to Noah. Tristan disappeared when he found out that she had run away and not been kidnapped. Of all of us, he and my brother Ace are the most problematic, so I always try to keep them under my radar. Noah is very easy to deal with, and he fits easily into this family, Tristan, and Ace are difficult to live with. They are tormented by their demons. Ace wanted us to leave her in the hands of the system, but Shade and Noah voted for me. We want to find out what happened. I need to know if she's a cold bitch, or was coerced into leaving. Right now, I want to have Shade's powers and feel what she's feeling to know if this debauched, detached attitude is a façade or really who she is. Who is Megan Redwood? What is she hiding underneath her sarcastic attitude? Do I want to know? I glance at the Rolex on my wrist, marking nine o'clock at night. It's late, I need to move her home. “You're going to live with us. You'll follow the house rules, you won't go anywhere without your security guards, be aware that we'll know your every move, if you step out of line we'll hand you over to the system and I'm not one to go back on my decisions.” Being an heir to the council has trained me to make important decisions, always thinking of the common good, and I'll take our relationship in the same way. I won't let her make fools of us again. She's still staring at me, trying to hide her nervousness. Her clothes are dirty and worn, she could easily pass for a beggar. “I hope you'll follow us nicely, I don't want to use force on you, but I will if I have to...” With that, I get up and leave the room. I cross the corridors, ignoring the curious stares of the system's employees. They moved out of my way as if I were something to be feared, which I was.