Note: The second half of this chapter starts a third person PoV that is continued in the next chapters as well.

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"Of course, Fang told about it," Channing said with a little relief in his voice, as if it was some secret that only a few people were supposed to know. By the reactions I had got from Channing till now, I estimated it to be something that not a lot of people were aware of.

It took me some time to decide whether to ask Channing about his girlfriend anymore or not. "It's okay if you don't want to talk."

Channing closed his eyes as his fingers ran through his hair. "It's okay Fang already must have given a gist of it. You both are soulmates of course he shared things with you." There was a pained smile that replaced Channing's lips, and I couldn't help but wish to relieve it in some way. But that would be going backwards with what we had just established between us that we couldn't be answering our desires with each other.

I bit into my lower lip, "I am not close to Fang or something he just talks a lot."

Channing raised his brows amused by my statement, "are you sure? As far as I have seen, Fang usually sits in the middle of the people to observe what goes around and barely talk unless necessary."

My face was shifting to the weird expression where I knew it started to look as if I was cringing at the thought. Fang and less talking didn't go well in my point of view. Maybe he did talk only where necessary, but that was too much for me I would rather prefer him quiet and far away from me where I am not able to hear his pretty voice. Honestly enough, Fang was really handsome and perfect 10, with everything about his outer appearance, but he was dark on the inside.

I nodded, saying I wasn't lying about Fang. "Fang talks about things that sometimes make no sense at all. But he had discreetly mentioned about your ex saying," I paused, trying to mild down the information Fang had said. "He had said that she was in jail," because of you, I completed in my head without saying it out loud.

Channing sighed and turned around. His feet made their way to the stairs that had been renovated, and he took a seat there. All this time, we were standing just behind the door like a fool I had not even invited him inside properly.

His hand patted on the space beside him on the stair. It was only a small space left, as Channing's heavy frame occupied more than half of it.

I walked there to look at the place left for me and seeing my thoughtful look Channing spoke, "Just take a seat, we have already been standing for a long at the ground." I didn't understand was he being considerate towards me or wanted to sit himself. But I did not question and took a seat on one step below from where he sat.

It was funny how these were once all broken and not even safe to place my foot on it. Fang truly ordered some good workers to get this place repaired.

Just when I had that thought I realised my entire house was renovated, "Channing lets go inside you don't have to sit here at the stairs." I got up and turned halfway for him to get up, but he held my wrist, asking me to sit back.

"This is better," said Channing, "I don't want something like what happened last time to repeat."

Channing held an apprehensive look, and I understood exactly what he was scared about. Last time, his control over his abilities had slipped, and he had almost kissed me. Right now, the air between us had settled with the topic shifting to his previous girlfriend and it seemed he was better with the tension he had with me.

I took my seat back and turned my body halfway to look at him sitting on the upper step. I refrained from talking about anything and let him start on his own.

Channing had his fingers interlaced while his elbows rested over his knees. His eyes looked below and away from mine before starting to talk, "I had a girlfriend when I was just nineteen it is a tender age to know you have a soulmate." A sad smile appeared on his lips as he lifted his head to look straight ahead. "My wolf was awakened at 17, just like the rest, and usually by 18 we recognise our soulmates if they are around. It was one of the days when I had gone to the capital with my father."

Channing drifted ahead as he spoke about his history and I imagined it to the best of my imagination...

~*~

That day Channing had been excited as his father had promised him a trip around the market after he was done with the court duties. Being the Alpha of Winterwells, Channing's father had to make errands to the capital every week and Channing almost always accompanied him.

"Channing, why don't you go ahead on your own to the market today?" His father said, pulling out some cash from his pocket and handing it to the Channing, who was in his late teens.

Channing took the cash, "Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you?"

A chuckle escaped from Channing's father's lips, "Go and enjoy your thing on your own you aren't some diaper baby anymore. Go straight home on your own when you are done."

Channing smiled at this newfound freedom. It had been like this since he had learnt to control his wolf, although his abilities were still tough to handle, so his father used to tag along with him everywhere. But today, as his father went ahead to court, leaving him alone to roam the capital to his heart's content, Channing felt an odd sense of responsibility towards himself.

Because he not just had to make sure that he doesn't go down any wrong way but also that his abilities are controlled in this heavy public place.

With his merry feet, Channing walked towards the market that was now starting to hustle and bustle with many people coming around and the vendors setting up the stalls for the evening was nearing. His eyes fell on a nearby stall that provided sausages, his favourite, and he was quick to approach there. "One plate spicy sausage with mustard," Channing ordered and the vendor flashed him a smile as he recognised him.

"Hello Channing, you seem to be alone today," the vendor remarked as he continued to make the dish that Channing had asked.

"Yes, father was busy, so he sent me ahead to roam around on my own."

The vendor was done in minutes with the dish and handed it over while taking the cash from Channing. "Is that so, have fun around then," the vendor said as he went ahead with preparing the next order.

Channing held the sausage by the stick and was about to take a bite when he heard a giggle behind him and a girl crashed into him such that his entire dish tipped.

"Watch where you are going, boy," came the panting, irritated voice of the girl.