Fated and forbidden

Chapter 1 Snow pov “The prince is welcomed with his lovely bride-to-be, Ariel Damson, daughter of the great Lycan King of the Shadow Tribe!” the highest-ranking noble announced proudly, his voice echoing through the grand hall as Prince Jack, renowned as the most celebrated prince of the South Coast of the Winter Tribe, made his entrance. None of that concerned me. My duty was simple. serve the esteemed Lycan King and every honored guest present… nothing more. I adjusted the tray in my hands, being careful not to spill a single drop as I navigated through the bustling hall. The chandeliers above sparkled like frozen stars, and the sound of nobles chatting filled the air, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of glasses. My steps were quiet yet steady, trained to go unnoticed. That was my role: to serve, observe, and disappear. “Hmm!” The sound made me halt mid-step. A sharp, disdainful sniff sliced through the murmur of conversation. I looked up. A woman in a scarlet gown stood close by, her chest pushed forward, eyes narrowing at me with blatant contempt. She followed me as I walked past, sniffing the air like a hound. “You smell like werewolves,” she declared, loud enough for the nearest table to hear. I forced myself to disregard her, gripping the tray tighter, my knuckles turning white. Nothing personal. Just another privileged noble trying to assert her presence. I reached the table, leaning forward to set down a glass of wine. The tray wobbled slightly with the motion, and the wine tilted. The glass clinked against the table, spilling a red arc across the polished surface. The woman’s eyes flared. Her mouth opened, and then she was on her feet, the hem of her gown swirling around her. “Are you blind? Watch what you’re doing!” Her voice was sharp, cutting through the polite murmurs surrounding us. “I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, leaning down to grab a napkin. “It was an accident, madam.” “Accident?” she retorted, stepping closer. Her presence loomed over me like a storm. “You dare—spill my wine?” I tried to bend lower, reaching for the puddle before it spread. “Please, let me clean it. I didn’t mean—” Before I could finish, she snatched a glass from the nearest tray and with a swift, deliberate motion, poured it over me. The warm wine cascaded down my head, soaking my dress and hair. Gasps echoed around me. I froze for a moment, stunned. The hall appeared to tilt. Red liquid trickled down my neck, stinging my skin, and I felt the heat of anger rising in my chest. My hands formed fists, shaking with rage. "You will apologize!" I yelled, my voice louder than I meant. The whispers intensified, and several nobles turned to observe. The woman laughed, her tone sharp and icy. "Apologize? To a mere servant? Never." She straightened, tossed her hair back, and glided away, leaving me soaked and trembling. I inhaled deeply, forcing my hands to relax. I couldn’t allow this to defeat me—not now. The focus of the room was already shifting to the dais, where the engagement ceremony was about to commence. The noble’s voice boomed once more. "The Prince of the Winter Tribe, Jack, will now speak to his betrothed, Ariel Damson!" A chill coursed through me, involuntary and intense. I could hear my heart pounding louder than the surrounding voices. My fingers shook as I dabbed at my dress with a cloth, disregarding the sticky red stains. Then it struck me, a pulse in my chest, sudden and urgent. A warmth spread through my veins. My vision sharpened yet blurred simultaneously, as if the world had divided into two realms—one ordinary and the other vibrant with energy I could sense but not see. I stumbled slightly, gripping the edge of the table. The pull came again, stronger this time, emanating from across the hall. I turned slowly, and there he was. Prince Jack, walking with the assurance of someone destined to lead, moving toward the dais with a presence that seemed to warp the air around him. My heart raced. Something deep within me roared, something primal, fierce, and undeniable. The bond—it was here. It pulled me forward like gravity, and for a moment, I forgot about the spilled wine. "Mate!" my wolf roared. Jack's gaze darted around the room, as if searching for someone, perhaps sensing the bond as well, before it finally settled on me. His eyes widened just a fraction, causing my stomach to plummet. He was not looking at Ariel; he was looking at me. A wave of whispers swept through the hall, initially slow but gaining speed as the nobles began to comprehend the situation. The Shadow Tribe, proud and poised, immediately stiffened. Their murmurs of disapproval transformed into sharp, angry words that sliced through the crowd's chatter. I cleared my throat, striving to maintain my composure. Jack's stride became longer and more purposeful as he approached me. Each step was intentional, and I felt the bond between us tighten. My knees felt weak, yet I could not retreat. My wolf howled in both warning and excitement, sending tingles through my senses. I could perceive every heartbeat, every tremor, every gasp from the nobles surrounding us. "Where is he even going?" someone whispered beside me, which only heightened my anxiety. His betrothed's expression hardened, her face losing color as the realization struck her. She moved forward a step, but Jack's voice resonated through the hall, steady and authoritative. "Stop!" The command was simple yet carried immense authority. The whispers faded away. All eyes were fixed on him. I felt the intensity of every gaze, the tension in the air thick enough to suffocate. He halted just a few feet away from me, his hand raised slightly—not in a threatening manner, but in a commanding one. The pull between us became almost unbearable. My breath caught in my throat, my hands quivered as I reached out to him, irresistibly drawn forward by an unseen force. And then I did. I took his hand. He was not even speaking. Jack's eyes remained locked on mine. His grip was strong and grounding, and I felt a fire within me finally calm. The bond surged between us, powerful, undeniable, and alarmingly real. "This is my choice," he declared, his voice resonating throughout the hall. "My mate stands beside me. No one else; the moon goddess has chosen her for me.” Ariel's expression twisted with rage and incredulity. The nobleman cleared his throat, hesitating under Jack's intense stare, as whispers circulated rapidly. The formidable Shadow Tribe could not conceal their anger. I remained next to Jack when I suddenly felt someone grip my wrist and pull me away from him; I looked up to find it was Ariel. "I would rather die than witness him choose you as his partner!" she declared, tears flowing down her face as her eyes burned with anger.