THE MATE I CHOSE TO FORGET

THE FIRST KISS

Aurelia couldn’t get one word out of her head.

Mate.

Her wolf had called Draven her mate. She kept repeating to herself that just because the bond existed, it didn’t mean she loved him. That was what she wanted to believe, anyway.

She found Draven standing alone on the balcony that night, hands braced against the cold stone, staring into the darkness. He must’ve heard her coming.

“You should be sleeping,” he said.

“So should you.”

He turned around. Their eyes locked, and Aurelia could feel her heart going wild, pounding without any reason she could name. She hated that he could have that kind of effect on her without even touching her.

“I need to ask you something,” she said.

Draven didn’t move. “Ask.”

Aurelia hesitated. She almost didn’t want to put it into words. “Is this because of the mate bond?”

His expression turned serious. “Is what?”

“My feelings. The way my heart races around you. The way I…” Her voice trailed off. She couldn’t get the rest out.

Draven waited. He didn’t press, just waited for her to finish. So she did.

“Am I attracted to you just because you’re my mate?”

He was quiet, searching her face before answering. “The bond can pull you toward me,” he said.

Aurelia looked down at the railing, feeling suddenly small. “So it isn’t real.”

Draven shook his head. “I didn’t say that.”

She looked up again, and he stepped closer. “The bond can create attraction. Make you aware of me. Make being apart uncomfortable. But it can’t make you love me.”

His voice softened, and for a second she forgot how to breathe. “It can’t?”

“No.” He met her gaze. “If you choose me, I want it to be because you want to. Not because of the bond.”

Aurelia’s chest tightened. “You’d let me leave?”

His eyes darkened. “If that’s what you want.”

“Even if you love me?”

His jaw clenched, almost stubborn. “Especially then.”

She stared at him. For a man everyone called ruthless, his answer almost broke her.

“You waited all those years,” she whispered. “You’d really let me walk away?”

Draven’s eyes didn’t leave hers. “I lost you once because you chose to go. I won’t make you stay this time.”

Aurelia’s heart ached. She shifted closer, just a little. “I don’t know what I’m feeling.”

He shrugged lightly. “You don’t have to.”

“I don’t remember loving you.”

“I know.”

“But when I’m near you…” The words stopped again. Another gap.

Draven waited.

She glanced at his lips, then met his eyes. “When you’re near me, I want to be closer.”

Something flickered in his eyes, but he didn’t move. “You don’t have to be.”

“I know,” she said, and she took another step towards him. “But I want to.”

He was still. Giving her space, letting her choose. Aurelia’s heart thudded—she could barely think. Her whole life, the decisions had been made for her. Elias, her pack, someone stealing her memories… but this? This was hers.

She reached for Draven’s hand, slow and careful. He closed his fingers around hers—steady, warm.

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

“So am I.”

Aurelia blinked. “You?”

A tiny smile touched his lips. “Of you.”

“Why?”

“Because I already lost you once.”

Her chest squeezed tight. She stepped closer, and Draven lifted a hand—touching her cheek, gentle and waiting. He didn’t pull her in, just let her come as close as she wanted.

Aurelia closed the last bit of space herself. Their lips met, soft and careful—a kiss that was almost shy. But as soon as they touched, something shattered inside her. A memory blazed through.

Sunlight. The old oak tree. Draven, younger, standing in front of her. She was laughing—kissing him, making a promise she’d forgotten.

Aurelia gasped and broke away, pressing her hand to her mouth. Draven stepped back instantly.

“What happened?” he asked.

She stared at him, heart racing, mind spinning. “I saw something.”

His eyes changed, tense. “What?”

“A memory.” She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hang onto it. Warmth, laughter, a kiss—not this kiss, but another one, theirs.

She opened her eyes. “Why did that feel familiar?”

Draven didn’t answer.

Aurelia stepped closer. Her voice shook. “Why does kissing you feel like something I’ve done before?”

He just looked at her, and for the first time, real hope glowed in his eyes. He reached for her hand, slow, steady.

He twined his fingers with hers and whispered, “Because it is.”