BONDED TO THE CURSED ROGUE ALPHA

CHAPTER 16 :proposal

Ashina's POV

The mark on my wrist looked darker than it had yesterday. I rubbed my thumb over it for what had to be the tenth time that afternoon.

It didn't hurt and that somehow made it worse. The mark that didn't fade it’s a bond I never asked for, a future I couldn't predict.

"My Lady." I swallowed as a sharp knock echoed through my chamber.

"...Come in." Three elderly she-wolves entered carrying a folded white gown not something fit for a Luna Just plain white.

One of them offered me a reassuring smile.

"The Alpha requests your presence." I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.

"So it begins." None of them answered as they simply helped me change usually, I hated people fussing over me but today ...I didn't have the energy to protest as my heartbeat refused to slow.

Every second that passed pulled me closer to whatever waited behind those doors. One elder tied the sash around my waist while another smoothed the sleeves. The eldest adjusted the collar before taking a single step back.

"You look ready."

The word almost made me laugh.

Ready for what?

To become another forgotten name whispered through palace corridors? I forced my hands to stay still as the eldest noticed.

"You're frightened."

"I'd be stupid not to be." The old woman didn't argue asshe quietly nodded.

"So was every girl before you." She added as Something cold settled in my stomach before I could ask what she meant, another knock interrupted us.

"The Alpha is waiting." As two royal guards stepped inside.

"Please follow us." As though I actually had somewhere else to be.

The walk through the castle felt longer than usual as neither guard spoke. Their boots struck the marble floor in perfect rhythm as my heartbeat was louder.

Every corridor seemed quieter than the last while the servant we passed lowered their eyes non of them even looked surprised as if the entire palace already knew what happened behind those doors.

“What if I don't come back out?“ The thought kept forcing its way into my mind.

I hated that thought because it sounded exactly like the frightened girl I'd spent years trying to leave behind.

Whatever happened I refused to let fear make my decisions.

The guards stopped before a pair of enormous oak doors as one of them pushed them open.

"The Alpha will see you now." The doors closed behind me with a heavy thud as the sound echoed across the chamber.

It wasn't filled with strange rituals or waiting elders.

It looked normal. Bookshelves, a fireplace with weapons mounted neatly along one wall.

My eyes stopped there as it caught Draven sitting on a dark leather armchair as though he'd been waiting for hours as one of his ankle rested casually across his knee while his hand supported his jaw.

The other tapped lazily against the carved wooden armrest. He barely acknowledged that I'd entered as his unreadable eyes settled on me.

"So." His deep voice broke the silence.

"You came." I folded my arms before I realised I was doing it.

"I wasn't aware refusing was an option."

"It was." His answer came so easily that it annoyed me as I frowned.

"Funny." I added trying my possible best to avoid his stare.

"I wasn't laughing." Of course he wasn't as the settled between us again. He gestured toward the chair opposite him.

"Sit." He ordered.

"I prefer standing."

"I wasn't asking what you preferred." Arrogant and annoyingly Infuriating but I stayed exactly where I was as he watched me for a moment to my surprise, he simply shrugged.

"Stand, then." Good despite it somehow irritated me even more.

"You dragged me into your chambers, Surely you have something to say." I asked.

"I do." He leaned back slightly.

"The trial doesn't begin until you decide." My brows drew together.

"Decide what?"

"Whether you stay or whether you leave." For the first time since entering the room, I genuinely thought I'd misheard him.

"You'd let me leave?" I said with a puzzled look on my face .

"Yes." As I searched his face for a trap but there wasn't one and that even frightened me more.

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I don't particularly care about what you believe." His tone never changed.

"If you leave before sunset, the gates remain open."

"And after sunset?" My voice barely a whisper.

"Then you've chosen to stay." The room fell silent again.

"You'd really throw away the alliance? After I ditched my Career of leaving this hectic territory! My heart pounded so loudly I wondered if he could hear it.

"If that's what happens."

"...Why?" He looked at me for a long second.

"If tonight proves the curse will eventually kill you..." When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter.

"I'll find another way." I blinked as his words marveled me.

"What?" I yelled.

"I'll spend every resource this kingdom has searching for a way to break the mate Bond."

"You'd do that?" I stared at him.

"Yes."

"Why?" For the first time something shifted behind those silver eyes.

"I've buried enough women who never chose this life." The words hung between us heavy and honest.

"So." I asked as he looked away first.

"Leave." His voice became distant again.

"...Or stay. The decision is yours." I lowered my eyes to the mark hidden beneath my sleeve.

If I walked away I'd return to the house that never felt like home, return to a father who had already decided what my life was worth.

But if I stay I would have to spend the rest of my life with this monster and die in a kingdom that never wanted me as their True Luna.

As my eyes meet his gaze, I was about to make the greatest decision of my life…