Chapter 17- The Bond Between Them
1602 Words
The council room felt strangely quiet after Adrian and the Silver Ridge wolves left.
For a long moment, none of them spoke.
Elara stood near the center of the room, arms crossed, staring at the door like it might open again at any second.
Her mind was racing.
Moon-Chosen.
Wolf politics.
Other packs coming.
And now—
Mates.
She ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
“This is ridiculous.”
Marcus shifted in his chair.
“You’re taking it pretty well, actually.”
Elara shot him a look.
“Oh really? Because I feel like my brain is melting.”
Marcus shrugged.
“That’s a normal reaction.”
Kael was still standing near the table, silent, watching her carefully.
Elara noticed.
“You’re being suspiciously quiet,” she said.
Kael sighed softly.
“I’m thinking.”
“About what?”
“About how much your life has changed in three days.”
Elara let out a short laugh.
“That’s an understatement.”
She walked over to the table and leaned against it.
“So let’s review.”
She started counting on her fingers.
“I find out werewolves are real.”
Marcus raised a finger.
“Technically we’re shapeshifters.”
She ignored him.
“I get magically chosen by the Moon.”
Marcus nodded.
“Correct.”
“Every wolf pack apparently wants me.”
“Also correct.”
She pointed at Kael.
“And now there’s a chance the universe decided we’re mates.”
Marcus raised both hands.
“I didn’t say it.”
Kael rubbed his temple.
“Elara—”
She held up a hand.
“No. I need clarification.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“How long did you know about the mate possibility?”
Kael hesitated.
“That long, huh?” she said.
Marcus muttered, “This is going great.”
Kael finally answered.
“I suspected when the bond reacted the first time.”
Elara blinked.
“Which was when?”
“The night you arrived.”
Her mouth fell open.
“You’re telling me you suspected something like that and didn’t say anything?”
Kael met her gaze calmly.
“You were already overwhelmed.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Marcus stood slowly.
“You know what, I’m going to give you two some space—”
“Sit.”
He sat again.
Elara paced across the room.
“This is insane.”
Kael watched her quietly.
“You don’t have to accept anything right now.”
She stopped pacing.
“Accept what?”
“The bond.”
Elara frowned.
“You’re talking like it’s a real thing.”
“It might be.”
Marcus scratched his chin.
“Technically we won’t know for sure until the bond fully awakens.”
Elara turned toward him.
“That sentence contained way too many terrifying words.”
Marcus shrugged.
“Welcome to wolf life.”
She sighed deeply.
“I miss my normal life.”
Kael’s voice softened slightly.
“I know.”
Elara looked at him.
“And you’re okay with this?”
“With what?”
“The possibility that the Moon paired us together like some supernatural dating app?”
Marcus snorted.
Kael ignored him.
“It’s not that simple.”
“Then explain.”
Kael walked closer.
Slowly.
“Elara… being mates isn’t just attraction.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“So attraction is involved?”
Marcus made a choking sound.
Kael shot him a glare before continuing.
“It means two wolves share a deeper connection.”
“But I’m not a wolf.”
“You’re Moon-Chosen.”
Marcus nodded.
“That’s probably close enough.”
Elara groaned.
“I hate how casually you say things like that.”
Kael studied her carefully.
“The bond doesn’t control you.”
“Good.”
“It only strengthens what already exists.”
Elara blinked.
“Meaning?”
Kael hesitated slightly.
Marcus grinned.
“Oh this is awkward.”
Kael ignored him again.
“It means if two people already have a connection, the bond amplifies it.”
Elara felt her chest tighten slightly.
She glanced away for a moment.
“So… it’s basically magical emotional steroids.”
Marcus pointed.
“That’s actually a good description.”
Kael sighed.
“Not exactly.”
But Elara noticed something.
He hadn’t denied it completely.
She looked back at him.
“And what happens if mates don’t… accept the bond?”
Marcus answered first.
“It fades.”
Elara looked surprised.
“That’s it?”
“Not exactly,” Marcus admitted.
“It can cause… complications.”
Kael’s voice turned quiet.
“It can also weaken both sides.”
Elara frowned.
“That sounds suspicious.”
Marcus raised a finger.
“But it’s rare.”
“Why?”
“Because most mates accept it.”
She crossed her arms again.
“That’s convenient.”
Kael’s eyes softened slightly.
“Elara, no one is forcing you into anything.”
She studied his expression.
He meant that.
Which somehow made the situation even more confusing.
Because if the bond really did amplify existing feelings…
Her mind immediately replayed the moment on the balcony.
The tension between them.
The way her heart had raced when he stepped closer.
Elara quickly pushed the thought away.
“This conversation is too much for today.”
Marcus nodded.
“Fair.”
She walked toward the door.
“I need air.”
Kael followed her outside.
The night air was cool and quiet.
Most of the pack had settled down, though a few wolves were still patrolling the territory.
Elara walked down the wooden steps and across the open clearing.
Kael stayed a few steps behind her.
“Still overwhelmed?” he asked gently.
She laughed softly.
“That’s putting it lightly.”
They stopped near the edge of the forest.
The moon hung high above the trees.
Bright and watchful.
Elara leaned against a large tree trunk.
“I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
Kael stood beside her.
“You’re still Elara.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
She looked down at the glowing mark on her wrist.
“This thing says otherwise.”
Kael’s voice was calm.
“It says you’re important.”
She shook her head slightly.
“I didn’t ask for that.”
“No one does.”
Elara looked up at the moon.
“Do you believe in destiny?”
Kael considered the question.
“Yes.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Because wolves follow the Moon.”
“That sounds poetic.”
“It’s the truth.”
Elara sighed.
“I’m not sure I like destiny.”
Kael glanced at her.
“Why not?”
“Because it feels like someone else is making decisions for me.”
He nodded slowly.
“That’s understandable.”
She looked at him again.
“But you seem pretty calm about it.”
Kael smiled faintly.
“I’ve had longer to get used to the idea.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No.”
She studied him for a moment.
“You know something?”
“What?”
“You’re a lot less intimidating when you’re not acting like Alpha boss.”
Kael laughed quietly.
“Marcus would disagree.”
Elara smiled slightly.
“I think I’m starting to understand why the pack trusts you.”
Kael tilted his head.
“Why?”
“Because you’re steady.”
He looked surprised.
“That’s your compliment?”
“It’s a good one.”
Kael chuckled softly.
The moment felt lighter now.
Calmer.
Then suddenly—
Elara’s wrist burned.
She gasped.
The silver mark flared brightly.
Kael noticed immediately.
“Elara?”
The ground beneath them trembled faintly.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh no.”
Marcus burst out of the pack house.
“What did she do this time?”
“I didn’t do anything!” Elara said.
The light from the mark grew stronger.
A pulse of energy spread outward.
Kael grabbed her shoulders.
“Focus.”
“I’m trying!”
The silver glow surrounded her hand again.
Marcus stared.
“That’s stronger than before.”
Elara’s breathing quickened.
“I can’t stop it.”
Kael’s voice became firmer.
“Yes you can.”
“How?”
“Look at me.”
She did.
His amber eyes locked onto hers.
“Breathe.”
She inhaled slowly.
“Again.”
The energy flickered slightly.
“Good,” Kael said.
“Keep focusing.”
Elara concentrated on his voice.
On his presence.
The power slowly began to settle.
The glow faded.
The ground stopped trembling.
Silence returned.
Marcus exhaled loudly.
“Well… that was exciting.”
Elara collapsed against the tree.
“I hate magic.”
Kael smiled slightly.
“You’re getting better.”
She looked at him.
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
Marcus pointed toward the forest.
“You might want to get better faster.”
Elara frowned.
“Why?”
Marcus’s voice turned serious.
“Because if your power keeps doing that…”
He gestured toward the distant mountains.
“…every pack within a hundred miles will feel it.”
Elara stared at him.
“You’re kidding.”
Marcus shook his head.
“Nope.”
Kael’s expression hardened again.
“We don’t have much time.”
Elara sighed.
“Fantastic.”
She looked down at her wrist again.
The mark was calm now.
But she could still feel the energy beneath her skin.
Waiting.
Growing.
Changing.
And somewhere far away…
Other wolves had already felt the surge.
Because the Moon-Chosen was awakening.
And the wolf world was coming for her.
- Writer
