Wolfbound: The Alpha's Chosen Mate

CHAPTER 2

“I'm Solara,” her wolf introduced.

Emilia staggered back, heart pounding so fiercely she thought it might burst. There was no time to feel joy. The ceremony had already begun.

Cheers erupted around her as Kael, clad in deep navy robes threaded with silver, stepped onto the platform. He looked every bit the Alpha’s son. Confident, commanding, untouchable.

Her fingers grazed the necklace he had given her. Her lips curled into a soft smile as she felt warmth.

Kael’s eyes swept the hall and then locked onto hers. Time slowed. Emilia felt electricity surge through her veins.

They both whispered the word, soft but loud enough for them to hear. “Mate.”

Kael’s eyes widened, a flicker of shock broke through his calm expression.

Emilia stepped forward, her voice trembling, “Kael…”

He moved toward her, and every gaze turned their way. ‘He feels it too,’ she thought.

But just as he reached her, Kael’s expression hardened. His eyes flicked past her, cold and distant. Without a word, he stepped around her and took Neriah’s extended hand.

Neriah smiled triumphantly, her eyes locking on Emilia glinting with victory.

“No. This can’t be happening.” Emilia’s voice caught in her throat. Her body froze, and her breath shallow and ragged.

Kael turned to her, his blue eyes cold.

“I reject you, Emilia Valehart,” he said, his words slicing through her like a blade. “You’re a weak omega without a wolf. Too fat, too ugly, too insignificant to be my Luna.”

The hall grew silent. Tears burned her lids, but she refused to let them fall.

‘But I have a wolf... you felt it too.’ The words screamed in Emilia’s head, but her mouth couldn’t move.

A sharp pain tore through her chest as her wolf, newly awakened, whimpered and went silent. Gone. Just like that.

The music resumed. Laughter, applause, celebration. The world spun on like her life hadn’t just been ripped apart.

“They’ve been together for months,” someone whispered. “They’re perfect.”

“She’s pregnant, you know. Kael’s going to be a father.”

‘Pregnant?’

Emilia’s breath caught. Her nails dug into her palms. Two months ago, she was pregnant too. Kael had whispered promises, how the timing wasn’t right, how she’d be Luna once things settled.

And she believed him. Now he stood with another woman, presenting her as Luna, carrying his child.

A cold wave of betrayal crashed over Emilia. She couldn’t breathe. Her mind was filled with different thoughts.

The crowd blurred. Rage twisted inside her, but she couldn’t scream nor fight. So she ran.

Through the doors, past smiling faces and the scent of newly formed bonds.

Emilia pushed forward, deeper into the woods. Her dress tore against branches, and her lungs burned. But she didn’t stop.

Then her foot caught on a root. Then she crashed to the ground, breath knocked from her lungs. Hot and silent tears fell freely now.

She grabbed the necklace Kael had given her and ripped it from her neck. It landed in the dirt.

Just then, a growl ripped through the night air. Her blood ran cold.

Instinctively, Emilia bolted, clutching her phone. Her hands trembled as she pressed the power button and dialed. Kael’s number was her only hope.

“Kael!” she whispered into the phone, her voice shaking. “Rogues are attacking me. Please, come quick!”

But a cold and cruel laughter spilled from the speaker.

“Neriah,” she realized, her stomach churning with dread. “Kael won’t save you anymore. Die if you want to.” The call was cut off.

Before she could move, glowing eyes pierced the darkness.

Panic surged as a rogue lunged from the shadows, knocking her down. Her head hit a stone, and Emilia felt warm blood on her face.

“Help...” she whispered. “Someone please…”

The snarling circle closed in. Then, an earth-shaking growl broke through the woods.nA massive black wolf emerged, its eyes were molten silver in the moonlight.

The rogues snarled and fled, their howls filled with horror and fear.

Emilia’s eyelids fluttered as the wolf approached, its gaze flickering from fierce to gentle. For a second, their eyes locked and Emilia felt a new but unexplainable feeling as she looked into its eyes.

For the first time in years, she felt safe and at peace. Her breath hitched. The scent was wild, raw, and strangely comforting.

And then, darkness swallowed her whole.