Chapter 4
1081 Words
Kieran's POV
My eyes snapped open as I sat up abruptly from the bed. For some days now, the tension in the palace had been suffocating.
I had been doing everything I could to avoid drama, staying locked up in my chambers, barely stepping outside. These days.
But today was different.
Today, I was going hunting with my brothers. It was a ritual. And I had to be there.
I took my bath, letting the water wash over my tension, and silently prepared myself for the questioning that would surely follow once I stepped out.
My brothers had chosen their mates. One after the other, they embraced their fated bonds. I was the only one left.
According to tradition, I was meant to choose mine too. I had been appointed a prince, after all. But I hadn’t found her,my mate. Not yet.
So, my parents made the choice for me.
They decided I would marry Sophie
But I didn’t want to.
And because I refused to marry Sophie, they decided to make the palace feel like a slow-burning hell.
I dressed up and was ready to go downstairs, but as I opened the door, I met my mother at the door.
“You’ve been out here since before dawn,” she said, her voice calm but firm.
" I was just about to come out"
“You have been avoiding me.”
I didn’t answer.
She moved closer to me, her eyes so gentle, and her voice softer “You know why I’m here, Kieran.”
I grit my teeth.
“Sophie is a noblewoman. Trained. Refined. Powerful. Her father controls half of the Eastern Border. A union between our bloodlines would”
“Secure power,” I snapped, turning toward her now. “I know, Mother. You have repeated it a thousand times.”
She didn’t flinch. “ Your brothers have found their mate, so you have to do something, you have been appointed. The future Alpha King. The people need a Luna.”
“I need a mate.”
“Your mate could be dead, Kieran.”
I looked away.
She stepped closer, her voice lowering. “Sophie is willing. Beautiful. Trained in politics. She will help you rule and also give you strong heirs. You don’t need to love her. You just need to make a choice.”
“I have made one,” I said, facing her now. “I won’t settle. I had rather die than marry Sophie or to someone I don’t feel anything for.”
She held my gaze, and for a moment, I saw something like disappointment flicker in her eyes.
Just as I was about to tell her to let's go downstairs.
I heard footsteps.
And I looked towards the sound and saw my father, it was evident that he was angry.
His eyes were red,
The Luna stepped aside immediately. We knew him to well then to exchange pleasantries with him.
“I have heard enough,” he said, his voice like thunder. “You have delayed long enough, Kieran.”
“I” I began, as I wanted to explain.
“No,” he cut me off. “You’ve had years to find your mate, to choose yourself, You go to wars, You patrol around, yet you didn't find your mate or even chose anyone.”
“That’s not my fault,” I said, as I stepped back a little.
“But It’s your duty,” he replied. “And my patience has limits.”
He stepped closer, staring at me. “You have one more chance. Find your mate before the next festival, if you can't by then, you will marry Sophie.”
I froze.
The air seemed to leave my lungs.
He meant it.
One more chance.
Or chains of a different kind.
“I didn’t raise you to be led by emotion,” he added. “This is about legacy. About control. And about time.”
He stared for a while, before, he turned and left.
The Luna didn’t speak again. She simply nodded once, then followed him, her silence louder than any speech.
I stood there for a long time, fists clenched.
The mate bond was sacred. Rare. And I wanted it. Craved it. But now?
Now it felt like a dream that would never come true.
After awhile I went downstairs, I stood, watching the horses get prepared for the journey. The Royal Hunt was always interesting. The nobles would gather. Rogues would trade. And monsters would bleed beneath our claws.
It was tradition.
And it might be my last chance at freedom.
“Brooding again, brother?”
I didn’t have to turn to know who it was.
Jaxson.
The youngest triplet. Always grinning, always fighting, always teasing. He leaned against the wall, already geared in black leather armor.
“You heard, didn’t you?” I muttered.
“Oh, the entire palace heard. Especially the part where Dad basically ordered you to either fall in love or get married.”
I shot him a look. “Glad you’re enjoying this.”
He grinned. “Oh, come on, Kieran. Sophie’s not that bad. She’s a beautiful girl, and most importantly she would be a great Luna. And it's a matter of time before you would fall for her.”
I rolled my eyes and strapped my dagger tighter to my belt.
Jaxson stepped closer. “Look, I get it. None of us want to be forced into this. But you know how Father is. He’ll see this through.”
“I know,” I muttered.
“ So just give up and marry Sophie already, thinking about it she might be the right choice.”
“And if she’s not?” I asked.
Jaxson’s playful smile faded.
“Then maybe,” he said quietly, “you’ll have to marry her and just have to accept your faith.”
He didn’t wait for me to answer. He turned and whistled, calling for his horse.
I watched him go, the words sinking deeper than I wanted them to.
I will have to accept my faith.
Even if it’s marrying someone that is not my mate.
As we mounted and rode out with the guards, our royal banners fluttering in the wind, I couldn’t help but feel it in my chest.
Something was coming.
But I just couldn’t say what it was.
But I would not return from this hunt the same man who left.
If I returned at all.
- Writer
