Chapter 5: The Mate Bond
930 Words
Silver light erupted from Lyra's body like a rising moon.
The tower shook as waves of ancient magic swept through the castle, extinguishing every crimson flame Selene had summoned. The shattered stones lifted into the air before gently settling back to the floor.
Selene slammed against a broken pillar, coughing blood.
"No..." she hissed. "She shouldn't be this powerful already."
Lyra stared at her own hands in disbelief. Silver threads of light danced around her fingers before slowly fading.
"I don't understand..."
Neither did Kael.
He watched her carefully despite the deep wounds across his back. Every instinct inside him screamed the same impossible truth.
The Moon Queen's blood had recognized him.
Before anyone could speak, the glowing mark on Lyra's chest pulsed again.
A matching symbol suddenly appeared on Kael's neck.
Both marks shone with brilliant silver.
Mira gasped.
"The Mate Bond..."
Kael closed his eyes.
"So it has begun."
Lyra frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means," Selene snarled, climbing to her feet, "that fate has chosen you to become his queen."
"I don't want fate deciding my life."
"You don't have a choice," Selene replied coldly.
"The bond cannot be broken."
Kael stepped in front of Lyra.
"Enough."
His voice carried the authority of an Alpha King.
"You've caused enough suffering."
Selene laughed bitterly.
"You still think you're protecting her."
She pointed toward Lyra.
"Tell her the truth."
Kael remained silent.
"The truth?" Lyra asked.
Selene smiled cruelly.
"If the Mate Bond is completed..."
"...your human life will end forever."
Lyra's heart skipped.
"What?"
"You'll become one of them."
She looked toward Kael.
He didn't deny it.
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"And you never told me?"
"I wanted you to choose freely."
"How could I choose when you kept secrets from me?"
Pain flashed across Kael's face.
"I was trying to protect you."
"I'm tired of everyone protecting me by lying."
For the first time since arriving at the castle, anger replaced Lyra's fear.
She stepped away from him.
"I deserve the truth."
Kael lowered his head.
"You do."
They retreated to the royal library while guards searched for Selene, who had escaped during the confusion.
Rain fell heavily outside, tapping softly against the tall windows.
Kael stood before an ancient mural carved into the stone wall.
It showed a silver wolf standing beside a woman crowned with moonlight.
"This is Queen Elara," he said quietly.
"My grandmother?"
He nodded.
"And beside her is my father."
Lyra stared at the mural.
"They ruled together?"
"They united humans and werewolves."
"What happened?"
Kael sighed.
"Greed."
He traced the cracks running across the ancient carving.
"Some humans feared our strength."
"Some wolves believed humans made us weak."
"They started a war."
"And Selene?"
"She betrayed both kingdoms."
Kael's voice became colder.
"She wanted the power sealed beneath this castle."
"The real Devil."
He nodded.
"A creature born before kingdoms existed."
Lyra shivered.
"Can it be stopped?"
"Only by the Blood Queen."
She looked away.
"I don't even know how to control my magic."
"You will."
"How?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"I'll teach you."
The following morning, they entered the castle gardens.
Silver flowers bloomed beneath towering white trees.
A waterfall flowed upward into the clouds.
It was the most beautiful place Lyra had ever seen.
Kael handed her a wooden training staff.
"Magic begins with focus."
She frowned.
"I've never used magic."
"You already have."
He pointed toward a nearby flower.
"Close your eyes."
She obeyed.
"Listen."
"To what?"
"The world."
At first...
Nothing.
Then she heard it.
The wind.
The flowing water.
Leaves whispering overhead.
Even the heartbeat of the ancient forest.
Silver warmth spread through her body.
The flower slowly opened its petals.
A soft glow surrounded it.
Kael smiled.
"Very good."
Lyra opened her eyes.
"I did that?"
"You didn't force nature."
"You asked it."
She laughed for the first time since arriving at the castle.
The sound made Kael's heart ache.
He hadn't heard laughter within these walls for centuries.
For a brief moment...
The curse didn't feel so heavy.
High above them, hidden among the branches, crimson eyes watched silently.
Selene knelt before a cloaked figure whose face remained hidden.
"The bond has awakened," she reported.
The figure's voice was deep and emotionless.
"Then there is no more time."
"What are your orders?"
"Capture the girl."
"And the Alpha?"
A long silence followed.
Finally, the figure answered,
"Kill him."
That evening, Lyra stood alone on the castle balcony, gazing at the full moon.
Footsteps approached behind her.
Kael stopped beside her.
Neither spoke for several moments.
Finally, Lyra broke the silence.
"Do you regret bringing me here?"
He looked at the stars.
"No."
"Even though your enemies came because of me?"
"They were coming anyway."
She smiled sadly.
"My life has changed so quickly."
"So has mine."
She turned toward him.
"Our bond..."
"Does it force you to love me?"
Kael met her eyes.
"No."
"It only reveals what already exists."
A blush warmed Lyra's cheeks.
Before either of them could say another word...
A black arrow sliced through the night.
Kael reacted instantly.
He pulled Lyra into his arms.
The arrow struck his shoulder instead.
More arrows rained from the darkness.
Masked assassins poured over the castle walls.
"The enemy is inside!" a guard shouted.
Kael pushed Lyra behind him, his golden eyes blazing.
"Stay close to me."
From the shadows, a familiar voice echoed across the courtyard.
"You cannot protect her forever, Alpha."
Selene stepped into the moonlight, smiling as dozens of elite warriors surrounded the royal couple.
"The hunt... has only just begun."
- Writer
