chapter 2
1306 Words
Chapter 2 — The Mating Bond
Aurelia barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw silver fire dancing in her palms and heard the terrified whispers of the nobles.
Moon Blessed.
The words echoed through her mind like a curse.
Cold moonlight spilled across the massive bedroom the servants had brought her to after the ceremony. The room was larger than her entire cottage back in the village, filled with black silk curtains, silver candles, and ancient paintings that seemed to watch her from the walls.
But despite the luxury, she felt trapped.
Like prey inside a wolf’s den.
A sharp knock sounded at the door.
Aurelia stiffened.
“Enter,” she called cautiously.
The heavy doors opened, revealing a young servant girl carrying a silver tray of food. Her hands trembled slightly as she approached.
“My lady,” the girl whispered, lowering her gaze.
Aurelia frowned.
No one had ever called her that before.
“I’m not a lady,” she said softly.
The servant looked confused. “But… you are the Alpha King’s bride.”
The words sent strange heat crawling into Aurelia’s cheeks.
Bride.
Even if it was only a contract, the title still felt dangerously real.
The servant quickly placed the tray down and hurried toward the door.
“Wait,” Aurelia called.
The girl froze.
“What’s your name?”
“Lydia, my lady.”
Aurelia offered a small smile. “You don’t have to fear me, Lydia.”
The servant looked horrified.
“It isn’t you we fear.”
Then she rushed out of the room before Aurelia could ask another question.
Silence filled the chamber again.
Aurelia slowly walked toward the tall balcony windows. Snow covered the dark mountains surrounding Blackthorn Castle, making the kingdom look beautiful and deadly all at once.
Suddenly, she sensed someone behind her.
“You should learn to stop wandering alone.”
Kael’s deep voice wrapped around the room like smoke.
Aurelia turned sharply.
The Alpha King stood near the doorway dressed entirely in black. His dark hair was slightly wet from snow, and his golden eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
He looked less like a king tonight.
And more like a predator.
“You enjoy appearing without warning?” she asked.
“I enjoy knowing what happens inside my castle.”
Aurelia crossed her arms. “Am I your prisoner?”
Kael stepped closer.
“No.”
“Then why do I feel caged?”
Something flickered in his expression before disappearing just as quickly.
“Because this castle is dangerous,” he said quietly.
Aurelia laughed bitterly. “You’re the danger.”
For a moment, neither moved.
The tension between them thickened like a storm ready to break.
Then Kael’s gaze dropped to her wrist.
A strange silver mark had appeared there.
A crescent moon wrapped in thorn-like vines.
His expression darkened instantly.
“When did that appear?”
Aurelia looked down in shock. “I—I don’t know.”
Kael grabbed her wrist carefully, but the second his fingers touched the mark, a violent pulse of magic exploded through the room.
The candles shattered.
Wind roared through the chamber.
And suddenly Aurelia saw another vision.
A battlefield covered in blood.
Wolves screaming beneath a burning moon.
Kael kneeling before her with silver chains around his throat.
Then darkness.
She gasped and stumbled backward.
Kael caught her before she hit the floor.
His arm wrapped around her waist possessively, holding her against his chest.
“Breathe,” he ordered.
Aurelia realized her heart was racing wildly.
“What was that?” she whispered.
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“The mating bond.”
Her eyes widened. “You said this was only a contract marriage.”
“It was supposed to be.”
The room fell silent.
Aurelia slowly looked up at him.
“You didn’t know this would happen either.”
For the first time since meeting him, Kael looked uncertain.
And somehow that frightened her more than his anger.
A loud howl suddenly echoed through the castle.
Then another.
Then dozens more.
Kael’s entire body went rigid.
“They’re restless,” he muttered.
“Who?”
“The wolves.”
Aurelia frowned. “Because of me?”
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
“That mark,” he finally said, staring at her wrist, “means the kingdom recognizes you as my true mate.”
The words hit her like ice water.
True mate.
Impossible.
“No,” she whispered. “That can’t be real.”
Kael’s eyes locked onto hers.
“You think I would willingly tie myself to someone?”
Oddly enough, that annoyed her.
“You say that like I’m terrible.”
“You’re human.”
“And you’re arrogant.”
A dangerous smirk tugged at his lips.
“There she is.”
“What?”
“The girl who called me a tyrant.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes and tried stepping away, but Kael’s arm tightened around her waist.
Heat spread through her body instantly.
Her breath caught.
Kael noticed.
Of course he noticed.
His golden eyes darkened with hunger.
“The bond affects both of us,” he admitted roughly.
Aurelia’s pulse stumbled.
For one terrifying moment, she became painfully aware of how close they were.
How warm his body felt against hers.
How good he smelled—like winter smoke and pine forests.
Then someone burst through the doors.
“Your Majesty!”
A silver-haired guard dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
Kael immediately released Aurelia.
“What happened?” he demanded coldly.
“The northern barrier is failing.”
Kael cursed under his breath.
Fear flickered through the guard’s eyes as he glanced toward Aurelia.
“It started right after the Moon Blessed power awakened.”
Aurelia’s stomach dropped.
“What barrier?”
Kael grabbed his sword from the table beside the door.
“The one keeping the monsters out.”
Before Aurelia could respond, another howl shook the castle.
But this one sounded wrong.
Not wolf.
Something darker.
Something inhuman.
Kael’s expression became deadly.
“Stay in this room,” he ordered.
Aurelia lifted her chin stubbornly. “I’m not a child.”
“You’re untrained.”
“And whose fault is that?”
The Alpha King stared at her for a long moment.
Then unexpectedly, he walked toward her again.
“So reckless,” he murmured.
Before she could react, he placed his hand against her cheek.
Warmth spread through her instantly.
Silver light flashed briefly beneath her skin.
“A protection spell,” he explained quietly. “If anything enters this room, I’ll know.”
Aurelia’s throat tightened.
“You’re protecting me?”
Kael’s thumb brushed softly across her cheek.
“You are my mate now.”
The words sent heat rushing through her chest.
But before she could answer, Kael turned and disappeared through the doors with the guards.
Aurelia stood frozen long after he left.
Her heart refused to calm down.
This was bad.
Very bad.
Because no matter how cold or terrifying Kael Draven was…
Part of her was beginning to trust him.
Suddenly, the fire inside the room went out.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Then a whisper slithered through the shadows.
“Moon Blessed…”
Aurelia spun around.
No one was there.
But the icy voice continued.
“You have returned.”
The mirrors inside the room began cracking one by one.
Aurelia backed away slowly as black smoke crawled across the floor.
Then a figure appeared inside the largest mirror.
A woman.
Beautiful.
Terrifying.
She had silver eyes identical to Aurelia’s and a crown made of bones resting on her head.
The woman smiled darkly.
“The Alpha King belongs to me.”
Aurelia’s blood turned cold.
The mirror shattered violently.
And somewhere deep beneath Blackthorn Castle…
Something began clawing its way toward the surface.
- Writer
