The Perfect Luna’s Rogue Mate

Chapter 5

They leapt into the unknown, and the wind howled through the trees as Castian all but carried Chrystal through the dense forest, his grip like iron around her wrist, twigs snapping beneath their feet as they raced through the underbrush, the sounds of furious howls rising behind them, the Barone warriors already in pursuit.

Chrystal stumbled repeatedly, her ceremonial gown catching on thorns and branches as she struggled against his iron grip, her palms pressing against his arm in futile attempts to break free.

“Let me go!” she hissed through gritted teeth, no longer able to even scratch his skin as her heart could not bear to cause him any pain, the mate bond proving stronger than her conscious will.

“You can fight me all you want, little Luna,” Castian replied, barely out of breath as he broke through low-hanging branches. “But your pack isn’t coming to save you,” he continued with a certainty that made Chrystal’s heart sink.

A chill went down her spine as her eyes snapped to his side profile. “Why? Of course, they will come for me!” she snarled, continuing her fruitless struggle, even though she had already sifted through the options.

They will come, but not for me. She reflected even as the words rolled off her tongue. Father wants this rogue. I am not the target.

She was not fazed by this. She understood the workings of her father’s Kingdom, her father’s mind: if you didn’t hold the upper hand in any conflict, you had no rights worth defending, and if you didn’t have the upper hand, you had better have something to trade.

This was Malbarone’s – no, her father’s law.

She did not have the upper hand in this situation – Castian did. She had nothing to trade – Castian did. She had already seen the situation through her father’s eyes. She was the bargaining chip, a liability.

She knew her father’s mind. He was the King. He had many subjects. He would not lie down for anyone. He could not afford to. If he did, then HE would be at the mercy of others, and Alpha King Mason Barone would never allow that.

This hunt is for this rogue, she reflected silently. It’s up to me to stay out of the way…It’s up to me to prove that I am not a weakness to my father…or my betrothed.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw the flickering light of burning torches moving through the trees, with shadows of warriors moving like specters in the night. Castian had not slowed down, bouncing both their bodies over the rough terrain.

“They can undo this! They can undo the bond!” Chrystal urged haltingly as she staggered along, her feet barely touching the ground as Castian held her against him, her body seeming to press tighter against him.

Leaning more and more into his strength as the mystical connection between them grew stronger and more complex, as her mind pushed one of the less terrible options to her tongue.

The bond was still active, her skin still felt like it was on fire even after the bonding had completed; the pain remained, and was growing, she, and most certainly the one who held her, could feel it.

The Bonding Ceremony process was simple. Once the bond was made, the bonded needed to claim each other; otherwise, they would feel the pull, sweet at first, painful as time passed, until they claimed each other.

And if they did not, the weaker one would likely die, and the survivor would likely be damaged in mind, body, or soul – or any combination, depending on their own strength and their own feelings for the one who passes away.

She found herself staring up at Castian's carved features as her mind recalled these facts, absently noting how the moonlight played across the sharp angles of his face and cast shadows that made him appear even more dangerous and mysterious than before.

But this…feels different from anything I’ve read about in the ancient books. It’s more intense and immediate than what I’ve heard from other shifters. Chrystal mused.

Chrystal’s wolf, who had been silent all this while, replied in the analytical tone she used when faced with particularly interesting problems, [I can sense his wolf, but he won’t talk to me.]

[This is not a mate bond, Ari!] Chyrstal gasped internally, her mental voice colored with desperation, her face did not show – could not show – as she struggled to make sense of what was happening.

[No. It must be the magic he did to disrupt your ceremony with Darius.] Ari replied evenly, the only calm voice Chyrstal had available to lean on.

[He denied it. He blamed our people for that. He was not lying when he said it.] Chrystal corrected her wolf gently, her mind going back to that moment, her heart aching for the anger and rage that followed that moment.

[He BELIEVES he is not lying.] Ari pushed back smoothly. [Truth and belief are not always the same thing, especially when dealing with magic that could have affected his views, as well as the ceremony itself.]

Chyrstal’s wolf had always been more discerning than she was. Ari's insights had saved them from embarrassment and danger more times than she could count, and dismissing such wisdom was not something Chrystal would ever do.

The human accepted her wolf’s correction with humble silence.

[Are we…are we supposed to feel each other like this?] Chyrstal asked nervously, unable to keep her wandering thoughts to herself.

[I’ve never heard of such a swift or deep connection…] Ari replied hesitantly. [Most bonds develop gradually over time, building strength through shared experiences and mutual choice.]

[Nor I…unless…I have, but I can’t remember…] Chrystal remarked, echoing her sister’s doubt.

[Then think on it. For now, pay attention, Chyrs.] Ari urged encouragingly.

[Sure, Ari.] Chrystal replied softly, as fear, doubt, and unbidden attraction continued to do battle between her and the rogue who had stolen her from everything familiar.

“Listen and listen well, little Luna,” Castian remarked smoothly, breaking into Chyrstal’s thoughts, his tone patient, like he was speaking to a child, which she might as well have been for all the strength he was using to carry her.

“To undo the bond, they will need both of us. Do you think I will allow myself to be captured? For you?” he asked inquiringly, even as he ran, dodging branches and rocks, the mockery in his tone almost suffocating to hear.

“Then leave me, and go!” Chrystal shot back, her eyes pricking with indignation at his harsh tone – which was not so harsh. The rogue seemed to almost stop, and for some reason, her eyes filled as she felt him slow, felt his arm loosen, felt his pulse spike.