Chapter 3 #2
"...the foreign delegation arrives in two days," an elderly voice said, low and serious.
"They heard Your Majesty found your fated mate and came specifically to offer congratulations.
This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our kingdom's strength, but...
" He paused meaningfully, glancing at the man by the window.
"Forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty, but your fated mate is entirely unsuitable for such an occasion. "
My feet stopped moving.
"She's a mute Omega," the elder continued, voice dripping with contempt.
"Can't speak, doesn't know protocol, probably can't even write properly.
If this woman stands beside you, what will the other kingdoms think?
They'll mock us. They'll say the Moon Goddess scorns the King of the Moonhowl Kingdom, pairing him with some girl who can't even talk to be his queen. "
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms.
"So I suggest," the old man said, "hide her. Let Miss Taylor—this talented singer with proper etiquette and beautiful features—serve as the public Luna. As for the mute girl, let her stay quietly in the palace, fulfill her duty as fated mate, and bear your heirs."
I felt my blood turn to ice.
I waited for my mate to object.
I waited a long time.
He said nothing.
The silhouette by the window didn't move, like a statue. The silence stretched for endless seconds. Then he spoke, voice flat as stagnant water. "Do it."
Do it.
My heart plummeted, the floor crumbling beneath me. Rage surged through me. I couldn't hold back anymore. I shoved the door open and practically stumbled inside.
The king and the elder both turned, faces showing clear irritation at the interruption. He saw it was me, paused briefly, then looked away toward his desk and picked up a document.
"You're here," he said, tone cold as a stranger's greeting, sharp eyes assessing me. "Can you hear?"
I nodded hard.
He seemed relieved, but his expression stayed distant. "Good. Then let's get the ceremony done today."
What ceremony?
He must have read my confusion.
"The fated mate bonding ritual," he said without looking up. "Only through this ceremony can the Moon Goddess's bond truly take effect. It's simple. Just a formality. I don't want to waste time on this."
I stood there in a daze, head buzzing. I wanted to confront him, to shout, to ask what he meant earlier—what did he mean, hide me? What did he mean, make Leah the public Luna? What am I to you? A tool?
But I couldn't say anything.
Two maids came over, gripping my arms on both sides, forcefully pulling me out. I looked back at him. He didn't give me a single glance.
The ceremony took place in a small chapel. Pathetically simple.
No flowers. No guests. No music. Just one dim candelabra, one old priest in worn ceremonial robes, and that man standing at the altar looking thoroughly impatient.
They pushed me to stand opposite him. The old priest recited some ancient language I couldn't understand, then motioned for us to extend our hands. The king put his hand out first, broad palm open in the candlelight. I hesitated, then slowly reached out mine.
The moment our skin touched, a faint electric current shot up from my fingertips, making my fingers curl involuntarily.
"In the name of the Moon Goddess, witness Mia Turner and Zane Caster joined as fated mates," the old priest intoned solemnly. "From this day, souls connected, in life and death—"
Zane Caster. I repeated the name in my head. My wolf responded with a howl, as if celebrating.
"For the final part of the ceremony, please howl to your mate. Complete the soul's answer."
My heart sank.
I watched Zane step back, his body surrounded by faint silver light. Bones cracked softly, his form stretching and shifting in the glow. In moments, he was no longer human but a massive, magnificent silver-gray wolf. His wolf eyes were deep gray-blue, now locked on me.
Then he howled.
His voice carried primal power and majesty. Deep, resonant, metallic in quality, echoing through the small chapel until my eardrums ached. This was a king's howl, full of dominance and confidence.
The howl faded. The echo remained.
By tradition, I should answer now. Meet his voice with my own howl and complete this sacred resonance. My wolf should be leaping toward him in excitement at his call.
The air was dead silent.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Nothing but the crackling candle flame.
Zane shifted back to human form, his bare torso still glowing faintly silver. He stared at me for a while, expression deepening into profound, bone-deep disappointment.
He grabbed nearby clothes and threw them on, as if he couldn't bear to look at his "defective" mate another second. Then he pulled his hand back, voice detached. "The ceremony can't proceed. Skip it."
My heart shattered completely. The shame wrapped around me like poison ivy. I knew I couldn't do it... I was broken, a freak who couldn't even manage the most basic werewolf howl. How could he ever respect me?
All the pitiful fantasies I'd harbored these past days were ground to dust in that moment.
The old priest shook his head helplessly and continued the final steps. "Then please kiss to complete the contract."
I froze.
Kiss?
I looked up at him, heart pounding. He looked down at me, something hesitant flickering in those gray-blue eyes before vanishing. He stepped closer and gripped the back of my head.
I stumbled back half a step, hands gesturing frantically. "Wait, we can't just—"
But he couldn't understand.
"Let's finish this," he said, clearly impatient. "Whatever conditions you have, state them after the ceremony."
Then he leaned down and kissed me.
At first, the kiss was rough and hurried, perfunctory as checking off a task. But one second after his lips touched mine, everything changed—an electric current surged from his body, shot through my spine, and made my knees buckle, nearly collapsing.
He felt it too. I saw his pupils contract sharply, breathing turn ragged, his grip on my hand unconsciously tightening. His face changed, no longer cold and impatient, replaced by something complex I couldn't read, mixed with intoxication and confusion.
In that instant, I felt an invisible bond between us ignite. I could feel his heartbeat, his breathing, the surging power inside him. Like two rivers finally converging, two puzzle pieces finally locking together.
The feeling was so intense I nearly cried.
He clearly hadn't expected this either. He drew a sharp breath, his hand on my head tightening instead of releasing, instinctively steadying me and himself. His lips lingered on mine longer than intended, breathing growing heavy and hot.
When we separated, both our faces burned red.
I gasped for air, chest heaving violently, mind in chaos. What just happened? That kiss—that damn kiss—why did it have such power? I felt my body trembling, heart about to jump out of my throat.
And he stood across from me, expression complicated as a spilled paint palette. He cleared his throat, looked away, and said flatly, "Fine. Ceremony's over."
Then he turned to leave.
I rushed forward and grabbed his sleeve.
He turned back, frowning at me.
I gestured frantically at him. "What are we? I'm your fated mate. We danced together, and that kiss—"
He watched my wild hand movements, frown deepening.
"What are you saying?"
Just then, measured footsteps approached. Leah appeared in the chapel doorway.
She walked over gracefully, a gentle smile on her face. She glanced at my frantic gestures, then said softly, "Your Majesty, Mia means... since she's your mate, she wants jewelry and gold coins as a reward."
My eyes went wide, staring at Leah in disbelief.
No! That's not what I said!
But Zane already laughed coldly. He looked down at me, eyes full of contempt and mockery. "Ha. Figures. You'll get your gold. Don't bother me unless it's important."
I opened my mouth.
No sound came from my throat.
I could only stand there like a complete fool, watching him turn and walk away, footsteps fading down the empty corridor.
Leah came to my side and patted my shoulder gently, voice tender as if soothing a child who didn't understand. "Don't be sad, Mia. Don't you need the money?"
I turned to look at her.
That face I once thought was the kindest in the world now looked strange and terrible.
I wanted to ask her why.
But my throat still couldn't make a sound. Only silent tears rolled down.
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