Chapter 1
“Iwant to belong to you. My brother Justice has finally finished school, and nothing is holding me back now. So …” Destiny took a step closer and trailed her finger up the muscular chest. “When are you going to take me and claim me?”
Harley’s eyes darkened and he pulled her against his chest. “I’ve always been ready for this, Des.
Always. But once I claim you, you’ll have to leave here.
You’ll have to leave your family. Are you sure you’re ready for that?
” It was hard enough leaving his mate here when he went home or on business.
But once he marked her, it would be impossible for him.
And he didn’t want her to ever be unhappy.
Everything he did … every step he took was for her.
Destiny reached up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his.
She smiled up at him sweetly and lowered herself back down.
“I think you better take me now before I end up wrapped in another man’s arms.” Her voice was teasing and sultry.
And she loved the way that affected him.
She watched his eyes flashing between colors, and his grip on her tightened.
“From this day forth, your place is at my side. I love you, Destiny. I’ve loved you since before you were born. And I’m going to spend eternity making you happy.” Harley stared down at her, paying close attention to her soft lips.
“Harley, there is only one thing left for you to do,” she said sweetly.
“Oh? And what is that?” Harley ran his fingers through the girl’s hair and smiled at her with adoration.
“You’ve gotta go tell Daddy.”
Harley chuckled and nodded his head. “He knew this day was coming. I’ll promise him that you can visit anytime you’d like, and anyone can always come and visit you.”
She placed her hands on his shoulders and gazed up at him. “Thank you … for being my mate.” She closed her eyes as he lowered his lips onto hers. The two slowly began to move as one, and their kiss began to deepen with rising passion.
Lucie bit her bottom lip as she watched from a distance.
She stayed hidden behind a tree and closed her eyes before walking away to give the couple their privacy.
She walked along the dirt trail and toward the edge of the pack territory.
A fated mate. A partner that was made just for you.
Someone who fits into your life like a missing piece of your soul.
Your perfect counterpart. Something she would never have.
Lucie was the princess of the werewolves.
But she would never be a luna or be anything in a pack hierarchy.
No. She had been promised away since before she was even conceived and was born to be the bride of the vampire prince, Derrick.
She raised her hand to her forehead as she looked up at the sun.
She thought about the man who would soon be her husband and chosen mate.
They’d seen each other several times recently.
They’d met more often when they were children, but they still tried to get together at least a couple of times each summer.
He was nice, kind, and considerate. He was also attractive, with his brown hair and amber eyes.
But there was nothing romantic about them.
They were cordial friends who were bound by duty.
Neither one of them had feelings for the other besides the feelings of friendship.
Her father had hoped he would be able to make them fated mates.
He planned on trying at the end of the summer by using his powers as the Werewolf King, but it was useless.
She felt nothing for him. His kiss on the forehead felt cold and unfeeling.
There was no meaning behind it. And she could tell he was just as disinterested.
In fact, after their forced meetings, he always disappeared.
He never joined them for dinner with the families.
His parents always apologized on his behalf and made up an excuse as to why he was absent.
Not that Lucie could blame him. She felt the same way.
And to think she had to conceive a child with this man.
She glanced behind her and watched her cousin Destiny walking hand in hand with her mate Harley.
She was happy for her, but also a bit envious.
She wanted a love like that. She wanted to be looked at like she was the most precious person in the world.
Destiny was Harley’s treasure, and it was obvious.
He had known Destiny was his mate while her aunt Jin was still pregnant.
Since then, he was always around. He would babysit Destiny, play with her as a child, and be her shopping partner.
He was whatever she wanted him to be. All the while, he was waiting for her to be old enough to claim him as her mate.
A couple of years ago, she finally felt the mate pull but she wanted to finish school, so she asked him to give her time.
Then she wanted to wait to see her younger brother Justice finish high school.
Lucie smiled as their silhouettes disappeared toward the packhouse. It was going to be lonely without Destiny. But who was she kidding? She had to marry the vampire prince in just a few months. This was her last summer with the pack.
“What are you doing out here all alone?” a low baritone voice asked her.
Lucie turned her head to see a large grin spreading across a man’s face.
“Trying to escape your ego, but alas, there is no escape,” Lucie teased as a large hand landed on her head, gently ruffling her hair.
It was her twin brother Aedan, the prince and future king of the werewolves.
He had green eyes and auburn-colored hair, and the girls in the pack had always swooned over his looks and his tall, muscular physique.
Even she knew her brother was quite the catch.
The guys had all stayed away from her, though.
She never dated. But it wasn’t because of her looks.
She had brown hair, green eyes, and a slender, toned physique.
She once overheard some guys saying she was gorgeous and how they would give anything to be the vampire prince.
Even then, being the promised bride of the vampire prince had affected her.
Everyone knew she was already promised to another.
The guys were looking for dates that could actually lead to something else, so she couldn’t blame them.
Why date someone who is already engaged?
“You’re missing the party. Everyone is here to celebrate Justice’s graduation.” Aedan smiled down at her.
“Well, it was touch and go with him for a bit, so it really is something to celebrate,” Lucie teased, and her brother chuckled.
“Hey, he graduated. That’s all that matters.
We don’t need to dwell on how close it was.
At the end of the day, he has a diploma.
” Aedan beamed proudly. “Now it’s time for some fun.
Justice and I can finally go on the prowl together.
I at least want the summer off before I have to start worrying about pack duties. ”
Justice and Aedan were very close in age, only ten months apart. They were all close to their cousins, since they had all been born on the same day, except for Justice.
“Good luck with that. I bet dad already has your summer planned out.” Her brother pouted, then draped his arm over her shoulder, leaning his weight into her. “Ugh, Aedan, you are a moose.” She shook her shoulders, trying to relieve herself of her massive brother’s weight.
“Luuuuuuuuuucccce, carry me,” Aedan whined.
Lucie chuckled. “What are you going to do after this summer when I’m gone?” His arms tensed and a low growl sounded in his throat.
“This is stupid. I don’t get Mom and Dad.
We don’t need this alliance. We’re strong enough to take care of ourselves.
Plus, we have the dragons, witches, and fairies as allies.
Hell, we even have demon allies. We don’t need to do this with the vampires.
If anything, this is just making me resent them more,” Aedan growled, sighing angrily.
“Hey, this is my decision, Aedan. Why risk an unnecessary war? I want there to be peace. And with me as the vampire queen and you the alpha king, there will never be a war between us. Besides, if you are going to be a king, then I sure as hell better be a queen somewhere.” Lucie elbowed him playfully in his stomach.
He let out a grunt and lifted his weight off her. He still had a frown on his face.
“I still think you should hook up with Jasper. He’s way cooler than Derrick,” Aedan said with a smirk. Jasper was Jester and Irene’s son. In truth, she spent most of her time with him when she went to visit, since Derrick could never be bothered with her.
“No way. I need Jasper as my best friend there.” Lucie giggled, shaking her head. He was her friend, and a good one at that. But that was it.
“What happens if you meet your fated mate at some point? You may run into him after you’re already married, and it’ll be too late,” Aedan said sadly.
Lucie shook her head. “I’ve made up my mind.
It doesn’t matter if I meet my fated mate now or later.
This is my burden to bear. What is one person’s happiness next to a peaceful existence between vampires and werewolves?
” She gave him a small smile. “Sure, it stings a little. When I see everyone finding their mates … I guess I’m a little bitter about it.
But Mom and Dad never forced this on me.
They’ve always told me it would be my decision.
And while it is, it also isn’t. How can I choose not to honor the treaty?
” She shook her head. “It’ll be okay, Aedan.
The Vampire King and Queen are really nice.
And Derrick has always been a gentleman with me.
It isn’t love, but I won’t be mistreated. ”
She smirked and looked up at Aedan. “Of course, heaven help him if he tries to mistreat me. I’m not exactly a weakling.”
“I’d venture to say there are few who can best you. Of course, I am excluded from that. Being the Werewolf King and all,” Aedan said smugly.
“Prince.” Lucie corrected. “You haven’t been given all your powers yet. You’re still in training for now. And lucky for you, Dad doesn’t want to hand that burden over until you’re older.”
A black crow launched from a nearby branch, its caw cutting through the quiet as it climbed higher.
It flew toward the setting sun, its golden-red glow swallowing its dark shape until it was nothing more than a shadow lost in the light.
Something heavy settled in her chest, pressing against her ribs.
The bird could go wherever it pleased. She couldn’t.
A breeze swept through her long hair, tossing the strands behind her like ribbons caught in a current.
The crow was gone now, and the sun continued its slow descent beyond the horizon. Time never stood still.
In a way, she was a caged bird, watching the world take flight. Caged, loved, and pampered, but no one noticed that she always watched the sky, wishing to spread her wings like everyone else.
Aedan noticed the look on her face as she stared at the horizon.
“Hey Luce,” Aedan said quietly as he stood beside her. “I know you’ve made your decision. But if that ever changes, don’t think you’re stuck. You aren’t stuck. You have a big support group who are behind you. You know that right?”
“I know.”
“Come on, princess. We’ve got a graduation party to attend.” Aedan draped his arm around her shoulder again and slowly corralled her back to the house.
Lucie smiled and pushed the negative thoughts from her mind.
Tonight, they wouldn’t think about the bad.
They would have a celebration and enjoy the time with their family and friends.
She would try to enjoy this fleeting moment in her life and soak up as much of this as possible, so that she could always hold on to the love and memories deep in her heart.