Chapter 3
A Mate Chosen by Fate
Elara returned to the northern wing of the palace before dawn.
She wanted to leave immediately, but her pack leader insisted they wait until morning.
She spent the night staring through the window.
Why had fate chosen Kael?
She had never wanted power.
She had never dreamed of becoming queen.
Yet the bond between them felt impossible to ignore.
When morning came, a royal messenger arrived.
"You are ordered to remain in the capital."
Elara frowned.
"By whose command?"
"The king's."
Her heart sank.
She had expected rejection.
Instead, the royal family wanted to keep her close.
That frightened her more.
Later that afternoon, Elara wandered into the palace gardens.
She found Kael waiting beneath an ancient tree.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
"I was told to stay away from you," Kael finally said.
Elara looked at him.
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I don't think I can."
The bond between them seemed to awaken again.
Neither touched the other.
They simply stood beneath the branches, realizing that destiny had placed them on a path neither had chosen.
Then Kael whispered, "Whatever happens, I will discover why my father fears you."
Elara looked toward the palace.