Mine…" Alpha Keiran said, his voice low and possessive, the word heavy with an intensity that sent a shiver down Ariana's spine. She felt the power in his tone, the weight of his claim as he wrapped his strong arms around her. His touch was firm, but it was laced with a tenderness that confused her. She hadn't expected to feel so safe in his arms, as if the world outside could vanish, and she'd be fine as long as she stayed there. His warmth seeped into her, enveloping her like a shield, and she allowed herself to lean into it, just for a moment.
Together, they moved through the corridors, his presence so commanding that the air itself seemed to shift around him. The castle, grand and ancient, held an eerie silence as they climbed the grand staircase. Ariana's heartbeat quickened, not from fear, but from the strange mix of emotions swirling within her. There was a part of her that wanted to pull away, to remind herself of the rules of her world, the expectations of duty, the rejection she had endured, but then another part of her longed to surrender to this connection, to the undeniable pull that Keiran seemed to radiate.
The echoes of their footsteps filled the halls, each step bringing her closer to something she didn't fully understand but feared all the same. She was used to being a mere presence in the background. Her worth was always measured by how well she could serve the people around her, but now… now, with Keiran, she was something different. She wasn't sure what that meant, but it unsettled her in a way that both terrified and exhilarated her.
When they reached the upper floor, Keiran called for the head cook. His tone was authoritative, but there was a gentleness to it when he spoke to her, as though he knew exactly how to command without being cruel. "I know you're stationed in the kitchen," he began, his voice echoing softly in the quiet hall, "but I want you to assign a helper to my mate and your future Luna."
Marta eyes widened in surprise at the mention of the word "Luna," but she quickly bowed, murmuring, "Yes, Your Majesty." With a quick flick of his hand, Keiran dismissed her, and Ariana couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment settle deeper into her bones.
As soon as Marta left, Keiran turned his full attention back to Ariana, leading her into his bedroom, his gaze intense and unreadable. There was a glint of something, curiosity, perhaps?, shining in his dark eyes. Ariana found herself unable to look away, feeling the pressure of his scrutiny in the best and worst way. She couldn't hide from him, not when he was looking at her like that.
"Ana," he said softly, after settling down on the sofa close to the balcony, the use of the nickname sending a rush of warmth to her cheeks. She had never imagined he would speak to her so familiarly, and yet it didn't feel forced. It felt… right. His voice was smooth and deep, as he asked, "Do you know anything about mates?"
Ariana swallowed, feeling the flutter of nervousness in her stomach. Her thoughts scattered as the intensity of his gaze held her captive. "I… I know a little," she admitted hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. How much could she admit? What if she said something wrong?
Keiran's lips twitched into a small smile, and he tilted his head as if studying her, searching for something behind her words. "And what is it that you know about the mate bond?" he asked, his voice rich with an underlying current of something she couldn't quite place.
Ariana felt her face flush, the heat rising in her cheeks as she struggled to find the right words. She had never been taught about mates, at least not in any meaningful way. The information she had was vague at best, a handful of fragmented conversations overheard or whispered in passing. "A mate bond is… it connects two people, like soulmates. It's a… fate-driven connection," she murmured, the words tumbling out awkwardly. Her heart was hammering in her chest.
Keiran's gaze softened as he listened, his smile widening ever so slightly. There was pride in his voice as he spoke. "That's right," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "The bond is indeed unbreakable and unique to werewolves. It's more than just love; it's a supernatural connection that binds our souls together." His words resonated deeply within her, the weight of his explanation settling over her like a heavy cloak.
Ariana's curiosity was piqued, and despite the overwhelming emotions she was experiencing, she found herself leaning in closer, eager to learn more. Keiran's words were not just informative, they were personal. He wasn't just telling her facts; he was sharing something intimate, something sacred to his world.
"And marking," he continued, his voice dropping slightly as though to emphasize the seriousness of his next words, "that's when I would… bite you." His gaze shifted to her shoulder, and Ariana instinctively tensed, her body freezing at the thought. She hadn't been prepared for this.
"Bite me?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of confusion and apprehension. The thought of anyone hurting her, especially someone so close, was enough to make her heart race. The vulnerability in the act was something she hadn't prepared for. She had always been told that being marked was a special bond, something sacred, but the idea of it, the physicality of it, made her stomach churn.
Keiran seemed to sense her unease and immediately moved closer to her. His hand gently cupped her cheek, his touch soothing as he whispered her name. "Ana," he murmured, his voice soft, almost tender. "I would never hurt you. The mark is not painful; it's… pleasurable. It's the moment our bond strengthens, allowing us to share emotions and, eventually, even thoughts. It's part of the bond, a step we'll take when you're ready." His words were reassuring, but Ariana couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that lingered in her chest.
Ariana's cheeks flushed even deeper, the idea of something so intimate, so personal, overwhelming her senses. She couldn't look at him, not when her thoughts were all over the place, and the uncertainty of her emotions clouded her mind. The idea of being so close to him, physically and emotionally, was terrifying, but at the same time, it was undeniable. She wanted to trust him, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to take that step.
In an attempt to break the tension that was thickening between them, a playful thought flickered in Ariana's mind, and she couldn't resist. "If you bite me, I'll bite you back," she teased, her voice lighter, as she tried to break through the heaviness that threatened to settle over them.
Keiran chuckled, the sound genuine and warm. It was a sound that made her stomach flutter, the kind of laughter that felt like sunlight breaking through clouds. "If you feel the need to, you have my permission," he said with a wink, his eyes sparkling with amusement. The shift in the atmosphere was welcome, but it didn't last long.
His expression shifted, growing more serious. "only females enter a heat cycle, if they're unmarked after finding their mate," he explained, his voice lowering. "The cycle lasts about five days, and it brings an… urge to be close." His words hung in the air, thick with meaning, and Ariana's face turned a deep shade of red at his words.
She hadn't been expecting to hear that, and the realization that her body might betray her feelings made her feel suddenly vulnerable in ways she hadn't anticipated. Her pulse quickened as she tried to process the information. She hadn't thought about it like that, hadn't even known about the physical side of the bond. The heat cycle was something she had never heard of, but now that Keiran had mentioned it, it made sense, in a way. She looked away, unsure how to respond to something so personal, but before she could formulate a response, a loud, sharp knock interrupted the moment.
The door swung open, and to Ariana's surprise, it was Rowan who stepped inside. His expression was unreadable, and his eyes flickered from Keiran to Ariana, his gaze narrowing with something close to jealousy. She could feel the shift in the room, the tension thickening with each passing second.
"I need a word with you, brother," Rowan said, his voice tight, strained with emotions he wasn't yet willing to share. His gaze lingered on Ariana for a moment longer than necessary, and she could feel the weight of his words, his presence pressing in on her.
Keiran's jaw tightened, his body stiffening with the shift in mood. Yet, he nodded, reluctantly pulling away from Ariana. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. "I'll return soon," he promised, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his tone. His words hung in the air, an unspoken promise that made Ariana's heart flutter, but also left her with a sense of dread.
Ariana was left alone in the room, the silence swallowing her thoughts. Rowan's sudden appearance only served to complicate everything. Her feelings for the Alpha king were already a whirlwind, but Rowan… he brought with him a sense of unresolved tension, a reminder of the painful rejection she had endured. The memories of her initial crush on him resurfaced, making her heart ache in a way she couldn't explain.
Without a knock, the door opened again, but this time, it wasn't Keiran or Rowan who entered, but Elara.
Her gaze fixed on Ariana with an almost predatory focus. Crossing her arms, Elara's smile twisted into something mocking. "So, the king thinks you're his mate?" she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
Ariana felt her spine stiffen, the familiar sting of her sister's words cutting through her like a blade. "I… it's none of your business, Elara," she managed to say, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.
Elara's smile faltered for a moment, but it was quickly replaced with something colder, harder. "Oh, it's very much my business, sister," she hissed, taking a step closer. "Do you think you're worthy of standing by his side? You're a nobody, Ariana. You don't even have a wolf, and everyone knows you're weak."
"I'm not weak, Elara," Ariana said, her voice coming out weaker than she intended to. She could feel her resolve wavering, the weight of her sister's cruelty pressing down on her, but she wouldn't let Elara see her break.
Elara's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a smirk. "Oh well, we'll see, won't we?" she whispered, turning on her heel.