ne's

eople. Every noble in Lunaris ha

bow light across the marble floors. Flowers decorated e

al. Instead, it felt like

monial gown, holding the enchanted flowe

red beside me. She squeezed my

alon

tood in a line. Lord Marcus. Sir Aldwin. Pr

er face confident. She expected

rd and raised her hands. The mus

w will choose her mate,"

them as husband and wife. The bond

hard I thought eve

first st

down the aisle. Every eye

the line o

ached. He was too old, with

ed pas

l. Handsome but emotionless. He loo

ed pas

. Everything about him was fake,

ed pas

od in fron

was already reaching toward

Selene," he said quiet

t will happen

eat disguise

d at him. Tried to imagine sp

was cold

even friendship. This was po

ped pa

Whispers erupted

in her seat, her face

fident smile

you doing?

pt walking until I st

silver eyes searched mi

," he w

you s

g something, I could feel it. His magic was weak. He

I felt something I'd nev

afe. See

comin

d clearly, loud enoug

flower crow

, magic exploded

ed through my veins. The world tilted and spun

im. I felt him inside my heart, inside my soul. His emotions b

orce that my knees buckled. Adrian caug

you," he

just a moment. But I was too over

rong!" Tho

e has no power,

ess raised

. The magic has accepted

thing!" Thorne t

rage. But even she couldn't stop th

e," she said cold

u will

ed her and began th

ic swirled around Adrian and me, visible as golden light. It w

ike a promise being

Moonshadow, ac

," I

Silverblade, a

aid, his voice t

eclare you bound. Mates for life. What

sank into our skin. I felt it settle

ried. Bonde

Some people cheered. Others looked shoc

dark with rage. Then he turn

efore giving me one last look.

All I could foc

e whispered, p

chose

you," I

nt of everyone. Soft and

hummed be

Music played. Food wa

ur hands linked. Every time I tried to step away,

" I asked Luna w

ll be able to stand being apart eventually, but ri

actually did it. You

oked ready

Harming you would harm Adrian t

she wa

r chambers were ready. Tradition said the newly bonded co

ed with nervousnes

because he squeezed my hand. "We don't h

o," I sai

to be wi

ly, ignoring the knowing lo

hing. Candles lit the room. Flower petals co

or behind us, and su

you chose me,"

g. After how wea

bout magic." I

e abou

He cuppe

t deser

, yo

to interrupt. The mate bond flared hot b

e touched me. Mine shoo

s growing deeper. My fingers f

raised mark on his shoulder

asked, my fingers

ved my hand away and kissed

is. Wanted him. Whatever secrets h

ang between us, making

in his arms, co

drian whispered

but I do. I've love

w l

esit

than y

ut sleep pulled at me. The bond

listening to

e next morning

on the pill

de merchants. Bac

hinking of

ne pounded

urst in, he

border. Werewolf pack spotted near the Neu

od wen

scouting party. That werewolve

l meeting," the servant continued. "They want

art s

if they examined everyone closely... if

to war

him abo

know for sur

d