The morning sun rose slowly over the distant hills, painting the castle grounds in soft gold and amber. Dew clung to the petals of blooming roses, and the cool breeze stirred the leaves in a quiet hush, as if the entire realm were holding its breath for what was to come.
Sophia stirred beside Lucian, her cheek resting against his shoulder as their fingers remained loosely intertwined beneath the soft covers of the guest chamber they had retreated to after their kiss the night before. The air around them still shimmered faintly with magic—the residue of their deepening bond.
Lucian had not claimed her fully yet, not in the carnal way that would bind her soul to his eternally, but the emotional bond had tightened. Unspoken promises clung to every breath they shared, and the ache of restraint grew harder to ignore.
"I thought I lost you last night," Lucian whispered against her hair, his lips brushing her forehead. "The way you looked at me… I knew I couldn't hold back much longer."
Sophia blinked up at him, her voice husky with sleep and truth. "You didn't lose me. You'll never lose me… unless you keep running."
His hand tightened around hers. "Then I won't run."
They lingered there a moment longer, soaking in the safety and warmth between them, until a soft knock on the chamber door reminded them of the world outside.
"Alpha Lucian," came the gentle voice of a maid, "your father requests your presence in the Hall of Fire. The Queen requests the presence of Lady Sophia shortly after."
Lucian cursed under his breath and pressed a final kiss to her temple. "We don't get to stay in this bubble, do we?"
Sophia smiled. "Not yet. But soon."
---
Later that morning, Sophia found herself alone in the Queen's sunroom, sitting beneath a grand stained-glass window that cast rainbows across the floor. Queen Lysandra, Lucian's mother, entered with the elegance of moonlight, her silver hair flowing behind her like a regal banner.
"You look more radiant this morning, child," Lysandra said, her violet eyes scanning Sophia knowingly.
Sophia blushed. "I feel… changed. Not entirely, but something inside me feels different now. Closer to him."
Lysandra took a seat across from her, folding her hands. "It's the bond deepening. When a fated pair finally surrenders to one another emotionally, the magic between them begins to fuse. But the true binding will only come when Lucian claims you—body, spirit, and soul."
Sophia's heart pounded. "What happens when he claims me?"
The Queen's voice dropped to a reverent whisper. "He'll mark you. With a bite to the throat. It's carnal, sacred… and irreversible. Your souls will be forever entwined. You'll feel his every emotion, his every pain. And he will feel yours. You will become a beacon to one another—no matter where you are."
Sophia's throat tightened. "Will it hurt?"
Lysandra's smile was tender. "Only at first. But afterward, it will be ecstasy. You'll feel whole in a way you never thought possible. But it is not to be taken lightly. Once marked, only death can undo it."
Sophia nodded slowly, the weight of her destiny settling deeper on her shoulders. And yet, the thought of belonging to Lucian—completely—filled her with yearning more than fear.
From beyond the door, a familiar voice laughed. Sophia turned, heart jumping. Lucian's stepbrother, Kael, entered, dressed in a royal tunic, his eyes lighting up as they met hers.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Kael said with a charming grin.
"Not at all," Queen Lysandra said, rising. "I'll leave you both to talk. Sophia, remember what I told you."
She left, and Kael approached with a boyish lopsided smile that made Sophia's thoughts scramble for a moment.
"I saw you in the garden last night," he said. "With him. You looked... happy."
Sophia gave a guarded smile. "I was."
Kael nodded, but his eyes lingered on her a beat too long. "Come, walk with me. I'd love to show you the ancient gallery. There's something there I think you should see."
Unaware that Lucian was watching them from the upper balcony, fists clenched and fury dancing behind his eyes.
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