Kira's POV
I accept.
The words left my mouth before my brain could stop them.
The entire throne room erupted.
Wolves gasped. Councillors shouted. Someone I think it was Sebastian actually cursed out loud.
But all I could see was Rowan.
His eyes widened. Just for a second. Like maybe he hadn't expected me to actually say yes.
Then his expression went cold again. Calculating. The Alpha King instead of the wolf I once loved.
Say it again, he ordered. His voice cut through the chaos. Louder. So everyone can hear.
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might explode. But I'd made my choice. For better or worse.
For the wolves who needed me.
I accept your proposition, I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. Six months. I'll be your mate.
The shouting got louder. Angrier.
Your Majesty, this is madness! Sebastian stepped forward. She rejected you. She's halfblood. She's not fit to be Luna Queen
Are you questioning my judgment, Councillor? Rowan's voice dropped to something dangerous.
Sebastian went pale. No, Your Majesty. I just think
Then don't think. Watch. Rowan's eyes never left mine. Watch as the female who once thought she was too good for me begs to stay.
The cruelty of his words hit like a slap.
But he wasn't wrong. That's exactly what I was doing. Begging.
Clear the room, Rowan commanded.
Your Majesty another councillor started.
Now.
The single word carried enough power to make every wolf in the room flinch. They filed out quickly, shooting me looks ranging from pity to disgust.
Within minutes, only three of us remained. Rowan. Me. And a tall wolf with dark hair who'd stayed near the shadows.
Rhys stays, Rowan said, answering my unasked question. He's my beta. My witness.
The wolf Rhys gave me a look I couldn't quite read. Sympathy? Warning?
The throne room doors closed with a boom that echoed off the stone walls.
Then there was silence.
Rowan circled me slowly. I forced myself not to turn. Not to follow his movement.
You accepted, he said. Just like that.
You didn't give me much choice.
No. He stopped behind me. So close I could feel his breath on my neck. I didn't. How does it feel, Dr. Thorne? To have no choice?
I closed my eyes. Familiar.
Because you felt that way seven years ago? His voice was mocking. When you had to choose between your mate and your dreams?
Yes.
Except you're lying. He moved around to face me again. You had a choice then. You chose yourself. Now? A cold smile. Now you're choosing your wolves over yourself. Tell me does that make you noble or just stupid?
I don't know, I whispered. Maybe both.
Something flickered in his eyes. Then it was gone.
Rhys, Rowan said without looking away from me. Explain the terms to our future Luna Queen.
The beta stepped forward. He was handsome in a rough way all sharp angles and old scars. But his eyes were kind. Kinder than Rowan's.
The arrangement is simple, Rhys said. His voice was surprisingly gentle. You'll live in the palace for six months. Attend all official functions as the Alpha King's mate. Accept his mark at the ceremony in three days.
And then? I asked.
Then you're free to return to your sanctuary. Rhys glanced at Rowan. Assuming all terms are met.
What terms?
Rowan took over. You don't embarrass me. You don't challenge me publicly. You play the role of devoted mate convincingly. He paused. And you don't reject the bond again.
But you said after six months
I said we'd reassess. He moved closer. If you fulfil your duties, if you prove yourself useful, then yes. You can leave. But the mark stays. The bond stays. You'll carry my claim for the rest of your life.
Horror crept through me. That's not what you said before.
I said exactly what I meant. His smile was sharp. You just heard what you wanted to hear. Classic Kira.
That's not fair
Fair? Rowan laughed. You keep using that word. Let me tell you what's not fair, Dr. Thorne.
He grabbed my hand. I gasped at the contact. The dormant mate bond surgeda jolt of electricity that made my wolf howl.
Rowan felt it too. I could see it in the way his jaw clenched. The way his eyes flashed gold for a second.
But he didn't let go.
Not fair is spending three years barely able to function because the rejection sickness nearly killed me, he said, voice low and deadly. Not fair is watching my father and brothers die while I was too weak to help them. Not fair is becoming king when I was still broken from what you did.
Each word was a knife.
Not fair is spending seven years learning to be cold because being kind only gets you destroyed. His grip tightened. So don't talk to me about fair. You lost that right when you walked away.
I tried to pull my hand back. He held firm.
Let me go.
No. His eyes locked on mine. You wanted this deal. These are the consequences. Every touch from me will wake the bond a little more. Every day you spend here will make it harder to leave. By the time six months is up? He leaned close. You won't want to go.
You're wrong. But my voice shook.
Am I? He finally released my hand. We'll see.
I cradled my hand against my chest. It still tingled where he'd touched me.
Why are you doing this? I asked. If you hate me so much, why force me to stay?
Because I'm the Alpha King. I take what's mine.
I'm not yours anymore.
You never stopped being mine. The certainty in his voice made my breath catch. The rejection didn't work, Kira. You spoke the words, but you didn't complete the ritual. Didn't sever the bond properly. Which means legally, spiritually, in every way that matters you're still my fated mate.
I stared at him. What?
Rhys cleared his throat. He's right. A rejection requires three parts: the spoken words, the physical severing with a ritual blade, and the acceptance from the rejected party. You only did one.
But My mind raced. You never told me that. When I performed the ritual, you just walked away
Because I never accepted, Rowan cut in. I never released you from the bond. Which means it's still there. Dormant. Waiting.
Horror and something elsesomething that felt suspiciously like hope flooded through me.
So when you mark me
The bond wakes up. Rowan's smile was predatory. Fully. Completely. Stronger than before because it's been suppressed for seven years.
And I can't break it again.
Not without killing us both.
The room spun.
This wasn't just six months. This wasn't a temporary arrangement.
This was forever.
You tricked me, I breathed.
No. I gave you a choice. He tilted his head. Accept my terms and save your sanctuary. Or walk away and lose everything. You chose. Just like you did seven years ago.
That's not the same
It's exactly the same! His control cracked. You weighed your options and chose what mattered more. Then it was your degree. Now it's your wolves. But either way? His eyes burned into mine. Either way, you chose something over me.
The pain in his voice was raw. Real.
For a moment, I saw him. The real Rowan under all the ice.
And it broke my heart all over again.
I'm sorry, I whispered. For what I did. For hurting you. For all of it.
Sorry doesn't fix this.
I know.
Sorry doesn't give me back seven years.
I know.
Sorry doesn't He stopped. Turned away. Just go.
What?
Rhys will show you to your quarters. His voice was flat again. Empty. You have three days to prepare. To say goodbye to your human friend. To make peace with your decision.
Rowan
Don't. He held up a hand. Don't say my name. Don't apologize again. Don't do anything except leave. Because if you stay He stopped.
If I stay? I prompted.
He looked at me over his shoulder. And what I saw in his eyes made my breath catch.
Hunger. Pain. Longing.
If you stay, I'll do something we'll both regret, he said quietly.
Then he walked toward a side door. Away from me.
Three days, Dr. Thorne, he called back. After that, you're mine. Permanently.
The door slammed behind him.
I stood alone in the massive throne room, shaking.
What had I just agreed to?
Come on. Rhys's voice was gentle. I'll show you where you'll be staying.
I followed him in a daze. Through hallways that blurred together. Past wolves who stared but didn't speak.
Finally, we stopped at a set of double doors.
These are your quarters, Rhys said. Connected to the Alpha King's chambers by that door. He pointed to a door on the left wall. He won't use it without permission.
How do you know?
Because despite what you think, he's not a monster. Rhys met my eyes. He's just a wolf who's been hurt so badly he doesn't know how to be anything else.
That's my fault.
Yes, Rhys agreed. It is. But it's also his choice to stay broken.
He turned to leave.
Wait, I called. Can I ask you something?
Maybe.
Does he I stopped. Started again. Does he really hate me? Or is this all just revenge?
Rhys was quiet for a long moment.
You want to know the truth? he finally said.
Yes.
He never stopped loving you. Rhys's expression was sad. That's what makes this so dangerous. If he hated you, this would be simple. But he doesn't. He loves you and hates himself for it. And that? He shook his head. That's going to destroy you both.
He left before I could respond.
I entered my quarters a beautiful room with a massive bed and windows overlooking the city and immediately went to the connecting door.
The door that led to Rowan's chambers.
I pressed my hand against it. On the other side, I could feel him. The bond pulsed weakly, letting me know he was close.
So close.
I sank to the floor, back against the door, and let myself cry.
For the mate I lost.
For the choice I made.
For the impossible situation I'd just trapped us both in.
Because Rhys was right.
Rowan still loved me.
And that meant when this ended when six months was up and I had to choose againit was going to hurt even worse than the first time.
Unless.
My hand went to the necklace hidden under my shirt. The silver wolf Rowan gave me seven years ago. The one I never took off.
Unless I chose differently this time.
Unless I chose him.
But could I? Could I give up my independence? My sanctuary? My identity?
Could I become someone's mate when that's exactly what I'd spent seven years running from?
I didn't know.
All I knew was that in three days, Rowan would mark me. The bond would wake up. And everything would change.
Again.
A sound from the other side of the door made me freeze.
Footsteps. Close.
Then Rowan's voice, barely audible through the wood:
I can feel you there.
I held my breath.
Three days, Kira, he continued, voice rough. Three days and you're mine. And this time? A pause. This time, I'm never letting you go.
His footsteps retreated.
I sat there in the darkness, hand pressed to the door, and realized the truth:
I didn't want him to let me go.
I wanted him to fight for me.
The way I should have fought for him seven years ago.
But it was too late for that now.
Wasn't it?