Chapter 16 Mate Bond Saga
Lira's POV
The throne room felt smaller now, more suffocating as I stood where Kael had left me, still trembling from his touch, from the way he'd brought me to the edge and walked away like I meant nothing.
Tomorrow I get answers, I'd whispered to the empty room. But tonight, I couldn't escape the ache he'd left behind.
The massive doors groaned open. Kael stepped back inside, his expression unreadable in the flickering torchlight.
"Couldn't stay away?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. I shifted my weight, bracing for his answer.
His jaw tightened. "We need to discuss tomorrow's expedition." His voice was clipped, his posture stiff.
"Now? After what just happened?" I stared at him, incredulous.
"What happened was a mistake." His voice carried that familiar cold authority. "It won't happen again." He looked past me, refusing to meet my eyes.
The dismissal hit me. "A mistake?" I asked, my voice sharp and tight.
"You're not ready for what lies between us, Lira. The bond, the expectations—none of it." He folded his arms across his chest, as if shutting me out.
"I'm not ready?" Anger sparked in my eyes. "Or you're not ready to admit you might actually feel something?" I stepped toward him, daring him to deny it.
Kael descended the throne steps slowly, each footfall echoing. "I feel responsibility. Nothing more." His expression was unreadable.
"Liar." The word came out fierce, challenging. "I felt your wolf when you touched me. Fenris recognizes Selwyn, even if you won't admit it." My hands balled into fists at my sides.
"My wolf recognizes a bloodline, not a partner." He stopped directly in front of me. "There's a difference." His eyes bored into mine.
"Is there?" I stepped closer, close enough to catch his scent. "Then why did you stop earlier? If I'm just a bloodline to you?"
His eyes flashed gold. "Because claiming you would be a mistake we'd both regret." His voice was low, edged with warning.
"Would we?" My voice dropped to a whisper. "Or are you afraid of losing control?" I tilted my head, searching his face.
Something dangerous shifted in his expression. "Careful, little wolf. You're playing with forces you don't understand." His tone was quiet, but the threat was clear.
"Explain them to me." I reached out, fingertips barely grazing his chest. "Help me understand why you can make me feel like I'm burning alive with just a touch."
His hand shot up, circling my wrist. "Because the mate bond is biological manipulation. Nothing more." His grip was firm, unyielding as he repeated my earlier words to me.
"Then why does it feel like more?" My voice was soft, but my eyes didn't waver.
"Because you're naive enough to mistake lust for love." He leaned in slightly, his words biting.
The words stung, but I pressed forward. "And what do you mistake it for?" My jaw clenched.
"Control." His grip tightened. "The bond wants me to possess you completely. To mark you so thoroughly that no other wolf would dare challenge my claim." His tone was harsh as his eyes burned.
"So do it." The words escaped before I could think them through as my pulse hammered in my throat.
Kael went very still, his eyes boring into mine. "What did you say?" His voice was low but disbelieving.
Heat flooded my cheeks, but I didn't back down. "You heard me," I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart.
"You don't know what you're asking." His tone was low, almost pained as his grip on my wrist unrelented.
"I know you've been holding back." My free hand pressed against his chest, feeling his heart thundering beneath my palm. "I know you want to bite me. Mark me, make this bond real instead of this half-formed thing that's driving us both mad."
His breathing grew ragged. "Lira—" His voice cracked, as he felt the last of his restraint slipping.
"Do it." I tilted my head, exposing the curve of my neck. "Stop treating me like I'm fragile. Stop making decisions for me. If you want to claim me, then claim me."
For a moment, he looked torn between desire and restraint. Then his expression hardened. "No." His tone was final.
I jerked back as if slapped. "Why not?" My voice shook with anger.
"Because once the bond is complete, there's no going back. You'll be bound to me forever, whether you want it or not." His jaw clenched, his hands fisting at his sides.
"Maybe I do want it." I lifted my chin, defiant.
"You think you do. Right now, in this moment, you think you want the intensity and the passion." His voice grew harsh, almost cruel. "But tomorrow? Next week? When the reality of being mated to an alpha like me sets in?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" I frowned, my eyes narrowing.
"It means I don't share, Lira. It means I'm possessive and controlling and I'll expect absolute loyalty." His eyes blazed. "It means when I tell you to stay put, you stay put. When I tell you something is too dangerous, you listen. When I say no, I mean no."
"And when I disagree?" I shot back, my voice rising.
"Then we'll have a problem." His tone was flat but deadly serious.
I stared at him, recognizing the truth in his words but feeling Selwyn stir restlessly in my mind. My wolf wanted the bond, craved the completion it would bring. "You're a coward," I said quietly.
The words hit their mark as his face went stone-cold. "What did you call me?" he said as his voice dropped.
"A coward." I lifted my chin higher. "You're afraid of what the bond might do to you. Afraid you might actually have to care about someone other than yourself."
"I've cared about people before." His voice turned deadly soft, almost dangerous. "It didn't end well for them."
"So you'll just keep me at arm's length forever? Take what you want physically but never let me close enough to matter?" My voice cracked but stayed firm.
"Yes." The simple admission was merciless but firm.
The word broke something inside my chest. "I see," I whispered, my throat tight.
I started to turn away, but his hand shot out, spinning me back to face him. The sudden movement made me stumble, and I caught myself against his chest.
"Lira—" he began, his grip firm on my arm.
"No." I shoved at him, my anger flaring. "Don't touch me if you don't want me. Don't play these games where you act like you care and then remind me I'm just a biological inconvenience."
"That's not what I said." His voice rose, strained with frustration.