Chapter 19 Civility
ARYA
His words made me realize, with horrible clarity, that I’d escaped one unwanted bond only to fall directly into another.
One I couldn’t refuse. One that would change everything.
The Lycan King had found his prophesied mate. And she was me.
“No.” I whispered again, which only made his smile widen.
“No!”
The word came out stronger this time, more certain. I took a step back, putting distance between myself and the Lycan King who stood there looking at me like I was something he already possessed.
“Arya—” Ryker’s hand was on my arm, steadying me.
Luca’s eyes tracked the movement, the temperature around us dropping several degrees. A low rumble that shook me to my core filled the space. His voice was threateningly low when he spoke. Command, more like. “Remove your hand from my mate.”
It wasn’t a request. It was a command backed by eight hundred years of absolute authority and the kind of power that made the air shimmer.
“She’s not your mate.” Ryker didn’t move his hand. “She’s her own person, and she makes her own choices.”
“The mate bond doesn’t care about choices.” Luca’s voice was deceptively soft. “It simply IS. And what is between us—” his golden eyes found mine again, “—is undeniable.”
He was right. I could feel it now that I knew what to look for. That pull, that magnetic attraction I’d felt the moment our eyes met. The way my wolf was clawing at my control, demanding I go to him.
It was a mate bond.
Just like the one Jaime and I were supposed to have had. The one that had never materialized because we weren’t true mates.
This was different. This was REAL.
And I hated it.
“I don’t care what the bond says.” My voice shook, but I held my ground. “I just escaped one marriage I didn’t want. I’m not walking into another.” No matter who you are. But I didn’t say that part out loud. I don’t think he would have appreciated that.
Something flickered in Luca’s expression. Surprise, maybe, or respect?
“You were married?” He spoke with a growl, his shoulder stiffening.
“Technically still am, until the separation is finalized.” I lifted my chin. “So even if I wanted to accept this bond—which I don’t—I’m not available.”
“Divorcing?” He considered this. “Then I’ll expedite the process. I have the authority to dissolve wolf marriages immediately.”
“How convenient,” I said bitterly. “But that doesn’t change my answer. I’m not interested.”
“You’re afraid.” It wasn’t a question. He took another step closer, and my traitorous body wanted to close the distance. The feeing building from a core part of me. I didn’t know where it was coming from, but I wanted it gone. “I can smell it on you. Fear, anger, grief. Someone hurt you.”
“That’s none of your business.” I snapped.
“Everything about you is my business now.” His voice dropped lower, almost gentle. “You’re my mate. The one I’ve waited eight centuries for. Do you understand what that means?”
“It means the universe is trying to make my choices for me. Again.” I wrapped my arms around myself. “And I’m done letting others control my life.”
“This isn’t control. It’s destiny.”
“That’s what they all say.” The laugh that escaped me was bitter. “My husband said it was destiny when his grandmother chose me for him. The pack said it was destiny that I’d be their Luna. And look how that turned out.”
I could see Cyrus and Helena exchanging worried glances. Bardon looked like he wanted to intervene but didn’t know how.
And Ryker, he looked ready to fight an ancient king for me.
“Your husband was a fool.” Luca’s words were flat, certain. “Any male who had you and didn’t treasure you deserves whatever fate befalls him.”
The sincerity in his voice made something in my chest ache.
“You don’t even know me,” I whispered.
“I know you’re brave enough to reject a Lycan King to his face. I know you released a wolf that’s been caged for twenty-three years despite the pain it would cause you. I know you howled with enough power to make every pack in this region submit.” His eyes gleamed. “That tells me everything I need to know.”
“It tells you about my power. Not about me.”
“Then let me learn about you.” He extended his hand. His gaze softening. “Come with me. Willingly. No force, no coercion. Just… give me a chance to show you what this bond could mean.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll wait.” His hand remained extended. “I’ve waited eight hundred years. I can wait longer. But Arya—” my name on his lips sent shivers down my spine, “—that bond you’re feeling? It’s not going away. Fighting it will only make you miserable.”
“I’ll survive.”
“Will you?” He dropped his hand. “Because from what I understand, you’ve been slowly dying for five years. Living half a life with a male who didn’t want you. Is that really better than taking a chance on something new?”
The words hit too close to home. I flinched.
“I don’t want to use force with you.” The look in his eyes says the words he doesn’t utter.
He doesn’t want to use force, but he will if he has to.
“Your Majesty.” Bardon stepped forward, finally intervening. “Perhaps we could discuss this inside? Away from your guards’ curious ears?”
Luca glanced at his entourage, who were indeed watching with undisguised interest. They dropped their gazes the moment they noticed. Going back to looking statue like. “Fine. But she comes too.”
“Of course,” Bardon agreed before I could protest.
We moved inside, tension thick enough to cut. The pack house’s warmth felt suffocating now. Cyrus led us to his office, and the Lycan King’s guards took up positions outside the door.
All except one, a tall, dark-skinned man with braids and silver eyes who followed us inside.
“My Beta, Caspian,” Luca introduced. “He goes where I go.”
Caspian nodded at us, his expression unreadable. He positioned himself by the door, a silent sentinel.
We scattered around the room, finding available places but no one took a seat, waiting for Luca sit. He surprises me by pulling a chair for me, then nodding for me to sit.
I try to ignore the sparks I felt where the sleeve of his shirt brushed my skin. It wans’t even really a touch but it made my thigh clench for a brief second.
“Now.” Luca settled into a chair like he owned the place. “Let’s discuss this civilly.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” I said, pinning my gaze on him. “I’m not accepting the mate bond.”