Chapter 16 The Mate Bond Lecture
Malia's POV
It’s my last period today for Werewolf Biology, and I’m already tired.
Aiden is emotional tumult, Cian is surprising depth, and Rowan is unvarying kindness, and honestly I feel like I’m being torn In three directions.
I settle into my seat in the middle as usual—not too far back to appear lazy, not so far forward that I’m making a spectacle of myself.
“There is not going to be another mate bonding lecture today,” Seated besides me July sighs dramatically.
“Tell me today’s lecture isn’t about mating rituals again,” she moans. "That last week's talk about scent marking was enough to traumatize me."
Even though I'm tired, I can't help but smile. "What’s on the syllabus?"
She glances at her phone.“Oh goddess. ‘Mate Bonds: Recognition and Formation .’ Kill me now.”
My stomach does a weird flip. Mate bonds.
It was the one thing every wolf ever heard about growing up—the mythical, unbreakable link between mates.
It’s something I never thought would ever apply to me. Because who would fate pair with a hybrid?
Davies enters the room. Davies — a no-nonsense middle-aged woman with piercing eyes. She’s also one of the rare professors who doesn’t treat me like I’m different, which I’m grateful for.
“Good afternoon,” she says, bringing up a slide on the screen. “Today we’re talking about what is easily one of the most interesting and least understood aspects of wolf biology: the mate bond.”
All around me, students fidget in their seats — some are thrilled, some queasy.
This subject always riles something primal.
“This list isn’t exhaustive, but let’s get some myths out of the way first,” Professor Davies continues. “Mate bonds are not abrupt. They don’t occur at first sight, they’re like romance novels say they are. They mature over time as animals learn each other’s scent, emotional resonance, and biological compatibility.”
She goes to the next slide, a representation of wolf neural pathways.
“The bond is built in phases,” She says,“The bond is established in levels Initial attraction, based on scent Altruistic partner that may be your werewolf mate. Then emotional. Please turn to the next page for more on what happens when you have not yet found your mate. Then emotional connection. And if both are agreeable — then, a complete bond that joins two wolves on a fundamental level."
July leans over and whispers, “Romantic but also kind of terrifying. Picture what would it be like to be forced to live with someone forever because biology said so."
I nod, half paying attention. Because I just saw who late came in.
Aiden Moonfall.
He slides three rows up and sits down, without acknowledging any one, his face a mask of blandness.
My wolf stirs immediately.
Traitor.
“Now,” Professor Davies says, “you need to differentiate between a real mate bond and a false bond.”
The room grows hushed.
Isn’t this the part everyone wants to know about?
“A false bond is where two wolves are tricking themselves into believing they are mates because they feel pressured by the rules of society, or because they are physically attracted to one another, or because one or both stand to gain something strategically or otherwise from the union. These links may feel real at first but they don’t have the same depth and lasting impact as a true bond."
She stops, surveying the room.
“True bonds are rare. Statistically, only about thirty percent of wolves find their true mate. Others make selected pairs — relationships built on compatibility and mutual admiration, not fate or destiny.”
Someone raises their hand. "How can you tell whether it’s true or false?"
"Excellent question." Professor Davies smiles. "True bonds have cliffs or some indicators. An inability to tolerate separation over time. Physical pain when your bond is under attack. Changes in scent that make your mate's scent more attractive — even addictive. And the most important part of it a sense of recognition. Like coming home."
My chest tightens. I don't know why.
"True bonds also," she continues, "cannot be forced or faked. You feel the pull or you don't. And after it starts, fighting it is... tough."
That’s when I feel it. The prickling awareness of being watched. I glance up—and find Aiden looking at me.
Not casual observation. Intense, focused attention. As if he’s trying to read something written on my soul.
Our eyes meet. Suspended for a moment, the classroom falls away.
It’s just him and me and this weird spark that feels like it’s flying between us. Then Professor Davies says something that makes Aiden flinch.
“Indeed, true bonds may be forged in the most unlikely of pairings. Different ranks, different packs, even — rare historically— purebloods and hybrids.”
Aiden looks away sharply. But not before I catch a glimpse of something passing over his face.
Panic? Recognition? Fear?
My wolf whimpers, confused by the complicated tangle of emotions.
"Although I should mention that hybrid bonds remain very much theoretical, hybrid bonds also." Professor Davies adds "hybrid bonds are very much a theoretical thing at this stage. We are a few documents shy due to old prejudices that prohibited such pairings."
A voice cuts through from the front row.
Lydia.
“Professor, can a bond exist that is not yet fully established? It's like, you know it’s coming, but it’s not finished?”
She’s twisted in her seat to stare at Aiden with a possessive grin.
Some students exchange wary looks between the two — the handsome pureblood Alpha and the Moonfall heir. Perfect match.
"They're just anticipatory bonds," Davies says firmly. "The bond is either there, or it's not. You don't know when it will happen, and you can’t make it happen."
Lydia's smile falters slightly, but she recovers quickly.
“Oh right, of course. It’s just that Aiden and I have such great chemistry, It is sort of —”
“Miss Ashford,” Professor Davies cuts in evenly, “this is a lecture on biology, not a matchmaking class. Save the personal anecdotes for your own time.”
The class snickers quietly.
Lydia’s cheeks flush, but she faces forward again, humiliated enough to stand tall in her spine.
I ought to be content.
But instead I feel… odd.
Given Lydia’s blatant attempt to stake her claim, Aiden has not once looked at her.
He keeps looking back at me. And our gazes are locked, my wolf is triggered—a tug in the pit of my stomach, an unknown unease I can’t quiet.
It’s just stress, I keep telling myself.
The intensity of everything that's going on, just that. But the tug didn’t feel like stress.
It's like recognition.
—-----
The rest of the session is a blur.
Professor Davies explores bonding ceremonies, the legal ramifications of mate bonds, historical instances of well-known pairs.
I am a note taker in a mechanical sense but my attention is divided. Half to the lecture.
Half to the boy three rows ahead of me who looks like he could not sit still.
Aiden is always moving—crossing and uncrossing his arms, running a hand through his hair.
Like he's battling something inside.
When class finally ends, he's the first one out the door.
Doesn't wait for his friends, doesn't look back.
Gone just like that.
"Well I think that’s awkward enough for one day," July says while collecting her things. "Did you see Lydia trying to publicly claim Aiden? Girl is desperate."
"Yeah," I whisper, still looking at the door Aiden went through.
"You okay? You look weird."
"I'm fine. Just tired."
July eyes me inquisitively but she does not pry. "Want to get something to eat?"
"I think I'll need some air first. See you there?"
"Sure. Don't make me wait too long- it's meatloaf night, and it goes fast."
She exits and we're left in the hollow room.
I rise gradually, hanging the bag over my shoulder.
I'm too busy wolfing down my agitated wolf, pacing inside me like she searching for something.
What's the matter? I silently asked her.
But she does not reply. I’m halfway across campus when I see him.
Aiden.
He’s not going to the dorms or the dining hall.
He’s making his way toward the forest—the wild land outside the campus lines where students technically aren’t supposed to go alone.
Something makes me follow.
Not too close, or he’ll know.
Just close enough to see where he’s going.
He is moving with a strict purpose, a long stride with tension in his muscles, as if on the run from something.
He stops at the edge of the forest. Turns around once.
My heart pounding, I duck behind a building.
When I look out again, he’s not there – he’s gone into the trees.
I should return.
Mind my own business.
But my wolf is tugging me forward, insistently.
Something's wrong, she wants to say. He needs …
Needs what ? Space? Help? Me? That last thought is ridiculous. Aiden Moonfall doesn’t need me. He's made that abundantly clear.
That said, I find myself hesitating for a long moment at the edge of the forest.
At last I am facing back toward campus.
Whatever Aiden is battling, he obviously wants to battle it by himself.
And I need to stop obsessing about his complex feelings. But as I am turning away, I hear my wolf whimper.
And that strange tug - the one that I got during the lecture - is getting stronger. Like a thread pulling me toward something in those dark woods.
Something I don’t understand.
Something that terrifies me.
I try to shake it off and head to dinner.
But it doesn't go away.
Aiden's POV (Brief)
The forest is cold and dark and just what I wants. I shift mid-stride, my bones restructuring, fur rippling across my skin.
My wolf emerges—large, powerful, silver-gray.
And immediately starts howling. Not a call to pack.
A sound of pure exasperation.
Because the lecture just confirmed what I have been dreading. The scent recognition.
The tug I cannot ignore.
The way my wolf shifts every time Malia is close.
True Bonds Have Markers, Professor Davies had said. A lack of ability to endure extended separation. The agony of having your connection violated. The changes in scent that make your mate’s scent uniquely desirable.
I’d been resisting it for weeks.
Pushing her away. Building walls.
Telling myself it was just proximity, just circumstance, just my wolf scrambled by living in close quarters.
But today’s lecture obliterated any excuse.
The bond is forming. Whether I like it or not.
Whether it makes sense or not.
And is it going to destroy everything I have been trying to protect my whole life, or is it not?
My wolf, who’s usually so controlled, wants to rip right through me and send me back.
Claim her, complete the bond.
But I can't.
Because Malia deserves better than a Moonfall heir with a target on my back.
Better than a bond that will brand her as a danger to everyone who craves the power of my family.
Better than me.
So I’ll keep fighting.
Keep pushing her away. And that’s just the plan.