Chapter 2: The Mate Selection

Lucien Blackwood had not slept… not because he couldn't, but because every time he closed his eyes, his wolf screamed in pain.

The agony had worsened after the Moon Priest's warning, leaving his body feeling heavier than it ever had before. Before dawn, another fit of coughing forced him from his bed. Dark blood splattered into the marble sink before he rinsed it away without a second glance.

"Enter." A knock sounded on the bedroom door.

"You look terrible." Adrian stepped inside carrying a tray of black coffee.

"I'd take that as a compliment." Lucien took the cup.

"I'm serious." Adrian frowned.

"Do you see a smile on my face?"

Adrian sighed before setting the tray down.

"You should cancel today's assembly. You nearly collapsed yesterday."

"I won't, I recovered.”

Lucien buttoned the cuffs of his black dress shirt before slipping into a charcoal suit. "The kingdom doesn't stop because I'm dying."

Another knock interrupted them.

"Alpha King, the elders and the candidates are waiting inside the Grand Hall." A servant bowed respectfully.

"Let's end this quickly." Lucien nodded once.

****

The Grand Hall glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.

Nearly fifty young women stood in elegant gowns while their parents occupied the rows behind them. Alpha families, Beta families and Gamma families had traveled from every corner of Blackwood Kingdom hoping fate would smile upon them.

If one of their daughters became Lucien's mate… Their family would become the most powerful in the kingdom. 

"Greetings, Alpha King."

The moment Lucien entered, every wolf lowered their head.

"Rise." His gaze swept across the room.

The women lifted their heads one after another. Some smiled shyly, some others stared openly and the rest released subtle pheromones, hoping to attract his wolf.

Lucien felt… Nothing.

"Your Majesty, may we begin?" Elder Marcus stepped forward.

"Proceed."

"The first candidate."

A young woman wearing an emerald gown approached gracefully.

"Evelyn Ashford, daughter of Alpha Richard Ashford."

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Alpha King." She curtsied elegantly.

Lucien simply nodded and waited but his wolf remained silent.

"The next candidate." Marcus frowned slightly.

One woman became two, two became ten, ten became twenty but none awakened even the slightest reaction.

By the thirtieth candidate, impatience settled across Lucien's face.

"Perhaps physical contact may strengthen the bond." Elder Rowan cleared his throat.

"Explain." Lucien looked at him.

"The Bond occasionally awakens through touch."

Lucien extended his hand without another word. The next woman eagerly placed hers into his but still nothing, another stepped forward and still the same.

The silence became unbearable. Whispers spread throughout the hall.

 Sophia Ashford stepped forward before anyone called her name.

She wore a silver gown that matched her bright eyes. Unlike the others, she had known Lucien for years.

"May I?" Lucien silently offered his hand.

Sophia smiled hopefully before taking it.

For a brief moment everyone held their breath but nothing happened.

"I'm sorry." Her smile slowly disappeared as Lucien withdrew his hand. She has known him since she was 12... This wasn't supposed to hurt but it did.

"So am I." He gave a slight nod.

Sophia stepped back, trying not to let anyone see the disappointment in her eyes.

"This has never happened before." Elder Marcus rubbed his forehead.

"Perhaps the Alpha King's mate belongs to another kingdom." Another elder stood.

"What if she's a rogue?"

"A Blackwood Alpha mated to a rogue?"

"Ridiculous."

Arguments erupted across the hall.

Families began blaming one another.

Several Alphas accused neighboring kingdoms of hiding eligible daughters.

Others insisted the Moon Goddess had abandoned the Blackwood bloodline.

"Enough." Lucien had heard enough.

His voice wasn't loud but It didn't need to be. The entire hall fell silent instantly.

"You've turned this into entertainment." He slowly rose from his throne.

"My mate isn't here." He looked toward the elders.

"Continue searching if it eases your conscience."

"And if we don't find her?" Elder Rowan asked carefully.

"Then she was never meant to be found here." Lucien's silver eyes met his.

Without waiting for another response, he walked toward the exit.

"Alpha King!" Marcus hurried after him.

"The assembly isn't over."

"It is." The massive doors closed behind him.

"Where are you going?" Adrian caught up outside the palace.

"A drive."

"That's a terrible idea."

"And?" Lucien unlocked his black SUV.

"You're vulnerable." Adrian frowned.

"But I'm still dangerous and I didn't ask for you idea." A smile almost left his lips.

"Lucien."

"If I need saving..." The Alpha King looked at his closest friend. "...you'll be the first person I call." A faint smirk touched his lips.

Before Adrian could argue again, the engine roared to life.

The vehicle disappeared beyond the palace gates.

The Blackwood Kingdom stretched for miles beyond the capital.

Ancient forests surrounded modern cities built exclusively for wolves.

Beyond those forests lay the territories of rival Alpha clans.

Although they answered to the Blackwood throne, many secretly resented Lucien's rule. And beyond them were the demons, vampires and witches.

Several neighboring Alphas believed the Curse was justice. If Lucien died without an heir… the Blackwood Kingdom would shatter and they were already waiting.

Hidden among the trees overlooking the border road, crimson eyes watched the approaching SUV.

"There he is."

"Alpha Owen wasn't wrong."

"He's traveling alone."

"Kill him."

Five wolves burst from the forest.

Lucien slammed the brakes.

The first attacker landed on the hood.

The windshield exploded.

Without hesitation, Lucien kicked open the driver's door and stepped outside.

"You've chosen a disappointing way to die," he said coldly.

"There are five of us." The rogues laughed.

"There only needs to be one of me."

The largest wolf lunged.

Lucien caught him by the throat before slamming him into the ground hard enough to crack stone. Another attacked from behind. Lucien spun, driving his fist into the man's jaw and his bone snapped instantly.

The third shifted completely into his wolf.

Lucien met him head-on.

Within seconds… Three bodies lay motionless.

"Monster..." The remaining attackers hesitated.

Lucien took one step forward, they stepped back.

"You never noticed."Then the final rogue smiled.

Lucien frowned. The rogue threw a silver-coated dagger.

It sliced deeply across Lucien's side before he could fully dodge.

A burning sensation spread through his body. Silver.

His wolf howled in unbearable agony.

Lucien killed the last attacker immediately.

But the damage was already done. Blood soaked through his shirt, every breath became painful.

He looked toward the border separating the supernatural realm from the human world and without another choice… He crossed it.

Rain began pouring from the dark sky.

The Alpha King disappeared into the human city, leaving bloodstained footprints behind him.

The rain washed away the blood but It did nothing to ease the pain.

Lucien staggered through the empty street, one hand pressed firmly against the deep wound on his side as the silver poison spread beneath his skin like wildfire, burning every vein it touched.

The human city buzzed with life despite the late hour. Cars sped past without slowing while strangers hurried beneath umbrellas, paying little attention to the man stumbling through the rain.

His vision started to blur. The streetlights merged into streaks of gold and white.

Then and then his knees buckled.

Lucien caught himself against a brick wall before collapsing completely.

"Damn it..." He forced another step.

Not far away, the sliding doors of St. Mary's Medical Center opened and Leah Blanks stepped outside, stretching her aching shoulders.

"Twelve hours..." she muttered. "I'm definitely sleeping until noon tomorrow."

Her scrubs were damp from the evening rain, and her hair was already falling from the messy bun she'd tied before her shift. All she wanted was a hot shower and eight uninterrupted hours of sleep but that's when she noticed him.

A tall man dressed in an expensive black suit stumbling across the road.

His movements were unsteady, his hand never left his side and even from where she stood… She recognized blood.

"Oh gosh! No moment of rest," she sighed.

"Hey!" Without thinking, she ran after him.

"Don't." Lucien heard footsteps, his jaw tightened.

"Mister!" Leah ignored him.

"I said don't."

"You're bleeding." She finally caught up beside him.

"Oh a helper." He sighed.

"You need a hospital." She clinged to his side.

"I'd rather die."

"That's dramatic." She blinked.

Leah moved in front of him, forcing him to stop. Rain soaking both of them within seconds.

"I'm a nurse, I can help."

"I don't care."

"You've lost a dangerous amount of blood."

"Fuck off." Lucien's patience snapped.

"You know..." Leah stared at him and then folded her arms. "I've worked in emergency medicine for three years… I've been cursed at, punched, bitten, spat on and even chased with a mop." She shrugged. "You'll need to try harder."

For the first time in months… Lucien almost smiled. No one including his beta ever spoke to him without consideration.

Another wave of pain tore through his body and is legs finally gave out but Leah reacted instantly.

"Easy..." She caught him before his head struck the pavement.

"For someone who doesn't want help, you're making this very difficult." He tried pushing her away but she pushed back.

She guided him beneath the roof of an abandoned bus stop where the rain couldn't reach them.

Lucien leaned heavily against the concrete wall. His breathing had become shallow.

Leah carefully peeled back the torn fabric covering his side.

"Good Lord..." Her eyes widened.

"Who did this to you?" The wound was deep… far deeper than she had expected.

"I'm talking to you." She looked up when he didn't answer.

"I was attacked by wolves." She stared at him for several seconds.

"High fever." Then nodded seriously. "You're delirious."

"Definitely delirious." She reached into her medical bag. "I've had patients tell me aliens stole their kidneys… Wolves are honestly less creative."

"You humans..." Lucien closed his eyes.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Leah disinfected the wound.

Lucien clenched his jaw when the alcohol touched the silver.

His fingers dug into the bench hard enough to crack the wood beneath them.

"I know it hurts." Leah noticed immediately.

"You have no idea."

"Probably not." Her voice softened.

"But if you keep pretending you're invincible...you'll bleed to death."

Lucien looked at her, she wasn't afraid.

She wasn't impressed by his expensive clothes and she didn't recognize him.

She simply saw… A wounded stranger.

Something about that felt strangely unfamiliar.

"There." Leah finished cleaning the wound before wrapping fresh bandages around his waist.

"I can't stitch it properly out here." She sat back. "You'll need to see a doctor tomorrow."

Silence settled between them and the rain continued falling.

Then… Lucien frowned, something had changed. His wolf… Was quiet.

For months it had screamed without stopping.

The pain that had tormented him day and night suddenly faded into a dull ache.

His breathing steadied, his heartbeat slowed, even his body relaxed.

How?

His silver eyes slowly lifted toward Leah.

She was busy packing her supplies, completely unaware of what was happening.

His wolf whispered softly inside his mind.

“Closer…”

Lucien frowned.

"What?"

The wolf whimpered again.

“Her…”

He didn't understand.

"Well..." Leah stood and slung the medical bag over her shoulder. "I've done everything I can." She smiled faintly.

"Try not to get stabbed again."

She turned to leave.

The strap of her bag caught against a jagged piece of broken metal sticking from the bench…

"Tch." She reached to free it.

The rusted edge sliced across her finger.

A tiny drop of blood rolled down onto her hand.

The scent reached Lucien instantly and time stopped.

His wolf exploded with a roar so powerful it echoed through every corner of his mind.

Every instinct awakened, every nerve came alive. Every cell in his body recognized only one thing… Her.

Before Leah could take another step, a strong hand wrapped around her wrist.

She gasped and spun around. Lucien was already standing.

His silver eyes glowed, as he stared at her as though the entire world had disappeared.

Disbelief, relief, fear, shock.

Every emotion crossed his face within a single heartbeat.

His lips parted and one word escaped.

"...Mate."