Chapter 3

Rhaedros’ POV

After what happened at the Lycan Hall, Kaela now looks at me like I'm her worst enemy — cold and hateful. It was a week ago that it had happened yet it seemed like it was just yesterday.

Now staring at me, the hatred in her eyes told me she was at the knife's edge of insanity. I swear to the Moon Goddess that if that woman had a weapon, she would cut me in half and make soup out of me. Not that she could do it. Where we were was too guarded, too much surveillance…

I stood tall in the grand throne room and watched as she was led in, her delicate form dwarfed by the shimmering gown she wore. It was the kind of dress that looked like it could suffocate a person if they dared to breathe deeply. I couldn't help but smile, just a little. She hated it, of course, but that wasn't exactly a surprise. Kaela had a way of wearing discomfort like a badge of honour.  

She didn't belong here. I knew it and she knew it too. Yet, she was here — The wolf that had been chosen for me, the wolf whose soul will be tethered to mine at the binding ritual.

I remember when I had told her about it.

It was a week ago and we had been standing in the hall where I had destroyed Valgron, the remains of his blackened body still a living testament to what I would do to those who dare oppose me.

Her face was pale and she had been too stunned to speak. I tilted her chin, forcing her gaze to meet mine.

“You better be worth the trouble, love.” I said with a naughty grin.

Her brows furrowed in annoyance and she slapped my hand away. “Get your paws off me.”

I chuckled at her bravery.

Kaela gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. “You~”

“Watch out!” I shouted, reaching for her just in time.

I pulled her into my arms, yanking her away as the roof caved in behind us.

She clung to me, trembling, her body shaking against mine as her breaths came in quick and uneven.

I had to get her out of there and I did.

I had never carried a werewolf before. Well, not like this, at least.  

Kaela trembled against me, clutching my chest, and for a moment gripped me tight. Ah, yes. The proper response to being snatched by a Lycan amidst the chaos.

She was still in my arms. I buried my face in her neck, inhaling her warm scent of her skin – part sweat, part fear.

I expected her to scream, become a flailing mess, but what I didn't expect — the goddess forbid — was for her to enjoy this. I looked down at her and she wasn't panicking. She wasn't tense anymore.  She was just staring down in wonder at the world below us.

“I wish I was this free… to just run from everything,” Kaela murmured.

I blinked, not understanding what she meant.

I heard her heave a soft sigh and leaned her head against my chest. What was she thinking about, I wonder?

I held her close and smiled. I didn't understand why she said what she said but I had to say something, “You could be free.”

“How?”

“We'll get married.”

“What?” She turned sharply to glare at me, almost falling out of my arms. I caught her just in time.

“Why'd you do that?!” I yelled, my heart beating loudly in my chest. “Are you insane?”

“No. Are YOU insane? You want us to get married?”

“Yes. Isn't that why your people sent you here to me?”

Kaela scoffed. “You wouldn't!”

“So, is that a yes?”

“I hate you!”

Her eyes met mine as she arrived at the ritual altar.

I opened my mouth to speak but she interrupted me with an irritated hiss.

“Don't start with me!” she exclaimed at me with a narrowed glare.

Her face was hidden behind the golden veil but I could still see her scowl.

“You’re being a bit overdramatic, don't you think?” I retorted with a raised thick eyebrow.

She gestured to the tight but elegant dress hugging her body. “You think? I can barely breathe in this thing!”

The priestess cleared her throat, alerting us that the ceremony was about to begin.

“Time to get this over with,” I smiled. “Let's see if you can survive this, Kaela.”

The court had already gathered. Lycans, who were living gods in the eyes of many, along with their followers, eagerly awaited the moment when the binding would be completed.

THE EVERBINDING SIGIL was brought out from a metal box that needed at least three keys to open it…

It was a relic older than time itself. A powerful magical but mysterious talisman that binds the soul of the Lycangod and his bride.

The room fell into a hush as the Sigil shimmered, its runes glowing softly, like the stars in the night sky.

“Are you ready?” I turned to her.

Kaela's lips twisted into a smile that didn't reflect in her eyes. “Sure.”

I couldn't help but smile. She was so different from the other werewolves — so brash, so genuine, and it made her all the more interesting.

The ceremony began and I felt the connection being drawn between us. It wasn't supposed to be something painful but the pressure it put on her was evident.

“Mmph.” She let out a low wince as the magic began to surround us.

“Kaela…” I whispered but she cut me off.

“What exactly is this binding ceremony?” She asked through her tears and painful sensations.

Her pained wince sent a dagger through my chest and I held her hand tighter. “Hold on. You'll be fine…”

“Rhaedros!” She unintentionally cut me off as she choked out my name.

It was the first time she had ever called my name but it sent a ripple of emotions through me. Unfamiliar emotions that I couldn't give a name to.

“It's a permanent binding but it'll be over soon. Don't fight it.” I said, my heart aching as I watched her struggle.

Don't fight it but I might as well have been talking to a beautiful golden statue. She didn't listen. Or probably didn’t want to.

Kaela gritted her teeth as if trying to fight the mysterious power surging through her dainty body. Was this even supposed to happen? Historical records in my kingdom have not mentioned this kind of reaction to the binding before.

At this point, troubled murmurs began to emanate from the crowd.

“I knew this would be too much on a werewolf”

“Stop the ceremony! She'll die if this continues!”

“King Rhaedros, have mercy on your frail bride!”

Kaela began to panic. “I… I can't breathe.”

I placed a steadying hand on her arm. “It's just magic. Don't fight it. It's adjusting to your physical body.”

Another agonized whimper escaped her lips and I panicked.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. The Everbinding Sigil wasn't meant to cause this much pain not even to beings like her.

Something was wrong. This Sigil was meant to link us together and not to break us. Much more than her.

“This isn't supposed to happen!” I turned to the priestess in alarm. “Do something…”

“Leave her be!” The priestess warned as she cut me off. “She's becoming one with the magic.”

Kaela's hand slipped away from mine and her eyes turned blank white.

A satisfying grin made its way to the priestess’ lips even the congregation were in an uproar of not angry yells but awe and admiration.

“She is the one!” The priestess announced with a satisfied smile.

I turned back to Kaela. The white had disappeared from her eyes and she collapsed in a dead faint.

I caught her just in time.

“All hail the Lycan Monarchs!” The priestess called out. “They are now as one.”

No…

Something went wrong with the ritual.

And something was very wrong with Kaela.