chapter 2

Calla's POV

“Time is running fast. Hurry up, Calla. The priest won't be happy with us if we get there late.”

“Oh, fucking goodness, I forgot to let you know. Your presence is needed at the meeting that'll be held tonight. I'll take you in my car, or you can go alone if you choose to.”

“Pardon me, I didn't remember food is essential for survival. The maids will come in with whatever food you need to stay active and fulfill your duties.”

I placed both my palms over my ears to silence Draven's voice from the past. The remarks he made weeks and days before we became mates flooded my mind as I hurried to grab the couch to steady myself.

My head was spinning again, but this time, not because of his dangerous stare. As I spotted the ledger on top of my shelf in the short distance, the spinning resumed as my wrist tingled. The mate bond glowed brightly as my eyes closed.

“Hold my hand and let's get inside. These people won't strike a deal with us if we don't do what they want.” Draven had said to me on the day we went to make a peace deal with one of the neighboring packs.

“But we're the most prominent pack in the metropolis. We're, inarguably, the head pack of this city. Why should we have to be afraid of doing what our subjects don't like?” I had asked him, but he'd stayed quiet, held my hand firmly, and marched me into the glorious meeting hall where the subject Alphas waited.

I gently slapped my cheeks until I regained a little consciousness. Why were the events from the past flooding my mind now? Why did the mate bond on my wrist have to glow and tingle before those memories rushed back to trouble me?

Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized we had about half an hour before the ceremony would begin. The maids hadn't arrived yet to lead me to the dressing room and prepare me for the great event. Could Alpha Draven have postponed the time or even the date?

The darkness in Nyx's gaze before I left the Beta's office carried a lot of meaning, but I didn't want to dwell on it. Those thoughts could darken my own gaze. They could also pull me into becoming just as dark and shady as they all were.

Elder Corvin!

I got up from the couch and hurried toward the door. I forced it open and made my way to the elders' district, quickly requesting Elder Corvin's presence. There was no way he could claim to be unavailable. No meeting was being held at that time, nor had he been called outside the pack to help anyone.

He had tried, on different occasions, to evade my questions. Little did he know he was only raising more suspicion about his true intentions. Why did my mate, Draven, choose to relate to him better than every other elder in the pack?

Why the hell had he lost his train of thought earlier and switched to talking about berries? Could someone really be that absent-minded and still claim to be capable of ruling a pack and keeping his subjects in line?

“I want to have a private chat with Elder Corvin. Please excuse us,” I said to the rest of the elders.

The oldest man, who seemed offended by the look he gave me, rolled his eyes but had no choice except to step outside.

They knew how harsh the rules were. An elder could be sentenced to life imprisonment if they laid a hand on the Luna or Alpha of the pack or disobeyed an important instruction given to them.

“You are in charge of bond reading,” I began as soon as the other elders left. “I have some questions about how my bond formed. I know you've got the answers because you're an expert in this field. The only expert, in fact.”

“What questions?” His voice remained calm, and he maintained eye contact until it was time for him to answer.

“One year ago, we needed to find out if the Alpha was truly bonded to me,” I explained. “You read his bond signals and publicly announced that I was his mate. You followed the protocol.”

“Okay?”

“I came here to have my bond read as well. We couldn't conclude that I belonged to the Alpha until my bond connected to him, too,” I continued. “You read it, and yes, you confirmed it was connected to him, but you didn't inform the public.”

“Why?” I asked. “Why didn't you show proof of the bond connection to the public?”

“This has been a year now,” he replied. “I don't think you should still be worried about this. If the Alpha truly wasn't bonded to you, this pack would have been devastated. You know the Moon Goddess isn't a fool.”

I heaved a deep breath, tapping my fingers quietly on the table before raising my head again.

“No, please. I want a direct answer. Draven does exactly what you do. He gives vague responses.”

“My words aren't vague, love.” He gently took my hands in his. “You're the Alpha's mate. Today marks one year since that memorable night. Just be happy. Will you?”

I gave an unconvinced shake of my head, slipped my hands from his grasp, and walked out. I hurried back to my chamber, desperate for someone to tell me the truth.

No one knew about bond reading except him. He wouldn't tell me what I needed to hear, and neither would Draven.

The door opened quietly, and I quickly turned around to look. Standing in the doorway was Draven himself, a cruel smirk dancing on his lips. As soon as he saw me, he tried to step outside, but my voice stopped him.

“I've been looking for you,” I said, though his back was still turned to me. “Don't think I'm trying to ask questions about Nyx's sudden appearance. I can handle that.”

He scoffed and slowly turned around.

“I also have some questions for you. Actually, I need you to give me some information.”

He closed the door, walked in, sat on the arm of the couch, and looked at me.

“Please let me have a look at your inheritance and bond documents.”

“That's not a problem at all, but you have to fulfill one condition before I show them to you.” I tried to hold his hands and look into his eyes as we usually did, but he kept his arms behind his back and looked away.

I shrugged quietly.

“One year ago, Elder Corvin confirmed that we were mates, and the ceremony was held. Why did he keep my own bond reading private and unannounced?”

“Do you have those documents with you?” he asked coldly. “I have to be with our visitors shortly, and I'd appreciate it if you'd hurry up.”

“You won't answer my question?” I asked, bewildered.

“Please?” he pleaded. “Isn't the ceremony more important than casual curiosity?”

I heaved a deep breath as his words echoed in my head.

Casual curiosity.

I walked over to my shelves, found the file containing the documents, and handed it to him.

“I hope you finally learn how to keep promises. I wish you'll someday understand that your mate deserves to know even your darkest secrets.”

“Don't arrive late, love.” He blew a kiss in my direction and walked out of my room, leaving me wondering what was going on in his head.

If he could avoid questions about what brought us together, he definitely wouldn't answer any questions about Nyx.

I left my room to search for Nyx before the ceremony began. Before I reached the hallway, I saw her talking to someone, perhaps a friend, but it definitely wasn't my Draven or Elder Corvin.

My wrist tingled as my head spun, causing me to lean against the wall. I closed my eyes and focused on listening as the hairs on my skin stood on end.

“Oh, yeah, the atmosphere feels so nice,” I heard Nyx say. “I love this place and, most importantly, your leader. He's a sweet guy, y'know?”

They both laughed.

“Who?”

“That one? That lady?” I heard the snicker in her voice. “I don't care about that lady. She can go fuck herself if she wants. And don't pretend you don't know that bonds can really be stolen.”

“Stolen?” her friend whispered, but I heard it clearly, even with my eyes closed and while standing some distance away.

“If you had the chance to steal the bond and claim the Alpha as your mate, would you choose to be righteous and ignore the glory of the Luna's seat?” Nyx retorted. “I think... no, I don't think. I know that's exactly what that stupid woman did. She claimed the seat that doesn't belong to her.”