Chapter Three: The challenge

I wake up in Damon's bed.

Not where I fell asleep. I was against the wall. Now I'm under silk sheets that smell like him, and he's nowhere in sight.

The connecting door opens. Kieran walks in carrying coffee, sees me, and grins.

"Morning, beautiful. Sleep well?"

I sit up fast. "Why am I in his bed?"

"Because Damon carried you there around four. Said you looked uncomfortable on the floor." He hands me the coffee. "Don't worry. He slept in the chair like a gentleman."

"Where is he?"

"Training yard. He always trains at dawn." Kieran sits on the edge of the bed. Too close. "You should see him fight. It's impressive."

"I'm not interested."

"Liar. The bond makes you interested in everything we do." His smile turns knowing. "I bet you're curious about all of us. What we're like. What we want."

"I'm curious about how to break this bond."

"Can't be done. True mate bonds are permanent." He reaches out, tucks hair behind my ear. The touch sends sparks across my skin. "But you could learn to enjoy it."

I pull back. "Stop."

"Stop what?"

"Touching me. Flirting. Whatever this is."

"This is me getting to know my mate."

"I'm not your mate. I'm trapped."

"Same thing in this case." He stands. "Get dressed. Father wants to see you in an hour."

"Why?"

"Official bonding ceremony. Makes it legal in the eyes of the kingdom." He walks to the door. "Wear something nice. There will be witnesses."

He leaves before I can argue.

I go back to my room. Shower. The hot water is a luxury I haven't had in years. I let it run longer than necessary.

The closet has more dresses. I pick a deep green one. Simple but elegant.

When I'm dressed, there's a knock. A servant, older woman with kind eyes.

"Miss Sage? I'm Martha. I'll be your personal attendant."

"I don't need an attendant."

"Everyone bonded to royalty has one." She smiles. "I promise I'm not here to spy. Just to help."

"Help with what?"

"Surviving court." She comes in, starts fixing my hair. "The ceremony today is important. Every noble in the kingdom will be watching."

"Why?"

"Because you're bonded to three heirs. Whoever you choose becomes King." Her hands are gentle, efficient. "That makes you the most powerful she-wolf here, even if you don't feel like it."

"I don't want power."

"Doesn't matter. You have it now." She finishes with my hair, steps back. "There. You look like you belong."

I look in the mirror. I look like someone else.

Martha walks me to the throne room. The doors are already open. Inside, hundreds of wolves in formal dress.

And at the front, the King on his throne. Damon, Kieran, and Caius standing below.

Everyone turns when I enter.

The whispers start immediately.

Martha guides me forward. My legs want to run. The bond pulls me toward the three Princes, demanding I go to them.

I stop at the base of the throne.

The King looks down at me. "Sage of no pack. You stand before this court to formalize your bond to my sons."

"I didn't ask for this bond."

Gasps around the room. You're not supposed to talk back to the King.

He smiles. Cold. "The Moon Goddess doesn't ask permission. Do you accept the bond?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No."

"Then what does it matter if I accept?"

"It matters for the ceremony. Answer the question."

I look at the three Princes. Damon's jaw is tight. Kieran's trying not to laugh. Caius is unreadable.

"I accept the bond," I say. The words taste like lies.

"Do you swear to choose one mate within the year?"

"Yes."

"Do you understand that your choice will determine the next King?"

"Yes."

"Then by the power vested in me by the Moon Goddess and the laws of this kingdom, I recognize your bond." He stands. "Let any who object speak now."

"I object."

Celeste steps forward from the crowd. She's wearing white like a bride. Her violet eyes are blazing.

"This bond is false," she says. "This rogue used dark magic to trap the Princes."

"That's a serious accusation," the King says. "Do you have proof?"

"Look at her. She's nobody. Nothing. Why would the Moon Goddess bond three Princes to a packless rogue?" Celeste's voice carries through the room. "It's unnatural."

"The bond was verified," Caius says. Cold. Cutting. "By blood magic. By witnesses. It's real."

"Then test her." Celeste looks at me. "If the bond is real, she should be able to touch all three of them without pain."

"That's not how bonds work," Kieran argues.

"Isn't it? True mates can't hurt each other. Can't feel pain from each other's touch." She smiles. "Unless the bond is false."

The King considers this. "An interesting theory."

"Father, this is ridiculous," Damon says.

"Is it? If the bond is real, she'll be fine." He looks at me. "Approach my sons. All three of them. At once."

My stomach drops. "What?"

"Touch them. Hold their hands. Prove the bond is real."

I look at the three Princes. They're standing together now, close enough that I'd have to press between them.

The bond is already pulling me toward them, heat building with each step.

I reach Damon first. Take his hand. The spark of contact makes my breath catch. His eyes flash gold.

Then Kieran. His fingers lace with mine, gentle, warm. He squeezes once.

Then Caius. His hand is cold but the bond flares hot when we touch.

All three of them holding me. The room is watching. Waiting.

Nothing happens.

No pain. No rejection. Just heat and want and the bond singing between all four of us.

"Satisfied?" I ask Celeste.

She's furious. "This proves nothing."

"It proves the bond is real," the King says. "The challenge is over. Anyone else?"

Silence.

"Then the bonding ceremony is complete. Sage of no pack is now recognized as bonded mate to Princes Damon, Kieran, and Caius Thorne." He sits. "Let the celebration begin."

Music starts. People move. The Princes release my hands and I can breathe again.

Celeste storms out.

"That was fun," Kieran says.

"She's going to be a problem," Caius observes.

"Let her try." Damon's still watching me. "We have bigger concerns."

"Like what?"

"Like the fact that every unmated male in this room is staring at our mate like they want to challenge us for her."

I look around. He's right. Multiple males watching. Eyes hungry. Calculating.

"They can't challenge," Kieran says. "She's bonded."

"Doesn't stop them from trying." Damon steps closer. Protective. "Stay near one of us at all times."

"I'm not a child."

"No. You're our mate. Which makes you a target." His hand finds my lower back. Possessive. "Dance with me."

"What?"

"It's tradition. Newly bonded mates share the first dance."

"I don't know how to dance."

"I'll teach you." He's already pulling me toward the floor.

The music swells. He puts my hand on his shoulder, holds my waist. Starts moving.

I try to follow. Step on his foot twice.

"Relax," he murmurs. "Stop thinking."

"Can't."

"Why not?"

"Because everyone's watching. Because this is insane. Because three days ago I was stealing bread and now I'm dancing with the Crown Prince."

"Life changes fast."

"That's not comforting."

"Not meant to be." He spins me. I stumble but he catches me. "I'm telling you reality. This is your life now. Accept it."

"And if I can't?"

"Then you'll be miserable." His gold eyes hold mine. "But you'll still be ours."

The song ends. He releases me.

Kieran's immediately there. "My turn."

"I don't want to dance anymore."

"Too bad. Tradition says we all get a dance." He pulls me close. Closer than Damon did. "Besides, I'm much more fun."

He is more fun. Makes me laugh despite everything. Spins me until I'm dizzy. Flirts shamelessly.

When that song ends, Caius is waiting.

He doesn't say anything. Just takes my hand and moves. He's the best dancer. Smooth, controlled, effortless.

"You're good at this," I say.

"I'm good at everything I do."

"Modest too."

Almost a smile. "I don't believe in false modesty."

"What do you believe in?"

"Control. Strategy. Winning."

"And me? Do you believe in the bond?"

He's quiet for a moment. "I believe the Moon Goddess has a plan. Whether I like that plan is irrelevant."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only answer I have."

The song ends. He releases me but doesn't step back.

"Be careful," he says quietly. "This world is dangerous. Everyone here wants something from you."

"Even you?"

"Especially me." He walks away.

I'm left standing in the middle of the dance floor, bonded to three Princes who all want different things.

And I still have no idea how I'm supposed to choose.

Someone approaches. Male wolf, handsome, confident. "May I have this dance?"

Before I can answer, Damon's there. "No."

"I was asking the lady."

"The lady is bonded. Find someone else."

The male's eyes flash. Challenge. "Maybe she wants to dance with someone who's not a Prince."

"And maybe you want to keep your throat intact." Damon's voice drops. Dangerous. "Walk away."

The male hesitates. Then leaves.

"You can't threaten everyone who talks to me," I say.

"Watch me." Damon takes my arm. "We're leaving."

"The celebration isn't over."

"It is for you."

He walks me out. Kieran and Caius follow.

Back in my room, Damon finally releases me. "Tomorrow you start training."

"Training for what?"

"Combat. Politics. Everything you need to survive here." He heads for his door. "Get some rest. You'll need it."

They leave. All three doors click shut.

I'm alone again.

But the bond is there. Always there. Humming with awareness of three males who own pieces of me I didn't know I could give.

And somewhere in the palace, enemies are plotting.

I can feel it.