Forbidden Mate

'Mate!' Cordia exclaimed, her voice echoing inside me, making my world explode in light.

'Cordia!' I gasped. ‘Where the hell have you been? I’ve been searching for you, I thought I lost you.’

Her whimper reached me, weak and guilty, but my eyes… my eyes couldn’t move away from him. From my mate. I knew he was my mate.

‘I’m so sorry, Clary,’ Cordia whispered, trembling. ‘I don’t know what happened. The last thing I remember was falling asleep… how long have I been gone?’

I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. My eyes were locked on him. On the Alpha. Why did the Goddess choose him for me? Why him? Was he truly mine or was I just stealing what belonged to Andrea? No… I could feel the pull. The heat in my veins. The bond wrapping me like chains. The pull that was screaming at me to claim him. To own him.

‘It’s been a month, Cordia,’ I answered, my voice hollow.

‘What!? You’re joking!’ she cried, shocked.

‘Tch. So all it takes is him for you to finally wake up from your haven,’ I muttered, but my eyes never left the stage.

The Alpha moved. He reached for the microphone, his hand steady, his muscles flexing even under the neat folds of his formal suit. My heart raced as if a thousand drums pounded in my chest. The way he walked was dangerous, powerful. The way he moved made the world around him slow down. How could one man… affect me this much?

“Thank you for coming. Welcome to all participants. This game was created for all families to show their skills and potential.”

Even his voice burned me. Deep, smooth, it slid into my ears like a melody, tearing down every wall I had built. I hated this feeling. I hated how weak it made me. But I couldn’t fight it. I couldn’t fight what the Moon Goddess tied into my veins. Why him? Why did it have to be Xylo Crosswind, the strongest Alpha in the land?

Cordia fell silent. I knew she was listening too, spellbound by our mate.

“A fair fight for all families,” he continued. “The battle you’ve been waiting for. Welcome to the Homer Game of the Year!”

He smiled. I melted like a fool. I stood, trembling, my lips curving without my permission, my body drawn forward by the heat of his scent. Even from a distance, it wrapped me, warming my blood.

But then… Andrea walked onto the stage.

I froze. My smile shattered. My chest collapsed in on itself.

Xylo reached for her hand. He smiled. He smiled at her.

A thorn ripped through my heart. Then another. And another. Until I was pierced a thousand times over. My hands curled into fists, nails biting into my skin. Cordia growled, whining, desperate to break free, to run to him. To fight for him. But I couldn’t move. I stood there, drowning, the world spinning as the Alpha—my Alpha—looked at Andrea as if she belonged to him.

I knew this would happen. I had always expected it. But the truth was still cruel. He’s mine. The bond screams it. So why does someone else get to stand by his side? Why doesn’t he even glance at me? Doesn’t he feel it? Doesn’t he recognize me?

‘What are you saying, Clary!? He’s our mate! I can feel it. I can sense it in my bones!’ Cordia snapped, furious.

‘Then why?’ I whispered, broken. ‘Why doesn’t he see us? Why doesn’t he even look? Cordia, I waited. I waited for him to see me… but why?’

My vision blurred. A hand touched mine, steady and warm. I turned and saw Darren. Concern clouded his face as he looked down at me.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked softly.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. I wanted to fall to my knees and sob until the pain ripped me apart. But instead, I smiled. A broken, trembling smile. “I’m fine,” I whispered.

“Did Andrea hurt you again?” Darren asked, his voice tightening with anger.

I didn’t know who hurt me more—Andrea or Xylo. Maybe it was neither of them. Maybe it was my own heart, betraying me with this unbearable bond. “I’m fine,” I lied again, shaking my head.

But even as I said it, Darren’s eyes followed mine. He saw where my gaze kept going. He saw who it kept chasing.

On stage, Xylo stood tall. Andrea beside him like a queen. My chest tightened so hard I thought I would collapse.

“Clary,” Darren whispered, his tone serious. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

My throat closed. I couldn’t speak. If I told him, I’d lose him. And I couldn’t. Darren was the only one who stood by me, who cared, who saw me. Without him, I’d have nothing. Maybe I was selfish. Maybe I was cruel. But I couldn’t let him go.

“Nothing. I was just… thinking,” I whispered.

His brows furrowed. “Thinking about what?”

“Do you think we can make it?” I asked, forcing a smile.

His face softened. He sighed and held my hand tighter. “Of course. I believe in you. You’re the smartest girl in town.”

I bit my lip hard, the lie stinging my tongue. I wasn’t strong. I wasn’t a fighter. I was weak. I knew it. But Darren didn’t.

I looked up at the leaders’ seats. They were high above, towering over us like gods. Only one seat was taken. Xylo’s. He sat like a king, the weight of the world bowing to him. And beside him… Andrea. Always Andrea.

My chest burned. My vision blurred again. I told myself to stay strong. To keep standing. But it was too much.

More rules were explained—fight until surrender, no intentional kills, no liability for deaths. The crowd cheered, but my stomach twisted violently. My instincts screamed. Something was wrong.

I looked up again. His eyes.

Xylo’s eyes were on me.

The world stopped. My heart burst, torn between joy and grief. He saw me. Finally, he saw me.

But Andrea sat at his side. Her hand rested near his. Her smile draped across her lips like poison.

And in that moment, I knew. Whatever this bond was, whatever this love was, it was forbidden.