Chapter 4

Close to noon, the hall's clock had already struck eleven.

Lucian's crew showed no signs of leaving. They were busy planning an afternoon hunting party.

"I heard there's a new grounds down south. Wild boar today."

"Then what are we waiting for? Registry's closing soon anyway. Let's go grab spots."

Someone was already checking the feast list.

Lucian walked over to me and took my wrist.

"Elara, let's go."

"Today was just a hiccup. Tomorrow I'll come with you personally. Family seal, identity scroll, moon witness. The whole thing. Nothing missing."

I slowly pulled my hand back.

"My mother's still waiting for me. She prepared lunch first thing this morning."

Lucian's brow knotted immediately.

"You can go a little later. She's not gonna starve herself over a couple hours."

He said it like it was nothing. Like my mother waiting for hours didn't matter at all.

I looked at him.

"Can you stay for ten more minutes?"

"Let's finish what needs to be finished today."

Lucian didn't answer right away.

He turned to his friends, face gradually darkening.

"You really need it to be today?"

"You want me to ditch everyone just for this?"

A young wolf laughed out loud.

"Elara, you're so clingy it's unreal."

"Lucian already promised he'll come back with you tomorrow. What, you think he's gonna run?"

The laughter spread through the group. Someone even started heckling.

"Or maybe Elara just can't wait to officially become Lucian's mate?"

I said nothing more.

Only Lysandra stood nearby, looking uneasy.

She said quietly. "Elara, I can stay with you."

Lucian cut her off. "Don't enable her."

"Give her a minute and she'll come around on her own."

He said it with a laugh.

"Hasn't it always been like this?"

"She can throw the biggest tantrum she wants. She always comes back."

More laughter.

I looked at Lysandra and gently shook my head.

"Go with them."

She opened her mouth. In the end, she didn't say anything.

Before leaving, Lucian even called a car for me.

"I'll have a guard pick you up before noon."

"If you can't make it today, don't just sit here the whole time."

"Go home and rest."

He said it like he was giving me one last scrap of dignity.

After they left, the registration hall finally went quiet.

But my phone kept buzzing.

Their group chat was still going.

[Guess how long before Elara comes running?]

[I give it half an hour.]

[Nah. Ten minutes.]

Lucian didn't stop any of them. He even sent a hunting grounds location.

[When you're done throwing a fit, come here.]

I glanced at it. Didn't reply.

Less than two minutes until the clock struck twelve.

That's when hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

A tall figure pushed past the guards at the entrance and walked straight toward me.

Ronan.

He'd come at full speed. Ice still clung to his black cloak. He was gripping the family seal and identity scroll tight in one hand.

But when he reached me, he didn't hand them to the registration elder right away.

"You sure about this?"

He looked at me. Voice low.

"Elara, this isn't a game."

"If you're just using me to get away from Lucian, you can still walk away right now."

I shook my head. "It's not about Lucian. It's not about revenge."

I took the family seal from his hand. My voice was soft, but there wasn't a shred of hesitation in it.

"Ronan, I'm just honoring a bet I lost."

"This time, I'm choosing you."

Ronan was quiet for a moment. Then he handed the identity scroll to the registration elder.

"Then let's begin."

The clock struck twelve. The elder placed both family seals on the moonstone.

The next second, ancient silver runes blazed to life.

"By the name of the Moon Goddess, this union between two packs is witnessed."

"Both parties confirm the Mate Bond of their own free will."

I held out my hand. Ronan took it.

Silver light spread from our palms and rippled outward.

In that moment, I finally completed the bond that was three years overdue.

And the second the registration was done, I took a photo of our Mate Bond certificate and posted it online.

Ten minutes after I posted it, Lucian's group chat suddenly blew up.

Someone had screenshotted my post and dropped it in.

In the photo, Ronan and I were standing in front of the moonstone.

Underneath, one line.

[Wait, Elara actually completed the Mate Bond?]

At the hunting grounds, the group that had been laughing and drinking went dead quiet.

Someone stared at their phone.

"Lucian..."

"You need to see this."

Lucian frowned and took the phone.

When he saw who was in the photo, every trace of a smile vanished from his face.

Someone asked, barely believing it.

"Wasn't she waiting for you this whole time?"

"How did she end up bonding with your rival Ronan?"