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Vows Without Love
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2026-11-13 13:07:50"Say it, Selene. Say the vow."
Cain's voice was low and cold. He sounded like a man reading a contract, not a promise.
I looked up at him. Alpha Cain Blackthorne. Tall. Dark hair. Eyes the color of storm clouds. Every unmated she-wolf in the hall wished she was standing where I stood.
They did not know the truth.
"I, Selene Ashford," I said, "take you, Cain Blackthorne, as my husband and my Alpha."
My voice did not shake. I was proud of that.
"I will stand by your side. I will honor your name. I will protect your pack as if it were mine."
The words came out smooth. Practiced. I had repeated them in the mirror every night for a week.
Cain's jaw tightened, just a little. "And I vow to protect yours," he said. "As long as this union stands."
As long as this union stands.
Not "forever." Not "until death." He had added a condition in front of two hundred wolves, and nobody noticed.
Except me.
Fine. That was our deal. Written in ink. Signed in blood.
My pack was small and tired. Rogues had been circling our borders for two years, and my father was too sick to lead the fight. Cain's pack was the strongest in the north. All he wanted in return was a Luna at his side and a peace treaty on paper.
A simple trade. No feelings. No mess.
The elder cleared his throat. "Then by the Moon Goddess, I declare you bound."
Cheers filled the hall. Cain leaned down and kissed my forehead. Quick. Cold. Done.
"Smile," he whispered. "They are watching."
I smiled.
That was my first lesson as Luna. A smile can hide anything.
The reception hall glowed with gold lights and the smell of roasted meat. Wolves laughed. Glasses clinked. Somebody was already drunk.
I stood beside my husband and shook hands until my fingers hurt.
"Congratulations, Luna."
"What a beautiful bride."
"Your father must be so proud."
My father was not here. He had sent a letter and an apology. His body was too weak for the long journey.
"You are doing well," Cain said quietly, without looking at me.
"Is that a compliment?"
"It is an observation."
"Of course it is." I took a sip of wine. "Do you ever say anything warm?"
"Warmth was not in the contract."
I almost laughed. Almost. "Then I will not ask again."
"Good."
He walked away to speak with the elders. Just like that. I was alone in the middle of the biggest party of my life.
It was fine. Logical. This was exactly what I wanted.
Then the doors opened.
I felt it before I saw him.
A shiver rolled down my spine. Heat flooded my chest. My wolf, Thea, who had been asleep and bored all day, snapped awake.
Look, she said.
"No," I whispered.
LOOK.
I turned.
A man stood in the doorway. Tall. Broad shoulders. Black hair, wet from the rain outside. His dark coat hung open over a white shirt, as if he had run here without stopping.
His eyes found mine across the entire room.
Gold. Burning gold.
The glass slipped from my fingers. It hit the floor and shattered, but I did not hear it.
MATE.
Thea did not whisper it. She roared it. The word shook my bones. It filled my head, my chest, my whole body.
MATE. MATE. MATE.
Across the room, the man went completely still. His chest rose and fell like he had been punched. I could feel his wolf howling back.
Around us, the hall went silent.
Every wolf had heard. A bond that strong could not be hidden. Heads turned. Eyes widened. Somebody dropped a plate.
"Whose wolf was that?" a young man whispered.
"I don't know. It came from everywhere."
"The Moon Goddess has spoken," an old woman gasped.
Nobody knew where the roar came from. Nobody except the two of us.
"Who is that?" someone asked, staring at the doorway.
"That's Rhys. The Alpha's brother. He's been at the border for two years."
Brother.
The word hit me like ice water.
Cain's brother.
My husband's brother.
"No," I said under my breath. "No, no, no."
Mate, Thea said again, softer now. Almost happy.
Be quiet, I hissed. I am married. I just got married!
Cain came back through the crowd, slow and calm. His wolf, I realized, had not made a sound. Not a growl. Not a whisper of recognition. Whatever had just shaken the room, it had not touched him at all.
"What is this noise?" he asked.
"Nothing, Alpha," an elder said quickly. "The wolves are excited. The Goddess blesses your union."
Cain's eyes moved over the crowd. Over me. Over his brother in the doorway.
He gave a short, dry laugh. "Rhys. You are late."
Rhys did not answer. He was still looking at me.
"Brother," Cain said, louder. "Come. Meet my wife."
Rhys walked forward. Every step was slow, as if the floor might crack under him. The crowd parted. The heat of his wolf pressed against my skin, closer with each step.
He stopped in front of us. Up close, it was worse. His scent hit me. Pine and rain and something that felt like home.
"Selene," Cain said. "This is my younger brother, Rhys. Rhys, this is my Luna."
Rhys's jaw moved. His hand shook as he lifted it, offering a handshake.
I took it.
Fire.
Pure fire raced up my arm. My knees went weak. His fingers tightened around mine for one second, then two, before he forced himself to let go.
"Luna," he said. His voice was rough. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," I managed.
Cain clapped his brother on the shoulder. "Enjoy the party. We will talk tomorrow."
He turned away, guiding me toward the elders. I let him. I had no choice.
But as we walked, a voice reached me across all that noise. Soft. Broken. Meant only for my ears.
"Tell me I'm wrong."
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