Chapter 2

Elara ran until her lungs burned and her legs gave out. She collapsed against the ancient oak, her soft, curvy body shaking violently with sobs. The mate bond felt like a jagged wound in her chest  aching, pulling, demanding. Her full breasts heaved as she cried, arms wrapped tightly around her rounded belly as if trying to hold her broken pieces together.

The way they called her echoed louder than the ceremony laughter.

“ Even my own mate doesn’t want me.”

A tortured growl tore through the night, Elara froze immediately. The bond tugged her forward despite her fear. Wiping her teary face, she crept closer and peered into the small moonlit clearing.

She saw Kai there  hunched, claws extended, body trembling as he fought his wolf. The sight of his struggle made something inside her twist painfully. He looked as tormented as she felt.

“Kai…” she whispered, stepping out before she could stop herself.

His head snapped up, his golden eyes burned into her. For a long moment, silence stretched between them, with the bond’s desperate pull and the weight of his rejection.

Then his expression changed but not with desire, but with anger and bitter resignation.

“Damn the Goddess,” he snarled. “And damn this bond.”

Elara flinched, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. She hugged herself tighter, feeling every soft, “imperfect” curve under her hands. “I understand,” she whispered brokenly. “I’ll stay out of your way. You don’t have to…”

“Enough.” Kai cut her off, stalking toward her. His massive frame loomed, but he stopped just short of touching her. His jaw clenched so hard she could see the muscle jumping. “I rejected a fated mate once before the pack suffered for it. The elders warned me tonight  about rejecting you again, that it could weaken the pack bond and invite misfortune.”

He let out a harsh, angry laugh that held no warmth. “So congratulations, Elara Voss. I accept you as my Luna.”

Elara’s breath caught. For one foolish second, hope flickered until she saw his eyes. There was no love or tenderness. Only duty, frustration, and a heavy dose of pity.

“You… you’re accepting me out of pity?” Her voice cracked as more tears fell and humiliation covered her body. “Because of responsibility? Not because you want me?”

Kai’s gaze dragged over her full breasts straining against the dress, the soft swell of her belly, her wide hips and thick thighs. Hunger flashed in his eyes, but it was tangled with resentment.

“My wolf wants you,” he admitted roughly, his voice low and strained. “Badly, these curves… they call to him like nothing else. He wants to claim every soft inch of you right now.” He stepped closer, one large hand rising as if to touch her waist, then dropping back to his side in a fist. “But me? I don’t love you. I barely know you and the pack will see this as a weakness.”

Elara’s knees nearly buckled. She turned her face away, sobbing quietly. “Then don’t do this, don’t chain yourself to someone you’re ashamed of, please.” 

“I don’t have a choice,” he growled, anger flashing. “Not if I want to be a good Alpha.” He reached out and gripped her chin gently but firmly, forcing her to look at him. “You are my Luna now but only in name. We will complete the ceremony tomorrow and you’ll move into the Alpha’s house. But don’t expect love or affection. I will only protect you, provide for you that’s all I can give.”

The bond sang at his touch, flooding her with warmth and need, but Elara felt only pain. Being accepted out of pity hurt worse than outright rejection. She felt like a burden, or a responsibility he was forced to shoulder.

A rogue scent suddenly cut through the air. Kai immediately pulled her behind him, his arm wrapping around her soft waist, hand splaying possessively across her belly. His body pressed against her back  hard, hot, and tense. “Stay close,” he ordered, with his voice dark.

Elara didn’t fight him this time. She just cried silently, feeling the heat of his touch and the coldness of his heart at the same time.

When the danger passed, Kai released her slowly, almost reluctantly. His fingers lingered on her curves for a second longer than necessary.

“Go back to your cabin tonight,” he said quietly, not meeting her eyes. “Tomorrow everything changes.”

Elara nodded numbly, wiping her tears. She walked away on trembling legs, the bond now feeling like heavy chains instead of a golden thread.

“He accepted me… but only because he had to.” she muttered weakly 

Her wolf curled up inside her, heartbroken but no longer alone.