Chapter 4 - The Mate Bond

“It is my life and my decision!” I barked, not caring who could hear me. 

The room we were in had been specially designed to keep the words in and the noise out, but I wouldn’t have cared either way.

 Father Moretti was present in the meeting. After dropping the bombshell he had just delivered, he had the decency to stay quiet now that the verdict was being handed down.

“It goes beyond your life and your decision, Alpha Romano. This is about the pack,” Grand Elder Lysandra said, her lips drawn thin with disapproval. 

“The consequences of your actions have been detrimental to the entire Romano Crest. Unless you want the pack members barraging your doors in demand for a solution, this is the only way.”

“You must find your mate and seal the knot. That is final!”

Resolution etched every face, and the heat building in my chest warned I was seconds from snapping. 

“No, there's no way,” I said, trying to keep my anger in check. 

“I won't do that. That child is not fit enough to be my mate, much less the Luna of Romano Crest”

 I felt Silas trying to communicate through our mind link. 

“You either speak out or don't speak at all,” one of the elders said gruffly, looking between Silas and I.

“This is what the moon goddess has planned for you both, so you better accept it. She is your mate, Alpha. Your partner. And while you have the right to reject or accept a mate, it's quite clear that the universe wants this bond sealed. Father Moretti has told us that already,” The man said, looking at me over the rim of his glasses.

Father Moretti's explanation re-played in my head. 

“Some bonds cannot fight what the universe decides. Yours is one of such, Alpha. I had a vision and I saw your mate, a brown haired young lady. She walked across the lands and with each step she took, life returned to that portion of the land. The message was clear, Alpha Romano. We must reverse the damage,” he had said.

I wanted to argue. To reveal the prophecy that had been foretold about my mate when I was younger, but I knew there was no use. 

The universe had decided for the good of the pack and the council stood for whatever was in favour of the pack.

“I'll find her,” I said as I returned to my seat. 

“I'll find her and seal our bond.” 

A round of murmur went around the table as they all nodded in approval. 

 I sat quietly and watched while they rounded up the meeting. I walked them to the door wordlessly, barely acknowledging them as they bowed before leaving.

Silas followed me back to my office. I knew what he wanted to say, and I also knew I didn't want to hear it. 

“I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you,” he started when we were behind closed doors.

“No, you don't. I mean, you got lucky with your mate but I am about to take a child as my mate,” I burst out, exasperated.

Silas scoffed. “It's not about luck, Vicenzo, you know it's not.”

“You always do things for the good of Romano Crest, so here... Do this for us. For your people,” he spoke again before I could respond.

****Selene's POV****

Life had felt lighter lately, or rather I decided to look only at the bright side of life.

Little did I know, my life was about to change completely.

The door to my room creaked open, making me look up from the work out book I was holding. 

“Grannie Alba! Are you alright?” I asked in worry, jumping up to my feet and rushing towards her. 

She waved me off, pulling me along with her so we both sat on my bed. “I'm alright child, I'm stronger than I look.” 

Still wary, I nodded. She pulled me into her arms for a side hug which I gladly took. “Why don't you go into town and get some popcorn so we can see one of those movies you like?” She said, dropping some change in my palm.

A wide smile formed on my face. From the moment I got into town, I could feel the hairs on my neck erect. With great difficulty, I weaved through the crowd, got what I needed and hurried home.

 I felt a pair of eyes watching me so I picked up my pace. 

Maybe I should have been more vigilant. If my senses weren't so heightened from my walk through town, maybe I would have sensed something before entering the house. But I didn't.

“Grannie Alba, I'm back,” I called out as I crossed the doorway.

 I paused in my tracks. The sight before me was one I couldn't have ever prepared myself for.

“Selene!” Alpha Romano called out. 

“Come!”

My heart hammered in my chest. 

Standing in such close proximity to him ripped the wound wide open.

I wanted more than anything to stand right where I was, or even to make a run for it but his voice was too strong to go against.

He stood in the shadows, but I could make out his face, tight with anger and irritation. 

“Alpha. What do you want with her?” I asked, taking shaky steps towards the ring of men surrounding Grannie Alba.

I saw Grannie Alba give me a puzzled look amidst the fear on her face. I wondered if they had said anything to her yet, and if she knew what had happened.

“You're to join us back to our pack for your claiming ceremony,” one of the men stated.