003

Ember's POV

Lucien's imposing height hovered above me, he was so close to me that his thick scent filled my nostrils, wrapped with something somewhat suffocating.

I could feel the bond between us, it was difficult to ignore but then again, it didn't feel right. My heart clenched with pain knowing that the moon goddess had given him to me as my mate.

He wasn't the one for me, the moon goddess was wrong this time.

I watched as his eyes darkened with hunger but it didn't move me as much as Zane's did. Lucien's actions felt suffocating and forced, as though it was a strategy. I just could not bring myself to accept the bond, we shared nothing in common.

Lucien moved closer, his hand lightly touching my arm. His voice was quiet but strong, just loud enough for us to hear. "I felt it," he said, his breath warm on my skin. "The connection. It's real, Ember. You're mine."

His words felt strange in my chest, like a heartbeat that wasn't mine.

No, it's not him.

My heart, the beat under my skin, my soul—they already belonged to someone else. Someone not standing in front of me, smiling smugly like he'd won.

Someone who made me feel alive, who made my blood rush with strong feelings. Years ago, my heart had already chosen, I just never got the chance to say it. My mother and I had left the pack too soon.

Zane.

I stopped, holding my breath, as his presence grew inside me. I couldn't ignore it anymore. He was the one my body craved. He was the one my soul needed. Now I'm back to the pack and wouldn't resist my growing feelings for him anymore.

I saw Lucien's frustration in his eyes, but it didn't make me give in. I needed to say it. I had to break the connection before it got stronger. I spoke, my voice shaking but firm. "No." The word hit hard.

“I.. I'm sorry but I can't accept the bond” I muttered, stuttering.

The silence that followed felt heavy. The crowd gasped, shocked, and everyone looked at me, but none of it mattered. I knew what I had to do.

“You're rejecting me?” Lucien snarled, the anger in his voice obvious but I ignored it.

“Ye…yes” I replied. “I reject you as my mate, Lucien, I'm sorry but we aren't just meant to be as mates”

“Bitch!” He sneered with hate and spite. “It's because of him isn't it? Zane? I know you've been fucking your step-brother, you reek of his scent!”

His words were so loud it echoed in the hall, the crowd gasping and whispering in low voices.

I swallowed hard, ignoring his words.

Lucien's face scrunched up, showing a flash of anger beneath his calm surface. But under that anger, there was something else; something deeper.

He felt betrayed and his pride was hurt. But that wasn't my problem now. I could feel it in my chest. The connection between us was broken, crushed by my choice.

But the connection with Zane? It was still there, strong and real. Then, everything else faded away as I saw him. Zane.

He was a figure in the distance, but his presence hit me hard, like a wave crashing on rocks. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't breathe.

It was like he was pulling me toward him, a force I couldn't resist. Zane's gaze was intense as he moved through the crowd, his eyes locked on mine, fierce and angry.

He was wild and raw, and he didn't try to hide it. His power filled the room. He was coming for me. I knew nothing would stop him from getting to me.

Lucien reached for me, but before he could touch me, Zane stepped in.

He grabbed me, holding me tight, his strength too much to fight. He didn’t even glance at Lucien. He just pulled me into his arms, his chest heaving with raw feeling.

“Zane!” My stepfather's voice boomed through the hall with a fury that sent shivers down my spine. “Don't you dare behave reckless or else you'd regret it!”

Fear washed over me, but Zane didn't seem unfazed instead, a sly, taunting smirk danced his lips.

“I'll like to see you do your worst, father,” he snarled then, without pausing, he did the one thing I never expected.

He bit into my neck.

Almost immediately, a sharp, intoxicating pain hit me, but it could not be compared to the unexpected heat that surged within me once again. He had claimed me, had bonded me to him and his mark, it was for the world to see, defiling all odds.

The pack all gasped in sync, the hall deadly silent even a pin drop could be heard. But before I could stop it, a moan escaped my lips.

It was raw, loud and full of erotic attraction towards my step brother.

“Mine…” he snarled as he tilted his head backwards, pulling away from his neck, his fangs still dripping from my blood; a proof of his claim.

He smirked, a glint of feral satisfaction flickering in his orbs. The whole crowd was still silent as they watched but Zane wasn't finished in fact, he had just begun.

His need matched mine, raw and primal.

Zane's hand then slid over my bare skin, his intoxicating touch leaving trails of fire which awakened every nerve in my body. His teeth, lips, fingers, all caressed my body at once, he didn't give a damn if people were watching.

“You chose me, little flame” he snarled, his voice deep and dangerous, that sly smirk still dancing on his lips. “Now I'll show the whole damn pack that you belong to me alone”

I shuddered at his words, not from fear, no, but from the fact that every nerve in my body had surged with need. Once again, his hands were pulling me closer, his mouth caressing and leaving hickeys on my skin.

“You've committed a great blunder in this pack, Zane!” My stepfather's voice boomed through the hall with fury and anger. “And I promise, you must pay for it, even if it's with your life”

My heart skipped a beat at his words, but Zane didn't care.

He whispered, "They needed to see this. Now they have." The pack was quiet, shocked and angry. They knew Zane had broken all the rules. His father was furious, his anger like a strong wind.

But Zane was still unfazed.

And Lucien, I saw him clench his fist tightly at his sides, his eyes burning with feral rage but he didn't speak. He wasn't going to cause a fight here, not now.

Not when Zane had claimed me in front of them all.

“You'll pay for this blunder you commited with your life, you two!” My step father's angry voice boomed once again.

Zane turned his head slowly, locking eyes with the man who raised him. “Then come collect the debt,” he growled.

Then, he bit me once more, sealing the bond. My breath caught, the world spinning, not from shame, but because it felt like the awakening of something forbidden, a bond that shouldn't be.