Semua Bab Shadowed Match: Bab 1 - Bab 10

"Dad, I pick Lucian Valemont."I stared at the name I had pulled out and could not help but smile sadly.Maybe this was what the Moon Goddess wanted for me. Maybe I was not meant to be given the mate bond with Thorne.My dad—the Lycan King, the king of the werewolves—looked at me uncertainly. "Elara, are you sure about this? "Once the royal order is out, there's no going back."I knew that all too well. However, if Thorne did not like me, why should I force him to claim me?If I could not have Thorne, I did not care who else I ended up with.Still, I had to pick someone. As the Lycan King's only daughter, I had duties to fulfil.I bowed my head, showing my neck to my dad, and whispered, "Dad, I've made up my mind. I won't regret it."Dad let out a sigh and wrote Lucian's name on the official paper."In three days, I'll tell all the werewolves that Lucian will be your prince."I nodded and walked out of the royal meeting room.I had not gone far when I saw four tall, good-looking were

The next day was the Full Moon Festival. It was a big deal for all the important werewolves, and they all came to celebrate.My dad had been getting sicker ever since a poison arrow hit him in a fight with another pack, so I had to lead the festival with the four guys standing by my side.Thorne was still upset about what happened the day before and was pretty icy to me the whole time.After we ate lunch, I went to the garden by myself to think things over.Out of nowhere, I heard a voice I knew."Thorne, I made this bunny cake myself. Try it, will you? Tell me if it's good."I spun around, and there was Isolde, offering a bunny-shaped cake to Thorne's lips.Thorne did not even pause. He leaned in and bit into the bunny-shaped cake she was holding, a soft smile spreading across his face—a smile I had never seen before.Isolde brushed away the crumbs from his mouth with such care. The two of them looked so close, like they were in their own little world where no one else could step in.

The whole room went silent in a heartbeat, like the air itself had turned to ice.Griffin was the first to snap out of it. He stared at me, his eyes wide with shock."Princess, did you get that right? Are you sure your mate is Lucian? Not Thorne?""Yeah, Princess, how can Lucian be your mate? Everyone knows he's got a bad reputation..."The werewolves exchanged glances, their faces full of questions. They could not believe that their princess had picked Lucian, the one who was always left out.I just nodded slightly and handed the royal order to Lucian. "Yes, he's my mate."Lucian looked up at me, his dark red eyes revealing feelings I could not quite understand.I felt a twinge in my heart. "Don't you want this?"He looked down, knelt on one knee, and held out his hand. "I, Lucian, accept the royal order."It was not until then that I let out a quiet sigh of relief.When I looked up again, I locked eyes with Thorne.His face was ghostly white, and he stared at me in shock. Even whe

I raised my head and gave Thorne an annoyed look. "I've already told you my answer. Are you doubting my choice?" The whole royal family was busy getting ready for my bonding ceremony with Lucian, so it was definitely happening.Thorne looked at me with a hint of panic. "This is a big deal that will change your life. It's not too late to change your mind." I stared at him, puzzled. "Why would I have any regrets?" Thorne was at a loss for words. I was about to walk away when I heard him yell angrily, "Didn't you say you liked me? Why are you choosing Lucian as your mate?" I froze. Ever since he chose Isolde over me and left me in danger, I had closed my heart to him. Remembering that, I gave him a frosty look. "Thorne, don't you know what's in your own heart? Think about how you've treated me lately, and you won't need to ask why I didn't choose you." I did not get it. He gave up on me first, pushing me to someone else. I was respecting his wishes, yet he was acting like I was

Right when I got to the party, Thorne was there, trying to talk to me.I tried to get away, heading to the back garden for some quiet.However, just as I passed a wall of roses, I saw Isolde heading straight for me.I rolled my eyes and turned to walk away, but she caught up quickly, her voice full of challenge and bitterness."Princess, you're about to marry Lucian, so why won't you leave Thorne alone? Aren't you worried about what people might whisper?" Isolde, who used to look at me with such shy respect, was now boldly confronting me on the garden path. I was taken aback. Where did she find such bravery?I spoke with a chill in my voice, calm but with an edge, "Do you think you have the right to question me?"Isolde stood tall. "Even as a werewolf princess, you can't just take someone's love away."Take someone's love away?Her words almost made me burst into laughter.I knew Thorne long before she was even a whisper in the village.Besides, Thorne and I had already set our limit