Lucian didn't sleep.
He couldn't.
Her laughter haunted him—soft, warm, genuine. It wasn't just that she was with Kieran… it was the way she looked at him. As if she could forget Lucian. As if Kieran could ever replace what they shared.
By sunrise, the Alpha of two bloodlines was undone by one emotion he never thought he'd drown in: jealousy.
Meanwhile, Sophia tossed in her chamber, her heart sore. She hadn't meant for it to happen. Kieran was kind, comforting. But it wasn't the same. Her soul wasn't drawn to him—it was tethered to Lucian.
Later that day, Lucian's mother invited Sophia for tea.
"I know that look," the queen said gently, eyes scanning her face.
Sophia blinked. "What look?"
"The one where your soul aches for your mate, but he won't come near you."
Sophia said nothing, her chest rising and falling with held-back emotion.
Lucian's mother leaned closer. "The mating bond isn't just about desire, Sophia. When he marks you, when you surrender to each other fully… it will bind your souls eternally. It's why he's afraid. Because there's no turning back."
Sophia's breath caught. "And… will it hurt?"
"No," the queen said softly. "It will set you free."
Later that night, as thunder rolled in the sky and the air smelled like rain and fire, Lucian stormed back into the castle, soaked and furious. Selaria had cornered him during training, tried to press herself on him, whispering promises, reminding him of old days.
He'd barely pushed her off before rage and guilt consumed him.
He didn't want Selaria.
He wanted Sophia.
And he was losing her.
Soaked and shaking, he flung his door open—and found Sophia inside.
Waiting.
Dripping rain onto his floor.
Their eyes locked.
No words.
Only need.
Only fate.
The mating bond flared so violently between them, it nearly knocked them off their feet.
"I can't do this anymore," he growled, stepping forward.
"Then don't," she whispered.
And in a heartbeat, he claimed her lips.
And everything else.
---