The Lycan King's Mate

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Two hours.

Two hours and she would be bound for eternity to a man she’d never met before today. She couldn't even process that thought. Suddenly she found out that someone had been speaking to her. Looking up, she saw Colton had moved forward and was standing beside her father.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Seraphina.”His voice was deep and chilling, vibrating through her and reaching her core. She looked up to him, his eyes steady on hers.

Somehow, she managed to croak out a little hi as she was left in the aftershock of his voice. Colton appeared even larger up close and she could only shrink back in fear and excitement. At five foot three inches, she was a small size, but next to the new Alpha, she felt more smaller.

Her father nudged her with his elbow and she noticed that Colton had extended his hand towards her. Scared, she reached out and took it.

The warmth of his skin immediately enveloped her and shot up her arm and through her skin to her whole body.

Startled, she craned her neck to look up at his face and noted a smile pass over his mouth. “I think we will fit each other perfectly.” He nodded to her father and then gave her hand a squeeze and she jumped in his hold feeling the vibrations again.

“I’ll see you later.” Colton looked her up and down again before taking his leave as well as his elders.

“Seraphina, I have to go. There are other businesses to attend to today before the ceremony.” Her father kissed her gently on the forehead and gave her a gentle push towards the door, dismissing her.

“Go and find Maya. She’s been told to help you get ready.” Maya was Greg’s wife and in some ways like a mother to her. She considered running far away from here and going into hiding but she knew that wasn’t possible.

There was nowhere to hide that she couldn’t be found, it was just a matter of time, yet even if she did then what?

She had no money to speak of, nowhere to go.....The rest of the day passed quickly.

She tried to tell Maya of her reservations but was shushed. It was for the good of the pack, for the good of everyone. Being mated to an Alpha would give her status and fame. He would take good care of her like his Luna. The well-meant words swirled around her but she had her reservations. What about her happiness?

She wanted to find Kroner, to cry on his shoulder and feel his arms around her comforting her for the last time, for the very last time, but that too had been denied from her.

It wouldn’t be proper, There was no time, It was not right. Were these actual reasons or just excuses to keep them away? Either way, the result was the same.

Two hours later, she was seated at a table beside a man she didn’t know. As she looked around, her heart banging heavily in her chest, she noted that the hall had been decorated with fresh flowers and the best set out. Silk white cloths dressed the tables and various dishes of meats and vegetables had appeared. It always amazed her how Maya could pull a meal together for a small army as fast as she could.

No doubt, the food was delicious, but she was unable to even manage a bite. Well wishes from her pack members were given followed by speeches from the Council of Elders and her Father, the Alpha and then the bonding ceremony began.

Colton escorted her to the front of the hall and words were spoken which she didn’t even try to comprehend. Worst of all were the agonized looks shared with Kroner who stood across the hall as the final vows were spoken and her wrist was bound with Colton's by a red leather rope that was brought from a chest.

Tied together and their blood mixed together in a cup they both drank from it and said their final vows and Colton led her from the hall to one of the cabins that was located not far from the main Mansion where the Alpha resided. She took one last look at Kroner and followed Colton out.

He hadn’t spoken a word directly to her since their meeting and she casted a glance his way as they walked across the moonlit path.

Should she maybe say something to break the silence? Her thoughts raced for quite some time but nonething came to her mind.

Talks about the weather seemed inappropriate under the current circumstances and she was too nervous to come up with anything else.

It was not in the nature of an Alpha to be unkind to a member of his pack unless they rivaled his authority, and she prayed to the goddess that Colton would be considerate of her.

If it was Kroner, it would have been different at least She had feelings for him. She told herself.

The thought of being with Kroner excited her, while the idea of being with Colton made her stomach muscles clench in Trepidation. The cabin stood tall in front of them.

Located at the edge of the forest with trees all around, it gave the impression of loneliness. It was made of logs and had a faded look from years of exposure to the elements of nature but it was still well maintained with a solid stone chimney, shuttered windows, and a large porch.

Colton pushed the door open and gestured for her to enter, following close behind since their wrists were still tied. He shut the door and flicked on the lights, illuminating the room that featured a Large kitchen and eating area as well as a sofa in front of an already lit fireplace.

There was a door to the right that led to a bedroom and a small bathroom.

“Well.” Colton spoke first causing her to jump. “First order of business would be to remove this, don't you agree?”

He held up their joined wrists and she nodded in agreement.

Pulling a penknife from his pocket, he cut the rope into two letting it fall to the ground. Immediately, she pulled her arm away and rubbed her wrist tightly. It wasn’t really sore and the tie hadn’t been tight but the leather had still chafed and the close proximity had been very uncomfortable.

Colton was also rubbing his wrist similarly. “We have the same reaction to being imprisoned right?” He nodded towards the action of her hands.

“Yes.”She replied unsure of what else to say. Silence stretched long between them and Colton rubbed his neck and stared around the room. Did he find the situation as unsettling as she did? Did he really want to be her mate too, or was he turning his back on someone he loved for the good of his pack, as well? That thought unsettled her. Did she dare to ask?

Before she had time to decide the gravity of the question, he addressed her again. “It’s getting late. Would you like to use the bathroom first?”

“Yes please.” She could feel his gaze digging into her skin as she walked away, and she forced herself to keep her pace at a normal speed despite wanting to run from the room, away from him.

As she passed through the bedroom, she noted that someone had also made the bed and a nightgown was lying near the foot of it. Picking it in her hand, she entered the bathroom and closed the door firmly.

Relief washed over her and she slumped against the panel. For a few minutes, at least, she would have some privacy and be free of Colton's presence and it wasn’t that he was displeasing to look at not at all. But in other circumstances, she would have admired his physique. And his manner towards her had been very polite, if a bit distant, so there was nothing she could complain about also in that regard. The problem was that Colton wasn’t Kroner and that made her stomach clench once more and the thought of escaping creeped in,but where to?

She couldn’t survive without a pack. Wolves were such social animals. To be an outcast would be an unthinkable fate. Besides, she had nowhere to live, no means of support, and then there was always the fear of detection. It hadn’t happened in many years, but that wasn’t to say that if a Lycan became careless someone couldn’t put the clues together. Caution was drilled into a Lycan’s head from the moment of birth, and all had a fear of being hunted down. No, she couldn’t leave.

Staring at her self in the mirror, she undid the simple braid Maya had made for her. Her ocean blue eyes seemed wider and the shade deeper than normal, contrasting with her usually pale complexion.

Lines of tension showed on either side of her mouth and her jaw ached from being clenched tightly. As a matter of fact, her whole self was tense. Hoping a hot shower would help her, she turned on the taps and stripped befor stepping into the stall. The pounding water beat down on her skin, the white noise and rising steam creating a temporary cocoon.

She closed her eyes and relaxed, letting her mind drift back to the afternoon when she and Kroner had been running together. A smile drifted across her face at that memory. It had been so much fun for her; feeling her muscles stretched to the limit as she sought to out-distance her beloved companion.

Kroner had tackled her to the ground and they’d rolled about for about a minute, nipping at each other before bounding away, only to jump and tumble again.

She’d nuzzled his neck and he’d licked her face, then they’d run back to the pack house transforming into human form just beside the edge of the woods. Her hair still had grass stuck in it and Kroner had picked it out before resting his hands on her waist and talking about speaking to her father.

It hadn’t happened and it never would. Fate and her pack had other plans, Her youthful hopes dashed and pushed aside by the political planning of Elders. Did they even remember what it was like to be young again? To feel the day brighten at the sight of the one you love? Or did they have to make sacrifices too for the protection of the pack? Most likely.

She shivered and realized the water had gone cold. Reaching out, she shut off the faucet with a shaking hand. She tried to delay as long as she could. Colton would be waiting for her. Putting on her nightgown, she summoned courage and went to meet her fate.

Her thoughts had stilled and now she was pressed against Colton’s chest, his arm wrapped around her waist. She felt trapped both by his limb and the fact that her life was now tied to his, forever. The future loomed ahead.

What would it be like to spend the rest of her life with this strange man? To share his bed? Bear his young? Grow old beside him? Did he like to run in the forest or would he be too busy with his duties as an Alpha to spend quality time with her? And who were the members of his pack? Will She have to leave her friends and family behind?

Her new position as his mate would guarantee her respect, but would anyone be her friend or was she destined for a lonely existence? Fear and doubt tumbled through her mind as she fell into a restless sleep bundled close to him.