Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts

Dangerous Oath

Jade Nightshade

Rowan pulled back slightly, his eyes locked onto mine. Instead of kissing me again, he tilted his head toward the sky, his hands resting lightly on my waist. “Look at the moon,” he murmured softly.

I followed his gaze, glancing up. The moon was enormous, hanging low in the sky and casting an ethereal light over everything. There was something... different about it tonight. It was almost like it was calling to us.

“It’s beautiful,” he whispered, his fingers brushing my cheek, sending a warm flush through me. “Just like you.”

I smiled, a little embarrassed, but then Rowan's face shifted, becoming more serious. “I did some research,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “I spent hours in my father’s library. Tonight’s moon is special. It’s said to bond souls—two people in love. Forever.”

I frowned, the words both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. "Bond souls?" I repeated, my heart suddenly pounding faster. "Rowan, that sounds... dangerous. What if... what if we aren’t mates?"

He shook his head, his grip on my waist tightening, like he was afraid I might slip away. “I know we are,” he said confidently. "I can feel it in every part of me. But even if by some miracle we aren’t—and I’m telling you, Jade, that’s impossible—I’ll never leave you. I’ll reject my mate, whoever she is, for you. You’re the only one I want."

I bit my lip, recalling the lessons we’d had about soul bonds. They were meant for fated mates, meant to strengthen their bond, making it unbreakable. "Rowan, we learnt about this... it’s meant for people who *are* mates. What if something goes wrong? What if fate... doesn’t choose us?"

Rowan’s eyes softened, but there was a fierce determination behind them. He cupped my face with both hands, his thumbs gently brushing my cheeks as he leaned in, his forehead resting against mine. His breath was warm, mixing with the cool night air as he stared at me intensely with eyes I so much loved.

"It won’t go wrong. I’m more than confident, Jade. We’ve been together our whole lives. Fate can’t just... throw that away. And even if—" he paused, his eyes locking onto mine, his voice almost trembling with emotion. "Even if fate doesn’t choose us, I’ll choose you. Every single time."

His words wrapped around my heart, pulling me in. I wanted to believe him, but the stories we’d grown up hearing—about mates finding each other, about the undeniable force between them—made me hesitate.

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Maybe I need more time to think.”

“There is no more time,” Rowan said, his expression serious. “The moon only appears like this tonight. It’s now or never, Jade. Don’t overthink it. Trust me. I’ll never betray you. Never."

I looked into his eyes,feeling the weight of our years together—of the love and hope we’d shared. Could I risk it? Could I trust him with everything?

Before I could respond, Rowan pulled back slightly, his expression hardening as he reached into his pocket. My breath caught when I saw the glint of a silver knife in the moonlight.

"Rowan..." I choked out.

“We need to seal it,” he said softly, turning the knife in his hand. “Our bond. It has to be real. The moon is watching, and this is the way.”

A shiver ran through me, not from the cold but from the weight of what he was suggesting. The blood oath. Only mates were meant to do this—to bind their souls together. But here we were, about to make that same vow.

"Rowan... are you sure? I know we will be mate but why don't we wait until we are very sure." My voice trembled slightly. The consequences could be unbearable if this went wrong, and deep down, I knew that. But at the same time, I trusted him with every part of me and knew he would be my mate.

He cupped my face with his free hand. "I’m sure, Jade. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. This will make us stronger. Together. Forever." His thumb gently stroked my cheek, calming me in the way only he could.

I hesitated for a second longer, but then nodded. "Okay. I trust you."

He smiled, relief and joy flashing in his eyes. Without another word, Rowan made a small cut across his palm, wincing slightly but never breaking eye contact with me. He handed me the knife, and my hands shook as I took it. I made the same cut across my palm, feeling a sharp sting.

Rowan reached out, clasping my hand tightly, our blood mixing as we held on to each other. His grip was warm, grounding me in the moment.

"By the moon and stars," Rowan whispered, his voice deep with conviction, "I bind my soul to yours, Jade. You are mine, and I am yours, now and always."

The words echoed in the stillness, and I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest, like the universe was acknowledging us. I repeated the vow, my voice shaking slightly. "I bind my soul to yours, Rowan. You are mine, and I am yours... forever."

For a second, everything felt right, like we’d just sealed something ancient and powerful. But then, a sharp pain tore through my hand, travelling up my arm and into my chest. I gasped, instinctively clutching Rowan’s hand tighter. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was intense, like my body was being rewired.

Rowan winced too, but his grip on me stayed firm. "It’s okay," he murmured, his eyes locking onto mine. "It’s supposed to hurt. It means it’s working."

I nodded, forcing myself to breathe through the discomfort. I trusted him. I had to.

After what felt like an eternity, the pain dulled, leaving a strange sense of warmth in its place. Rowan smiled at me, his eyes filled with love and something deeper—something that felt eternal. "We did it," he whispered.

I smiled back, feeling the connection between us in a way I’d never felt before. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as we stood together under the moon.

But soon, reality crept back in. I had to get home before anyone noticed I was gone."I have to go," I whispered, pulling away reluctantly.

Rowan nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, my Luna.”

I gave him one last look, my heart full, before turning and sneaking back to the house. I climbed through my window, careful not to make any noise. I thought I was in the clear—no one had noticed I was gone—until I turned around.

My heart nearly stopped. My mother was sitting on my bed, her arms crossed and her eyes sharp, waiting for me.

“Jade,” she said sternly. “Where have you been?”

I froze for a second, hiding the slight tremble in my hands behind my back. I could still feel the warmth from Rowan’s touch, and my fingers brushed against my palm where the binding words seemed to burn just beneath the skin.

“I, uh, took a walk,” I said, forcing a smile. “The night air… it’s refreshing.”

Her gaze dropped to my hands, and I instinctively tightened them behind my back. "What happened to your palm?" she asked, rising from my bed, suspicion sharp in her eyes.

My pulse quickened. “Nothing,” I blurted, too quickly, shifting on my feet. “Just a scratch. It’s nothing serious.”

We stood in tense silence, her eyes locked on mine, as if she could see straight through me, peeling back layers to uncover the truth. The weight of her scrutiny pressed down on me, and I swallowed hard, praying she wouldn’t ask more.

After what felt like forever, her gaze softened. "It’s the full moon tonight, Jade. Your father expects you to lead the run." She paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied my face. "You remember your responsibilities, don’t you?"

I nodded, though my throat felt tight. Leading the pack’s run was an honour, one I’d always looked forward to. But tonight... after what Rowan and I had done, everything felt different. Like I wasn’t the same person I was before.

“Yes, of course,” I managed to say. “I’ll be ready.”

She gave me one last look, her eyes lingering on my face, searching for something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

“Go wash up and prepare. And, Jade…” Her voice softened, but there was a warning in it. “Stay focused tonight. There’s no room for distractions.”

The moment she was gone, I leaned back against the door, exhaling a long, shaky breath.

That was too close.