Eila slowly emerged from the trance-like haze of the mate bond, her heartbeat gradually settling. The scenting ritual was done, and though she still felt the magnetic pull towards Leonard, a sense of ease washed over her. The bond had been acknowledged, if not fully sealed, and that was enough for now.
She exhaled softly, willing her emotions back under control. Her trembling hands smoothed over the fabric of her gown as she redressed, ensuring she looked presentable before stepping away from the ceremony.
Every gaze in the hall had followed her as she left, but she ignored them, too lost in her thoughts to care.
Outside, the cool night air did little to soothe the restless energy coursing through her. A warrior, one of Leonard's men, was waiting for her. Without a word, he nodded and gestured toward the waiting carriage. It was clear that Leonard had arranged for her safe return home.
The ride was quiet, the rhythmic sound of hooves against the dirt road the only company she had. Her thoughts spiralled, circling the enigmatic man who was now hers. The way he had held himself, so composed, so in control. The way his voice had settled deep in her bones when he claimed her yet withheld the mark.
Why?
A part of her longed to run back to him, to demand answers, to ask him why he had restrained himself when the mate bond burned so fiercely between them. But another part of her—the logical part—reminded her that Leonard Blackwell was not a simple man. He was known for his silence, his distance, and his calculated ways. He would not act on impulse, no matter how strong the bond was.
When they arrived, the warrior helped her down with respectful formality. He bowed slightly, murmured a quiet, "Rest well, My lady," and disappeared into the night.
The title sent a strange thrill through her, but she shook the thought away. It was too soon to claim that role, and who knew if Leonard would even allow it?
The night was still deep, past midnight, but Eila found herself too restless to sleep. She needed to clear her mind, to shake off the weight pressing against her chest. She closed her eyes and reached out through the mind link.
"Mother, I am going for a run in the forest."
Celena's response was quick, tinged with exhaustion.
"Be careful, my child."
With that, Eila turned and sprinted toward the woods.
The moment she crossed into the dense trees, she let go. Her body shifted in a blur of silver light, bones stretching, fur sprouting. Sera took over seamlessly, her large silver paws gliding over the forest floor with practised ease. The wind howled through the trees, rustling the leaves, but nothing felt as alive as the rush of the earth beneath her.
She ran.
She let the wind carry her worries away, let the steady rhythm of her paws hitting the ground drown out the noise in her head. But no matter how far she went, the lingering emptiness inside her remained.
The mate bond was supposed to complete her. It was supposed to be the moment she had waited for her entire life. And yet, despite the undeniable pull toward Leonard, something felt unfinished. Incomplete.
Why did she feel this strange hollowness?
She circled the woods a few more times before finally giving in to exhaustion. Her body ached with the toll of the day—the shifting, the emotions, the revelations. With slow, heavy steps, she made her way back home.
As she shifted back into her human form and climbed into bed, sleep took her instantly.
But just before the darkness pulled her under, a single thought whispered in her mind.
While leaving the pack house, beyond the intoxicating scent of her mate, she had caught two more scents.
Two scents that had called to her.
And then, just as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone.