Chapter 3 - THE KING'S IMPOSSIBLE MATE
Damian had heard stories about true mates.
Ancient bonds.
Rare connections.
The kind that appeared once in several generations.
He had dismissed them as romantic mythology.
Until Elara Harrow walked into the room.
Now his wolf was roaring.
Ours.
Damian forced himself to remain still.
Elara looked frightened enough already.
Everett stepped between them.
“She is not suitable.”
Damian's eyes narrowed.
“Move.”
Everett hesitated.
“My king—”
“Move.”
The command carried enough dominance to make every wolf-born person in the room lower their head.
Except Elara.
She remained standing.
Trembling.
But upright.
Damian noticed.
So did Everett.
His face drained of color.
Damian approached slowly.
“Elara.”
She looked at him.
“Yes?”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Have you lived here your entire life?”
She nodded.
“Mostly.”
“Why were you hidden?”
Everett answered before she could.
“She has a medical condition.”
Damian didn't look away from Elara.
“Is that true?”
Elara swallowed.
“I don't know.”
His chest tightened.
“What do you mean?”
“I've never been allowed to see the records.”
Vivian shifted uncomfortably.
Claire stared at the floor.
Damian looked around the room.
“Has anyone examined her?”
Everett's voice sharpened.
“This is a private family matter.”
Damian turned.
“You offered your daughters to settle a debt. You made your family my business.”
Everett went silent.
Damian looked back at Elara.
“Do you want to leave this house?”
She stared.
The question seemed to confuse her.
“Leave?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
“I can't.”
“Why?”
She looked toward Everett.
“I'm not allowed.”
Damian felt something cold settle inside him.
He had seen cruelty.
He had ordered punishments.
He had fought wars.
But the quiet acceptance in Elara's voice disturbed him more than open violence.
He stepped closer.
“Elara, look at me.”
She did.
“You are twenty-one years old.”
She nodded.
“You are not property.”
Her lips trembled.
“I know.”
But she said it like someone repeating a lesson she had never been permitted to believe.
Damian lowered his voice.
“Would you like to come with me?”
Everett exploded.
“Absolutely not!”
Elara flinched.
Damian's eyes flashed amber.
“Careful.”
Everett swallowed.
“She is unstable.”
Elara's face crumpled.
Damian looked at her.
“Is that what they tell you?”
She nodded.
“Sometimes.”
He extended his hand.
Not commanding.
Offering.
“You can decide.”
Elara stared at his hand.
Then slowly reached for it.
The moment their fingers touched, silver light flashed beneath her skin.
Damian's wolf surged.
The chandelier trembled.
Every wolf-born person in the room felt the ancient bond awaken.
Elara gasped.
Damian caught her before she fell.
Everett staggered backward.
“No,” he whispered.
May you like
Damian looked up.
“What did you do to her?”
