Chapter 2. Chosen Mates

*Selena*

When I arrived at the venue he had specified, I found him waiting for me in a tailored black tuxedo. Though his reputation as a cold-hearted monster preceded him, I couldn’t deny how breathtakingly handsome he looked in that moment. He offered his hand, and I hesitated before placing mine in his. He lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of my palm. The unexpected gesture sent shivers down my spine, igniting a new and electrifying sensation that left me breathless and wanting more. What was that?!

As we stepped inside the restaurant, I realized the entire place had been reserved exclusively for us. I was stunned, but I dared not look at him, afraid my expression would give away my surprise. When I saw the elegantly set table at the center, illuminated by soft candlelight, I realized it was meant for a private dinner date. I struggled to mask my excitement, keeping my face composed, but my heart pounded loudly in my chest. As an Alpha, he must have heard it.

With a courteous gesture, he guided me to our table and pulled out a chair, displaying chivalry and grace. We sat in silence as the waiters served our meal.

"Why do you want to marry me?" I asked timidly, observing him eat his meal with an effortless grace as if doing a favor on food.

"Because you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he replied, his tone cool and matter-of-fact as if discussing such matters was a mundane routine for him.

I nodded subtly.

"Umm... What about your wolf? Will he accept me?" I shot another question.

"Lyon has already accepted you. You don't need to worry," he assured me, his focus still on his meal, as though the subject didn't warrant his full attention.

"Oh!" My lips formed a perfect 'O' of surprise. The idea of meeting his powerful wolf intrigued me, as I had heard countless stories about him.

"But... don't you need a strong Luna by your side who helps you to be stronger?" I couldn't help but voice my confusion, well aware of the importance of a strong Luna to support an Alpha.

His deep laughter resonated through the air, causing my heart to flutter in response. He peered at me with his intense, deep blue eyes, and I found myself momentarily lost in their captivating gaze.

"I am Zander Blake, Selena," he growled with authority. "I am the Alpha King, the strongest among werewolves. I don't need a woman to make me stronger. But..." He leaned closer, his smugness evident. "I assure you that if you stay with me, you will be well taken care of and safe," he declared confidently.

As much as I wanted to roll my eyes at his show-off attitude, a part of me couldn't deny the truth in his words. Zander was undeniably powerful, and I couldn't ignore the fact that being with him might provide a certain level of security.

I shifted in my seat before summoning the courage to ask an important question that had been troubling me since the revelation of this arranged marriage and alliance.

"What if... what if someday you find your fated mate?" I breathed out nervously, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I am twenty-five and still haven't found her," he dismissed my concern with a wave of his hand as if it was an insignificant issue.

"But it doesn't mean you can't find her in the future," I argued, staring at him closely.

His expression turned hard and cold, his calculating gaze studying me intensely for what felt like an eternity before he finally responded, "You have my words, Selena. You will always be my Luna."

Of course, I knew he wouldn't reject his fated mate if they crossed paths. Only a fool would reject a fated mate. But the reassurance that he wouldn't abandon me provided a slight sense of relief.

At least he acknowledged that I would be his Luna.

But could I trust him completely?

I couldn't peek inside his heart, and I was well aware that I could not refuse this marriage in any way.

Finally, we got married in a whirlwind week, the alliance papers were signed, and my fate was sealed. We were chosen mates, so we needed to accept each other in front of the werewolf council.

"I, Alpha King, Zander Blake, accept Selena Ardolf as my mate and my Luna," Zander declared confidently in front of the council.

"I, Selena Ardolf, accept Alpha Zander Blake as my mate and my Alpha," I vowed, trying to steady my nerves before the officiant and the council.

Then we exchanged rings.

"You have declared your consent before the council and accepted each other as chosen mates. By the authority vested in me by the Moon Goddess, I now pronounce you mates. To seal your mate bond, the Alpha King can mark his Luna and take her to the mating ground to complete the mating ritual," the officiant proclaimed.

As the significance of those words sank in, my pulse quickened, and my heart pounded relentlessly. I started to perspire heavily, my nerves getting the best of me. I glanced at Zander, silently pleading with my eyes. We had already talked about it. I had told him I was a virgin. The idea of the mating ground terrified me. Unable to shift into my wolf form, I couldn't participate fully as a wolf would. Mating in my human form, with everyone watching, felt overwhelming and intrusive.

He gazed at me coldly, and I knew my pleas had no effect on him. He turned and glanced at the council members. They all nodded as if they were talking through the mind link.

Then, with a swift motion, he faced me and extended his hand. Trembling, I placed my own shaky hand in his large, powerful palm. His grip tightened as he pulled me closer, his arms encircling my waist. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't look away from his hypnotic gaze.

His hand gently cupped my face, making me meet his alluring eyes. At that moment, his eyes spoke of desire and possession, full of lust, consuming me entirely. His full lips parted, releasing a low, possessive growl from deep within him. My breath hitched as his enchanting eyes held me captive. And then, his lips met mine in a fervent kiss.

My first kiss!

I gasped as his kiss overwhelmed me. My senses drowned in the intensity of the moment. My eyes instinctively closed, surrendering to the powerful connection between us. The fervor only intensified as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth with a possessiveness that sent shivers down my spine. I shamelessly moaned, lost in the intoxicating bliss of the moment, unaware of the crowded hall surrounding us. His arm tightened around me, drawing me closer as if he wanted to merge our very beings into one.

His lips left my mouth, and a trail of kisses led down to my neck. I arched my neck in response, offering myself willingly to him. He licked the spot where his mark would be placed, sending another surge of desire through me. And then, he sucked hard, causing me to gasp and moan his name, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. Our bodies clung to each other, and I felt a stinging sensation as his canines pierced my skin, sealing our bond.

At that moment, our souls fused, and an undeniable connection linked us together. It felt divine and eternal as if we were destined to be entwined from the very beginning. I belonged to him, and he belonged to me – a profound and unbreakable bond.

He licked the mark he had made on my neck, kissing it with a tenderness that contrasted with the wild passion of moments ago. His eyes now gleamed golden, signifying the presence of his wolf. Yet, he kissed me with an ardor that devoured me whole, as if he wanted to claim every inch of me in that single kiss.

And then, he lifted me up in a bridal style, and I knew what would come next. At that moment, I cared not where we were or who might witness our union. All that mattered was being his in every possible way.

But as he placed me inside the car, confusion crept in, as the mating ground was merely a short walk away.

"Where are we going?" I asked, furrowing my brow as I looked at him while he settled beside me.

"On honeymoon," he replied, pulling me onto his lap.

I wanted to ask more but couldn't because my mouth was busy kissing him with the same passion as he kissed me.

He took me to a deserted island and made love to me. We were there for seven days, and he remained buried in me all the time. We only stopped when we needed to eat. Otherwise, we were not separated from each other even for a second. He came inside me countless times and made me come in so many ways I didn't even know existed. Lying in his arms, I felt like all my dreams had come true.

But the bubble of my happiness burst when I had a miscarriage for the first time. Zander didn't say anything, but I saw the disappointment in his eyes. Slowly he became distant, and his ultimate excuse was the workload. Still, I tried to assure myself that it was all in my head and he hadn't changed.

But the truth came out in the end, and my illusion ended.

I came to know that I was living a false dream.