Chapter 5

When I opened my eyes again, the Lycan lay sound asleep beside me. Had I succeeded in borrowing his seed? I carefully moved the heavy paw draped over me, cautious not to wake him. The moonlight pollen would keep him in a deep slumber for some time, giving me enough time to leave.

"I'm sorry, but I had no choice," I whispered softly, my voice barely audible. Then, I quickly slipped away from the Moonlit Heart.

A sense of relief lightened my steps, making the path out of the mountains much easier to traverse. Oddly, the trees that had been lifeless only yesterday were now budding. It wasn't even spring. As I descended, I noticed many withered trees showing signs of revival. Life was slowly returning, and I could feel its energy. But there was no time to stop and marvel at these changes; I had to hurry home.

"Where have you been, you reckless fool?" My father's voice thundered the moment I stepped through the gate, startling me. I quickly bowed in respect.

"Father, I was just out clearing my mind, not causing trouble," I said, trying to appease him as I massaged his shoulders.

"Enough, enough. Listen, there's no need to dwell on your sadness anymore. The Elders have arranged your marriage."

"Arranged? What do you mean, arranged?" My hands froze mid-motion.

"Ahem," my father cleared his throat. "You're not getting any younger. The Elders have selected a few Omega Black Wolves for you to meet."

"What? You're telling me to... go on blind dates?" In our kind, unions and procreation were paramount due to our thinning bloodlines.

"They may not be your match in bloodline, but given your current standing, you have no right to be choosy," he said with a heavy sigh.

"No! I refuse!" I declared firmly.

"You don't have a choice!" My father snapped, his tone brooking no argument. "You're not going anywhere for the next few days. Stay put and wait!" With a huff, he stormed off. The guards standing by "escorted" me inside.

"This is absurd!" I grumbled, sitting sulkily on the stone steps while staring at the tightly shut gates.

"You're back?" Lilith emerged from the ground, stretching lazily. "You were gone so long, I thought I'd never see you again."

"It was a close call," I said, grabbing one of her vines and giving it a playful shake.

"Hey! Stop that! You're making me dizzy. So, did you meet the Golden Lycan?"

"Yes, and everything went smoothly," I replied.

"Smoothly? So... did you eat my fertility leaf?"

"I did. Do you think it worked?" I placed a hand on my stomach, as if trying to sense something.

"Are you doubting me? My leaves are potent! There's probably already a little wolf pup growing in there," she said confidently.

I sighed deeply, laying back on the stone steps.

"What's with the long face? Isn't this what you wanted?"

"It is. But now the Elders are pushing me to choose a mate and marry quickly. If I really am pregnant, how could I possibly wed someone else?"

Lilith observed my furrowed brow and gently brushed my face with a long leaf. "This is actually a good thing. A child like yours needs a proper identity to be born into this world."

Her words left us in silence.

Two days later, the Elders summoned me. Inside the ancestral hall, several Elders sat in their high seats. My father and Mara, my stepmother, were present, as were Damian and Chloe, whose mere presence irritated me.

"Elara, this is Kael Stone," one of the Elders began. "Though he's a lowly Omega Black Wolf, he comes from a wealthy family with no elders to control him. Marrying him would not be a disgrace. For an Omega, his conditions are quite exceptional."

"Just one?" I asked, recalling my father's earlier claim that there would be several to choose from. My words were immediately met with mocking laughter.

"Ha! Elara, in your current state, you should be grateful anyone is willing to marry you at all," Chloe taunted, covering her mouth as she exchanged smug glances with Damian. Her gloating stopped when my father shot her a warning glare.

"As your mother, I must say something," Mara chimed in, her tone dripping with feigned concern. "Though Omegas may lack in appearance, if he's suitable, you should consider settling down. It's for your own good." She played the role of a caring mother so convincingly, though she never showed the slightest concern for me outside of these staged performances.

"Where is he?" I asked flatly.

The moment the words left my mouth, a familiar presence washed over me. From behind a screen, a figure emerged.

He was breathtaking, his beauty raw and untamed. His dark, unruly hair fell across his forehead, casting shadows over stormy gray eyes that seemed to hold endless depth. His sharp features were striking—a high, prominent cheekbone, a straight nose, and a strong jawline. The slight upward tilt of his eyes gave him a rebellious, almost defiant air, as if daring the world to challenge him.