Bound To My Forbidden Mate

Selene's POV The grand hall was packed with people. Every noble in Lunaris had come to watch me choose my mate. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting rainbow light across the marble floors. Flowers decorated every surface. Musicians played soft music in the corner. It should have felt magical. Instead, it felt like walking to my execution. I stood at the entrance in my white ceremonial gown, holding the enchanted flower crown. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. "You can do this," Luna whispered beside me. She squeezed my hand once, then took her seat. I was alone now. At the front of the hall, all the suitors stood in a line. Lord Marcus. Sir Aldwin. Prince Dorian. Thorne. And at the end, Adrian. Morgana sat at the high table, her face confident. She expected me to choose Thorne. Everyone did. The High Priestess stepped forward and raised her hands. The music stopped. Everyone fell silent. "Today, Selene Moonshadow will choose her mate," the priestess announced. "The magic of the crown will bind them as husband and wife. The bond cannot be broken. Choose wisely." My heart pounded so hard I thought everyone could hear it. I took my first step forward. The crowd watched me walk down the aisle. Every eye was on me. Judging. Waiting. I reached the line of suitors. Lord Marcus bowed as I approached. He was too old, with cold eyes that never smiled. I walked past him. Sir Aldwin stood straight and formal. Handsome but emotionless. He looked at me like I was a business deal. I walked past him. Prince Dorian smiled too brightly. Everything about him was fake, from his charm to his compliments. I walked past him. Then I stood in front of Thorne. He looked confident. His hand was already reaching toward me like he expected the crown. "Make the right choice, Selene," he said quietly, so only I could hear. "You know what will happen if you don't." It was a threat disguised as advice. I looked at him. Really looked at him. Tried to imagine spending my life with this man. All I felt was cold emptiness. This wasn't love. This wasn't even friendship. This was politics and power and control. I stepped past him. The crowd gasped. Whispers erupted through the hall. Morgana leaned forward in her seat, her face turning red with anger. Thorne's confident smile disappeared. "What are you doing?" he hissed. I didn't answer. I kept walking until I stood in front of Adrian. He looked terrified. His silver eyes searched mine, full of hope and fear. "Selene," he whispered. "Are you sure?" Was I sure? No. I barely knew this man. He was hiding something, I could feel it. His magic was weak. He had no political power. Choosing him made no sense. But when I looked at him, I felt something I'd never felt with anyone else. I felt safe. Seen. Whole. Like coming home. "I choose you," I said clearly, loud enough for everyone to hear. I placed the flower crown on his head. The moment I did, magic exploded through the room. It felt like lightning struck me and fire rushed through my veins. The world tilted and spun. Colors became brighter. Sounds became sharper. And I felt him. Adrian. Not just seeing him or standing near him. I felt him inside my heart, inside my soul. His emotions became mine. His presence wrapped around me like a warm blanket. The bond snapped into place with such force that my knees buckled. Adrian caught me, his arms strong around my waist. "I've got you," he whispered. His eyes flashed pure silver for just a moment. But I was too overwhelmed by the bond to process it. "This is wrong!" Thorne shouted. "He's nobody! He has no power, no influence!" The priestess raised her hand. "The choice has been made. The magic has accepted it. The bond is forming." "Mother, do something!" Thorne turned to Morgana. Morgana stood, her face twisted with rage. But even she couldn't stop the ceremony once the magic had started. "This is a mistake," she said coldly, staring at me. "One you will regret." The priestess ignored her and began the binding ceremony. Ancient words filled the hall, spoken in the old language. Magic swirled around Adrian and me, visible as golden light. It wrapped around our joined hands, our hearts, binding us together. I felt every word like a promise being carved into my soul. "Do you, Selene Moonshadow, accept this bond?" "I do," I said. "Do you, Adrian Silverblade, accept this bond?" "I do," Adrian said, his voice thick with emotion. "Then by the old magic and the new, I declare you bound. Mates for life. What magic has joined, nothing can separate." The golden light flared bright, then sank into our skin. I felt it settle deep in my chest, warm and permanent. We were married. Bonded. Forever. The hall erupted in confused applause. Some people cheered. Others looked shocked. Many whispered behind their hands. Thorne stood frozen, his face dark with rage. Then he turned and stormed out of the hall. Morgana followed him, but not before giving me one last look. A promise that this wasn't over. I didn't care. All I could focus on was Adrian. "We did it," he whispered, pulling me close. "You chose me." "I chose you," I repeated. He kissed me then, in front of everyone. Soft and sweet and full of relief. The bond hummed between us. The celebration began. Music played. Food was served. People danced. But I barely noticed. I stayed close to Adrian, our hands linked. Every time I tried to step away, the bond pulled me back. I needed to be near him. "Is this normal?" I asked Luna when she found us. "The mate bond? Yes. It's strongest at first. You'll be able to stand being apart eventually, but right now the magic wants you together." She grinned. "Congratulations. You actually did it. You chose for yourself." "Morgana looked ready to kill me." "Let her try. You're bonded now. Harming you would harm Adrian too. The Council won't allow it." I hoped she was right. As the celebration continued, servants came to tell us our chambers were ready. Tradition said the newly bonded couple spent their first night together in the bride's rooms. My stomach fluttered with nervousness and anticipation. Adrian must have felt it through the bond because he squeezed my hand. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for." "I want to," I said honestly. "I want to be with you." We left the celebration early, ignoring the knowing looks and whispered comments. In my chambers, servants had prepared everything. Candles lit the room. Flower petals covered the bed. It was beautiful and romantic. Adrian closed the door behind us, and suddenly we were alone. "I can't believe you chose me," he said quietly. "After everything. After how weak my magic was." "I don't care about magic." I stepped closer. "I care about you." "Selene." He cupped my face. "I don't deserve you." "Yes, you do." We kissed, and this time there was no one to interrupt. The mate bond flared hot between us, making everything more intense. His hands trembled as he touched me. Mine shook as I reached for him. We moved to the bed, our kisses growing deeper. My fingers found the buttons on his shirt. That's when I felt it. The raised mark on his shoulder. Different from normal skin. "What's this?" I asked, my fingers tracing the shape. Adrian tensed. He gently moved my hand away and kissed me harder, distracting me. And I let him. Because I wanted this. Wanted him. Whatever secrets he carried could wait until morning. We made out. The bond sang between us, making every touch feel magical. Afterward, I lay in his arms, completely content. "I love you," Adrian whispered against my hair. "I know it's fast, but I do. I've loved you for so long." "How long?" He hesitated. "Longer than you know." I wanted to ask what he meant, but sleep pulled at me. The bond and the ceremony had drained me. I fell asleep listening to his heartbeat. When I woke the next morning, I was alone. A note sat on the pillow beside me: "Meeting with trade merchants. Back soon. - Adrian" I smiled, thinking of my husband. Then someone pounded on my door. A servant burst in, her face pale. "My lady, there's been an incident at the border. Werewolf pack spotted near the Neutral Territory. The Council is meeting now." My blood went cold. "They're saying it might be a scouting party. That werewolves might be planning an attack." "All newly bonded mates must attend the Council meeting," the servant continued. "They want increased security. Your husband must come too." My heart stopped. If there was a werewolf investigation... if they examined everyone closely... if Adrian had to prove he was fully human... I had to warn him. But warn him about what? I didn't even know for sure what he was. Did I?