The Wolf's Queen Vows

Chapter 21: Weighed Kisses

Aveloria shook her head. "Especially not to my mate."

He exhaled sharply, anger and longing warring in his eyes. "Then what? You’ll keep us all hanging? Waiting to see which one you’ll choose? Or who will break first?

Her eyes blazed with fury at his words. "That’s not fair."

"Neither is this bond," he shot back. "You think it’s easy feeling like I’m losing my mind every time I realize I must share you with three others?"

"I didn’t ask for this bond, Theron. And if I really did ever have a choice, I’d—"

Before she could finish, he reached out and took her wrist, gently but firmly. "Look at me." Theron knew the exact words she was about to utter but he didn’t want her to say it. The Goddess already gave these bonds and so the choice isn’t theirs to make anymore.

"Aveloria, look at me." He repeated, his tone calm and gentle.

She did, despite herself. His touch was warm, his grip steady. "You think you’re doing the right thing by running from it. But this bond is not a choice. It’s already inside us."

Aveloria tried to free her hand, but he didn’t let go. "Let me go, Theron."

He did, instantly. But he didn’t move away. His gaze dropped to her lips, then lifted back to her eyes.

"I didn’t come here to fight you," he said, his voice lower now. "I came because I can’t stand being this close and pretending I don’t want you. I’m done pretending."

Before Aveloria’s lips parted to speak, his mouth covered her. His hand touched her jaw, fingers brushing her neck, tilting her face toward him. It wasn’t gentle. It was desperate. She tried to push him away, but her body betrayed her. The bond surged, heat flooding her skin as her wolf stirred in excitement.

His hand slid up her back, holding her close. She knew she should stop him, but all she could feel was the press of his mouth, the roughness of his touch, the surge of heat through her veins. Her knees weakened, and for a moment, she didn’t care.

But after a minute into the kiss, she pulled back abruptly, breathless. "Stop," she said, though her voice trembled. "You can’t just force your way into my life, Theron."

Theron’s chest rose and fell heavily. "I am not trying to force my way into your life." He took a slow step back, clenching his jaw. "I am already there. You can lie to yourself all you want, Aveloria. But your wolf isn’t lying."

Her wolf stirred within her, restless and eager. She could feel the echo of his touch in her bones. "That doesn’t mean I want this," she said quietly, forcing the words out. "This bond doesn’t mean I’ll choose you...or any one else."

A confident smile spread across his face. "Maybe not. But I’ll make sure you can’t forget me."

Aveloria looked at him sharply. "Is that a threat?"

She demanded.

"It’s a promise," Theron replied.

They stood there in silence for a long time, neither moving. Aveloria could feel her wolf pacing beneath her skin, restless and wanting his touch all over her again. It made her angrier at herself, the bond, and the twisted way fate played its games.

Theron finally broke the silence. "You’ll visit my lands to see my people."His tone had a finality in it.

"No. That’s not what I want."

Aveloria shot back.

He stared at her, frustration shadowing his expression. "Then tell me what you want."

"I want control of my life again," she said. "I want to breathe without feeling pulled in four directions."

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "And yet, here you are, looking at me like you can’t decide whether to run or stay."

"Maybe I can’t," she admitted softly. fгeewebnovёl.com

Something flickered in his eyes then, a mix of triumph and pain. "Then let me make it easier for you. You can hate me, but it won’t change what we are," he said, stepping closer one last time. "You don’t have to love me today. You don’t even have to accept me today. But you will see me, Aveloria. You will know what it means to have a mate who won’t back down."

His tone was not cruel; it was a promise, dangerous in its certainty.

She looked away, unable to meet its weight. "You can’t force me, Theron."

"Fate doesn’t need force," he replied quietly. "It just needs time."

He turned, the sound of his boots crunching against the gravel as he walked away. But the space he left behind felt charged, alive, echoing with the ghost of his touch.

Aveloria stood still long after he was gone. Her lips still tingled. Her heart still raced. She hated that he was right; her wolf was restless and wild, with a longing she couldn’t suppress. She wanted to deny it, to bury it beneath her anger, but the bond pulsed like a heartbeat between them, undeniable.

When she reached her chambers, she met Alin and Seren preparing for the night. Seren was smoothing the sheets while Alin straightened the pillows. They bowed their heads when they noticed her presence.

"My lady," They chorused.

"That will be all for tonight. You can leave." Aveloria said.

The maid exchanged a brief glance. "Have a good night rest, Heiress." Seren replied. They both bowed again before walking away.

Aveloria sank onto her bed, trying to gather her thoughts. Her hands reached for her lips. She had kissed Lucien beneath the moonlight and felt danger. She had kissed Galen and felt comfort. But with Theron, it was dominance. It was a demand written into her blood, impossible to ignore.

Marek?

Aveloria rolled her eyes at the thought of him. She tried to mask the anger surging within her. All he has was his damned arrogance. She would rather have her eyes popped out than have anything to do with him. He had failed her once. But Aveloria knew the truth, his bond was alive within her. freēwēbnovel.com

And as much as she despised it, part of her already knew: this was only the beginning.