His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 143: Bond (1)

Raspberries... Wildflowers... The Sun...

Is this what heaven feels like?

For once I’m eager to open my eyes, knowing who will be on the other side when I open them.

My mate.

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My fingers idly draw patterns on the contours of Eryx’s chest, following the lines of old scars etched into his skin. Some are faint, almost invisible, while others are deeper, more pronounced. My lips brush a few of them, a soft kiss that made him hum in approval, his hand lazily stroking up and down my back.

We heal well but it appears not all injuries can be return to the blank canvas of our bodies. My mate’s body was a map of tales of the fights and battles he must have been in. My lips press softly to one of the longer scars near his shoulder, and I wonder what kind of pain had left a mark so stubborn that even his wolf’s healing abilities couldn’t erase it.

The bond is like a hum in the background, tingling a little between our bodies. It is a constant presence and one I will get used to. It feels like a gentle current, rippling through the invisible thread tying us together.

It’s not clear at first but something unmistakably warm radiates from it, a contentment that’s not entirely mine. It dawns on me slowly that I’m feeling him, his emotions bleeding into mine through the bond.

He’s happy. Eryx is happy. It warms my chest more even though I should know from how we lay that he is content and happy but to know for certainty that I can feel what my mate does? It should freak me out. It doesn’t.

The realisation brings a smile to my lips. Eryx—the stoic, powerful Alpha Prince—is lying here with me, utterly at peace. The thought sends a flutter through my chest, and I rest my cheek against him, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat calm me. My wolf, lounging in the corner of my mind, wags her tail lazily, thoroughly pleased with herself. She knew all along. From the moment she caught the tiniest hint of his scent back at the palace, she knew the Alpha Prince was ours.

Our wolves are content, although I suspect they will want to hunt together soon. His wolf will want to prove to mine why he is her mate.

I close my eyes again, savouring the quiet moment. The world beyond this clearing doesn’t matter right now. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel safe—truly, undeniably safe. The memory of his growl as he claimed me, the way his canines had sunk into my neck, marking me as his mate for all to see... My hand drifts to the tender spot where his mark rests. It tingles faintly.

I lose myself in him—the warmth of his skin, the rise and fall of his chest beneath my touch, the intoxicating scent that lingers between us. He smells like the woods after rain, like earth and pine and something spicy like cloves, uniquely him.

I’m not sure how long passes before Eryx stirs beneath me, a low rumble vibrating through his chest as he wakes. His arms tighten around me briefly before he shifts, nuzzling the back of my neck where his mark lies. The soft rasp of his tongue brushing over the sensitive spot sends a shiver down my spine, and my wolf stretches lazily in response, thoroughly pleased with his attention.

"Still mine," he murmurs, his voice thick with sleep.

I giggle at his silliness. Still, I answer with, "Always." I turn my head slightly to meet his gaze. His green eyes are half-lidded, but the intensity in them hasn’t dimmed. The possessiveness shines through, making me shiver and my wolf preen in satisfaction.

We stay like that for a while longer, tangled together on the forest floor, savouring the quiet before reality pulls us back. Eventually, Eryx shifts beneath me, his fingers trailing down my arm as he sits up. His wolf is stirring now—I can feel it through the bond, a restless energy that mirrors my own.

"We should head back," he says, though his tone carries a reluctance I share. "They’ll know by now."

"They’ll know," I echo, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. His scent clings to me just as mine clings to him, a declaration to anyone who crosses our path.

Eryx’s wolf takes over first, his massive form emerging with a fluid grace that leaves me momentarily breathless. He shakes out his dark fur, his green eyes glowing as he looks back at me. "Ready?" his voice comes through our newly created mind link, his wolf’s deeper growl threading through the words.

My own wolf surges forward eagerly, and in a heartbeat, I’m on four paws. I stretch, shaking out my golden-white fur, and feel the bond between us sharpens in this form. It’s stronger now, more vivid. His emotions ripple through me more clearly—his pride, his protectiveness, his quiet satisfaction at having me by his side.

We run together through the woods, our movements perfectly synchronised. The bond guides us, pulling us closer with every step. The rest of our group, who had kept their distance earlier, join us as we near the palace grounds.

As we enter the palace grounds, I feel the weight of dozens of eyes on us. Wolves pause in their tracks, their gazes snapping to us as we pass. There’s a unique scent about us now.

The air is thick with the scent of power and something more—something primal. They can smell the bond, the mating, the mark that ties us together.

I sense the shift in the air immediately. Awe. Fear. Respect. It rolls off them in waves, and my wolf lifts her head higher, basking in it. Eryx walks beside me, his presence a constant, grounding force. He doesn’t need to say anything—his power is evident in every step, in the way the crowd parts before us without a word.

When we reach the main courtyard, Eryx shifts first. His human form emerges, powerful and commanding, and his green eyes sweep over the crowd as though daring anyone to speak. I follow a moment later, the shift back to human form effortless. The cool air brushes against my skin, but I feel no need to cover myself. The mark on the back of my neck tingles, fresh from our mating and his claim.

I stand tall, my chin held high, and I take Eryx’s hand in mine. His fingers curl around mine protectively, and together, we walk through the palace. Whispers follow us, but no one dares to stop us. The scent of our bond is undeniable, and the power radiating from Eryx and me is palpable.

Some wolves lower their heads as we pass, a silent sign of submission. Others watch with a mix of awe and trepidation. I catch a few glances that linger on me—some filled with curiosity, others with fear. The mark on my neck is in full view, and I make no effort to hide it. Let them see.

When we reach the Guest Pavilion, Eryx pushes open the door to his room, and the moment we’re inside, the tension melts away. He turns to me, his green eyes softening as he pulls me into his arms.

"You’re incredible," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple.

I smile, leaning into him. "So are you," I reply.

His lips claim mine again and I’m swept away with the heat of my mate. The sounds of furniture breaking and our primal needs followed for the rest of the night.