Chapter 6: The Divine Bond

[Margaret’s POV] When Armstrong was my boyfriend, Selina would never have dared to mock me so openly in public. Back then, he would have stood up for me, shielding me from any humiliation. But now, everything had changed. A wave of anger and sorrow surged through me as I realized that there was no one left to defend me. Just as I was drowning in these emotions, a sudden commotion outside caught my attention. Along with it came a scent, a fragrance so unique that I had never encountered anything like it before. My wolf stirred within me, restless and eager. She was reacting in a way I had never experienced before, her excitement almost overwhelming. Could it be? Could my mate be among the werewolf royal entourage? The fragrance, which had been faint at first, quickly intensified until it became almost overpowering. I struggled to keep myself composed, feeling as though the very essence of my being was being drawn toward it. It was the most alluring scent I had ever encountered, an intoxicating mixture of everything I loved in the world. It carried the crisp freshness of a forest after rainfall, the gentle floral fragrance of blooming plants, the comforting aroma of freshly baked pastries, the richness of aged white wine, and the shimmer of exquisite jewelry. It held the warmth of a crackling fireplace, the security of strong arms, and the allure of a man whose presence was both commanding and comforting. I inhaled deeply, lost in its magic. Then, the murmurs around me broke through my trance. A group of towering figures strode into the reception hall, their sheer size dominating the space. There were seven or eight of them, each one exuding an air of authority and strength. Werewolves were naturally taller than humans, but these men dwarfed even the tallest of our kind. Anthony, one of the most prominent warriors in our pack, usually stood out due to his height. Yet now, he looked almost small in comparison. Beside the tallest of these newcomers, Anthony seemed merely average, and Elizabeth, who was standing next to him, appeared as delicate as a doll. Gasps of admiration rippled through the crowd. “Oh my, he’s so tall!” “Look at his eyes! They’re so deep, like they could pull you in!” “The one beside him isn’t bad either. Look at those broad shoulders!” “I wonder if the Lycan King has a mate already. Imagine if it were me!” “Why would he choose someone from a small pack like ours? Surely, his mate would be someone of noble lineage. They say he already has a Beta as his girlfriend.” “That might not be true! If he’s still unclaimed, I might have a chance!” The hushed whispers and envious sighs did nothing to distract me from what I was experiencing. My entire focus was on that scent, the one that was calling to me, binding me. My heart pounded wildly as anticipation surged through me. My wolf was ecstatic, her excitement manifesting as a barely contained energy that threatened to break free. Who among them is my mate? Would he feel the same undeniable pull that I did? Something deep inside me screamed for him, an insatiable yearning that made rational thought impossible. My wolf was almost beyond my control, urging me to run to him, to claim him as ours. Calm down, Betty, I told myself, trying to reign in the overwhelming emotions flooding my senses. But the closer they came, the stronger the scent became. It was dizzying, intoxicating, consuming. I could barely hold myself upright, gripping the wall for support as I struggled to keep my composure. My breath came in rapid gasps as my vision tunneled onto one figure. The man who was walking toward me was like a god carved from ancient stone. His presence alone radiated power, exuding a regal grace that was almost surreal. Long, flowing hair cascaded over his broad shoulders, its golden hue glistening under the light. His grayish-green eyes, deep and enigmatic, held an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His strong nose and full lips added to his allure, making him appear as though he had stepped out of a legend. He was dressed impeccably in a navy-blue suit that hugged his chiseled form, emphasizing his strong arms, broad chest, and defined waist. His hands were large and powerful, his entire frame exuding an aura of absolute dominance. He was breathtaking. I stared at him, captivated. It was impossible to believe that this magnificent being could be my mate. Armstrong suddenly seemed like a child in comparison. The feelings I had once harbored for him paled into insignificance beside what I was experiencing now. This man before me was something else entirely—an entity beyond mortal comprehension. Then, as though confirming the undeniable truth, we both spoke the word at the same time. “Mate!” Gasps of shock echoed around us, but they barely registered in my consciousness. In that moment, the world faded away, leaving only the two of us locked in an unbreakable connection. I met his gaze, and in his eyes, I found the same astonishment, the same awe, the same longing that burned within me. His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile, and without hesitation, I mirrored his expression. There was nothing else in the world that mattered anymore. I wanted him. I needed him. The desire to close the distance between us overwhelmed every other thought. I had lost all sense of reason, all understanding of the world around me. All that remained was the call of my mate, the instinctive pull that demanded I be with him. Before I could take a step, he moved first. In one swift motion, he reached for me, wrapping his powerful arms around me and lifting me off the ground with ease. I gasped at the sudden movement, but the moment his touch connected with my skin, a surge of electricity raced through me. It was overwhelming, intoxicating. My body responded instinctively, pressing closer to him, craving more of his warmth, his strength. I felt the firmness of his grip, the unyielding power in his hold. There was a slight ache where his fingers pressed into my skin, but I relished it. It was proof of his possession, a silent declaration that I was his and he was mine. The entire room watched in stunned silence, but their gazes meant nothing to me. In his arms, I felt complete for the first time in my life. A deep sense of happiness and fulfillment swelled within me, an emotion so profound that I could hardly believe it was real. I had found him. My mate. My destiny.