Stolen Mate

abin felt too small, the walls pressing in with the weight of what lay ahead. I dressed quickly, tying my hair

enough to quiet my mind. But as I crushed lavender stems, their fragrance sharpened, clinging to my sk

in sunlight, her milky eyes narrowed. Behind her

r voice a rasp. "The Mo

in hand. "I do

deeply. "Lavender and moonlig

s trembled, scattering dried petals. "N

is once before. Decades ago. The stronger the scent, the clear

mate. Me.* Panic clawed up

d my wrist. "Deny it, an

heeks flushed, a basket of juniper berries balanced on her hip. "Elar

"Nothing," I said quickly. "We

d. "Prepare yourself, child. The pa

behind them. Lila set the basket

d back to the mort

n't lie. I heard them. They

hed for the mortar, but she yanked it

"Your scent's been screaming it

"You never s

her hands up, berries scattering. "But you've been hi

"It's not that si

You're gentle. Wise. The pack adores you. Meanw

but she stepped bac

t fall. "You don't even *want* him, and the Goddess hands him to you. W

, the door slam

*

ispers follow

ully. Even the children stared, wide-eyed, as if I'd sprouted wings. By afternoon, t

ce didn

to dull the lavender, but it clung stubbornly. *What if they're right?* The thought terrified me. To stand besi

packed with pack members rehearsing the ceremony's dances. I linge

i

Finn, her smile too bright, her movements too sharp. She'd tied cri

rying to

ng omega, stood besid

ha

g. She's been at it all day. Thinks if she's

d in my stomach.

sed a br

fear twisting together. Lila's laug

t, she di

ad said. But choices had consequences. If I were mate to Kieran, I'd l

he silence-long,

back before I