Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Selena's POV

I was busy arranging the last of the temple records when the palace bells started ringing. It rang three times, that my breathing stopped.

Those bells were not supposed to ring today. Not at all, unless something important is about to happen. I could see the other priestesses looking up from their work. Everyone seemed confused.

From a far end behind us, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. A young servant was walking into the room, she's breathing hard.

"The Alpha King is making an announcement!"

The very room that was silent, became too noisy.

An announcement!

Not a question, but just a look with one of the priestesses standing. No one knew anything about an announcement. I hadn't even been informed, which was unusual considering my position as High Priestess.

"What announcement?" Someone asked.

The servant shook his head.

"I don't know."

My stomach got twisted. Something didn't feel right. Without wasting another second, I left the temple and headed for the palace.

The closer I got, the larger the crowd became.

The kingdom nobles, the warriors and the pack members. Even the elders. Almost the entire capital seemed to be gathering inside the royal hall. By the time I reached the palace entrance, every seat was occupied.

I ended up standing near the back, too far from the throne, too far from him. Alpha King Kael Blackwood sat on the royal throne, looking exactly as he always did.

Cold and powerful.

But I knew him better than anyone here. I knew the man inside that crown. The very man who stayed awake talking to me until sunrise. The man who swore nothing would ever separate us. The man who had kissed me in the Moon Tree only three nights ago.

My one and only mate, my secret.

But, no one else knew. And for now, that was exactly how it needed to stay.

I was a witch, a forbidden one. If the kingdom discovered the truth, I wouldn't survive a single day. And Kael knew that.

Which was why he promised we would keep our relationship hidden until we found a solution.

The hall fell silent. Kael stood from his throne, and every conversation died down.

You could hear a pin drop. His silver eyes swept far from the crowd.

Then his dangerous eyes found me. A strange feeling settled so deep in my chest. Something wasn't right. And for a brief second, I saw hesitation in those eyes. Within a second, it vanished.

"My people." He started, with a loud voice through the hall.

"I have an announcement to make."

The noisy compound went silent, no one moved and no one even tried to speak. Everyone waited. Kael's eyes still remained open. Then he said the words that nearly stopped my entire existence.

"I have found my mate."

The hall exploded. A loud cheers erupted from every direction. People stood from their seats. Some were clapping, while others were shouting congratulations.

The elders looked delighted. I stood dead, and I couldn't hear any of it now.

My heart had stopped beating.

No, I yelled. My hands began trembling.

No, this isn't happening. Maybe I'm dreaming, someone should please wake me up.

This wasn't supposed to happen if not in the dreams. We agreed to keep this a secret. I stood still and looked at Kael.

Please. I said the word without knowing.

Don't do this. I said again. I wanted to stop myself, but I couldn't.

Please Kael, not here, not now. His eyes locked on me. Then he continued.

"My mate will be officially introduced tonight."

What! The crowd cheered even louder.

My vision blurred completely.

Tonight?

What the hell was he doing?

Why would he say that?

I felt too much panic rising inside my chest.

Because if Kael introduced me tonight...

Everything would be over. The kingdom would discover what I really was.

And when they did...

The High Priestess they trusted would surely become the witch they hated.

I stared at Kael and wanted to say stop this madness at once.

But I was waiting for him to look at me. Waiting for him to explain all this drama.

Even waiting for something. Just anything.

Then our eyes met.

And for the first time since I had known him…

I saw guilt.

My blood ran cold.