Doctor Luna’s revenge: mated to the Alpha King

Chapter 3: The Mating Bond is Sealed

Chapter 3: The Mating Bond is Sealed

(Seraphina Vance's POV)

"What did you say?" The man turned to look at me, his brow furrowing slightly. He had been on the phone and hadn’t quite heard what I said.

My heart hammered against my ribs. It took every ounce of courage I possessed to meet his dark, silver eyes and repeat the words. "I said, do you want to mate with me?"

Heat flooded my cheeks, a burning tide of embarrassment, but I held his gaze. Fearing he thought I was insane, I quickly added, "Um, I saved you. Do you remember?"

He studied me for a long, silent moment. After what felt like an eternity, a flicker of surprise crossed his handsome features. "I know."

Relief washed over me. At least he remembered. But then, something in his expression shifted. The surprise faded, replaced by a cold assessment that made my skin prickle with unease. His gaze sharpened, becoming as piercing as a blade. "So this is your wish?"

"Yes," I managed, my voice barely a whisper. I nodded, my hands trembling at my sides. "I am sure."

I knew binding myself to a stranger was a massive gamble, especially one who seemed to be in so much trouble. Last night, his clothes had been torn and bloodied; he clearly had dangerous enemies. But I was desperate. My family had me backed into a corner, and my time was running out. Julian would be arriving soon, and my mother would drag me to our mating ceremony by force if she had to. This man was my only escape. My only chance at freedom.

Besides, I rationalized, he was infinitely more handsome than Julian Thorne. Just looking at his sharp jawline and intense eyes was a pleasure compared to Julian's cruel smirk. With him, I wouldn't be losing out. At least he hadn't spent the past year treating me like a servant.

Still, his prolonged silence was agonizing. His silver eyes seemed to be weighing something I couldn't comprehend. Just as I was about to lose hope, he gave a curt nod.

"Let's go," he said, his tone utterly nonchalant.

I was in a daze. "Go where?" I asked blankly, my mind struggling to catch up.

He shot me a look that made me feel small and foolish. "Didn't you say you wanted to mate?" Without waiting for my reply, he strode towards the entrance of the Blood Oath Hall.

"Oh, right!" I scrambled to follow, my shorter legs working to keep up with his long, confident strides.

The next half hour was a blur of paperwork. The clerk seemed surprised by our urgency but asked no questions. We signed documents, answered basic questions, and finally learned each other's names. Damien Blackwood.

When it came time for the ceremonial photo, Damien stood beside me, his expression as stoic and unmoving as stone. I tried to smile, but my face felt frozen with shock.

Minutes later, I was standing outside, clutching a freshly sealed Mating Certificate. The official seal on the document made it terrifyingly real. I had flash-mated a complete stranger. A wolf who hadn't even cracked a smile for our photo.

I stole a glance at his handsome profile. His jaw was set in a hard line, his silver eyes distant. Doubt crept in, but I pushed it away, remembering Julian's mocking laughter. Anything was better than that.

A sense of responsibility settled over me. We were mates now. It was my duty to care for him, especially given his injuries. Digging through my bag, I pulled out the spare key to my lodge.

"This is the key to my lodge," I said, holding it out with both hands. "It's Briar Lodge, Suite 8. You can move in whenever you're ready." Remembering his pale face from the night before, I added with genuine concern, "I know you're still injured. If it's hard for you to move your things, I can help."

I looked up at him, my resolve firm. "I don't know why you were so badly hurt, but you can count on me now. I'll work hard to support our new life. You should stop doing that kind of… dangerous work."

(Damien Blackwood's POV)

The Mating Certificate in my hand felt like a contract for a transaction I had no emotional stake in. I stood outside the Blood Oath Hall, the ink still fresh, and studied the girl beside me. My mate.

I recalled my promise clearly. One wish, to repay her for saving my life.

Her proposal, "Do you want to mate with me?", had rung with a desperate sort of bravery. But my initial surprise had quickly curdled into cynical clarity. She hadn't asked for money or jewels when she had the chance last night. A calculated move. She must have spent the time investigating my identity, discovering that becoming the mate of the Blackwood Alpha was infinitely more profitable than any simple material reward.

In that instant, the kind, selfless girl who had tended to my wounds shattered. In her place stood the ugly visage of another schemer. How naive I had been to think her different. They were all the same—calculating, opportunistic, hungry for power. The disappointment cut deeper than I expected.

But it was a matter of convenience. I needed a mate to appease my grandfather, and any she-wolf would suffice. Her ambition simply made the arrangement less complicated.

Now, as she held out a small, worn key, her performance continued. "I'll work hard to support our new life," she vowed, her eyes shining with false sincerity. "You should stop doing that kind of… dangerous work."

The sheer audacity of it was almost impressive. This girl, who lived in what was likely a tiny lodge, was offering to support me. She was telling me, the heir to the Alpha King's throne, to stop doing "dangerous work" as if I were some low-level mercenary fighting for scraps.

It was the most ridiculous, patronizing thing I had ever heard. A brilliant piece of theater designed to portray her as a caring, responsible partner.