Mated 343
I stood up.
Kasmine is not my blood. She's not my sister. She became part of this family after my father remarried. I
didn't grow up
with her."
I scanned the room, daring them to challenge me..
"There is no shared lineage. No violation of bloodlines or ancestral law. And if that alone still offends some of you, then you need to ask yourselves whether your discomfort comes from logic or prejudice."
"I didn't choose her. The Moon Goddess did. And she doesn't make mistakes. She knew exactly what she was doing when she tied me to Kasmine. And frankly, I trust her judgment a hell of a lot more than I trust this room right now."
I took a step forward.
"You ll want to talk about optics and respect? Fine. Let's talk. What message do you think it sends to the Moon Goddess herself when her decision is mocked, doubted, and treated like filth? What happens to a pack that starts ignoring divine law in favor of personal discomfort?"
Elder Vic swallowed, looking away.
"You think this is about some convenient lust? I could've kept her hidden for as long as I pleased, fucked her in secret, and left you none the wiser. But I didn't. I came out clean, gave you the truth, and trusted you to be stronger than your
instincts."
My voice rose a pitch higher.
"Instead, you used it as an excuse to question everything about me. My leadership. My loyalty. And now, with Blaine dead, you think the bond makes it easier to believe I'm capable of betraying this pack. That's not just insulting. It's stupid."
I stopped and locked eyes with Ben.
"Maybe if I had a choice, I would've picked someone easier. Someone the council could smile at and the elders could proudly display like a trophy Luna. But that's not what I got. I got her. And I can't say how thankful I am for that. And the second that bond clicked into place, I knew I was never walking away from her, no matter what."
I sucked in a deep breath.
"Say what you want about me, but don't insult the Goddess by suggesting she got it wrong. If you have a problem with the bond, take it up with her. But you won't stand in my face and pretend you're holier than the very one who gave you your
breath."
A few averted their eyes.
"This isn't about lust or even about family ties. This is about a bond stronger than tradition, stronger
I stepped closer to the council table.
politics."
"You don't have to like Kasmine for me. You don't even have to
understand why she was chosen for me. But if you keep resisting this bond, you're putting this pack i danger. Every time you question her place, you question mine. Every time Cóntent
you sow doubt, you weaken me. And if I'm weakened, who the hell is going to protect you?"
I let the silence marinade for a moment before I spoke again.
You think you've seen enemies? You haven't. The moment they sense division here, real division, not just political division, they'll come for our gates And I won't be enough to hold them off if the people behind me are too busy watching
my back for the wrong reason."
Some of them looked uneasy now. Perfect.
"I'm giving you this once. One
moment to think clearly, without
swet
anger or fear. Just the facts
I folded my arms.
"I didn't kill Blaine. I didn't betray this pack. apart because it makes you uncomfortable."
I paused.
"Kasmine is mine. Always and forever. That's it."
I didn't ask for this bond. But I'll be damned if I let any of you tear it
I looked around the room slowly, and not a single person met my gaze.
"I won't say it again. And I'm not asking for your blessing. I'm telling you what is."
I didn't wait for their response.
Hell, I didn't want their nods or half-assed apologies.
I just turned around and walked out, not bothering to say another word. They'd heard enough.noveldrama
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