The Elusive Bond

Mistaken Assumptions

The day had begun like any other, with the crisp morning air carrying the sounds of the Little Palace coming to life. Amira had already spent the early hours watching the pack train from the edge of the training grounds, her sharp eyes noting the progress of the soldiers. She had always enjoyed watching the pack, the way they moved with precision and purpose. But today, her focus was elsewhere.

Her mind was still racing from the conversation she'd had with Aleksander the night before—the promise of the announcement that would change everything. Soon, the pack would know the truth: that she was their Alpha Luna, not just Aleksander's mate, but his equal.

But her excitement was tempered by a familiar source of irritation.

Zoya.

Aleksander: Putting an End to Zoya's Advances

Aleksander stood on the training grounds, overseeing the soldiers as they moved through their drills. His mind was focused, sharp, but as always, he was aware of his surroundings. He could feel Amira's presence nearby, watching from a distance, her quiet strength ever-present. It gave him a sense of calm, of balance.

But that calm was shattered when Zoya approached.

Zoya had always been ambitious, always eager to prove herself. And while Aleksander respected her skill and determination, her constant flirtation had grown tiresome. Today was no different. She approached him with a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of confidence and expectation.

"General," Zoya purred, her voice dripping with what she likely thought was charm. "You're looking particularly commanding today."

Aleksander didn't even glance at her, his eyes fixed on the soldiers as they moved through their drills. "Zoya, stop."

The command was firm, leaving no room for argument, but Zoya seemed unfazed. She stepped closer, undeterred by his cold tone. "Oh, come now. You know you've always appreciated my attention."

Aleksander finally turned his gaze to her, his dark eyes sharp and unyielding. "No. I don't. And I'm about to announce my mate to the pack."

Zoya blinked, her smile faltering for a moment before a gleam of excitement flashed across her face. "Announce your mate?" she repeated, her voice rising with sudden enthusiasm. "You're taking a chosen mate?"

Aleksander raised an eyebrow, unsure where she was going with this. "My mate," he corrected simply, but Zoya's mind was already racing ahead, jumping to conclusions.

She took a step closer, her eyes gleaming with the certainty of her mistaken assumption. "Well, it's about time you made your decision. I suppose it makes sense that you'd choose someone like me—strong, skilled, a natural leader. The pack will be pleased."

Aleksander frowned, confused by her sudden excitement, but before he could correct her, Zoya had already turned on her heel, a triumphant smile on her face as she walked away, her mind clearly made up.

Aleksander sighed, shaking his head. "She's going to be in for quite the shock," he thought, but there were more important matters to attend to.

Amira: The Chase Begins

From her position at the edge of the training grounds, Amira had seen the whole exchange. Zoya's flirtation, Aleksander's firm rejection, and then Zoya's ridiculous assumption that Aleksander had chosen her as his mate. The sight of Zoya walking away with that smug smile on her face made Amira's wolf growl in frustration.

Her irritation simmered beneath the surface, her wolf restless and eager to move. She could feel the familiar itch beneath her skin, the need to shift, to run. To chase.