Chapter 20

Aurora

How was I supposed to feel right now?

Happy? Because I had finally found my mate, something I’d always wanted?

Or...

Terrified? Because I knew deep down I couldn’t stay here forever?

My mind felt like a washing machine on a chaotic spin cycle, churning with doubts, fears, and an inconvenient amount of mushy feelings for a man I barely knew. I wanted to forget everything and just enjoy this moment—but my fate had been twisted from the very beginning.

Zachary held my hand and led me upstairs. His grip was firm yet gentle, and his warmth seeped through my skin like a promise I wasn't sure he could keep. When we reached our room, he closed the door behind us with a quiet click and turned to face me.

His eyes.

They were the colour of the ocean under the midday sun piercing, unwavering, and entirely too captivating for my own good.

And just like that, my worries took a swan dive out of the metaphorical window.

Damn the mate bond.