A Meeting with the Mate

The knock echoed through the house, loud and firm. Eila's mother, Celena, exchanged a glance with her father before stepping forward to open the door. Standing at the entrance was a messenger from the Beta's house—a tall, serious-looking man dressed in a crisp uniform.

"Eila Johnson is summoned to the Blackwell Manor," the messenger announced, his voice devoid of emotion. "Lord Blackwell wishes to discuss the matter of the mate bond."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Eila felt her siblings' curious gazes shift toward her. Her parents, though not entirely surprised, tensed slightly. But it was her younger siblings who reacted most strongly.

"What?!" Daria gasped. "Eila's really Beta Blackwell's mate?"

"Why didn't you tell us?" Meera pouted.

Michael, always the most dramatic, clutched his chest as if he'd been personally betrayed. "This is huge!"

Eila sighed, realizing she could no longer avoid the conversation. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and finally told them what had happened at the mate ceremony.

However, she left out the part about her special gifts from the Moon Goddess. Until she fully understood them, she wasn't ready to share that information.

Her parents already knew about her healing abilities—she had used them on Daria once when she'd scraped her knee so badly that the wound should have left a scar. But for the rest of her siblings, this was new information.

"You can heal people!" Meera's eyes were wide with wonder.

"Like a real-life miracle worker?" Michael asked, awestruck.

Eila nodded hesitantly. "I don't know how it works exactly, but yes."

Her siblings erupted in excitement, but instead of being jealous, they seemed to take it as a sign of good fortune.

"If Eila has special powers, maybe the Moon Goddess will give us some too!" Meera declared.

"Yeah!" Michael added. "Then we can raise our family status! No more worrying about bills or food!"

Daria, ever the practical one, smirked. "You two just want powers so you can show off."

Their father, Armaan, chuckled at their childish enthusiasm. "That's enough, all of you," he said, though his warm expression betrayed his amusement. "We should be proud of Eila for the gifts she has been given."

Eila smiled at them all, feeling an overwhelming sense of love for her family. Their unwavering support meant everything to her.

Her parents soon left for work, and after gathering her thoughts, Eila followed her mother toward Blackwell Manor.

A walk filled with doubts

The walk to the Beta's estate felt far too short for Eila's liking. Her thoughts were scattered, tumbling over themselves like leaves caught in a storm.

What was she supposed to say to him?

Was she going to beg him to accept her?

Ask him to reject her?

Did she even want him to accept her?

A deep frown settled on her face. The problem was that she had no idea what he wanted. He had barely reacted when they first discovered their bond, and then he had disappeared. That alone should have told her everything.

But…

Leonard Blackwell was unlike any man she had ever seen. He wasn't just powerful; he radiated authority. His dark hair, cold eyes, and chiseled features made him look like he had stepped out of an ancient tale. Women of all ages spoke of him in hushed, admiring tones, and yet… he had no wife, no known lovers.

And now he was her mate.

Eila scolded herself for thinking about his looks. Get a grip, Eila! This wasn't about attraction—it was about survival. If he rejected her, she would have to live with that pain for the rest of her life. If he accepted her… well, she wasn't sure which would be worse.

Her mother stopped a few steps away from Blackwell Manor and turned to face her.

"Eila," Celena said gently, "whatever happens in there, know that your father and I will always support you."

Eila swallowed, nodding.

"If he rejects you, it will hurt," her mother continued. "But rejection is not the end of the world. You are strong enough to handle it."

The word "Rejection " sent a sharp pang through her chest, but Eila forced herself to remain calm. She had to be prepared for the worst.

Celena placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "After your meeting, if you need to talk, come find me before you go home, alright?"

Eila nodded again, feeling grateful for her mother's presence.

Then, with one final squeeze of her shoulder, Celena turned and walked toward the servants' quarters, leaving Eila alone at the entrance to Blackwell Manor.

Facing Leonard Blackwell

The estate was massive. Elegant and imposing, with tall windows and ivy creeping along its stone walls. The Blackwell crest—two wolves entwined—was carved above the heavy wooden doors.

Taking a deep breath, Eila stepped forward and knocked.

A moment later, a deep, commanding voice answered.

"Enter."

Eila pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was spacious yet minimalistic, with dark furniture and walls lined with bookshelves. The air smelled faintly of ink, leather, and something distinctly him.

Behind a large mahogany desk sat Leonard Blackwell. He smelled exquisite like leather and tangerines. Eila inhaled deeply, taking in his scent. Sera was too excited to meet her mate. 

He looked up as she entered, his cold, piercing eyes locking onto hers. The weight of his gaze was almost suffocating, and for a brief second, she felt like prey caught in the sights of a predator.

His expression was unreadable, but there was something in the way he observed her—as if he was analyzing every inch of her, trying to solve a puzzle only he could see.

Eila straightened her posture, refusing to shrink under his scrutiny.

"You summoned me, Lord Blackwell?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.

A flicker of something—surprise?

Amusement?—flashed in his eyes, but it was gone so quickly that she wasn't sure if she had imagined it.

"Sit," he commanded, gesturing to the chair across from him.

Eila hesitated for only a second before stepping forward and lowering herself into the seat.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.

Then, finally, Leonard leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk.

"We need to discuss this situation," he said, his voice smooth but firm. "This mate bond between us."

Eila swallowed. "Yes. We do."

Her heart pounded in her chest.

What was he going to say?

Was this where he rejected her?