My lover's brother is my fated mate

"Lucian Vale."

 Alpha said,it was loud enough everyone stayed on their knees. I could feel them looking at me, waiting for me to smile or step forward like the other pairs had done.

I didn't move.

I looked at Adrian,he looked angry. When he caught me staring he turned away fast and kept his eyes on the ground.

Lucian hadn't moved either. He just stood there like he wished he was somewhere else.

The Alpha cleared his throat.

"The Moon has spoken," he said. "As it has been for generations. Let it be known that no wolf will go against their fated mates, as it has been a tradition of the kingdom for years and going against it brings consequences, deadly ones. The bond is sacred,the bond is law. Anyone who attempts to reject or interfere will answer to the Council."

People made quiet sounds around me,somewhat like mumuors.I stood there with my hands in my fists, waiting for someone to say it was wrong and declare Adrian my fated mate but no one did.

I stepped down from the platform,my legs didn't feel steady. 

I looked for Adrian again. He was in the same spot, but he wouldn't look at me. His shoulders were stiff,he looked wrecked.

Lucian still hadn't come closer. He stood a few feet away, eyes somewhere past me. He didn't look happy at all.

Then the bond tightened hard.

It hurt. A sudden sharp pain in the middle of my chest that kept getting worse. I pressed my hand there, trying to catch my breath, but it only got tighter.

My vision started going blurry.

I tried to take another step out then my knee gave out.

Someone shouted my name, I think it was Adrian  but it already sounded far away. The last thing I saw was something that didn't belong to the clearing.

Three wolves standing under a blood-red moon. One of them turned its head toward me,Its eyes were silver.

Then everything went dark.

I woke up to the smell of clean sheets and herbs.

My head felt heavy. For a second I didn't know where I was,then I saw the wooden ceiling of the infirmary and the soft light coming through the shutters.

Someone was sitting in the chair beside the bed.

Lucian.

He was leaning forward, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor. When he noticed I was awake he sat up.

"You're awake," he said. His voice was low.

I tried to push myself up but the pain in my chest made me stop.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You collapsed after the announcement." He glanced at me, then away. "The healers said the bond hit you harder than most,they're not sure why."

I swallowed. "Adrian?"

"He's outside. They wouldn't let him in yet."

We were both quiet for a few seconds.

Lucian rubbed the back of his neck.

"Elena," he said. "About the bond. I meant what I said earlier, It doesn't have to control either of us. We can figure this out without letting it take over everything."

I watched him. He looked tired like he just wanted a break from all this.

"I know you don't want this," I said.

He didn't deny it.

Before he could say anything else I noticed something on the side of his neck. A mark, It looked like a bite.

Lucian saw where I was looking. He pulled his collar up quickly, covering it.

"I'll let them know you're awake," he said. Then he stood and left without waiting for an answer.

I stared at the closed door.

My chest still hurt, but it wasn't only from the bond.

Somewhere outside, Adrian was waiting.

And the image of those three wolves under the red moon was still stuck in my head.