His destined mate

Bianca's POV

The morning dawned like any other in the Lycan King's palace. I woke up feeling well- rested in the lavish chambers I now called my own as Ethan's mate, even if our situation was built on a complicated ruse.

As I went about my morning routine with the ever-present help of attentive servants, my thoughts drifted to the dramatic events of the previous night's full moon ceremony. The way Ethan had declared openly that Emily was no longer his mate and he tried to break his cosmic bond with Emily using ancient power was both amazing and disturbing. A part of me wondered what this meant for my own role going forward. With Emily's obsessive claim over Ethan finally dissolved, was there still a need for me to remain in this false position as his "mate"? The uncertain implications weighed heavily on my mind. My musings were interrupted by a commotion just outside my chamber doors. The sounds of hurried footsteps and concerned voices quickly escalated until a sharp pounding startled me fully awake.

"Lady Bianca!" one of the servant girls cried out urgently. "You must come quick! It's the King!"

A jolt of adrenaline shot through me at her panicked tone. I didn't hesitate, throwing on a thin robe and rushing out to the hallway where a small crowd had gathered. The air was thick with tension and fear.

"What happened?" I demanded, trying to make sense of the chaotic scene.

"His Majesty became very ill during the night," the head of the royal guard said gravely. "The healers have been summoned but they've never encountered such illness before." A chill ran through me at the seriousness in his voice. I stood frozen for a moment, unable to decide what to do.

Then, determination showed on my face. Despite our complicated situation, I was still seen as Ethan's mate by his kingdom. This meant I had to be by his side during whatever crisis he was facing.

"Take me to him," I stated in my most authoritative tone.

The guards and servants immediately parted, allowing me to sweep past towards Ethan's bedchamber. The heavy oak doors were flung wide open, revealing a scene of organized chaos within.

Three healers from the most respected orders moved around the room, chanting and waving smoldering sage bundles that filled the air with a sharp smell. In the middle of it

all, under the plush bedding, lay Ethan's unnaturally still body.

I gasped at the paleness of his skin and the shivers shaking his strong body. Whatever dark illness had struck the mighty Lycan King was clearly draining his legendary strength. Without thinking, I went to his bedside and took his hand. His skin was clammy and burning with fever, yet he didn't react to my touch at all.

"Ethan?" I murmured, feeling tendrils of fear snake through me. "Can you hear me?" No response came, not even a flutter of his lashes. He remained frighteningly still and unreachable, trapped in whatever nightmarish state had consumed him.

I jumped slightly when one of the healers suddenly appeared by my side, her expression grave.

"We cannot discern the source of the illness, my lady," she stated in a hushed yet urgent tone. "His spirit seems to be slipping away from us, despite our most potent remedies and rituals."

Her words made me feel like the very ground had dropped out from under me. Ethan, the seemingly invincible Lycan King, was fading right before my eyes to some mysterious dark force.

Sudden raised voices from the hallway shattered my spiraling focus. I turned quickly to

see another group rushing in, flanked by guards-older women wearing ornate fur cloaks and beaded ceremonial jewelry.

Leading the procession was a wizened elder with silver-white hair and piercing eyes that quickly took in the scene with sharp judgment. She moved with a confident grace that demanded respect from everyone around her.

"What's this I hear about my son near death's door?" she demanded in a raspy yet powerful alto.

A startled murmur rose through the gathered crowd at her words. I realized with a shock that this was Ethan's mother-the former Lycan Queen Mother herself, owner of the royal bloodline and keeper of ancient pack wisdom.

The healers immediately bowed in humble respect, stepping aside to let the formidable woman approach Ethan's bedside. She wasted no time assessing her son's dire condition, reaching out with gnarled yet strong hands to brush his brow.

"He has been marked by a dark essence," she stated after several tense moments of observation. "The stain of moon-tainted power clings to his spirit like a cursed anchor." The people around me felt uneasy and worried when she said those scary words. Their faces looked very serious or even terrified. But I did not react at all. I just stared at the Lycan Queen Mother without understanding.

"What...what does this mean?" I asked hesitantly. "Is there a way to help him?" The old woman's sharp eyes looked me over from head to toe. It made me feel

completely visible and inadequate under her gaze.

"You are the one they call his new mate, are you not?" she asked, her tone laced with undisguised disdain and suspicion.

I felt everyone's judging looks get stronger as the crowd realized who I was. For the first time, I felt a small bit of doubt and shame about my false place here among these noble people.

Swallowing hard, I lifted my chin to show I wasn't giving up. "I am here. And if there's any way for me to help Ethan, any information I can give..."

"You may already know the cause of this condition."

The statement came quietly but sent a shock through the room. I quickly looked around

to see who said it - a lone, slim woman had appeared among us without any notice.

Emily stood with her arms crossed, looking at the scene with no expression. Yet there was an accusing look in her eyes as she looked straight at me.

that crackled with intimidating power. "You

deceitful, miserable monster!"

I opened my mouth to argue, to somehow defend myself against this shocking unfairness being directed at me. But no words would come out, only rough gasps of dismay as I found myself suddenly thrown backward by an invisible force.

The Queen Mother towered over me, her eyes burning with righteous judgment and her power radiating in suffocating waves.

"You've brought your curse of death into this household through evil trickery!" she shouted, gathering her magic again. "And for that, you shall pay the highest price of " "Enough!"

The loud yell came from the bed, surprising everyone. Looking over, we saw Ethan had forced himself into a half-sitting position despite his paleness and shaking.

His pale eyes burned with an inner fire as he stared first at Emily for her accusations, then at the Queen Mother for her condemning reaction. When those intense eyes finally settled on me, I caught my breath at the complex mix of emotions I saw there - sadness, regret...and unmistakable protectiveness.