Prologue
The Companion’s Ceremony
It was a night illuminated by a full moon, unusually bright and radiant.
Heeyeon had already spent several full moons in the land of the Wolf Clan, yet tonight felt different—strangely unfamiliar.
Perhaps it was because tonight was the day of the Mate’s Ritual.
“Are you nervous?”
Doheon smiled, extending his hand toward her.
The source of the stream running through the Wolf Clan’s territory was unusual—a lake nestled deep inside a cave. Tonight, they had entered this cave to perform the Mate’s Ritual.
Heeyeon carefully held his hand as she stepped over the uneven floor, mindful not to trip over her dress.
“Just a little,” she admitted, offering a faint, nervous smile.
The narrow entrance led to a vast chamber, opening into a world that seemed almost unreal: a deep blue lake, jagged rocks entwined in mysterious shapes, and strange plants harmoniously blended into the scene.
Moonlight, pale yellow and ethereal, poured in through gaps in the cave walls. Heeyeon was captivated, her eyes drinking in the beauty as if spellbound.
“Once the purification ritual is complete, I’ll take you somewhere even more breathtaking than this,” Doheon said casually, as if planning their day ahead.
Heeyeon swallowed nervously, recalling why she was here. The Mate’s Ritual was not something to take lightly. Once paired, the bond was irreversible—requiring the utmost care and focus.
“You seem so relaxed,” she murmured, her tension contrasting sharply with his calm demeanour.
Doheon chuckled softly, his voice echoing low and long through the cavern.
“If I seem relaxed… then it’s already a success,” he said, lifting the corner of his lips in a faint smirk.
He had endured so much just to reach this point—so many complicated, infuriating rules just to claim a mate from another species. He muttered curses under his breath, yet his expression remained impossibly handsome, sculpted like a work of art.
The ritual ahead was literally a test: whether they could truly become mates. Wolves only accept one mate in their lifetime. Since he had already marked her, passing was inevitable for him—but the uncertainty lay with her.
If her heart did not respond to him, the ritual would fail. Even someone as composed and confident as Doheon could not escape the tension that now gripped him.
“What do you mean by that?” ‘Heeyeon?’ she asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Doheon, unwilling to reveal his nerves, smoothly redirected her attention.
“This way.”
He led her toward the lake. To perform the Mate’s Ritual, she needed to immerse herself in its waters. Heeyeon had been here before and knew the water wasn’t cold, allowing her to step in comfortably.
“Watch your step,” he cautioned.
He meticulously guided her with every step, their bodies brushing closer and closer. What had begun as a simple handhold soon became entwined, one hand at her waist while the other held her firmly. She didn’t notice, focused on wading deeper into the water.
When the lake reached her waist, she stood facing him. His golden eyes, glowing with their nightly transformation, traced her wet form with an intensity that could strip her bare with a glance alone.
Blushing, she attempted to pull away, but he held her tighter.
“Slipping would be dangerous,” he murmured. His wet hands pressed against her skin, sending an unfamiliar, tantalizing thrill through her.
“As I told you before… I will leave a mark here.”
His fingers brushed gently along the nape of her neck. Goosebumps rose, her face flaming red.
“If the ritual succeeds, this mark will transform into words.”
Heeyeon nodded, too distracted by the warmth of his body pressed against hers to fully focus on his words. His breath fanned across her face, and her mind grew dizzy with the sensation.
“Ready?”
The idea that a ritual could feel this intimate made her shiver uncontrollably, nodding again, unsure what to do next.
Doheon’s gaze darkened as he reached for her collar, loosening it just enough to reveal pale skin beneath. Heeyeon couldn’t bear to see such a daring gesture, shutting her eyes tightly.
Memories flooded back—the family that abandoned her, the life she had almost lost, and the man who had saved and cared for her. Her heart told her this bond was no mere gratitude.
So, it was fine. A mark, no matter how embarrassing, was inconsequential. She braced herself, eyes closed… And yet, nothing seemed to happen.
“Oh? You need to look at me, don’t you?”
He caressed her cheek, soft as a whisper, coaxing her to open her eyes. Slowly, she obeyed. His golden eyes—so mesmerisingly radiant—locked onto hers.
“Good girl,” he murmured, voice low and husky, leaning in to press his lips to hers.
The soft contact sent a shiver racing down her spine. She gasped involuntarily, the sensation both thrilling and overwhelming.
“Hhh…”
Her voice echoed through the cavern, trembling as his tongue met hers. For a moment, the world seemed to disappear. She clung to him, unable to resist, intoxicated by his persistence.
Eventually, sensing her struggle to breathe, Doheon reluctantly pulled back slightly. His eyes gleamed darker than before, more intense, as if fuelled by her reaction.
She managed to catch her breath, whispering:
“Why…?”
She meant the kiss—why he had marked her lips instead of her neck. Doheon smiled faintly in response.
“I thought this would stir your heart more,” he said boldly.
One could not succeed in the purification ritual without true affection. He had kissed her to awaken her heart, nothing more.
He drew her closer, consuming her scent, pressing his lips against her smooth, pale neck. The craving only deepened with every moment. Had this not been the Mate’s Ritual, her reason would have long since shattered.
Moonlight poured into the cave, scattering gold across them. Slowly, the mark on her neck transformed into a clear, crimson symbol:
‘연 (Fate)’
The Mate’s Ritual was a success. Their hearts were now bound. Having claimed his marked mate was a joy greater than any victory he had ever known.
“I know your heart now. There is nothing left to hold back,” Doheon whispered, brushing her lips with his thumb.
In an instant, the wolf’s instincts flared, fierce and unrelenting.
