Chapter 42: Mate

~ Brax ~ My hands were tied to Sky’s as the circle was lit on fire placing a wall of fire between Willow and me. I looked into Sky’s eyes for the first time since this whole ceremony began and I started to feel something… A tug. Sky and I danced to a slow song only we could hear. My heartrate picked up as I realized that the ceremony was working, and I was starting to feel a pull from the mate bond. “Damn it! No, no, no! I don’t want this.” Sky looked shocked. I was breathing even harder now as I tried to look through the flames to find Willow. I was desperate to find her. I looked back at Sky. The tug was growing stronger. “Sky! I can’t do this!” I said frantically as I noticed the other couples hit their knees and markings began to be singed into their skin. I was struggling against the cloth that had my hands bound to Sky’s. The world was spinning around me now, and I felt my rational mind become fogged with desire, possessiveness, and love even stronger than what I knew I already f