The Waiting

The Alpha of our pack decreed that his heir’s mate must be chosen from a decent background. But the next Alpha, Bleiz, chose me as his mate—a slave picked up by a healer. For me, Bleiz gave up his inheritance and endured ninety-nine lashes, blood soaking through his shirt. Still, he smiled at me and said, “Nancy, don’t be afraid. You’re the only one I want as my future Luna.” Later, the Alpha finally relented, agreeing to let Bleiz and me elope, but Bleiz had to leave an heir for the family. Since then, the words Bleiz said to me most often were: “Please wait.” The first time, Bleiz asked me to wait—for him to get another omega pregnant. The second time, Bleiz asked me to wait again, because the first child was a daughter, and the Alpha family wanted a son. Just when I thought I’d finally endured enough, Bleiz and Mona’s daughter—who had just celebrated her 100-day celebration—suddenly developed a high fever and vomited blood. Everyone believed I had poisoned her. When I was stripped naked and thrown into the freezing ice pond in the dead of night, Bleiz stood at the edge, watching. “I told you to wait,” he said, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Why did you hurt my child?” This time, I decided I would wait no longer.

For centuries, the powerful House Shadowmoon and the Lycan Crown of Valtheris maintained peace through sacred alliances. From childhood, you and Silas Ashthorne—the future Lycan King—were destined to marry, but the arrangement never mattered because you were already best friends. When your wolf awakens and reveals a fated mate, you choose destiny over duty and leave Silas behind. Three months later, everything falls apart. After discovering that your fated mate, Darian Vale, has been secretly reconnecting with the woman he never truly forgot, your heart is shattered. With nowhere else to turn, you make one call home. Instead of judgment, you find acceptance. And instead of resentment, Silas offers only four simple words: *"I'll come get you."* Returning to Ashthorne Keep awakens old memories and forgotten feelings. Surrounded by the warmth of the Ashthorne family, you slowly begin to heal while Silas quietly rebuilds the friendship neither of you ever truly lost. Yet as political unrest spreads across the kingdom and ancient enemies gather beyond Valtheris's borders, your return becomes more than a personal matter—it may determine the future of the realm itself. Meanwhile, Darian refuses to let go, convinced that a mate bond gives him a claim over your future. But as the kingdom edges toward war and secrets from the past begin to surface, you're forced to confront a question far more complicated than fate: If destiny led you away from home... why does every road seem to lead back to the king who waited? And when the truth behind an ancient prophecy emerges, you may have to choose between the bond fate gave you—or the man your heart has already chosen.

This is a soulmate AU. In this universe there are people who have soulmate marks and others who don't have one. There is no discrimination or anything for the two kinds, there is no 'one is better than the other' thing. It's just one of the realities of life. This story comes with a twist though. Soulmates are most compatible on every level, physically, emotionally, intellectually as well as age-wise. However, what happens if you meet your soulmate in your mid-teens only to find out that he is just a toddler? Lest assured, there will be no creepy child sex or anything here. Story of 17-year old Schuyler Raverton and his 5-year-old soulmate Olliver Langdon and their journey into adulthood and finally getting together.

Ryan Becker's favorite phrase was always, "Just wait a little longer." I waited two years for his startup to stabilize so we could get married. I waited another three years for his mother to warm up to the idea of a wedding. On the night of his 30th birthday dinner, his mother slipped her emerald bracelet off her wrist in front of everyone. Passing down the heirloom was their old tradition for recognizing a daughter-in-law. I thought that this time, finally, I wouldn't have to wait anymore. "Give me your hand, dear." Yet Aurelie Becker reached right past me and smoothly fastened the bracelet around Sabine Hansen's wrist instead. The entire room fell dead silent. She patted the back of Sabine's hand warmly. "Sabine grew up with Ryan. We're all one family here, no distinctions between us." My hands were still resting on the table, my fingertips turning cold. Someone whispered, "What about Miss Solis?" Ryan leaned in close, lowering his voice. "My mom is just being sentimental. Don't take it to heart. I'll bring you a custom necklace from my business trip next month. Just wait a little longer, okay?" Sabine lifted her wrist, flaunting it right in front of my face with a provocative smile. "Look, Eliza, isn't it beautiful? Aurelie says it's an old-mine emerald." "It's beautiful," I said simply. Just then, the phone inside my bag vibrated. It was a text message that read: [Have you made up your mind? When are you coming to Phaelis?]

I was just picking up my spoon when he told me our marriage registration would be delayed again. "Let's do it next time," Ethan said as he put down his cutlery. His tone was as casual as if he were commenting on the pleasant weather. I took a sip of my food, chewed slowly, and swallowed. "Okay." He glanced at me, picked up his fork, and then looked at me again. "You're not angry?" I continued eating, my voice entirely flat. "No, I'm not." Our wedding ceremony had been held six months ago, but this was the seventeenth time he had postponed getting our marriage certificate. He was used to doing this. And I was used to accepting it. I finished my meal bite by bite. He didn't touch his food again. When I stood up to clear the table, he caught my wrist. "Summer, next Monday. I'll definitely be free next week," Ethan promised. "We already had our wedding anyway, a few days won't make a difference. Don't worry, I won't break my promise this time." I looked down at his hand, then looked up at him with a faint smile. "Okay." Over the past six months, he had said "next week" nine times, "definitely" thirteen times, and "don't worry" sixteen times. Yet, we still hadn't registered our marriage. And next week, it wouldn't happen either. Because this time, I would be the one breaking the promise.

Just before my wedding, I did the unthinkable—I switched places with Raine Miller, my fiancé's childhood sweetheart. It had been an accident, but I uncovered the painful truth—Bruno Russell, the man I loved, had already built a happy home with Raine. I never knew before, but now I do. For five long years in our relationship, Bruno had never so much as touched me. I once thought it was because he was worried about my weak heart, but I couldn't be more mistaken. He simply wanted to keep himself pure for Raine, to belong only to her. Our marriage wasn't for love. Bruno wanted me so he could control my father's company. Fine! If he craved my wealth so much, I would give it all to him. I sold every last one of my shares, and then vanished without a word. Leaving him, forever.