Kael's POV
"Back then, our royal family upheld an old tradition," Alpha Gerald began. "We had an oracle. A usual practice in the royal family, the oracle from the same family lineage that served each generation of ours with loyalty."
His voice carried neither pride nor superstition. Only remembrance.
"When my mate was expecting a child, the oracle revealed that our baby would be unique. A rare pureblood with immense power. So, from that very day, we took precautions. We decided to conceal our child's gender at birth and raise her as a son until she came of age and found her fated mate."
He paused before continuing.
"A fated mate is the only one who would never trade her away for power. Never harm her. He would be her protector. And such a mate would not be an ordinary Alpha. Nature does not bind souls carelessly. It selects equals."
I listened carefully. But inside I knew I, her fated, had failed at protecting her.
