Mine. Mine. Mine.
It roared through his veins like a raging river. He would not fault her. Not in this.
The bond, while not able to be broken, could be ignored by a mated pair if they found they did not suit one another.
The majority accepted it with open arms. To find ones true mate was the ultimate goal. Yes, supreme conquest, power, knowledge, jewels, and other quests were high on the list and often the most followed.
But... it was simply a past time. A way to move forward until the ultimate goal was achieved.