Chapter 21
BONDING CEREMONY CHAOS
The bonding ceremony is tonight, and th
the castle is alive with bustling activity. Bria had sent a small army of maids to cater to my every need as 1 prepared for the occasion. I sat still as they worked on my hair and nails, their chatter about the ceremony filling the room. For what was supposed to be a simple bonding ceremony, the preparations were nothing short of extravagant. If this was the effort for a bonding ceremony, I can only imagine what a wedding in the Bloodbane caule would look like.
Even my main wedding with Dane wasn’t this luxurious
1 peep
out the window, curious to see how far along they were with the arrangements. The sight below took my breath away. The main courtyard had been transformed into a magical scene. Rows of lanterns lined the stone pathways, their soft golden light already glowing against the dimming sky. Towering arches draped in lush red and white roses framed the aisle, their petals spilling onto the polished stone.
From the faint melodies drifting up from below, I knew there was an orchestra rehearsing somewhere on the grounds. Everything screamed royalty, dominance, and tradition
“This is not Deckard’s doing.” I murmur to myself. There was no way he’d orchestrate something this elaborate. No, this had the elders written all over it. They’d been clamoring for a Luna for years, and tonight was their victory.
Lost in thought, my eyes wandered, scanning the bustling courtyard until they landed on him. Deckard. He stood near the ceremonial dais, speaking with one of the gamma warriors. Even from this distance, his presence was magnetic, his broad shoulders and commanding posture impossible to miss.
Before I could retreat, his head tilted slightly, and his sharp, predatory eyes locked onto mine.
My heart stopped.
I froze. like prey caught under the gaze of a predator. His lips curved into the faintest smirk, sending a shiver down my spine. Panic jolted through me, and I quickly ducked below the windowsill, crawling out of sight,
“Shit,” I whisper, my pulse racing. I think he saw me!
Since the kiss we shared last night, Deckard hasn’t spoken a word to me. I’m not planning to break the silence, either. It was all my doing. Why did I have to embrace him or kiss him!
I turned my attention to the dresses that had been laid out for me. Each one is stunning, and I can’t decide which to choose.
The first was a floral blue gown, delicate and intricate. The bodice was adorned with hand–embroidered blossoms that cascaded down to flowing skirt. It had an ethereal quality, the kind of dress that made you feel like royalty.
the
The second was a bronze peach silk dress. Its glossy fabric shimmered under the light, draping effortlessly over curves. The color perfectly complimented my skin tone, giving it a warm, golden glow. It was elegant, modern, and breathtakingly sensual..
The third was a green gown that radiated earthiness and grace. Made of soft, flowing fabric, it had subtle gold embellishments along the neckline and sleeves, resembling vines.
I barely had time to linger over my choices before the maids arrived, bustling in with tools, brushes, and jewelry. They worked swiftly, transforming me for the event. When they were done with my hair and makeup, I turned to the mirror and
I could hardly recognize myself.
It had been so long since I’d seen myself look like this–radiant, confident, unburdened. The stress lines and the tile bags under my eyes, reminders of the nights I’d spent crying over my ex–husband’s cruelty, were gone. For the first time in years, I felt beautiful
While I was getting ready, one of the maids entered the room carrying a golden cup. Her demeanor was calm, but there was a certain urgency in her voice as the placed the cup on the table
“This is from the riders, my Luna,” she said, bowing her head slightly. “In is tradition for the future Lana to drink from this cup before the bonding
I frowned, unfamiliar with such a tradition. In all my conversations about the customs of the Bloodne pack, I’d never heard of this. Still, the mention of the elders gave me pause. They had been nothing but stern and unyielling in their expectations, and defying them on such an important day might stir unnecessary trouble.
Chapter 21
Hesitating briefly, I picked up the golden rup and took a sip. The liquid was strange–sweet yet slightly batter, and it left a peculiar warmth shown my throat. I drank half of it beloste setting the res
“Thank you” I said to the maidd, who noshded and slipped out of the mom.
Kush, one of the maids tending to me, stepped closer, carefully fluffling emit the ma’ani?” she asked eagerly, her hands brushing the falsies.
he dresses laid before me. “What doess will you be wearing,
Thesitates, stat
the stunning options. Each one is so taniipar, and I still can’t decide
“Why don’t you pick?” I fully say, Warning to Hul with a stall side.
Her eyes widened in shock. “Really? You honor me, my Lama,” she stammerei, her voice filled with disbelief and excitement.
I chuckled softly at her reaction. I knew she saw this as a privilege, but the inith was 1 gemiinely need her help. I had no idea which dress would make me feel the most confident tonight.
“It’s just a dress, Ruth!” I say with a small laugh, shaking my head at her cislandasin.
“No, it’s not, may Luna!” she exclaim, eyes wide with excitement. “I get to pick the dress the Lanna wears for her bonding ceremony! Of course, it’s a privilege!”
Her sincerity caught
me off guard, but it was endearing.
“Alright, then,” Lsay, gesturing for her to contitate
She steps closer, her fingers brushing over the delicate fabrics. “The blue one goes with your eyes, while the peach matches your skin perfectly,” she sand thoughtfully. “But I prefer the blue one, hi nukes you look like the moon goddess. The alpha wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off you!”
Her conviction was contagionis. “Okay, I’ll go with that,” I decide.
Moments later, I stood before the mirror, the blue floral gown clinging to my body like a second skin. It accentuated my curves, the intricate floral patterns flowing gracefully down the fabric, and revealed just enough cleavage to be tasteful yet alluring Hooked ethereal, almost like the moon godless Ruth spoke of.
I stared at my reflection for a moment longer, feeling a pang of nervousness at the thought of Deckard seeing me like this.
But withan 30 minutes, the excitement gave way to something unsettling. A strange heat began spreading through my body, making my skin feel as though it were burning from the inside out. My pube quickened, and restlessness seeped into my imiseles
I waved the maids away with a forced smile. “Excuse me for a bit, 1 think I’ll take a short nap before the ceremony.
Once alone, I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to steady my breathing. But the heat only grew worse, prickling across my skin. I wiped my brow noticing a faint sheen of sweat.
What is happening! My lly feels strange–hot, restless, out of control, I couldn’t place the feeling, but it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced Something ba‘ right
The dress was unbearable now, clinging to my heated skin like a tormentor. My body felt alien, my thoughts disjointed. I staggered to the door. locking it behind me with shaky fingers, before hurriedly peeling the dress off. The cool air against any bare skin offered little relief as the oppressive heat churned withinune.
I can hear the faint sound of harps and the band playing a slow, mekoilic tune from outside. The ceremony had started. Deckard would be waiting, the elders eager, but here I am, sinking into a haze I can’t escape
My mind feels foggy, like a dense cloud has descended over my thoughts, I swayed on my feet, clutching the edge of the dresser for balance. Why do I feel this way? Like, I need a man inside of me..so bad!
Am I drunk? No, that cannot be it–I hadn’t touched alcohol all day.
No. just tea and something else
My gare darted to the table to see the cup I drank from, but there was nothing on the table any more.
I was the last thing
Before I could piece it together, there was a knock at the door–sharp, deliberate, and echoing through the lure consuming me. It was th I heard before my memory went dark.
