Chapter 40
Auren POV
The Shaman handed me the bowl of water and 1 looked at it with uncertainty.
“Kneel,” he instructed, and I obeyed.
He placed a silver pendant in my palm which was the shape of a crescent moon. “Offer your prayer,” he said,
I took a slow breath and closed my eyes. As I offered my prayers, the entire pack watched me. There was a hush over the gathering.
My mind scrambled for the right words. “Moon Goddess,” 1 began, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if I am the right soul to break this curse, but if I am, grant me your strength” Something pulsed around me, but I think it was a trick of my imagination.
The Shaman took the bowl and poured the water over my hands. It dripped onto the ceremonial stones beneath me.
“Rise,” the Shaman ordered. When 1 rose, my eyes glanced at the cround and I saw Lucien standing at the edge of the crowd with his arms crossed. his intense gaze lorked on me.
The rinual ended, and I felt a strange sensation working its way up me. Like I was exposed to the moon goddess in more than one way, Lucien came jo me and guided me out of the place with possessiveness.
The entire day passed by doing one thing or the ather. I was taken to several plices where I had to offer my pledges. Orphanages, hospitals, nurseries, series of charities and much more. I was constantly changing clothes and wearing matching jewelry Lucien was extremely busy with the wedding preparations, but I don’t know how he managed to come and see me at these events. And every time I saw him watching me with the same intense gaze. It was overwhelming, but I liked the way he looked at me possessively. Like I belonged to him. Even if that was temporary.
At the end of it. 1 was very tired but there was the pre–wedding party I had to attend,
As I stood in front of the mirror in my room, adjusting the ruby necklace around my neck. I felt Lucien’s presence before I saw him.
fre wearing it wrong.” he murmured behind me.
“You’re
My breath lodged in my throat as his fingers brushed against my skin. He corrected the way the necklace sat on my collarbone, his touch lingering longer than necessary. My pulse stuttered.
For
a moment, I thought he might say something, but he only met my gaze through the mirror and stepped away. The tension between us hadn’t eased. If anything, it had grown heavier–thick, and filled with words neither of us dared to say. And with the wedding drawing closer, I wasn’t sure how much longer we could keep pretending
He drank me in, and then offered his arm. As we walked down the stairs, he said, “Many wolves from neighboring packs have arrived. They will try to contact you, but don’t meet them”
“Why?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows,
A muscle feathered in his jaw. “Because some of them are unmated.”
So I’ve already told everyuar that you won’t meet anyone. That’s it?”
I blinked my eyes at him, unable to understand the reason for his orders, but I didn’t argue,
When we reached the venue, a horrible surprise was waiting for me. I saw that Lucien had invited the Elders, council members and a few Alphas and Lunas. And amongst them was Alpha Bram and Maris. My heart rate spiked and I clutched Lucien’s arm rather tightly. He turned his head and narrowed his eyes. “I can sense your spiked heartbeat, What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing” I muttered, feeling the weight of Bram’s eyes on me. Dams it. Why was it that the mate bond still lingered inside me? It felt so rotten. so horrible that I wanted to get rid of it. Maris was standing beside him. While he wore a navy suit, she was in an azure silk off–shoulders dress. Maris looked at me with so much haired in her eyes that it pulsed in the air. My eyes went to her neck and I realized that she wasn’t marked as yet. Strange. Didn’t they marry
“it you’re thinking about Bram and Maris,” Lucien said in a low voice. Then remember that I called them just to show who you belong to, and that if they dare mess with you, they mess with me.”
His words sent a wave of warmth in my heart. I chuckled. “Thank you.” I lifted my chin up and walked to the place where Tarian was waiting for us. He smiled and gave me a tight nod. Then he began introducing us to all the Alphas and Lunas,
1 could sense how everyone looked at me with curiosity, wonder, pity and some with jealousy. When we reached Bran and Maris, both Lucien and I quickly said hello and moved on. However, bad things had to happen.
1/2
1221 PM d
Chapter 10
While Lucien was talking to a bunch of Alphas a few feet away, I was sitting at the table designated for us and talking to two Luras from ally packs about the various events 1 attended From the periphery of my vision, I saw Maris walking toward my table. She ut three seats away and gave me a mocking smile
“Well, well it seems our line omega has spun quite the web around the Alphs of the North,” she said, plucking a grape from the fruit bowl and slipping it between her lips. “I mean a formal mamuge?”
The two Lunas froze and became quiet. Feeling embarrassed, I bit my lip, heat rising on my checks.
Maris continued, “You’re doing a good jobs, breeder” She leaned in and growled, “Just make sure you get pregnant as soon as possible–after all, that’s your real purpose here. Don’t forget your place. Other than that, all this?” She waved at the hall and its opulence, “It’s meaningless. Alpha Lucien is only trying to make you feel better before you die.” She scoffed. “Orr because you’ll die soon, he’s making the best use of you. Why not take advantage of a doomed bride! No one in their right mind would willingly marry him anyway. And you- she smirked, tilting her head. “you’re the perfect scapegoat.”
Tears welled in my eyes. Maris knew how to insuh you. Other Lanas were stealing glances at me. I took a ragged breath and was about to excuse myself when I felt a familiar presence behind me.
“I see you’ve already talked to my Luna” Lucien said as he placed his hand on my
y shoulder.
“Al–Alpha Lucien, Maris got up, fastered as hell, her chair falling behind her.
He leaned in slightly and his voice dropped in a dangerous low. “If I’m taking advantage of the situation, then Auren is quite an opportunity for me. because she’ll be the one wearing my mark, and not you. If I remember correctly, your father offered your hand in marriage to me a few months ago, and I rejected aff
Maris gasped, flushing deeply. “1- s–sorry. I was just—” She got up and scurried away.
Istifled
my laugh as I watched her running back to Bram
Wait Maris was offered to Alpha Lucien?
2/2
