I expected noise to consume the huge pack house, and yet it was eerily silent as I begin to descend from the bedroom. It gave me chills, finding it strange that everything is so quiet on such a rare day for their Alpha.
With no even a full day to plan, I thought it would be chaos. Apparently this pack exceed as wedding planners too. I thought with slight bitterness, hating that nothing is going to postpone today.
Triss remains a step behind me, guiding me from the mansion and out into the woods. At first I didn't feel much of anything, until we got further into the barely lit trees, far enough that Alpha Hardins begin to show through the space in the distance.
My legs falter.
"Stand tall, chin up, shoulders back." Triss whispers to me, adjusting my rigged posture.
Nodding faintly, I quickly do as she says knowing first impressions are everything. If this pack doesn't see me fit, I'll be walked all over and Hardin won't be able to stop it.
For my benefit, I keep my eyes forwards and steps steady, unwavering beneath curious eyes. Just like Triss said, the men ogle my bare flesh, while thewomen either gaze in awe or jealousy. Such a small change to my choice of clothes and this is the reaction it brings. Perhaps they're jealous that their beloved Alpha is choosing me, not that I feel like a queen.
The pack parts like the ocean for me to pass, leading me straight to a tall, freestanding stone building, huge pillars holding up a stone slab over the opening. Green moss crawls up the sides of the brittle stone, intricate designs clearly once covered the place but age seems to have taken its toll. Triss says this place has stood for almost four hundred years.
Understanding that I have to go inside alone, I slowly walk up the few large steps. The small bits of crumbled stone digs into the soles of my bare feet, I didn't dare complain.
Despite the dusk mid morning sky, it didn't provide much light inside the building. The only thing visible is at the far end of the huge building, a large square missing from the ceiling, held up by four huge stone pillars. Resting in the centre lays a slab of rock, and Alpha Hardin stands right next to it.
I'm not human, light isn't necessary for me to see in the dark. Right now I wish I couldn't see at all, this entire room screams intimidation. Knowing so many strong men have stood here and married women far better than I, makes me feel small. As if I'm standing naked before hundreds of eyes, I didn't like it.
"Come." Hardin states.
I wasn't expecting sweet words and smiles, but being ordered to go near him wasn't what I thought would happen. In my own mind I assumed this would feel less terrifying being face to face with him, but it isn't.
Knowing better than to anger a Alpha in a place that is sacred to him, I quickly hurry my steps. Hesitantly, I place my hand in his colossal outstretched one, allowing him to pull me closer. Being as far from comfortable and relaxed as a person possible could be, I stiffly stare up at the barely lit sky above us.
The warmth of Hardins body seeps into my cold skin as his close proximity closes in on me, one deep breath and our chests would press together. I'd never felt so awkward.
The atmosphere shifts, his looming presence filling my vision as he towers over my smaller frame. I didn't want to look at him, immediately loweringmy eyes to his chest out of sheer dignity for myself.
"The more you fight it, the more painful it will be." Hardin warns me in a much softer voice.
Sweaty palms, frozen to the bone, I only nod my head. I couldn't speak, the words glueing themselves to my throat, stopping me from responding.
Hardin brushes my perfectly curled hair behind my shoulder, his rough fingers pressing under my jaw, tilting my stiff head. I didn't dare move, knowing he wants the extra access to my throat. Even if it makes my stomach ball with nerves and fear, I didn't flinch.
Not until his canines sink into the crook of my neck, piercing deep into my tender flesh with absolutely no remorse. At first it wasn't too painful, only what I expected it to feel like. I relax my shoulders and arms, allowing myself to simply let it happen, to give him what he wants.
Yet the pain grows, like a sudden match being lit inside my mind. I felt the presence of another, the pressure as Hardin attempts to force his way into my mind. As much as I want to let him in, it wasn't working.
Burning fire boils over my skin, my skull throbbing with electric currents that take my breath. It hurt, more than I thought it would. The pain quickly becomes agony, forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut and lock in place.
Hardin's warmth vanishes, somewhere through the excruciating torture I hear his growling, rumbling off the ancient stone walls. The agony prolongs itself, still not letting up despite Hardin moving away. His bite is causing it, forcing the first stage of the mating on me, yet something inside me simply isn't allowing it.
"AH!" Earth shattering scream floods my ears, making them ring sorely. Tortured, high pitched, a woman.
Me. I realise quickly.
I wanted to smash my head onto the concrete, anything to release the agony pulsing within my skull. As if my head is splintering, cracking in half to give Hardin a full view, that's what it feels like.
My body violently shakes under the agony, and it wasn't long before I feel myself weaken. My legs are the first to give way, the pain knocking me to my knees, right before everything goes deathly silent, still, empty.
" The union has been accepted." Those words burn into my memory like poison, awakening me from the darkness. I wasn't certain on how long I'd been out, but I knew the pain had knocked me unconscious. It's not the first time it's happened, despite this being the first time my brain hurt instead of my body. Blinking as I strain to open my heavy eyelids, I quickly realise there's a rather sharp ache still pulsing within my skull. Bearable, enough so that I push myself up off the stone slab, slowly. The last thing I want is to go dizzy right now. "Do you have any idea what you just did?" Alpha Hardin questions me, his tone clipped with anger. Lowering my aching eyes, I give a small shake of my head as I brush tiny stones off of my palms gently. Even if I don't get what the big deal is on his end, I know I have to give some response that shows a flicker of remorse, or guilt. My father never liked it when I didn't take the blame, it made him feel like it was his fault, which it was. "I
He was right, once he started touching me, my body didn't resist. Now knowing that there's no denying him, I feel more trapped, more humiliated and used than I ever have.Slowly I cover myself in the thin fabric, after spending all night nude outside on the grass, clothes feel great even with so little coverage. It wasn't long before Hardin woke too, silence surrounding us as he dresses himself. The fact that I'm keeping my back to him clearly speaks louder than words,I don't wish to converse with him, I'm glad he doesn't attempt to do SO. "Come, lets get you cleaned up." He says after minutes, expecting no response. I could feel his warmth behind me, his hand that he outstretches for me to take. Did he hit his head? I side glance his hand with bitterness, a glare he didn't see. Without a word, I turn on my heel and walk straight past him, blanking his very existence. I wanted to storm off, but given that every step only adds to the uncomfortable feeling between my thighs, I don't
"It's been almost a week since anyone saw you, Luna." Lacys concerned voice isn't surprising.Staring blankly at the closed curtains, I give no sign of response. I'd stopped responding a few days back, after giving the same answer time and time again, I didn't see the point in talking.Three weeks.Three weeks since I arrived here, and it feels like a lifetime ago. At first I carried on smiling, I talked with the pack and held up the act of the gentle Luna that I know they all believe. I tried so hard to keep them happy, I tried to pretend like I wasn't stuck here, I tried so hard to just be happy. But I couldn't do it, every minute it got harder, every day my smile began to fade and after a week ... I considered ending it all.The pack expected perfection through the day, and by night Hardin comes in and does as he pleases with me. The past two nights he hasn't been back, I tried to deny him, which resulted in me slapping him. I assume he's still enraged, and I'm still frightened of
"Luna-" Lacys familiar voice fills the empty room. "Oh my god!" She gasps. I stare at the mirror in utter disgust, anger brewing inside of me as I poke at my flesh. The bruises are long gone, but the weight I'd lost in the past week has taken a huge toll on my body. My skin is paler than usual, far more bones poking through than ever before. Dark circles rim my eyes, thoroughly making me a monstrous sight. Fact is, I wanted to blame Hardin. He's the reason I'm here, he's the reason I don't sleep, the reason I can't eat. At the same time I didn't have the energy, blaming him is tiring, and it's not like I'm not to blame too. I refused the food, I stayed awake at night, I didn't converse with the pack or even leave the room. I've been clinging onto my old life, the person I was only last month due to a promise I made to my brother. In the end, that promise is going to kill me, holding on is hurting me more. I want to keep my promise, I want to be the person my brother expects me to
Before my mind registers what I'm doing, my hand wraps around his wrist, shoving him away with all my strength. Hardin squeezes my throat, just enough to make me gasp a little, his face nearing mine as his eyes grow darker.I know what he wants, and if I don't act then he'll take it, again. No amount of refusal with words has worked so far, he acts like he hasn't even heard me. But pushing him away, that gets to him."I strongly suggest you don't repeat that." Hardin growls sinisterly, eyes ablaze, bright red.Every nerve in my body screams at me to submit, but at the same time I feel powerful being able to deny him. Even for a short moment, being able to finally tell him no, and mean it, gives me huge satisfaction."Then I suggest you don't touch what isn't yours." I say, my voice ringing with clarity.Damn Kali, when'd you get so brave?My entire body freezes over the second I see Hardin's face contort with anger, the utter fury that burns within his blood red eyes. Until now I'd no
"Harder!"My growl resonates over the sound of his voice, frustration burning through me. No matter how much I push, Hardin doesn't move a millimetre."I'm not strong enough." I snap, exhaling heavily as I step away from his huge form.My arms ache from trying to move him, I'd used all the strength I could muster and it didn't faze him. I'm supposed to be stronger than this, I'm supposed to be powerful, and I doubt I could take the average wolf."You're trying too hard." Hardin states."Clearly not hard enough." I respond with sarcasm dripping from my tone.How can I be trying too hard, when I haven't even been able to move him? Trying less would get me know where. Hardin has been training his entire life like every other Alpha in the world, all except me. Perhaps my parents were right, a female shouldn't be first born."You're trying to control your strength, to focus it, and it doesn't work that way." Hardin snaps at me, annoyed that I'm blanking him.My wrist is suddenly grabbed, a
A entire week of hell, and the day hasfinally arrived. After seven days of maxing my limits and exhausting myself with what felt like pointless torment, it's finally time to face the music.Even though Hardin gave me a brief rundown of how the ceremony will go, I'm still nervous. For three days I'll be put to the rest with a series of different challenges and tasks, more so because I'm now Hardins mate."Take it off, wolves don't need to cover up." Beck mutters to me as we exit the car.Brushing his hand away, I bury my hands into my pockets. Hardin and his beta join us, leading me into the large stone mansion. I didn't pay much attention to the building, or the decor, only the amount of wolves that whisper and stare as I pass them.They smell my Alpha blood, they're naturally threatened by it. I assume that's why Hardin stays close to me, placing me between himself, Zed flanking my left and Beck just behind us. I have to admit, I don't feel so on edge with all three close by.The wol
"Are you ready to meet your maker?" Zed whispers to me.Inhaling a long shaky breath, I roll out my shoulders in attempt to shake off the tension. I barely slept last night, Hardin has spent hours debating with the Elders to switch my opponent. Judging by Zeds words, I know Hardin failed to convince them."As ready as I'll ever be." I say softly."He's going to taunt you, as long as you stay in control, you win." Zed assures me.Nodding, I take a deep breath. Control, the one thing I do have over myself. Knowing that comforts me, even if I know the beating that he's going to give me may just put me out for the count."Where's Hardin?" I ask, my nerves haywire.I needed him with me, I needed his comfort, I needed to know that he's still going to stand at my side no matter what happens. But most importantly, I needed my mate for emotional support, just having him close does wonders."He'll be here." Zed promises, squeezing my shoulder as if to calm down my fear.Nodding, I inhale slowl