Chapter 6.
The time flew by and next thing I knew it was the day of the coronation and mating ceremony. The packs from all around came in droves, the packhouse and guest houses were full, at least from what we were hearing. The guards were constantly talking about the spars and games. So far the Alpha and Beta of Mooncliff were taking all. They must be really strong to best all the other packs so much.
My nerves have been on edge because I don't know how it will affect me when he marks her. Especially since he forbade me from accepting and returning his rejection of me. If it kills me, so be it, but I have decided that I will not go down without saying what I think. Even if I speak it only to Aggie in this cell.
-Across the pack lands Japer's POV-
I tossed another Beta out of the ring, my energy levels have been unprecedent and I have been feeling off since getting here three days ago. We arrived earlier than the other packs because we have been on a mission. There are some interesting rumors going around about shady business practices, alliances with a banned pack, and aiding in genocide of other races of beings and shifters. I have found evidence so far of all of the above being most likely truthful. This pack will have to be monitored for concrete evidence so they can be formally convicted and abolished. Starting with that smug, arrogant pissant of a future Alpha.
He swaggers around with that bimbo of his nor realizing he's inherited all of his father's and grandfather's sins and crimes. And we intend to take them all down. Too bad the old man died a few years back. I would've loved to take his head. He was by far the worst. He singlehandedly slaughtered a pack of were-fae hybrids to near extinction. He drove them away into hiding. Very few of them survived, maybe a third of the pack total. Our pack has been ferreting them supplies off and on as we can. We eventually managed to move them to our woods, but as they were leaving several warriors attacked and some children were snatched. We recovered all but one little girl, and I have every suspicion she's being hidden around here.
My skin's crawling. I feel so weird around here, like something is going to happen. These battles are all that are keeping me from going full wolf. I know Alpha feels it. Sebastian has been on edge too, but rather than battles, Lili has been keeping him mostly calm. Though he seems to be enjoying a good rumble or two.
Once this ceremony begins and we can get out of here, I think the better off we'll be. Something just bothers me about this place. Oh well, time to shower and get this pompas power display over with.
-back to the dungeon Lisa's POV-
I was laying in my bunk when the cell door was thrown open, two guards came in and grabbed me. I was dragged to my feet and my hands and feet shackled and cuffed. I was roughly dragged out and down to the showers, I was thrown into a cold shower, the water stung my cuts and made me bleed again, they roughly scrubbed my hair to remove the blood matted in and tangled in. I was trying not to scream. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
When the bigger guard ripped my dress to remove it I jumped and forgot I got my feet were bound. I tripped and landed on my hands and my knees. It was painful. They still ripped my dress off me and shoved me back to my feet. I was forced into a plain gray dress with a white apron, much like a servant's uniform. My feet were shoved into plain black flats a half size too small that pinched my toes and killed my heels.
I was then marched out and past the other cells, being half dragged and half carried between the two guards. I knew I was too weak to fight them so I just let them haul me to wherever they were taking me. I had no tears, I wasn't scared. I just let go and dealt with it. Whatever happened to me I couldn't stop anyways, might as well make peace.
I was taken into the packhouse and put into a holding room. The door was locked and I was left alone. I didn't need to even wonder why I was here. I was going to be forced to stand and witness his marking of her. I would be the entertainment no doubt. Bring it on, I won't go silently.
I could hear the dull din of the party going, I could smell the food wafting through the packhouse. My stomach growled but I ignored it. I was used to hunger. Though, the few days in the dungeon did get my stomach used to having food again. I was no matter.
Sounded like there must be at least 20 other packs in attendance but I have no way of knowing. I never met any other packs. When any other packs came I was banished to my cellar. I gathered that I was not to be seen by anyone outside of the pack. Though why, I didn't know.
Soon the two guards came back and pulled me towards the ballroom. The doors opened and I was dragged in and chained to a pillar in the back of the room. My mouth was bound and somehow no one noticed. I was positioned directly in front of the platform. I could see the ritual set up. The chalice, the dagger, the crowns. It was lavish.
The current Alpha and Luna stood, clinking their knives against their wine glasses. The room quieted, I knew they were announcing the arrival of the pack elder.
An ancient old man took the stage and beckoned the current Alpha and future Alpha, as well as the current and future Lunas.
"Today we gather, to witness the transferring of power and title to the new generation of the bloodline. The transference involves the binding and blood pact. Right after the ritual of the Alpha's is done, Future Alpha Luke will mark and take his chosen Luna Natalie. They have remained mateless and have chosen to take and accept each other. This happens for many wolves, as wars, others choosing mates and other things can take mates lives before they're ever found." The elder stopped and gestured for the Alpha and Luke to take the stage.
"Alpha Leon, please place your right hand on the Moonstone. Future Alpha, your right onto the stone if you will. As I speak the words, the power of Alpha Leon will flow through the stone, and into Leon. Then they will perform the blood binding."
The elder pulled out an old tome and opened it to a well worn page. He spoke the words and all witnessed the golden glow flowing from Leon's hand into the stone, where it pulsed and glowed then, it shot into Luke's right hand and seemed to circle his wrist and forearm, almost as if it didn't want to settle. Eventually it did and the process was completed. No one said a word, but I know they saw it.
After that, the elder sliced both their left palms and mixed three drops of blood each into the chalice of wine. After each drank the power shift was fully completed.
Natalie who had been standing to the side stepped up, her red dress shimmering with each movement and her heels clicking across the wooden floor. The dress was lowcut and made her look cheap and tawdry. It had a slit to her thigh showing entirely too much skin. She looked like a street walker rather than a Luna-to-be.
She came to Luke's side and smiled at him seductively. She flicked a quick glance my way and her smile broadened even more. But it wasn't happiness in her eyes, in that quick glance, it was malice. She was happiest that it would most likely cause me pain and even end me.
The elder placed them in the center of the altar and took out a white silk binding. He turned the page of the tome and turned to the crowd.
"This ritual, will bind these two together for the rest of their lives. Only then can she truly take the role of pack Luna. This ritual is not to be taken lightly. If anyone at all knows of any reason at all that these two should not be bound, speak now."
No one spoke. I couldn't make a sound. I could only watch as they pledged their loyalty. My heart being squeezed painfully. The pain was terrible. I felt like I was being ripped apart. I wouldn't cry. I refused. I wouldn't close my eyes either. I watched. The whole thing. As he said his words, as she echoed them. But when his fangs pierced her neck, my resolve waivered. I screamed past the gag. A blood curdling soul piercing scream.
My entire body writhed, it felt like my soul was being ripped from me. My breath was stolen, my eyes wide and everyone finally saw me. Only I couldn't see them. The mate bond was forcefully broken when he marked her, and now I was dying. I could feel my body slump and the pain in every shallow breath only drove the pain deeper. As I felt myself sliding away a strange scent caught my nose. It smelled like crisp autumn leaves, coffee and cinnamon. It was pleasant and I wanted to claw my way back just to smell it some more.
-Jasper's POV-
A scream rang out from the back of the room. We all turned startled to find a woman, small, thin and bleeding chained to a pillar. She was dressed in a maid's uniform but her hair, it was unusual. She wasn't wolf. Or not just. I couldn't make sense of it. But, then her scent hit me. Fresh strawberries, summer rain, and honey. Ryko my wolf, stood up in my mind, he sniffed the air and the word rumbled through my chest.
"MATE!"