Tatia
The morning came all too soon and I woke with a start. The maid's words from last night were still echoing in my head. The consummation is to be witnessed publicly. The elders' eyes were to be on every inch of me while Droko claimed what was now his. My body still ached from the rituals, but that was nothing compared to the knot now twisting in my stomach.
I sat up in the massive bed, silk sheets tangling around my legs, and pressed a hand to my chest to steady my breathing.
How could I go through with this? I was to be stripped bare and taken like some prize in front of them all.
The chamber was quiet, morning light filtering through heavy curtains. A servant knocked softly and entered with a tray of bread, cheese, and hot tea. "Good morning, Luna Tatia. The Alpha sends his regards. Eat, then join him in the hall for the day's duties."
As if I could focus on anything but the horror waiting at sunset. I forced down a few bites, then asked. "What duties exactly?"
She set the tray on a table. "You'll meet the pack betas, tour the grounds, and learn the castle layout. Nothing strenuous. The Alpha wants you familiar with your new home before tonight."
Tonight. The word hung there, unspoken but heavy. I nodded, dismissing her, and dressed in the simple gown left for me. The soft fabric clung to my skin. My satchel with the spellbook stayed hidden under the bed. I couldn't risk brewing more potions now, not with eyes everywhere. The veils from yesterday still held, but they drained me with each minute they stayed up.
I stepped into the corridor, guards nodding as I passed. The castle buzzed with activity: servants hauling water, wolves in human form sharpening weapons in the courtyard. Droko was already waiting in the great hall, by the time I entered. "Tatia. Sleep well?"
"Not really," I admitted, in a low voice.
He stepped closer. "Nerves are normal. After tonight, you'll be my wife both in mind and in body. You'll be fine."
I wanted to laugh, but fear choked it back. "What's first?"
He led me outside. "The betas. They need to know their Luna."
We met a group of broad-shouldered men and women in the training yard, all loyal to Droko. One, a scarred beta named Thorne, bowed slightly. "Luna. Welcome. We've heard much about you."
I forced a smile. "Good things, I hope."
Thorne chuckled. "The Alpha chose well. Distant pack blood strengthens us."
Distant pack. The lie sat heavy. Droko's possessive hand stayed on my back. "Show her the borders, Thorne. She needs to know our lands."
We walked the grounds, Thorne pointing out watchtowers, the river marking the edge of territory. "Vampires probe here sometimes. Stay vigilant."
The mention of the word vampire sent a chill down my spine, but I pushed it down. "How often?"
"Rarely. But we crush them, so you needn't worry."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All day, it went like that. Tours of the kitchens, where cooks bowed and offered samples. Meetings with healers, who explained pack remedies. I nodded, asked questions, played the part of eager bride. But inside, panic built. Every hour brought tonight closer. Every eye on me and Droko's body over mine, thrusting while they all watched. My cheeks burned at the thought. Could I even fake submission? Would my magic hold under that strain?
By midday, we broke for a meal in the hall. Droko sat beside me, his thigh pressing against mine under the table. "You're quiet. Talk to me."
I met his gaze. "It's a lot to take in. The castle, the pack... tonight."
His fingers traced my knee, hidden from view. "Tonight won't be as bad as you think. All you need do is submit, and they'll accept you."
The command in his voice stirred something unwanted, a flicker of heat low in my belly. I shifted away. "And if I can't?"
His grip tightened. "There is no 'if'. You will submit to me, Tatia."
I swallowed the fear down and ate in silence, my mind immediately racing to escape plans. Slip out a side gate, brew a cloaking potion and run home. Simple enough.
But then what? Father's debts returned, Mother wasting away without medicine, the twins starving. No. I had to endure. For them.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As the sun dipped low, servants fetched me to prepare. In a side chamber, they bathed me in scented water and oiled my skin until it gleamed. The white gown from yesterday waited, but thinner, almost sheer. "For the rite," one whispered.
I dressed, my hands trembling the whole time. The door opened eventually, and Droko entered, dismissing them. He looked me over with approval. "My beautiful bride. Ready?"
No. Gods, no. But I nodded. "Let's get it over with."
He took my hand, leading me to the hall. The elders waited in a circle formed around the dais piled with furs. The air was thick and heavy with the smell of burning incense. Maelora stood at the head, chanting softly.
Droko guided me up the steps until we were standing and facing the audience. As I turned to see the numerous gazes fixed on me, my heart began to hammer wildly.
"Undress." he said finally with his voice laced with full authority.
I swallowed once, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again. My fingers fumbled at the gown's ties, and the fabric slipped off. The cool night air hit my bare skin, and nipples hardened instantly. I looked up to find the elders' stares burning through me as a dozen pairs of eyes began raking over my body. Shame flooded hot, but I lifted my chin, refusing to cower.
Droko stripped next, his body a wall of muscle, scars telling stories of battles won. I looked down to find his length was already hard, thick and ready. He took one step closer and said. "Kneel."
My pride screamed no, but my knees bent. The furs were soft under me. He gripped my chin and tilted my face up. "Keep your eyes on me, Tatia. Only me."
His green eyes held mine, intense. The chant rose around us, but his presence drowned it.
"Hands behind your back." he said.
I obeyed, wrists crossing at my lower back. He wrapped a leather cord around them, binding tight. Not enough to hurt, but enough to trap. "You move when I say. You speak when I say. From this moment onward, you exist for me. Do you understand?"
"Yes." My voice shook, fear mixing with a traitorous pulse between my legs.
SMACK!
I felt a painful sting on my left buttock and my body jolted with the sudden pain. I turned round to see that he had landed a spank there.
"Yes... what?"
I swallowed and looked up at him. "Yes, my lord."
"Louder." His hand fisted my hair, pulling my head back.
"Yes my lord!"
"Good girl." He released my hair, trailing fingers down my neck and over my breasts. He pinched a nipple hard, twisting until I gasped in pain. And yet, I felt an inexplicable wetness slick down my thighs.
The elders murmured, but Droko ignored them. "Spread your legs."
I shifted, knees parting wide. I didn't have to look but I could feel their eyes on my core which made me want to close up, hide. But his command held me open. He knelt between my thighs, one hand gripping my bound wrists, the other sliding between my legs. His fingers probed, finding me wet. "Already eager, I see..."
I didn't reply. I mean how could I? Here I was shamelessly getting aroused in front of a bunch of strangers while someone's fingers sent thrills racing through my body.
I closed my eyes as wave after wave of pure pleasure coursed through my body. I could feel the tension beginning to build in my center, and as much as I dreaded the pack of elders watching me cum, I anticipated the absolute bliss that came with it.
Yes, right there. It's been so long.
I let my head fall back and waited for the crash I knew was soon coming. I teetered closer and closer to the edge with each flick of his thumb. I was so close. Just a few more flicks. And then...
He stopped.
I bit my lip, pride fighting the moan building. "Please..."
"Please what?" His fingers hovered just above my clit, teasing, but not giving relief.
"Please... touch me."
He chuckled darkly. "Not good enough."
"Please, Alpha, touch me. Make me yours." The words burned my throat, but the ache grew, body betraying mind.
He plunged two fingers inside, curling hard. I arched as a loud cry escaped. "Like that?"
"Yes!" Sensation overwhelmed: stretch, pressure, his dominance pressing in.
He pumped faster, thumb on my clit. "Do not come until I give you permission to. Hold it."
I whimpered as my muscles clenched to obey. Sweat beaded on my skin, the elders' presence amplifying every gasp. Their eyes were watching his fingers claim me and yet my body responded despite the humiliation. Fear twisted with thrill, pride crumbling under the heat.
He withdrew suddenly, leaving me empty. "On your back."
I rolled, bound hands under me, lifting my hips. He positioned over me, his length nudging my entrance. "Look at them. Let them see you submit."
My gaze flicked to the circle of elders whose faces blurred in incense haze. A deep well of shame surged within me then and I wanted to turn away, but his hand on my throat held me still. Not choking, but controlling. "Say it now. Say I'm your Alpha."
"You're my Alpha." Tears pricked, from fear or need, I couldn't tell.
And in one brutal thrust, he filled me completely. I screamed, stretched wide as a mix of pain and pleasure consumed me. He didn't pause, hips snapping hard, deep. "Take all of me."
Each drive pinned me, his weight dominating. Hand on my throat tightened slightly, his warm fingers pressing against my pulse and controlling my breath.
"Faster." I said.
His hand released my throat and a slap to my face reminded me of my place.
"Faster, please, my lord!" My voice broke, body rocking with his rhythm.
He obliged, pounding relentlessly within me as his free hand pinched my nipples and twisted. Pain blended with ecstasy, building fast. The elders chanted louder, witnessing every thrust, every moan. Public claiming seared into me, terrifying yet intoxicating. Wetness soaked us, my pride shattered, replaced by raw need.
The wells of pleasure began to soar again and just when I thought I couldn't hold it any longer, the command I'd been waiting for finally came.
"Come now," he growled, angling deeper, hitting that spot.
The orgasm ripped through, clenching around him, as my vision blurred. He thrust through it, prolonging it until I thought I'd pass out from the thrill.
Suddenly... suddenly, he stilled. His eyes narrowed, and he flared his nose as he inhaled deep.
"Your scent... it's off."
The words froze the hall. His length still buried, as his body tensed over mine. Maelora stepped closer, suspicion sharp.
My heart hammered in my chest. Lost in the waves of ecstasy, I'd lost my focus and let the veil slip. And now, he knew.
Droko pulled back slightly, gaze boring into mine. "What the hell are you hiding from me?"