We recited our oaths before going into the ritual proper, and then the mating process had to come before the crowning ceremony. It was a rigorous exercise with Ryder taking his oath first, and then I followed suit.
The king slits his left palm with a royal dagger, and Ryder does the same. Then they shook hands and the crowd bared their necks while the exchange of power was ongoing, with the kinsmen reading out the vows for Ryder to repeat.
Once that was done, he had to go on his knees to receive the crown from his father. I knelt with him as his father proceeded to crown me with his mother’s crown once he was done with Ryder. I repeated my vows too and swore my loyalty to my people and to Ryder, to rule alongside him and put the welfare of my subjects first.
Then it was time for the mating proper. My wolf was giddy with excitement, she had waited for this a long time. To be joined with her mate forever as one. It was midnight already and the moon was at hi
We had just given the closing remarks when I finally caught a glimpse of Layla. She waved at me from behind the crowd, a wide smile on her face. I’d have been mad if I wasn’t surprised at how broadly she smiled and waved at me. It was hard pulling away from Ryder to go to her when my hands were trapped between his.When he finally let go, Layla was walking up to me same time as I was walking to her. A closer view revealed her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.“Someone looks overly excited. Where have you been?” I smiled as she pulled me into a tight embrace.“First, I’m sorry I haven’t been beside you,” She says with a little giggle, I doubted if she was really sorry.“And you are supposed to be my best friend,” I pouted childishly which made her laugh more.“I know, but I couldn’t help it,” she giggled “You look absolutely amazing by the way. I’ve never seen a
I can hear everything from where I stand; the insults, the snide comments, the accusations, the backlash, the loathe in their voices, everyone hates me. In their minds, I’m a bad omen, the one they should avoid at all cost. I blink back the tears that were already forming in my eyes. I should be used to this by now. It’s been twelve years of constant torture, twelve years since I’ve been reduced from the gamma’s daughter to the smelly pack maid that I am now, twelve years since the worse night of my life, but the memory is still freshly inscribed in my head, it still feels surreal to me. “She’s so pathetic,” I hear a familiar female voice say. “I wonder how she’s still able to live with herself,” another one added. “That’s why she would never have a wolf. She doesn’t deserve one,” another voice. I could either stand here and listen to all their gossips or just walk past and pretend like I didn’t hear them. I chose the latter, that’s what I do
“Happy Birthday Tee!” Layla’s scream jerked me awake. I groaned as my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the day. When I looked up, Layla is holding a small cake and smiling so broadly. I would have sworn I locked my door last night. How did she even manage to get in?I forced myself to sit upright, then glance at the clock beside my bed “Oh my goodness,” I quickly jump out of bed, knowing I’d be in deep shit today. Its almost nine A.M and Miss Anna would be so mad at me, I’m sure I’m going to be given extra work and punishment today.“Thank you, Layla,” I say dryly and grab the cake from her, setting it aside on the table, then I give her a small hug.She furrows her brow “I know you don’t like birthdays, but can you sound a little bit excited at least?” She groaned.“I am excited,” I lied “and thank you for the cake, but I have tons of work t
I spent the next few hours cleaning for Beta Leo and his family, with Bella scowling at me and making my job harder. I think she may have heard what her father was saying but I wouldn’t be surprised if she goes about spreading news that she had caught me trying to seduce her father. That disgusting prick! I always knew he was up to no good with all the lustful glances he keeps giving me but I wanted to give him the benefit of doubt and he proved just how much of a jerk he is. Bloody pedophile! I’m his daughter’s age mate, does he not have any shame? And I honestly thought he was a good man! He was just nice to me because he wanted to get under my skirts? Ewww. I hurried with what I had to do there and left, ignoring Bella’s scowl as I did. I don’t think I would want to be doing any of their chores again. I would have to complain to miss Anna to assign someone else there. Not like she would listen anyway. I’m the freaking gamma’s daughter. How has everyone forgotten about that? I’m su
I swallowed my saliva and take one step backward, but he takes a longer step towards me, bringing him even closer to me. I haven’t seen Jordan in a long time and I always try to avoid him, because he said once that I reminded him of the incident, and he would rather not set his eyes on me.Jordan is two years senior to me. Oh goodness, that means he has known about me being his mate for the last two years and he said nothing about it. He was scrutinizing me, staring down at me with loathe, and his nose scrunched up.“Why did you bring me here?” I ask him, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.He doesn’t respond immediately, apparently enjoying my discomfort. I’m here thinking of the many ways he can end my life right now and no one would know about it. He didn’t just bring me to his brother's death scene this time in the night just to hang out here.He starts to walk around me in circles, sniffing me as he did.
I straightened my rumpled shirt on my body. I didn’t even realize it was rumpled until I got here. Well, I don’t know anything anymore, it’s like I’m a walking corpse. I don’t feel anything, I don’t see anybody relevant and when I stepped out this morning to the usual snide comments and insults, I didn’t feel the usual uneasiness that I would normally feel, just coldness. I’m standing close to the alpha’s office, his guard questioning me like I wasn’t a part of the pack and had no right to see the alpha, but I soon realize I came at the wrong time. The alpha had two guests in his office but I was so determined to see him that I have been waiting for the past three hours for this meeting to end, and this ugly moron that prides himself as being the alpha’s dog takes the opportunity to interrogate and taunt me. “He’s not going to be pleased to see your face,” he snarled and I glared back at him. I have been reduced to this level, even the guards have no regard for
Layla broke down into uncontrollable tears as she watched me pack my things. I feel overwhelmed really. All the times I envisioned leaving Eclipse, I didn’t ever consider leaving in this manner, not to be given out like some piece of overused dress.I didn’t have much to pack, and even if I did, I don’t want to take much from this place, I do not want to be reminded of this place, so I just threw a few clothes inside my backpack.I haven’t told Layla I found my mate and got rejected on my birthday because that would make her feel worse. I was trying to be strong myself, I know I believed anywhere was better than here, but I’m beginning to doubt that now.The news is that the western wolves which is an aggregate of twenty four packs, of which Eclipse pack happen to be one of them have never been in the good books of the royals. I don’t know exactly what the story is but the hatred has been passed from generation to generation.
It was pretty dark when we got to our destination. My back ached from sitting upright and my butt hurts too. I’m really hungry now. We didn’t get to eat all through the day and we did not stop throughout the journey, except for when we needed to fill the gas, and right now I feel like my bladder would burst open anytime soon. Alpha Simeon did me dirty no doubt. I bet they are happy right now, they finally have the leech out of their skin. I wonder what Jordan is up to at this time. I was no longer close to him since the incident so I can not predict. It’s a relief I don’t have to see him henceforth, maybe that would help mend my pain. I shook my head, I don’t want to think of him or Eclipse pack. The door to the truck was flung open and it was time to come out. I sighed loud, then shook Rose who had slept for most of the journey and we got out. We had to come down at the gates for searching. My first sight of the royal palace left me staring in amazemen