7-Wedding Night

Chapter Seven

Aria

Holy hell, the place wasn't a bedroom. It was a stage set for kings alone.

It was magnificent!

The first thing I noticed was the decor. The entire room was defined by a striking, high-contrast palette of sapphire and gold. The sapphire dominated the vertical space, while the gold was used exclusively for the ornamentation, lighting, and elements.

As someone whose favorite colours are deep blue and gold, I found this decor very pleasant, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a delicious, dangerous sense of belonging.

I walked towards the only bed in the room. It was very large, the second thing that I noticed. It stood centered like a monarch’s throne, made of high-polished mahogany.

It was bigger than the king-size. The headboard was a colossal masterpiece of glided-wood carving of scrolls and volutes, upholstered in plush deep-blue velvet fabric set in precise diamond tufting with a crown as its apex.

The bedding was an ocean of the same sapphire— a thick, quilted duvet trimmed with a heavy gold piped border, mirroring the silk decorative throw pillows piled regally against the headboard. Flanking the bed were walls draped in thick fabric spilling gold fringes against the blue base that seemed to drink the light in the room.

Stunned by the galore, my eyes drifted to the ceiling —an overwhelming spectacle of heavy, intricate, gilded paperwork forming a massive, concentric medallion and rosettes. In the center of it, a multi-tiered chandelier hung on the ceiling, emitting an ambient glow.

It was soft and subtle, but what caught my eye the most were the delicately scattered red heart-shaped balloons and rose petals on the bed, a plush area rug, and a small ottoman at the foot of the bed.

Although the room screamed opulence, a place built for spectacle and power, it still melted into a soft, romantic incandescent hum for newlyweds.

I was awed.

The atmosphere was both thrilling and terrifying, and my pulse quickened at the sheer thought behind the lavish decoration.

“I’ve been assigned your personal chambermaid; whether permanent or temporary, it is up to you, Luna,” the chambermaid said, bowing curtly. “Your clothes had been arranged in the cloakroom and your toiletries in the bathroom, but if you need anything else, please feel free to call me by my name, Maris, and I will serve you anytime. But right now, I must leave you alone, as it is your wedding night.” She paused, allowing me to speak, but I couldn't.

I didn't know what to say.

She continued.

“Your bathing water has been drawn. Please go shower and enjoy the rest of your night,” Maris said, her cheeks splitting into a suggestive smile as she turned around and walked out.

The door closed behind Maris with a sound that made my spine stiffen.

I clutched my wedding dress tight as I proceeded to the cloakroom to undress, and, truth, to Maris’s words, many closets than I could have thought of had me labelled ‘LUNA’

I was stunned to find many beautiful, sexy, and colourful dresses. The lingerie and sleepwear weren't left out. They ranged from the flimsiest lacy materials to see-through chiffon, stretchy mesh, embroidered silk, hollow-out satin, and loose cotton.

I knew I was expected to look sexy on my wedding night, so I chose a sexy red nightgown that had nothing but see-through lace covering the breast area, and a matching thong.

Not wanting to look too desperate, I added a silk robe and proceeded to the bathroom to shower. Needless to say, the bathroom had also been romantically prepared with rose petals, candles, and a bottle of wine, and I couldn't help but wonder how Zane managed to have everything sorted out within a short time frame of preparation.

I entered the bathtub, and my nipples hardened instantly as the water glided over my body like a sultry massage. I closed my eyes and touched myself lightly, relishing the sweet feeling of the herbal and relaxation oils.

As my eyes closed, my mind drifted to Zane’s soft lips and the second kiss we shared during our wedding, especially the feel of his erection against my thighs.

I’d be a damn liar if I said that singular contact didn't almost make me cream my panties back there, or if I didn't fantasize about what it would feel like to have him inside me.

The more my thoughts trailed, the more my desire grew but the sharper my curiosity and doubt became.

From what I saw in his office, Zane was freaky, just like Rhett was. I tried to match Rhett's freak but despite all I did, I still couldn't satisfy him. He still ended up cheating on me with my brother…

What if the same happens with his father? What if I can't satisfy Zane and he sought satisfaction elsewhere?

‘Well, you don't need to satisfy him. He isn't our mate. We just need to get pregnant and give him an heir’ my wolf said, and with that, I was brought back to reality.

This wasn't an ideal setting. This wasn't a real marriage. It is just a contract. There’s no real love or chemistry or bond. Just legal rights and responsibilities.

Reality stung; however, the good part of it was very gratifying. At the end of a year, I would return as heiress of my father’s pack. My birthright would be restored, and by the goddess’s mercy, maybe…just maybe—I would find my true mate… my second chance mate.

After a very dreadfully long shower, I went to the bedroom, slipped into my sleepwear and slid beneath the sheets.

And I waited.

An hour passed.

Two.

I nearly fell asleep before I heard the door open.

I watched from beneath the covers as Zane took slow strides into his room.

His scent overpowered everything else in the room immediately.

My wolf stirred within me again, needy and alert. She could sense his presence and smell him as well as I could.

He stood in front of his grand mirror and removed his gloves first.

Then his tunic, boots, belt, and finally, his shirt. His broad shoulders and ridges of muscle flexed with every move he made. I clenched my fingers into a fist to stop myself from reaching out to touch his bicep.

I gulped down. Hard.

Damn he was sexy. Sinfully sexy.

Could he tell I was watching him?

When he pulled off his pants and undergarments, I barely stopped a gasp from escaping. He was…

Huge.

I thought he was huge the first time, but seeing him physically made my heart thump loudly. The thought of that gliding inside me made me feel lightheaded.

His sex organ hung between his thighs, thick and long, and undeniably alive. Every inch of him radiated raw commanding masculinity. He was carved from passion, for passion.

Old age be damned. He was perfection.

I suddenly understood why Lady Adeline had devoted herself to him.

Who wouldn’t?

Goddess! What was I thinking?

I squeezed my thighs together beneath the sheets, heat surging through me so fiercely I thought I’d combust. My wolf whimpered in my chest, and I bit my lower lip to avoid making a sound.

My mouth went dry as I stared at him through my half-open lids. I was his mate now, and the bond we swore to was taking root within me, deep and dangerous. I felt myself drawing close to him. My wolf whined to be near him. To touch him. To feel him. But Zane didn't look like he wanted to be touched.

I silently watched him disappear through the door to the cloak room and bathroom.

A few minutes later, he returned, freshly showered, and climbed onto the bed. At first, I thought he was going to make advances on me, but instead, he turned his back to me, and I felt that thick sludge of shame I’d felt in the bathroom enveloping me.

My chest tightened and burned simultaneously.

Of course, he didn't want me. That was why he backed me. I read somewhere that when a man doesn't want a woman, he turns his back on her. I mean, he took so long to return; he was probably with someone else. I sighed deeply, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“Quit faking it. I know you’re awake,” Zane broke the silence, sounding amused.

“You know?....” I swallowed. “Since when?”

Zane chuckled as he turned to face me, subconsciously bridging the gap between us. His elbow my chest, and I backed away on instinct, burned by the feel of him.

We were so close. I could feel his breath against my skin. My heart thumped widely, and I felt lightheaded from my wolves constant whining.

“Since I came inside,” he let out a deep breath and shook his head. “I can smell your fear and worries, Aria. Why are you troubled? You need to calm…”

“How can I stay calm?...” I blurted out, shutting him up. His eyebrow shot into his hairline, and his face hardened.

I gulped, feeling like I crossed a line by cutting him off abruptly. He was my husband but he was still the Alpha King.

“I’m sorry, I didn't mean to be disrespectful.”

“There’s no need for that. We are married”

“I know.” I sighed. “I also know that being married comes with certain expectations, especially on the first night.”

“And?” he slurred, sounding bored.

“I’m not a virgin…I don't know what your expectations are… but I’m not pure.”

“Did I ask?”

“You didn't, but don't these types of things matter? My father always said it does.” I fumbled over my words, biting my nails in panic while avoiding eye contact with him.

“Perhaps it does matter to your father, but I’m not your father.” He moved an inch toward me, reached out, and tilted my chin up with his index finger. His eyes found mine, making sure I was giving him my undivided attention.

“It doesn't matter to me. I’m not a virgin myself and far from being pure,” he said,

His sincere words, the contact, dangerously close proximity, and the intensity of his stare were all overwhelming. I felt my desire rising again.

I bit my lips and pressed my thighs together, hoping he didn't notice. Then I asked.

“Would we be consummating our union tonight?”