MATING RITUAL

‎PORSHA POV

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‎I sat back on my chair, staring down at my reflection as my hair was beautifully adored with all sorts of flowers. A dull ache rising in my chest.

‎It's such a pity, I have been waiting for this day, the day I would marry my prince charming. I had dreamt about how exciting and elaborate the wedding proceedings would be but now all my dreams are buried in the trash. I am not getting my prince charming instead I am getting married to the devil himself. A man who doesn't have respect for God, human life or women.

‎“Porsha stop crying you are going to ruin your makeup” Anne's voice bloomed across the room, consequently pulling me out of my thoughts.

‎I immediately composed myself, and quickly wiped off my tears, till now I had no idea I was in tears and the last thing I wanted to do was burden her with my feelings.

‎“What is wrong Porsha? Why the tears?” She doubted ducking down to my level, concern etched on her face, “Are you hurt because Leviathan didn't fall for your trap. You don't have to be I am sure you wouldn't suffer in his house”

‎Her voice radiating with worry that I was forced to tell her everything.

‎“Anne I am not scared of what he would do to me once I am already married to him, I am simply hurt that the most important, and happiest day in my life has been turned into a funeral, a funeral for my happiness" I informed sternly, my tone venomous.

‎“Don't say that Porsha, it's not a funeral. God forbid that you shall live a miserable married life..." She said, her tone laced with urgency but I cut in.

‎"But God hasn't Anne. Did you not see the sick smile on Leviathan's face as he walked out of the meeting hall today? He was obviously taunting me, he was telling me that no matter what I do, I would be nothing more than a slave to him, a slave with the rank of a queen. Anne I don't know why God is punishing me like this...," I voiced acrimoniously, clutching on my hurting chest but this time it was Anne doing the interruption.

‎"Porsha don't say that. I assure you, God isn't punishing you” She explained, taking my hands lovingly in her but I pull away upon hearing her words conclude.

‎“Oh really, then explain to me why he will let the moon goddess mate me to that horrible monster" I thunder at her, my raised voice echoing through the room.

‎Anne's mouth fell open.

‎“Leviathan is your mate?" She asked, her curiosity plagued.

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‎My eyes widen, stunned at my own outburst, the last thing I wanted was for Anne to know the bond that actually exist between Leviathan and I, but it's well, I trust she can keep my secret.

‎Letting out a sigh, I composed myself and immediately dismissed the issue, “Not for long, I refuse to be part of such a bond”

‎“What are you talking about Porsha, how would you refuse the bond. Have you forgotten you would have officially accepted this union after the mating ritual tonight” She clarified, her tone filled with utter nonplussement.

‎“I know what the mating rituals signify Anne but I wouldn't let such a trivia matter subdue me to the likes of Leviathan. I would never submit to him, I will fight fate if I need to” I voiced with all certainty, determination etched in my voice.

‎“But princess, one can't fight fate” Anne explained calmly this time gently caressing my hands once more.

‎“But I would, even if it's the last thing I do”  I said with a stern voice.

‎“Anne you have to make me a promise. Promise me you won't tell anyone of what I just told you" I beseeched her in desperation. She looked up at me, searching my eyes for answers before speaking.

‎“I promise" She assured with a tender smile.

‎“What secret are you two keeping?" I heard a familiar voice echo from behind us.

‎I froze, my heart racing as I gingerly turning my neck backwards only to come face to face with mom.

‎“Mom you're here? What brings you here?" I asked nervously as I tried changing the subject.

‎“I came to see my daughter before the pre-wedding ceremonies, since I wouldn't be allowed to attend” She voiced, her eyes glittering with excitement as she moved closer, hugging me from behind.

‎“Oh mom, you shouldn't have bothered. As you can see I'm all dressed” I informed taking her arms off my shoulder. Her shameless show of excitement makes my stomach crawl.

‎“And you look stunning my dear" She said with a smile, gesturing for a 360 from me.

‎I rose to my feet, rolled my eyes and made a spin which caused her to gasp.

‎“I am sure your husband would be stunt when he sees you" She said with a smile and my blood boil with anger.

‎Wasn't it enough that she made me wear this red corset dress a despite knowing my hate for the color, and now she is ruining my mood with pointless chatter.

‎I open my mouth to speak but before I my words could fall, Anne's voice cuts in.

‎“Princess I think you should leave. Your groom must be waiting” She said, her voice laced with urgency.

‎I just gesture a nod at Anne, feeling  a sense of gratitude rising in my chest. I hated to have hurt mom's  feelings with my bitter words, “I should take my leave now, mother"

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‎“Sure my dear. I wish you all the best” Mom voiced with an excited kiss on the forehead.

‎And with that I took my leave, stepping out of the bedroom with Anne by my side.

‎We made out way to the gate leading the garden, where Anne left me.

‎“Good luck Porsha ” She said stepping back.

‎Seeing the gate before me, my heart raced. I swallowed a lump in my throat.

‎"Was I truly ready for this commitment?” I wondered to myself, my hands shaking as I pushed opened the gigantic door to the garden.

‎I walked into the garden which was well decorated with the finest of Jews, and flowers. At the center stood the priest Phillip, my father, Leviathan's adopted brother, and my supposed husband, standing next to him in an all white attire, they seemed to be engrossed in a deep discussion near a camp fire.

‎“Porsha” The priest called out to me, upon noticing my presence, and immediately all eyes were directed towards me. Their eyes sparkling with wonder as I walked towards the priest.

‎I approached priest Phillip and Leviathan's gaze fell on me. His eyes softened as he stared down at me with desire.

‎“Greetings priest" I greeted with a smile.

‎“Greetings my daughter. We have been waiting" The priest said with a smile of his own.

‎“Sorry, I was a bit busy" I apologized sincerely.

‎"It's fine. Let's begin" He said leading the way to the fire.

‎“Take a sit” He commanded, gesturing to two pillows opposite himself.

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‎Leviathan took a seat first, offering me his left hand. I gazed down at him, rolled my eyes, ignored his hand and took a seat next to him. He didn't say a word instead he just let out an abject smile, returning his hand to it's original position.

‎"Let's begin with a prayer" Priest Phillip said and we obliged, “Close your eyes"

‎“Almighty God we come before you with a  heart filled with happiness. We want to thank you for bringing us here, and we pray that may you watch over the festivities this evening...." Priest Phillip prayed but my hearing became interrupted by the annoying sound of Leviathan's voice.

‎“Nice dress, it's in my favorite color" Leviathan whispered into my ear, and I immediately opened my eyes.

‎”You look beautiful by the way” He said, his lustful gaze never leaving me.

‎“I know. Now let me pray” I dismissed rolling my eyes before returning to my prayer but still he didn't relent.

‎“How arrogant of you princess. I expected a thank you” He whispered, once more distracting me.

‎“Why would I do that, you simply stated a fact" I said and he erupted in a silent chuckle. Gosh! I hate how well those dazzling dimples of his suits him.

‎“In deed that was a fact. You always look beautiful,” He said and my heart fluttered “What about me, don't you think I look dashing?"

‎“Dashing? You wish” I whispered with an awkward laugh, “You look no more handsome than you did the day I met you in there servant clothes.

‎He chuckled lightly, confusing me.

‎“And what is so funny?" I doubted with a frown plastered on my face

‎“You admitted that you find me handsome" He said with a smirk that made my stomach turn, but for some reason my cheeks burnt with shyness.

‎“I never said that, you're imagining things”  I said closing my eyes in a bit to return to my prayer, but once more his chuckles disturbed me.

‎The sound of his voice made my blood boil so much that I had to respond.

‎“Would you please be quiet. We are trying to pray, stop constituting a nuisance..." I yelled in anger, and immediately regretted it upon seeing everyone's gaze on me.

‎“Porsha why are you creating a nuisance?” Dad asked, his voice thunderous as he spoke.

‎

‎“I'm sorry... I didn't... I was...” I mumbled, unable to put my words together, and Leviathan burst into laughter. Gosh! I hate him. He brings out the worst in me, but I have to admit, I messed up, I shouldn't have let Leviathan get under my skin like this.

‎“Don't be angry my in-law, I bet she is just excited to be this close to her soon to be husband, right Porsha?" The two faced jerk said, trying to sweet talk me into his stupid games.

‎At first I didn't respond to his stupid statement but decided against it when I noticed a tedious frown on the priest's face.

‎Forcing a fake smile to my face, I pulled myself together and through gritting teeth said, “Yeah, whatever he said"

‎“Good" Priest Phillip said with a smile of his own,“Now, let's proceed."

‎“Dearly beloved we are gathered here to witness one of the most important events in the life of two individuals who are in love" He added and I almost burst into laughter, if only he knew that this marriage is built on nothing but pure hatred.

‎“As an important aspect of werewolf marriages, we are about to begin the mating ritual, a sign of commitment and devotion to one another" Priest Phillip said, taking one of our hands each in his, “For this ritual the both of you are required to place a bite mark on your future spouse in front of God, in the presence of the moon and we all. By doing that, you two would have admitted that you have offered yourselves wholeheartedly to each other’’

‎I glazed upon the face of my prospective future husband and a dull ache rose in my chest, was I truly going through with this marriage? was I ready for an eternity with this monster?

‎

‎“It's time” He said helping us to our feet, “Porsha you would go in with the first bite” He commanded and I nodded, before he stepped back.

‎I grabbed Leviathan's hand, and immediately felt a spark on my fingers. Panicked, I looked up at his face, hoping he didn't notice anything, and to my surprise that appeared to be the case as he stood there silent with a puzzled frown on his face.

‎I praised, lifting his warm hand to my lips to perform the ritual. Once more I looked at him, reflecting on all the pain he had caused me.

‎

‎I elongated my fangs, my eyes burrowing into his, and in a swift movement dug in, aiming at hurting him but to my surprise his lips broke into a smile, his eyes beaming with excitement.

‎I immediately released his hand, stepping back with wide eyes as I wiped off his blue blood from my lips with the back of my hand.

‎He gazed upon his battered hand, his smile never leaving his face as he licked off his blood mixed with my saliva.

‎My brain immediately went into a state of utter confusion, how could he be smiling despite being hurt?.

‎“Porsha, it's your turn. Give Leviathan your hand" He commanded and I reluctantly obliged, placing my hand softly in his. His hold on the other hand was tight, his hold was deliberate as though trying to tell me that he owned me.

‎His beautiful crimson red eyes, immediately took a frightful shade of dark red as his teeth elongated.

‎He moved closer, his chest slamming against mine that I could barely move, he was so close that I could feel his warm breathe on my lips.

‎My heart raced, like a gigantic drum.

‎“What are you doing....?” I ask in a whisper, my hands trembling with nervousness but before I could conclude I felt a sharp pain on the nape of my neck.

‎He bit me on my neck. His tongue was warm against my skin that it sent shivers down my spine but more than that it made my insides twitch.

‎The warmth of his skin was like nothing I had felt before, it sent nerve signals to my core, my body was yearning for him, his touch.

‎“No it couldn't be, my body wasn't going to betray me like this."

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