Chapter 3

Nora’s POV

“Mate!" I heard my wolf Aria roar again and this time it caught my attention.

"Where? He is our mate?” I questioned and I heard my wolf reply a yes in excitement.

"I'll take it from here," a thick and husky voice brought me back to reality as I stared at the voice owner. His cold and emotionless eyes caught mine as I studied his face, feeling more nervous, realising he indeed recognized me. His hands tangled with mine, leading me down the aisle towards the altar. As we walked, all I could do was stare at his face, my heart beating rapidly. Was I really about to marry this man? Why will the moon goddess give me such a cold mate? He looked so cold, and I couldn't help but wonder why he was alone. Did he have no parents, no servants, not even a guard?

Reaching the altar, the priest began the vow-taking ceremony as he spoke out loudly. “Hello everyone, I am glad to be here. We begin. By the power vested on me, do you take Nora… “ he swallowed as he looked at my mate's cold gaze. He was supposed to add my surname but since I had none, he continued. “Do you take Nora of the dark heart pack as your mate?” And there was a collective intake of breath as he looked me up and down before replying with a simple "yes." The tension in the room dissipated as everyone released their collective breath, surprised that he had accepted me, a lowly maid as I felt our mate bond intensify.

Then it was my turn. The priest turned to me. “Nora of the dark heart pack, do you accept Maverick, Blackwood, Alpha of the Black heart pack as your mate?”

Alpha Maverick? This murderer? This cruel man? So he is the one? This was the first time I got to see him in person even though I met him at the club with no knowledge he was the one. I only heard about him. No way. No wonder Chloe wasn't bothered or even feeling jealous to see the kind of rich and handsome alpha I was getting married to.

As I heard his name, realising his true identity as a murderer, I hesitated. I couldn't say a yes or a no.

“Please, don't reject him." My wolf, Aria, begged me.

Marrying him was like moving from frying pan to fire. The dark heart pack had already done enough to me and now I'm getting married to the alpha of the blackwood pack?

“Please don't reject him. You can't stay here in this dark heart pack, you have endured enough'' My wolf Aria begged again with a sobbing voice as she continued. Maybe she's right. “He may be cruel but his wolf…” the priest's words cut in.

The priest asked me again as his voice brought me out of my dazed state.

“Nora of the dark heart pack, do you accept Maverick Blackwood, alpha of the black heart pack as your mate?”

“Ye… yes.” I stuttered out a reluctant "yes." I replied as I swallowed and tears dropped from my eyes as I realised I had sealed my fate.

Next, the priest was about to declare us husband and wife when my cruel mate stopped him with his cold words.

“There will be no need for that." His cold words got everyone thinking.

Suddenly, he held my hands firmly, his grip tight but not painful as we began to walk towards his luxurious car parked outside. I followed him, my heart heavy with uncertainty and fear.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I spoke up. "Why did you agree to marry me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable. "Get into the car." He ordered as he opened the back car door for me. The moment I sat, he followed as his driver drove off the car.

The car moved for a couple of minutes as Alpha Maverick’s cold expression remained the same as I decided to break the silence.

“You didn't kiss me.” I ventured, trying to break through his icy demeanour.

His eyes were still focused and didn't bother to stare at me. It was obvious my question fell on a deaf ear even though I knew he heard me so clearly but didn't not answer.

“You didn't kiss…” he interrupted.

“You didn't get the opportunity to look at yourself in a mirror back in the dark heart pack?” His voice was thick and husky, sending shivers down my spine with its coldness as his eyes still didn't look in my direction.

I swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of his words. He was right, of course. I was just a mere maid, unworthy of the attention of a man like him. Yet, there was a part of me that longed for even the smallest bit of tenderness from him. Why was I even concerned about his affection? I shouldn't have questioned.

The silence lingered between us once more, heavy and stifling. The car continued to glide along the road, the landscape passing by in a blur of greens and browns.

After what seemed like an eternity, his voice broke the quiet as he picked up his ringing phone. “We are almost there. We just passed the border,” he spoke into his phone, his tone clipped. As he ended the call, I sensed a flicker of excitement in my wolf, Aria.

"We finally left the Dark Heart Pack. We are free!” Aria's voice echoed in my head, her excitement palpable.

But as I gazed out through the tinted door glass, my heart sank. Yes, physically we may have left the Dark Heart Pack behind, but I knew all too well that our new life with Alpha Maverick was far from a simple escape.

The car finally drove into a gigantic and luxurious driveway as it parked at the packing slot where other luxurious cars were packed.

As we stepped out of the car and into the imposing structure, I realised it was already night. My eyes widened in awe as I saw It was a towering four-storey building, grand and intimidating in its sheer size and elegance, painted with white. The crisp air of the new territory filled my lungs, and I felt a flutter of nerves and anticipation in my chest.

“He is so rich!" My wolf exclaimed the moment I looked around and saw different luxurious cars of different colours and brands being parked at their spot.

Alpha Maverick's thick, husky and cold voice cut through the air once more, commanding my attention. "Welcome to your new home," he stated, his voice betraying nothing of his thoughts or emotions. It was as if he were simply stating a fact, devoid of any warmth or sentiment.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was to come. “Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice small and timid in comparison to his commanding presence.

His gaze lingered on me for a moment, his eyes searching mine as if probing for something deeper. Then, without another word, he turned and began walking towards the entrance of the grand building. I had perhaps thought he would open the doors for me as he did earlier.

I followed him, my heart racing with a mixture of fear and curiosity. What awaited me inside this new life as the Luna to a man as enigmatic and formidable as Alpha Maverick?

As we entered the building, I was greeted by a grand hall adorned with opulent luxurious statues.

Alpha Maverick led me through the hallways, his footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. Finally, we reached a room at the end of a long corridor. The door creaked open, revealing a spacious chamber bathed in soft candlelight.

We stepped into the room, taking in the sight of a small altar at the centre, adorned with fresh flowers and flickering candles. Standing beside the altar was an old man in traditional priestly robes, his expression serene and welcoming.

Alpha Maverick approached the priest, his gaze unwavering. “You can perform the ritual.” he said, his tone respectful yet tinged with authority.

Ritual?

The priest nodded in acknowledgement of Maverick's words, his eyes shifting to me as I stood nervously by Alpha Maverick's side.

The priest cleared his throat, his voice calm and soothing. “Welcome, my child.” he began as I watched Alpha Maverick walk away, leaving me with the priest.

“Welcome to the Black Heart Park. It's time to perform the ritual to welcome you officially as one of us. He added.

Just then, the priest started the ritual. No one came in to disrupt it as it was just I and the priest. The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the small, sacred space where the ceremony was taking place. The priest's deep voice resonated through the room as he began chanting ancient words that I couldn't quite understand.

The priest then handed me a small goblet filled with a mysterious liquid. "This is meant only for the Luna of this pack.” he explained, his eyes holding a mixture of reverence and solemnity. "Since you are now the Luna, you should drink it."

I couldn't shake off the feeling of fear as I wondered what the liquid would do to me. I brought the goblet to my lips and took a sip, feeling a warm energy spread through me as I swallowed. The liquid tasted both sweet and bitter.

The priest then turned his attention to a small altar adorned with symbolic objects. Candles shun lights, casting dancing shadows on the walls as he lit incense and sprinkled herbs around the space.

"You have been chosen to stand by his side, to guide and support him in all things," the priest intoned, his voice steady. "May the strength of your love and devotion be a beacon in the darkness of this pack.”

After the sacred symbols had been blessed and the incantations spoken, the priest turned back to me with a warm smile. "You have now officially joined the Black Heart Pack," he said, his eyes kind and knowing. "May your bond be unbreakable and your love endure all challenges."