Chapter 7

Seraphina

“She can't be used for the ritual..” she says, letting go of my chin.

Ritual? That's what he needs the maiden of the Eclipse for? A ritual?

“What is that supposed to mean?” Evander asks, stepping forward. “She is the last Maiden of the Eclipse… is she not?”

“Don't fucking tell me that we've been doped..” Ann says, rushing to the high Priestess. “I will kill that family myself.”

I glance around, hoping this doesn't escalate much.

“I couldn't sense her wolf,” the high Priestess says, turning to Evander. “Her wolf is clearly badly wounded and almost of no use to you.”

My breath falters. So I'm actually wolfless now. Damn it!

Evander takes a deep breath, running his hand through his blonde hair.

“She is going to be an empty vessel to the ritual should you dare proceed without healing her wolf.”

“So all she has to do is heal then..” Ann adds.

I have a breath of relief. If I'm going to be given a chance to heal, then I might as well use the time to actually find a loophole out of this mess. Besides, with my wolf healed, I can be strong again.

“Forgive me for being skeptical… but how do we get her to heal in at least twenty days?” Evander asks the priestess, not even bothering to acknowledge my presence.

Twenty days? Is that the only time I have left?

The Priestess tilts her head slightly. “You are an Alpha,” she says, as though the answer is obvious.

His brows draw together. “And?”

There is a pause as we throw our gaze to Priestess, in anticipation.

“Heat and bond with her,” the Priestess says, flickering her gaze at the both of us.

“What?!” The word tears out of both of us at the same time. She can't be serious!

“The easier way to reach her wolf is from her within. The faster you reach her, the faster she heals.”

I shake my head, “No… I don't agree.” I say, reminding them that the subject of their discussion is still standing right before them. “Having Sex was clearly not part of the agreement.”

Ann lets out a soft, almost amused breath. “Oh, it clearly was,” she says, stepping forward slightly. “Your parents only agreed to this arrangement on one condition…that you marry my brother and become his Luna for as long as you live.”

Her gaze flicks between us. “So tell me,” she adds smoothly, “what kind of marriage doesn’t involve… sex?”

My chest tightens. I have never had sex before. For years, I imagined what it would feel like, I played out the events in my head, having Raze as the other character.

Not even for once did I ever imagine to share my bed with another man, a total stranger at that matter.

I throw my gaze at Evander, he looks away at once.

“Well you have to find a way to fuck her,” Ann says walking to him. “Tie up her face if you must but our sister and the rest of our pack members must be saved!”

“Shut the fuck up!!” He glares at her.

Really? So her sister's life is at stake, including the lives of the members of her pack. And yet, she is so rude to someone she identifies as their saviour. Quite hilarious!

Regardless, I'm not doing this.

“Eye contacts are necessary in wolf bonding,” the priestess says, looking at me, though clearly speaking to him.

“I know the rules,” he says, spinning to me and finally looking me in the eyes. “Follow me to my bed chambers.”

“I'm not going anywhere with you, we are not married yet.” I say, hoping to stall.

He throws his gaze at Ann, “start the wedding preparation, the wedding happens tomorrow.”

He leaves, Ann rushing to meet up with him.

“May I at least know the colour of the day?” Her voice fades away.

“How many times does he have to fuck me to heal my wolf?” I ask, approaching the high Priestess.

She stares at me, her brows furrowing.

“You're quite unbothered for someone whose fate is sealed.”

If only she knows how bothered I am. But my father thought me that thinking of a solution is much better than wailing over the problem.

“It's not like there is anything I can do to change my fate… or is there?”

“No.. there isn't. Your life has already been paid for.” She steps closer, touching a strand of my hair, sending shivers down my spine. “Open your mind to him and let your wolf get the healing it deserves…. You never can tell, you might survive the ritual.”

My eyes widen in shock.

“There is a possibility of me surviving the ritual?”

She nods, letting go of my hair.

I look away, trying to embrace the thought of actually playing along. But that would mean having sex with this Alpha Evander. No! I won't. I must plan my escape and get out of here.

Neither the Cindersteel Creed nor Alpha Evander will be able to find me.

Without saying anything, I hurry back to my room and begin pacing around. How do I even escape from this mansion? I clearly have no one I can trust?

A knock pulls me out of my thoughts. Wow, that's strange. I thought everyone just opens the door.

The knock comes again, quieter this time around.

“What do you want?”

“To bring you food… miss.” a young feminine voice says.

Food? Why should I care about food right now? On a second thought, the girl could actually be of use to me right now.

“Come in,” I say, steadying myself.

The door opens, and a maid steps in, putting on a weird uniform, flared black and white gown with a white bonnet.

Her head is bowed as she carries a tray containing rice and a bowl of thick stew. Even some red apples sit beside the plates.

Quite a feast for someone chosen to die.

“I was asked to bring this to you,” she says softly, placing the tray on the table.

Without thinking, I rush at her, my hand clamping over her mouth, the other pinching her nose shut before she can even gasp. Her body jerks in shock.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper against her ear, tightening my grip as she struggles. “I really am… but I have to do this.”