The Marking

Nora's POV 

Pain sprouted through my entire length and I shuddered as Alpha Fauz marked me aggressively. 

His eyes burned with rage as he handled me roughly.

I have heard a lot about marking, it could be painful but the pain wasn't supposed to linger. It was supposed to be a piercing pain that fizzles out almost immediately.

With his face glaring like fire, Alpha Fauz licked my blood that was on his lips. His eyes glued to Alpha Pitman's exiting figure.

I felt the bond snap into place. It came, raw like a new awareness. Like becoming aware of your other half. 

Like a fuse, my body tingled as I felt all the emotions racing through Alpha Pitman body.

Coupled with the pain tearing me apart, the weight of the bond settled in and I felt my body crumble.

My body went slack and I thought I was going to fall, but I felt Pitman’s arms around me. One hand supported me and the other patted my back, giving me the strength I needed. 

I forget about Aloha Pitman's intrusion, but something suddenly snapped within me.

Wait, did Alpha Fauz recognize Alpha Pitman? Then did he know I had been seeing him?

No way! That is impossible. Or else I would have been dead already. The Pacesetters Pack and ther Dreamers Pack are enemies! I must not be caught!

“Seize him!” The Grand Alpha’s voice thundered.

Panic surged through me. I tried to pull away from Alpha Fauz’s grip, but his arms tightened around me like iron bars.

My gaze darted toward the exit just in time to see pack soldiers chasing after Alpha Pitman.

Alarm blared in my head and my heart raced in face. 

No, he must not get caught! He came in peace, the shouldn't harm him. 

I summoned all my strength and pulled myself away from Alpha Fauz's, but he didn't bulge

“Do not worry,” he cooed, his cold voice brushing my ear.

“He must have come prepared. He knows the implications of intruding into the pPacesetter's grounds, I doubt he’d allow himself to be caught on my grounds.”

It was like time stopped for me. The murmurs from the crowd sounded like a distant yapping and I froze as the truth occured to me.

Slowly, Alpha Fauz released me and guided me a step away from him.

He knows!

Then why did he go ahead with the ceremony? He should have shoved me aside, accused me of treason and burned me on the stakes. Isn't that what the Pacesetters does?

Was he holding back because I was his fated mate?

My eyes found my mother. She stared at me like she wanted to tear the life out of my body. My father looked equally displeased.

The Grand Alpha rose to his feet. He paced impatiently, his eyes blazing like an inferno as he awaited news of the intruder’s capture.

Amidst the chaos, Alpha Fauz's voice broke through the hall.

“We are grateful for your presence at our mating ceremony.”

The noise reduced and everyone listened.

“As pack laws demands, I have claimed my fated mate before you all.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

“I trust this will silence any lingering accusations against me… and my mate…”

My stomach twisted. I was right. He didn't exposed me because he needed me.

“Today’s events end here,” he concluded.

Murmur rippled through the crowd.

“Luna’s inaugural ceremony!” someone yelled.

“There’s a slight change,” Alpha Fauz's voice boomed coldly.

“Won't he make her his Luna?” The hall hummed, but Alpha Fauz's cold words struck through, silencing everyone.

“The mating ceremony comes first. The Luna inauguration will follow later. Let us dine and feast,” he said flatly.

With those final words, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the hall.

Once we were out of the hall, he dragged me on roughly. My gown was heavy and I couldn't walk fast. I struggled to catch up behind him, but when I couldn't take it anymore, I pulled my hand out of his grip.

I stopped and he stopped too.

A bitter laughter tumbled out of my lips.

“What are you?” I scoffed. “Who do you think you are? A god?” 

“You knew about me and Alpha Pitman and still went through with the mating ceremony? You should have refused me even if I am your fated mate! Is it fun to see me torn apart?”

“Why didn't you back out when you knew you had a lover. If you did I would have let you go. But you stayed! So watch your tongue, you bloody spy!” He barked.

“What!? Spy? Then have me burnt on the stakes…”

“Do you want me to make an order?” He asked looking dead serious.

I swallowed hard and took a step away from him. 

He regarded me for a moment and warmth returned to his eyes, “Don't test my patience…” as he spoke a soft feminine voice broke in.

“Congratulations on your mating ceremony, my Alpha.”

We turned swiftly to see someone lounging nearby. She was strikingly beautiful and her gaze was sharp with sarcastic amusement. She must have been eavesdropping from the beginning.

Her eyes darkened and her lips curved into a devious smile as she gazed at me.

Cold shivers ran down my spine but I put on a bold front, staring unwaveringly back at her.

A sweet smile tumbled down her lips and her eyes twinkled as she shifted her gaze back on Alpha Fauz, staring steadily at him

“My Alpha, congratulations,” she repeated.