~Xyana~We have dinner together after the marking ceremony. The discussion on the table ranges from news about the happenings in the Pack to the preparation of our upcoming marking ceremony and our almost completed gymnasium.There are several jokes made across and the highlight of my night is when I look at Clifton and Declan, they both seem happy.I have a little dance with the Alpha and finally, it's time for our little gathering to come to an end.Aside from Doctor Nat, who had gone up to Gaston's room to make sure the bed was set up in a way that I would be comfortable, Declan and Dion were the last to leave the room. They plant kisses on both sides of my cheeks, chuckling as they go. "Have fun." Bones whispers before shutting the door.I blush so hard at his comment and even some more when Clif winks at me.So this is it.It's done.I've been marked by not just any Alpha, but Gaston Howling. The Alpha I stole his kiss an
~Gaston~Nothing about this evening is going as planned. Not only am I scared to bits about the crude method of masking an unsealed mate-mark that Xyana wants me to use on her, but I'm super terrified of losing her to the process since her health isn't so strong at the moment.If as an Alpha, I'm able to mark her and she marks me right back before midnight, it will not only seal our bond, but it will render any unsealed mark on her body void.But if we're unable to mark each other, then her mark will become tender, red, hot, and painful. Which will, in turn, keep her restless and in severe pain until she seals the mark by marking Dion in reciprocation. And in this case, no matter who marks her, Dion's mark will remain valid, and until she seals it, the pain won't stop.I look around the room; Nat is present in case of emergency, elder Wilbrae is representing the elders of the Park, two high-ranked warriors of the Pack are present, representing the
~Xyana~It took Declan and Clifton almost an hour to convince Gaston that he needed to listen to me and mark me before midnight.Doctor Nat was invited and asked to stand by, in case of necessity. He disconnected my IV fluid and placed a plaster on the needlepoint after removing the cannula he used. I asked to be allowed to see Dion but Gaston refused instantly. However, I persisted that I needed to speak to him. After much back and forth and support from Clif and Bones, he finally let me.But he did warn me about his cell coated with wolfsbane, and I should stay back because a contact with wolfsbane is only going to weaken me more.***A guard leads me to Dion's cell. Descending the cold steps slowly, I start regretting why I insisted on coming all by myself.Even with the numerous guards around, I still feel terribly alarmed and alone.Dion is sitting on a bench, leaning against a wall. He sees me, but my presence doesn't enact a single reaction from him. He just stares blankly at
~Xyana~I've heard so many descriptions of what having the mark of your destined mate would look and feel like. My best friend Jiya and I used to talk about it, and we listened to the mated servants amongst us discuss it, too.Mrs Sal said it was the most wonderful thing ever and the memory of when her late mate marked her is forever cherished and evergreen. She explained the happiness like it would be overflowing and you would feel fluffy butterflies. But then all of this would happen if both of you seal the bond together. He marks you, and you mark him too.I've looked forward to experiencing all of this with my fated mate. And even when I got rejected, I didn't let the thought of not experiencing any of it get to me.Then I realized that the moon goddess mated me to three siblings and I accepted it joyfully. Again, I started looking forward to when I'd be marked and claimed by my mates.Every part of me was prepared.But as Dion's fangs sank into my flesh, all I felt was pain, n
~Xyana~Gaston walked me to my room and stopped right at the door, refusing to come in, even when I asked him to.He explained that if he came in, then he might not be able to get himself to leave. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and he hugged me close. "I'll see you in the morning then," I told him and he hummed with a smile, feeling tired"I'll see you, Angel. Have a good night's rest." He leaned in and kissed me gently."You too, Gaston," I told him.He scrunches his nose and blows a sweet kiss. At that moment, he didn't look like the fearful alpha who barely smiled or made small talk. But a guy who is loving his life. So carefree, so young, so happy.I laugh, entering my quarters to set an early morning alarm for Dion and eventually catch some sleep.But as soon as I have closed the door behind me, I can already smell his scent lingering in the room. I searched around and found him standing by the balcony, looking outside."Dion
~Xyana~"Was it this evening? Did you speak to Dion this evening?" Gaston asks me"Yes, this evening." I continue down my pathway of lies.He pulls me closer by the waist, a big smile on his face. The powerful-looking Alpha suddenly looks like a happy boy who just got a 'yes, I do' from his lifelong lover."Are you sure about this, Xyana?" I stare into his eyes and rub the side of his eyes. "Yes, I'm very sure." I tilt my head to the side, baring my neck open to him. "Mark me, Gaston." I urge him. "Own me."He ignores my neck and captures my lips again in a kiss. When he breaks away from me, he's still smiling cutely."I think we'll have a seat together with everyone tomorrow to discuss the way forward. We can have a private marking ceremony-""Tomorrow?" I ask him.He blushes and leans his head against the wall. "I can't believe that I'm this excited about us.""Oh well, it's good to know that you've been dying to be with me all al