The mating ceremony and the last step

CHAPTER 003

THE MATING CEREMONY AND THE LAST STEP

Three days passed in a blur of preparations that Cecilia refused to participate in. 

She spent her time in the training grounds, pushing herself and her warriors to exhaustion, trying to outrun the reality of what was coming.

But time, merciless as always, marched forward.

The wedding day arrived in a grey and cold manner but, perfectly matching Cecilia's mood. 

The throne room had been transformed with flowers and ribbons that seemed to mock the occasion. 

Villagers packed the space, come to witness their Alpha Queen's binding.

Cecilia stood at the front.

They had dressed her in white virgin silk that clung to every line of her body and left her shoulders bare...the traditional dress of an unmated female surrendering to her male. 

She had never felt more naked in full battle armour.”

Cassian was beside her in formal attire. The priest droned on about unity and partnership and all the lies that marriages were supposed to embody.

None of it meant anything.

"Do you, Cecilia, Alpha Queen of the Greenvilles Pack, take this man as your mate and husband?"

She wanted to say no, to throw off this dress and walk out of this room and let the consequences come. 

But Lila stood in the crowd, watching with sympathetic eyes, and the image of her cousin wearing the Alpha's crown flashed through Cecilia's mind.

"I do," she forced out.

"And do you, Cassian, heir of the Redwood Pack, take this woman as your mate and wife?"

"I do." His voice was steady, unbothered.

"Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce you mated and wed. You may now shift and exchange marks to seal the bond."

This was the moment. The traditional shifting, the marking, the completion of the mating bond. Cecilia could feel everyone's eyes on her, waiting.

She didn't move.

The silence stretched uncomfortably. And whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

"Alpha Queen?" the priest prompted quietly.

"No," Cecilia said clearly. "We will not shift and mark. The exchange of rings and vows is sufficient."

Gasps echoed through the throne room. This was unheard of. 

It was an insult to tradition and to her new husband.

Cecilia didn't care.

Cecilia's words still hung in the air when Bonn rose from his seat at the front, voice cutting through the room like a blade.  

“The bond will be sealed. Now. In the old way. Shift.”

Everywhere became silent that even if a pin dropped, it would be heard.

Cecilia’s head snapped toward her father. “You wouldn’t dare command me—”

“I just did.” His eyes narrowed against her. “Refuse in front of the pack and every wolf here will know their Alpha Queen fears her own mate. Shift, Cecilia. Or Lila takes the crown tonight.”

Gasps rose from the people at these threats followed by whispering turning to rose in her ears. She felt Cassian go very still beside her.

Her claws ripped through her fingertips before she could stop them. The white gown shredded as her wolf surged forward. She was in a half-shift, her wolf was monstrous and furious, red fur spilling over bare shoulders. The crowd recoiled.

Cassian shifted a heartbeat later, slower, deliberate. A huge black wolf with calm gold eyes. He lowered his head—not in submission, but in offering.

She wanted to kill him right now and then.

Instead, driven by the eyes of five hundred wolves who would strip her title the second she faltered, she lunged.  

Her fangs sank into the muscle between his neck and shoulder, hard enough that blood flooded her mouth, hot and metallic.  

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t make a sound. Just held her gaze as she marked him.

Then, before she could pull away, his head moved in a flash and his teeth closed over the claiming spot on her own throat.  

Not savage. But possessive. The bond snapped into place like iron chains.

She tore free with a snarl, shifting back to human form, naked, bleeding, shaking with rage and something darker. 

Cassian shifted back too, blood running down his bare chest, and met her eyes without shame.

The blood dripped from his chest onto the white marble floor in slow drops.  

He didn’t wipe it away.  

Instead his lips curved into a small devastating smile —secret; only Cecilia could see him — and then inclined his head to the crowd like a prince who had just been crowned.

Cecilia wanted to scream. Lunged at him even and wiped that smug smile away from his lips.

The priest, clearly flustered by all that happened, fumbled through the closing words. "Then... I present to you... Alpha Queen Cecilia and her consort, Cassian."

Polite but confused applause followed. Cecilia turned to face the crowd, her chin lifted in defiance. 

The reception afterwards was a trial of forced smiles and hollow congratulations. 

Bonn cleared his throat and clapped loudly, calling the attention of the people.

He raises a toast: “A mating is not complete until the bond bears fruit. One year, Cecilia. One grandchild for Greensville, or the council will reconsider who is fit to wear the crown.”

Elder Eric mutters loud enough for nearby wolves to hear: “Let’s hope the Redwood pup can even get it up for our ice queen.”

Cecilia hears it. Cassian hears it. His words fuel their rage.

Cassian leans in, voice for her ears only: “One year,” he repeated, so softly it felt like a caress and a threat. “I’ll give you an heir, Cecilia. And when I do, you’ll beg me to mark you again.”

Then he walks away, leaving her shaking with rage and the first unwanted pulse of heat low in her belly.