His jaw tightened, and for a moment, his expression was unreadable. “If you refuse, it will weaken me as King Alpha. The pack needs a Luna to maintain balance and order. Without you, my leadership will be challenged.”
“And if I refuse anyway?” I pressed, my voice barely above a whisper.
He met my gaze, his crimson eyes darkening. “Disobeying the King Alpha is not an option, Cestia. For your sake, I advise against it.”
The unspoken threat sent a chill down my spine. I was trapped, caught in a web I didn’t understand.
He must have sensed my fear because his tone softened. “I don’t wish to force this on you,” he said. “But it must be done. For both of us.”
“What must be done?” I asked hesitantly.
He stepped back, folding his arms across his chest. “A pact. It’s the ceremony that binds mates together. Think of it as a wedding, but for werewolves. Once the pact is made, you’ll officially be my Luna.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You expect me to marry you? I don’t even know you!”
He nodded, as if my outburst was expected. “I understand this is sudden, but there’s no time to waste. My enemies are already circling, looking for any sign of weakness. The bond will solidify my position as King Alpha and protect you from those who might harm you.”
I swallowed hard, my mind reeling. It was all too much, too fast. Yet the fear of defying him loomed large.
“What happens during this… pact?” I asked reluctantly.
“The ceremony is simple,” he explained. “It involves an exchange of vows and a symbolic marking to signify the bond.”
“Marking?” I repeated, alarmed.
He nodded. “It’s painless, I assure you. The mark will protect you, letting all wolves know that you are my mate and under my protection.”
I felt trapped, my choices slipping away with every word he spoke. Refusing him wasn’t an option, not if it meant putting my life—and possibly his—at risk.
“When would this… ceremony happen?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Tonight,” he said, his tone final.
My heart sank, the weight of his words crashing down on me. I was about to be bound to a stranger, a man who was more beast than human.
And yet, deep down, a part of me wondered if this was truly fate—or a nightmare I couldn’t wake from.
“Alright, I will be your mate. Your Luna.”
Cestia’s POV
IT'S ALMOST ONE MONTH.