I went to meet Malachai knowing exactly what I was doing.
That was the lie I told myself on the drive there, that I understood the choice, the consequences, the insufferable man but I had no choice.
The road was narrow and winding, swallowed by trees that leaned too close, branches clawing at the sky like they wanted to witness whatever decision I was about to seal. I kept my hands steady on the wheel.
Kai was waiting for me at the hotel entrance.
"You're sure," he said when I stepped out of the car.
Those grey-blue eyes assessed me, eyes specifically on my cheek. "What happened to your face?"
"None of your business." I snapped and he glared.
"Well are you ready?"
I replied, hatefully, "Yes."
I did not hesitate. He studied my face anyway, gaze slow and searching, until he nodded."
"Let's go." He urged and I followed him.
We got into his sleek black custom made car and we stopped as we arrived at an enclosed garden that was nothing short of magical. My mouth was open as we walked through the beautiful garden with colorful flowers and glowing butterflies? What was this place?
"Stop gaping and walk faster."
I huffed at his impatient voice. "Stop telling me what to do!"
I could see his hands flexing beside him before he said, coolly, "We have to utilise the full moon, so walk. Faster."
Prick.
There was an Oracle waiting for us and without any preamble it began. He began to recite the words.
I was getting married. Mated, to a man I barely knew. My heart raced, eyes darting around. This wasn't the wedding I had planned. Astra was meant to be by my side, Nesta at my back, holding my bouquet as they joined us as one under the full moon.
But all I had was a pretty view and an impatient mate.
The ceremony happened faster than I expected. Faster than I thought possible for something so final.
There were no witnesses. No friends. No family. Just the Oracle of the goddess binding our fates. Was I not important enough to at least have one of his friends or family here? The thought made something nasty happen in my belly.
Everything seemed so right. Not right in the way everything should be, but a rightness that couldn't be explained with mere words.
Every movement carried meaning. Every word spoken was binding. The air itself felt heavy with expectation.
I stood across from Malachai and realized how little space there was between us. Close enough to feel his warmth. Close enough to sense something pulling low in my chest, a strange tension that hummed beneath my skin like a restrained current.
When the blade came out, my breath caught.
It was ceremonial, but still my heart lurched. A clean slice across my palm. Blood welled quickly, bright and unmistakable. Malachai did the same without flinching. When our hands clasped, the contact was immediate and shocking.
Heat surged through me. A huge force knocked into as my eyes glowed, even as Cassie growled. I lurched forward, the world tilting, breath uneven and restless. Kai caught me before I could fall, but he didn't see much better.
It could have been a trick of the light, but his eyes glowed golden then a bright red. What? My head rattled. His breathing was heavier, body trembling from the connection. The invasive connection that made me aware of everything. Every inch of the man before him.
It was like my soul opened to accept all of him. It was magical. Beautiful. Painful. But it was perfect, like something missing finally clicked.
Magnificent.
"Formosa." Kai's hoarse voice sounded in my ears. Too close that my insides churned. I didn't know what it meant but his eyes glowed so brightly that it made me stutter.
Something shifted. Locked into place.
I felt the bond the way one feels pressure change before a storm. Present. Powerful. Inescapable. But there was something wrong with it. Something held back.
It rushed over me. It consumed my every being and flooded my senses with emotion. Like an entire ocean flowing through my bloodstream, like the push and pull of a mighty wave.
Then it settled.
As quickly as it happened, Kai let go of me like it burned him. Through the bond I sensed the reluctance. It stung harsher than I thought possible.
The Oracle said the final words calmly, clearly and louder and for a second even the moon shone brighter and the wind blew faster. The Oracle sang, and Kai's face twisted into something painful. Disturbed.
What the fuck? This didn't happen during normal mating ceremonies.
The atmosphere calmed down, so did our breathings.
"Wonderful. Never in all my years of presiding over mating ceremonies has this happened. You are bonded!" The Oracle exclaimed and Kai's expression shifted slightly with something akin to pride.
It was over. I sighed. I was a married woman. He turned to me once we were alone.
He stretched out his palm and I hesitated. If I did this, then I was his. Then I could never look back. I placed my palm in his and the bond sand with happiness that made me giddy.
"You're like a child." He said when I picked out some beautiful winter roses. Even his mean comment didn't bring me down from the intoxicating high of the bond and I knew he felt the same way I did.
The drive to his territory was long and silent, both of us intoxicated and soaked in the plaseantness of the bond.
I was a married woman, now. Married to the most powerful Alpha in the country. Fuck. I was the Luna Queen. Oh my goddess.
I watched the landscape change as we crossed invisible boundaries.
The pack lands were vast. Ordered. Alive in a way that made my skin prickle. Wolves moved through the space with quiet confidence, acknowledging Malachai with subtle gestures of respect.
"Chin up. You're my mate. Get used to the stares." He ordered and I listened.
I played with my fingers as Kai led me into the large Pack House and showed me a room. "You'll stay here. Good night."
Hold on. "What do you mean good night? Aren't we going to consumate the bond?"
His answer came in clipped. "No." And then he shut the door. What!?
We were mated! Wasn't he supposed to spend one night with me?
What did I just marry into?