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The Ritual Revealed–1
Horror rushed through me like ice water. “Before the whole pack?”
“Yes.” He confirmed grimly. “But who knows? Maybe Kalus has his own plans.”
A memory surfaced–Frost speaking to Kaius earlier. “Earlier, you told him you were done with the preparations. Had these preparations been a part of this ritual‘?”
He nodded. “Yes. I did think he was going to tell you something, but had to confirm.”
Panic clawed at my throat, making it hard to breathe. I’d already been humiliated in front of Frost when Kaius ordered me to
undress. The thought of being exposed–being forced to be intimate in front of the entire pack was beyond comprehension.
“I can’t… I can’t do it in front of the whole pack, Frost; I just can’t. My
way.”
shook with emotion. “Please tell me there’s another
“You have no reason to be ashamed,” he said, his tone unexpectedly gentle. “I think you are beautiful.”
His kindness brought a new realization. “You had been looking… earlier, when… when he told me… to undress in front of you?”
If I expected embarrassment or denial, I was disappointed. “This isn’t the first time this has happened,” he said with a casualness that chilled me.
Not the first time. The implication hung between us–Kaius had done this before, with other women. Women who had also been subject to his control, his whims, his tests.
“You need to eat, Elowen,” Frost said, gesturing to my neglected plate.
I pushed it away. “I lost my appetite, sorry.”
He studied me for a long moment, something like compassion in his eyes. “If it helps, I’ll talk to him. He might consider alternatives.”
I looked up, startled by the offer. “You will do that? Why?”
“You look afraid,” he said simply. “But I don’t think you have
worry.
“Frost?” My voice sounded small, even to my own ears.
“Yes?”
“Could you not go?” I asked, hating the vulnerability in my voice. “I know you have many things to do, but I need someone to talk to. I feel like I’m drowning here.”
His expression softened. “I didn’t plan on leaving. Not when you need support.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, more grateful than I could express.
We sat in silence for a while, his presence somehow making the room feel less like a prison. Eventually, my curiosity got better of me. As I thought about my situation with Kaius, a question I’d been avoiding surfaced in my mind.
“This is a stupid question,” I began hesitantly,
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Not surprised.”
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I rolled my eyes, momentarily distracted from my anxiety. “I want to know… before me, there had been others.”
“Nosy, now are we?” His tone was light, but I sensed him withdrawing
I persisted. “I just want to know.”
“Yes, there had been others. His curt response made it clear the topic was closed.
Before I could press further, he stood.
should start preparing. The ceremony begins at sundown.”
He moved toward the wardrobe and 1
what to wear to something like this.
ntly joined him, staring at the array of dresses with growing dread. “I don’t even know
Frost scanned the options, then pointed decisively. “The red one.”
“What?”
“The red one would be better,” he repeated, pulling out a floor–length gown of deep crimson.
I studied it—elegant yet modest, with a neckline that covered more than it revealed and long sleeves that would hide the bruises Kaius had left on my wrists. “You are right.”
As I took the dress, our fingers brushed. His touch steadied my nerves when I needed it most.
“Kaius is here,” Frost announced suddenly, turning toward the door a moment before it opened.
Kaius strode in, his presence immediately dominating the room. His eyes moved from me to Frost, narrowing slightly before his expression smoothed into neutrality.
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The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna
The Ritual Revealed–2
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demanded, anger overwhelming fear. “Weibt kind of game are you playing now?
Kaius raised an eyebrow. “Tell you what? There are many things I don’t tell you.”
“You told me I was to attend some party,” I said, my voice cold with fury, “You never told me it was a joining where you’d
mark me in front of everyone. How could you keep that from me?”
He shrugged, the casual gesture infuriating. “You would have found out in the end. What difference does a day make?‘
‘You should have told her,” Frost interjected, his words surprising me “This isn’t something to spring on someone.”
Kaius turned to his Beta, eyes narrowed. “Which side are you on, Frost? Since when do you question me?”
“I’m just stating facts,” Frost replied evenly, moving toward the door “I’ll be outside if you need me.”
Once Frost left, Kaius returned his attention to me. “It’s no big deal..”
“It’s no big deal?!” I cut him off, voice rising. “We never talked about you marking me this soon. How is it no big deal? And worst of all, in front of the pack, and then the… other things?” My cheeks burned with humiliation.
“I told you, I would mark you if it came to that,” he replied with cold precision, “and as you can see, it finally came to that. The contract gives me that right.”
“You should have told me it was happening the next freaking day,” I argued, desperation coloring my voice. “Maybe that way I would have been prepared. Is a warning too much to ask?”
“You won’t be as prepared as you are right now,” he said cryptically.
Then his expression shifted, something calculating entering his gaze. “Why does the idea of being ‘marked‘ scare you so much? It’s more than just the public aspect, isn’t it?”
The question hit too close to my deeper fear. “You know why; stronger bonds are formed between mates after the ‘Joining‘. What if… what if something happens?”
“But we are not mates, remember?” His tone was almost gentle, which was somehow worse than cruelty. “And it’s rare for any kind of bond to be formed. Your fear is… unnecessary.”
I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “That’s not the only worry. I can’t do ‘it‘ before everyone. I can’t bear that humiliation.”
“Sex?” Unexpected understanding dawned in his eyes. “I told you, I wouldn’t touch you, not till I had confirmed from the healer that you were ready. Did you think-” A flicker of something like offense crossed his face.
“Frost said there is always a rise in your hormones during marking, pressed. “What if you can’t control it? What if you lose
control?”
Kaius was silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he glanced at the red dress in my hands, deliberately changing the subject. “I see you are fully dressed. It’s time to officially meet the pack. They’re waiting.”
His non–answer was more frightening than any threat he could have made.
The ceremonial hall was crowded with pack members, all eyes turning to us as we entered. Kajus’s hand rested at the small of my
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The Ritual Revealed–2
back, guiding me through the Sea of curious faces. The red dress Frost had suggested felt like armor, giving me at least the illusion of dignity.
Frost stood at the center of the room, his formal attire marking the plemnity ofthe occasion. As we approached, he stepped forward, raising his voice to address the gathered crowd.
us; any form of disrespect against her would be an insult to
“We introduce Luna Elowen Thorne to you all, she would be a part the Alpha, her mate, and to the pack as a whole. Let the mating process begin.”
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