Chapter 1 - The mating ceremony

Cassandra’s point of view:

“Cassandra, daughter of Beta Andrew from the Midnight pack, do you take Marcus, Beta of the Crescent Moon pack to be your mate, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death?” Levi, the leader of the Moon Howlers started, beginning the mating ceremony.

It was a moment of glee for the Crescent Moon pack members.

But, it was a moment I dreaded with unsettling fear.

I was not ready to accept this arranged bond with a stranger. My chest grew tight. I could feel my chest moving up and down, but I couldn’t feel the air in my lungs, as if I was about to pass out. My chest was beginning to hurt.

The moon was imminent, in glowing contrast against the still blackness of the sky. It was bare, bathing everything underneath in a silver light, caressing my skin softly, whispering in my heart that I would be okay, that everything would be okay.

Yet, I had to fight the urge to howl at the moon, to pour out my distress.

In the old times, werewolves would get married under the moonlight, in front of the Moon Goddess to be blessed with her blessings.

But, ever since the Moon Goddess has left us it’s been ten years, a powerful group called the Moon Howlers had taken over the Moon Goddess’s place and has been assigning everyone's mate.

And, I am betrothed to the man standing next to me, Beta Marcus.

Speaking of him, I stole a quick glance at the man before shifting my eyes back on Levi who was currently waiting for my response. Although subtle, Levi’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Crestfallen, I realized that the time had come and this was it for me. I had a lump in my throat. I gulped and blinked away the tears.

I dimly realized that I was trembling.

I glanced around to find everyone staring at me, their eyes shining with excitement as they held their breath, waiting for my response.

I turned pale, fear gripping me in its vicious grasp but I knew I had to respond. “I do.” Breathless, I forced those words out.

With a self-satisfied smirk, Levi directed his attention on Marcus only to glare daggers at the latter before asking in a tight voice, “Marcus, Beta of the Crescent Moon pack, do you take Cassandra, daughter of Beta Andrew from the Midnight pack to be your mate, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death?”

Beta Marcus was swaying on his feet, completely drunk. It seemed like he had little to no knowledge at all that this was his mating ceremony.

Either that or he must be so ecstatic to be bonded that he spent the whole day and evening partying.

So, when Levi asked him to confirm his arranged bond with me, he groaned before opening his mouth to say something but ended up puking on… me!

Disgusted, I uttered a yelp as I stepped back in surprise.

Soon after, Marcus passed out, having people carry him out.

Despite the obvious disturbance, Levi continued, “You have declared your consent before your Lord and the Moon Howlers associates. You are hereby declared as destined mates, forever, never to part ways.”

The announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. All the members of the Crescent Moon pack who were present for the mating ceremony, howled in accordance with our Lord’s words and cheered for their Beta.

Seeing everyone howling in obedience to his decision, Levi’s face lit up with pride.

After a while, Levi raised a hand to stop the howling. A wave of silence took over the crowd. They were quick, not wanting to defy our Lord.

“I must now take your leave.” Levi declared before leaving since his job here was done.

I felt so out of place standing on the bandstand all by myself once the Moon Howlers left. I’d never felt this stranded before. And on top of that, the putrid and sour smell of Marcus’s puke made me feel more uneasy.

Fortunately, an omega, named Jasmine, was kind enough to show me to my room where I could get changed.

“If you need anything, you can find me in the kitchen down the hallway from here.” Jasmine kindly offered, pointing to her left from where she stood in the doorway before closing the door once I had nodded at her.

Before long, I was left alone in my chamber.

After taking a bath and changing into a new set of clean clothes, I took that alone time to ponder upon the events which went by in a single day, events which turned my life upside down.

I was so afraid when the Moon Howlers announced my bond with Marcus from the Crescent Moon pack. I have heard that the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Park is a ruthless killing machine so I imagined the Beta to be the same.

Although I’d always chided my friends from judging someone based on what they heard or saw, I couldn’t help to do so myself when it came to my arranged bond with Marcus.

I still remembered the last conversation I’d had with my parents before I unwillingly left for the Crescent Moon pack.

“But mom, this isn’t fair.” I argued after having mustered enough courage to voice out for the first time in my life.

“What isn’t fair, Cassie?” My mother stared at me as if I had grown two heads in a matter of a few seconds.

Feeling my stomach churned with the increasing distress and nervousness and my eyes burned with unshed tears, I replied angrily, “This whole mating ceremony thing is not fair! Why am I not allowed to choose my own mate?”

“Cassie, this is beyond our ability. You know pretty well that this is how mates are brought together now. We can’t do anything that will go against the Moon Howlers. Levi is our Lord. He’s thinking of what’s best for you -”

“I can’t believe this. How are you okay with him sending me to the Crescent Moon pack to marry a Beta whom I know nothing about except that he might be a monster just like his Alpha?” I ranted.

“Cassandra,” my father intervened, sounding quite furious. “You should be happy and thankful to the Moon Howlers for choosing Beta Marcus as your future mate.” He firmly stated, leaving no room for any further arguments.

Sensing the tension briskly rising in my father’s office, I felt even more miserable. I didn’t have much choice.

My parents have always neglected my feelings. I was never asked about my own opinions when it came to anything regarding my life.

It was not surprising at all when I was sent here alone with no one accompanying me from the Midnight pack.

I highly doubted that this time around, my father was still thinking about my arranged bond being an alliance of some sort between the two packs. But, by the tension between the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack and the surrounding packs, this alliance was brittle at best.

Late into the night, I walked out of the room trying to find Marcus.

I searched every room in the mansion but stopped when I heard someone moaning.

My wolf, Sierra surfaced and I found myself opening the door before I could stop myself and instantly knew why my wolf compelled me to do so.

I saw Marcus fucking another she-wolf.

“When I become Alpha, you will be my Luna.” Marcus rasped into the she-wolf’s ear before closing the distance between them and taking her mouth in a fierce kiss.

They both moaned in pleasure.

It was clear that the passion between them hadn’t peaked and they showed no haste to end this any time soon.

I stood by the door, frozen. When Marcus finally noticed me, he looked at me, a penetrating stare that made me regret drawing his attention. But, it was too late for me to run away.

A despicable smirk slowly appeared on his face before he asked, “Why don’t you come and join us?”