Chapter 3

Katerina:

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Nathan’s mother, Inna, said entering the room. Her blue eyes, which matched her son’s, were wide with rage as she approached me, pulling me to stand on my feet as I sat on the ground when my weight no longer held me up.

“Please, Inna…”

“Do not cross my son, do you understand me? He gave an order, a direct one, give me one excuse to explain why you did not fulfill?” She snapped, wrapping her hand around my throat, forcing me to look at her. I gulped, trying to catch my breath as I looked at her, fearing her reaction.

“I just need the day, him and I already…”

“I do not care what you told him or what you two agreed to do. Tonight, after the mating ceremony is done, you will be on this bed, ready for him to take you. Otherwise, I will be the one reporting to the elder’s council that you are not fulfilling your duties as a wife, do you think that they would be lenient on you if they find out that you are still a virgin based on YOUR request?” She let go of my throat, taking a step back from me, her eyes glaring daggers at me “now, go and shower. The girls will come and get you ready once you’re done”

She walked out of the room before I could say a word. My heartbeat throbbed in my ear as I fought back another sob. My parents’ words repeated themselves in my ear as I walked toward the closet. I was no longer their beta and they wanted nothing to do with me. If I was married to the Alpha, then it was for their gain as well; they haven’t spent their lives raising me for nothing. 

My hands shook as I opened the closet. The maids of the house have already unpacked my bags for me, placing my things where the Alpha must have cleared his closet for me. I stared at a white knee long dress, the dress my mother chose for me to wear at the ceremony. I was to be crowned as the Alpha’s Luna, but for me to be his Luna, whether this was arranged or not; I had to complete the mating. 

I pulled my dress out and walked toward the dresser. The bathroom’s door was open, and I knew that I had to freshen up and wash my face before going out to meet anyone. I couldn’t afford embarrassing myself or the Alpha that was, and I couldn’t afford any of the elders seeing me in a broken state; they would be having my head if they did. Therefore, taking a deep breath, I nodded at my reflection before heading to the bathroom.

“You weren’t born a coward, Katerina” I told myself, repeating the words that I forced myself to learn and drill in my head when I found out who they’ve chosen as my mate. I turned the bath’s water on, filling the tub, staring at the rising water for a second “you best start acting like the Luna you are. Otherwise, you are going to be facing your death”

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I smiled when I saw the men of the pack throwing torches of fire toward a big fireplace, cheering on when they saw the flames rise. 

Alpha Nathan looked at me, his eyes as cold as they were earlier at the wedding. 

The night’s air had the fire increase in size, and I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my lips when I saw the men and women dancing to the drum beat they were playing. The men stood shirtless while the women wore casual dresses. Alpha Nathan wore black jeans and a white shirt while I wore my white dress. 

“Are these your ceremonies?” I asked, wanting to break the ice. I had to find some way to approach the man. His head snapped in my direction and I couldn’t help but shy back in my seat as I feared his reaction, my heart racing against my ribcage “our pack had different ceremonies, that is why I’m asking”

“Yes, it is” he said looking at his pack members. The men looked at him, inviting him in, but the Alpha remained glued to his seat, refusing to get up. My eyes widened when three girls walked up to me, taking my hands in theirs as they pulled me toward the floor before I could say a word. 

“Do you know how to dance?” One of them asked, her amber eyes meeting my green ones. I nodded, frowning in confusion, she smiled and as the other girl handed her the scarf. 

“No…” I heard Alpha Nathan say from behind me. I turned around when I saw four men approaching him, pulling him to his feet, and dragging him to the dance floor.

“Ignore them, most men are like that” she said tying the scarf to my waist “all you have to do is win your place in his heart”

She winked before taking a step back, smiling at the crowd who cheered on. I couldn’t help the blush that formed on my cheeks when I saw that everyone’s attention was on me. Alpha Nathan crossed his arms over his chest, watching me, his eyes clearly judgmental. The beat of the drums matched my heartbeat and I couldn’t help the devious smile that formed on my lips as I shook my waist to the beat. 

“Who is the fairest bride in the pack?” The amber eyed woman asked.

The crowd cheered on as she asked, clapping their hands to the beat of the drums, my own hips moving to match it. 

“And who has her as his mate and wife?” 

“OUR ALPHA” their clapping didn’t stop, and my own moves didn’t.

“What does that make her?” I felt arms wrap around me from the back as I caught the Alpha scent. He turned me to face him, and taking my hand in his, he pulled me closer, watching as I moved against him. 

“OUR LUNA!” I looked at the Alpha, my eyes daring to meet his for the second time today. Nodding in respect before I pulled away from him. I removed the scarf from around my waist, sliding it over his shoulders, pulling him closer, rolling my hips against his own. 

“Impressive” he whispered, his hot breath hitting my face “but don’t test your luck too much, malyshka”

The music stopped, our eyes meeting one another’s, his glare finding its way back to his face. I looked at his mother who was standing behind him when he handed me the scarf and walked away. She nodded, giving me her approval. That was something at least.

The drummers went back to their random playing, and I smiled, handing the girl her scarf back. Inna walked toward me, her eyes meeting mine before she took my hand “you did a good job out here, now, you know what you have to do”