The Binding

Just like what the Alpha said, Maia woke up early to get ready for their nuptials. Even though she didn't like it, she didn't have any other choices. She doesn't have enough courage to fight and object to their binding. She is not crazy yet to fight the third rank Alpha, who is her father, and the first rank ambassador, who is her mate. So right now, she's just a worthless loser.

Maia was standing in front of the life-size mirror, looking at herself. She did not accept help from the servants because she preferred to be alone. Plus, she already knew the different types and shades of make-up and hairstyles. She can do it on her own.

Wearing a white and red tube-style long gown, she confidently went out of her room. She was so sure that she did everything perfectly from her crown-style braided hair, light make-up, and accessories. Her mother taught her all the different types of hairstyles and make-up when she was twelve years old. If she didn't do it well, her mother locked her inside her room for one day without any food and water. She needs to learn everything on her own and memorized the entire book of etiquettes. 

I am born to be a perfect luna; she said.

She sighed and with all her strength; she walked gorgeously to the long hallway down to the grand staircase to the front door of the pack house. Maia saw four cars and no trace of the Alpha. One of the guards assisted her to the third black car that she willingly obeyed. Then, a few minutes after she gets into her service, Oakley comes out of the pack house and went inside the second car in front of her vehicle.

Maia was nervous and scared. This is her first time going to the queen's palace. Her parent didn't let her come with them whenever they need to go to the empire. She was always left alone in her room, studying on how to be a great luna. All her life, she hadn't had a chance to wander and go to other packs and territories. She can escape from their house with the help of her best friend, but they are always on their secret base. They have a tree house in the forest near their house.

Their journey to the queen's palace took almost one and a half hours. She sighed in relief and nervousness when they finally arrived at the castle. The guard opened the door of the car and she gracefully climbed down from their service. She saw the Alpha in the other car so, she composed herself and walked toward him, bravely. 

Maia frowned when she saw Oakley startled a bit while looking at her. She looked away and cleared her throat to break the awkwardness in the air. Then, the mighty leader started to walk toward the palace.

"Come on. The queen is waiting," Oakley said.

Even though her entire system was against their wedding, it has to be done. Her parent and Oakley's mother were already in the queen's office, waiting for them. The Alpha didn't tell that, but she heard it to the servants and guards. There's no way she can escape to those bunch of psychos.

Maia was just following Oakley, heading to the office where the binding was going to be held. She can feel her hands shaking and her heart throbbing in pain and nervousness. Her breathing became uneven, too, and at any moment, she is so sure that she's going to faint out.

"We're here," the Alpha informed.

The double door in front of them opened, and Oakley entered without any hesitation. So, she followed her and she saw her parent, the queen, and her mother-in-law. She was about to look down, but her mother glared at her, so she maintained her proper posture.

"Now that we are all here, let's begin the binding of the Havoc Moon and Starlight Hallow," the queen said.

They sat in the chairs, prepared only for them in front of the queen. Maia saw a paper on the table and a pair of rings in the red box. She swallowed hard her own saliva while forcing herself to calm down. Then the queen stood up and moved closer to them.

"In front of you is the contract saying that you, Pauleen Louella Maia Lumayag and Oakley Lake Callymore, are accepting each other to be husband and wife. This is only a paper containing that the Havoc Moon and Starlight Hallow are going to be one or an ally. Your actual ceremony will be under the moon, marking each other's neck," the queen informed.

Maia was terrified. She knew what does it mean. That was the thing she had long thought that was lost in her mind. That's why she wondered why they were going to the palace, because if they were going to be married, it would be okay in Oakley's territory. She had read and seen the couple's union held in their pack's garden back then. They made no signature and just kissed under the moon. Then, the next day, they will have marks on their necks. They say that mates need to have s*x to accomplish that.

"If no one objects to this binding, kindly sign the contract, Maia and Oakley," the queen added.

Maia heard nothing from her parents or Oakley's mother. The Alpha sitting next to her took the ballpen and started signing the paper. Then, after several minutes, Oakley passed her the paper and the pen. Using her shaking hand, she took them and started signing the contract.

She remained silent in her seat while the queen, her parents, and Oakley's mother were busy talking to her mate. The binding was over and their pack has now become one. She was smiling, but behind that happiness was a crying, poor lady. She wants to end this moment and go home, locking herself in her room.

"So, when are you planning to do the mating ceremony, Alpha Oakley?" her father asked.

"Let's not make everything fast. I will win your daughter's heart first, before conducting the mating process," her mate said.

"Why?

Is Maia becoming a burden to you? Please let her go home with us and stay at Starlight Hallow for at least three days. We will make her pay," her mother insisted.

She stood up and shook her head at her mate, hoping to be nice for once. Maia can see all the possible scenarios in her mind when Oakley agreed with her mom's request. She knew that her parents will going to torture and educate her in the most brutal way.

"No. Maia was nice. We all know that we don't know and don't have feelings for each other. The mate bonding was sacred so, I don't want to face the moon goddess with fake love," Oakley replied.

She sighed in relief and secretly thanked Oakley in her mind. If the Alpha agreed with her mom, she will going to despise him, too. 

"Alpha Oakley was right. Let them know each other first and don't rush things. Besides, Havoc Moon and Starlight Hallow are now officially bound even if the two didn't do the mating ceremony," the queen said.

"O-Okay. It's fine for us. But, if our daughter gives you trouble, don't hesitate to call me. We will punish her according to my laws," her father chuckled.

"I will," Oakley smiled.

Her parents shook their hands with her mate, and his mother then bowed at the queen. The time passed fast and they are now heading home. She was in the same car that she ride in earlier and so does the Alpha in the second car.

Maia was exhausted when they arrived at the Havoc Moon's pack house. She gets out of the car and went inside the house. She was avoiding the Alpha, but the latter was fast and was at her back already. 

"I can tell that you're afraid of your parents. So, I can use that to hold your neck. Be good and follow all of my orders. If you f*cking mess up, I will gladly escort you back to your pack," Oakley grunted.

"What do you mean about being good? Tell me what am I going to do," she mumbled.

The Alpha shrugged. "I don't know. Start to do the things that an excellent mate may do, I guess."

"O-Okay," she whispered.

Oakley walked passed through her side. She sighed in relief when the arrogant Alpha was nowhere to be seen. She then headed back to her room to change her clothes and start her job. Maia considered her new life to be her new job. In that way, the pain in her heart will be lessened by thinking that she's one of the maids and not his mate.

Maia is now in her red pouf dress, ready to do her job. She had spent her few times in thinking about how she can be an excellent mate. Then she recalled everything that her mother had told her when she was young. So, she went to the kitchen and greeted all the maids in there. She asked what are the food that her mate likes and what is he as a leader. Fortunately, the servants are nice and helpful.

Her heart was beating fast and loud as she was heading to the Alpha's office. She decided to make a tea for him and now she's on her way to the lion's den. And with all of her full courage, she opened the door and entered. Maia saw the scary wolf, standing and facing to the blackboard with a drawn map of the werewolves society. She slowly moved closer to the big bad wolf and put the tray at his table.

"Have a break, Alpha. I brought you tea. It can help you to calm and revive your mind," she said bravely.

Oakley didn't respond and still looking at the map. So, she pours some tea into the cup and bravely gives it to the Alpha. 

"What?" the feral wolf growled.

She smiled. "I made you tea. Take a break and relax, even just for a couple of minutes."

"Can't you see that I'm busy? Get out and don't bother me again," Oakley grunted.

With all her strength and courage, she took his hand and force him to hold the cup of tea. Then she look at the map and saw red dots on it with the letters R, B, G, and R again. She was smart enough to know that the letters are the initials of someone and the dots are the place where they are. She was also sure that the two R are for Rehan and Renata.

"What's the problem?" she asked.

"Something you can't understand," the Alpha growled.

She looked at him and giggled. "Try me."

"Why would I do that? Leave," Oakley growled.

"If I mess up, lock me in my room without food and water for how many days you like. But If I'm lucky, you will do nothing tomorrow," she insisted.

"What's with the conditions? I'm not buying it," the Alpha grunted.

"Try me," she said sweetly.

Maia was confident that she can help him. Besides, she's doing this for her friend Renata. Her guts are telling her to push it and she was never wrong when it comes to her instinct. The Alpha glared at her and put the cup of tea at his table. Then, he faced the map and point his index finger at the dots.

"This is where Renata, Beta, Gama, and Rehan were. They are stranded in their positions for some reason. Nowhere to escape and go to," Oakley said.

Maia looked at the map again. She forced her mind to recall all of her passed studies about maps, heritage, and sacred lands. Then she pointed to the mountain near the four dots.

"Go the mountain, then," she said.

"Why would they do that? They will die," the Alpha growled.

She shook her head. "They will not. There was a ruined temple on that mountain. Whoever someone you are talking about, they are the one who's going to die. If they went to the ruin as fast as they can, they can use that as a shield and deception."

"I don't trust you," the Alpha growled.

"Then, trust them. You know that they are strong, right? Trust their abilities and strength. They can use the ruins as a hideout, shield, and deception. It's 963km from the starting point. If you don't believe me, look at the Ruins and Heritage book page 154 and you'll see," she explained.

The Alpha didn't respond so, she smiled at him, took the cup of tea, and gave it back to him. Then, she started to walk towards the door. But she stopped a few steps away from it then, turned around to her mate again.

"I am in my room, preparing for my punishment if ever that I'm wrong," she smiled.

Then she went out of the room and quickly shut the door behind her. And as soon as she closed it, she stumbled to the ground while catching her breath. Her knees are shaking and her heart was pounding so fast and hard.

"I-I did it," she mumbled.

After several minutes, she composed herself and stood up. She went to her room as fast as she can and go straight to the bathroom to cool herself down. She was grinning from ear to ear, for she can't believe that she did that thing to the big bad wolf.

She didn't know how long she had been in the bathroom but when she comes out, the Alpha was in her room, sitting comfortably on her bed. She was startled and shy at the same time but she gathered all her courage to act naturally and went to her vanity mirror. 

"Are you going to punish me now, Alpha?" she asked.

For some reason, they both stiffened at what she said. She looked down when she realized that her words have a double meaning, making her blush. She heard Oakley clear his throat as she took her hairbrush.

"I guess, the kind of punishment that you had in your mind is what I want. What do you think?" the big bad Alpha said.

She shook her head. "I-I didn't think anything."

Oakley chuckled, making her startled while looking at him through the mirror. Her heart skips a beat and she can feel her inner wolf howl in amazement.

"Don't deny it, mimosa," the Alpha mumbled. "I can smell your scents."

Maia froze for a moment because of the endearment that Oakley had called her. She knows what was the meaning of mimosa. Her vocabulary and knowledge were more superior to every average wolf due to her nonstop lessons when she was young. Mimosa is a flower also known as the touch-me-not plant. When touched lightly, its leaves collapse, two by two, until the whole cluster closes up. The harder you bump it, the faster and more strongly it reacts.

"I-I did not. What do you want?" she grunted.

Oakley stood up. "You are right about the ruin. We owed you. What's our condition for tomorrow?"

She looked at him and smiled. "You will not go to work tomorrow. We're going to chill. You looked tired and exhausted. I think your handsomeness level decreased a little."

"What?" the Alpha gaped at her.

"I said, we will going to chill and relax tomorrow. No work," she giggled.

Oakley shook his head. "This is ridiculous. What are you, a ten year old girl? I am an Alpha and I have many things to do."

She shrugged. "Okay. Then, I'm afraid that you will going to be ugly soon."

"What the hell?!" the big bad wolf exclaimed.

Maia laughed when the Alpha shook his head and stormed out of her room. She then continues fixing her hair. 

"I guess he is not that bad after all," she giggled.

After she dried and moisturized her body with lotion, she changed into her comfortable clothes, which are shorts and an extra-large t-shirt. She climbed up to her bed and lay down with her stomach facing her pillow. She took her book and opened it on her previous page. But after a few minutes, she turned around and rolled over.

"Why am I happy?" she mumbled.

Her heart was pounding in joy and there was a tingling sensation in her spines, making her jolt and uneasy. She sat up and messes her hair, then lay down again and sat up, repeatedly.

"He just called me mimosa. He gives me endearment," she whispered.

Maia rolled over again but stopped when she almost fall on her bed. Then, she positioned herself properly in the middle, facing the ceiling. She was still wondering why does the big bad wolf call her that. Mimosa is a yellow flower that is a very powdery, dry, and even dusty scent. It is also straw-like and honeyed. It symbolizes softness, shyness, and good sensibility. 

"That means that she finally saw me? I mean, he can't compare me with that flower if he didn't know me," she mumbled.

She stamped her feet in the air with matching her hands, shaking in irritation. Then she sat up and jumped out of the bed. She opened the door of the balcony and went outside to the veranda. Maia closed her eyes while inhaling as the fresh air blew. She opened her eyes and looked at the scenery around her when she saw Oakley walking on the ground below her. The big bad wolf suddenly looked up, making her startled, but still managed to smile.

 "Hello, Alpha!" she waved.

"Annoying," Oakley mumbled.

The Alpha continues to his track while she combed her hair with her hands while the air was blowing wildly. She chuckled when she remember her mate's face when he saw her a while ago. He's not mad or angry. He's just irritated.