~It was finally time for the mating ceremony~A small crowd gathered in an open space carved out on one side of the extensive estate.It was like a little grassy meadow, surrounded by tall evergreen trees that provided dappled shade and a sense of seclusion from the outside world.Strings of twinkling fairy lights were draped artfully between the branches, illuminating a warm, romantic glow over the area and creating an almost ethereal ambiance.At the center was a raised platform made of polished cedar wood, with an archway covered in lush vines and an assortment of vibrant wildflowers standing front and center as the focal point.Despite the picturesque, dreamlike setting that seemed plucked straight from the pages of a fairy tale, the atmosphere was anything but celebratory.A gloomy, oppressive pall seemed to hang heavy over the gathering. The usual excitement and joy one would expect from such an occasion was notably absent.Serena was nowhere to be found, and neither was Knox for
Meredith held up her hands to gather everyone’s attention. "We are gathered here to witness a joyous occasion. A celebration of two souls to be joined in holy matrimony," she called out in a firm yet soothing tone that instantly commanded respect and obedience Her piercing gaze shifted to the two burly guards flanking the disheveled maid. The wretched creature was bound in searing silver chains that left angry, oozing burns wherever the metal kissed her flesh. The maid's head lolled forward, her matted hair hanging in a limp, greasy mess to obscure her face. The occasional whimper of pain that slipped past her cracked lips hinted at the utter misery etched into her features. "Bring her forward!" Meredith commanded with a curt nod of her head. The guards responded instantly, each seizing one of the maid's arms in a bruising grip and hauling her struggling form into the center of the gathering. A pitiful cry was torn from her throat as the movement tugged viciously at the
The newly mated couple were both red-faced and silently panting when they eventually broke apart. Their glassy eyes were dark and full of undisguised desire. Dimitri extended his arm and wrapped his fingers around the handle of the elaborate ceremonial dagger that was perched on a silver platter next to them. The blade was an exquisite work of art, its handle inlaid with precious gems and intricate engravings that seemed to writhe and shift in the flickering light. Then he drew the wickedly sharp blade across his upturned palm in one smooth, decisive stroke. There was no hesitation, no flinch of pain etched into the hard planes of his face. The instant he raised his hand in an almost reverent manner, a thin droplet of red began to spring up and rapidly gathered in the center of his hand. Emilia watched with trepidation, her slender throat working convulsively as if she had to resist the urge to dash out right then and there. "Relax," Dimitri murmured as he cradled her sma
The raucous cheers and thunderous applause seemed to reverberate through Serena's very bones as she watched Dimitri and Emilia bask in the adulation of the crowd. The newlyweds were practically glowing with joy and contentment bliss that comes from finding one's other half in the world. Everything before her right now looked and seemed so simple. But Serena knew otherwise. She couldn't help feeling a pang of wistful longing mingled with envy at the sight. Would she and Knox ever share a connection that carefree? A bond so all-consuming that the rest of the world simply fell away until there was nothing but the two of them locked in their own private universe? Without worrying about harm or danger, even from intimate moments that ought to be pleasurable. But in her case, it felt like everything had a price. "Luna."The gentle murmur of a voice at her side snapped Serena from her reverie. She turned to find Lara, her newly assigned maid, watching her with eager eyes. The
A strangled sound escaped Serena's throat, something between a squeak of outrage and a mortified gasp. She could actually feel the heat radiating from her face, certain she must be blushing a violent shade of scarlet by now that put even the deepest of roses to shame. Sweet heavens, this woman was utterly shameless!Even President Bolting seemed taken aback by Meredith's brazen words and crass insinuations. He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, clearing his throat in a rather obvious attempt to diffuse the awkward heat-filled tension that had descended over the group. "Surely there must be some other way," he began, "Some compromise that doesn't involve my daughter being subjected to... to...""To the beautiful, natural act of mating?" Meredith supplied helpfully, her grin widening to show a flash of teeth. "Come now, Mr. President. Surely you're not so prudish as all that. After all, how do you explain your precious child came into this world, hmm?"Across the way, Dim
"I'll be fine, Dad," she assured him, injecting as much confidence as she could muster into her tone. "This is just...part of their customs and traditions, however bizarre or uncomfortable it might seem to us. I have to accept and embrace that if I'm truly going to take my place here."The words tasted like ashes on her tongue, a bitter reminder of all she would be leaving behind - her humanity, her identity, her entire world - in order to fully immerse herself in this new life and role. But she refused to let her doubts and misgivings show, not in that moment when so much rested on maintaining an aura of certainty and poise.President Bolting searched her face for a long moment. The worry lines around his eyes seeming to deepen as if he could sense the conflict raging beneath her calm facde.Finally, he gave a reluctant nod, reaching out to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze."If you're sure, sweetpea," he murmured with resignation. "Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what
Dimitri reached for the waistband of his pants with slow and deliberate movements, maintaining heated eye contact with his new mate.Serena quickly averted her gaze. She could actually feel the flush creeping down her neck and chest, her skin prickling with a heated awareness at the obscene scene.The light material pooled at his feet, leaving him as bare and unashamed as the day he was born.A strangled sound escaped Emillia’s throat before she could stop it, something between a gasp of shock and a muffled moan of pure reaction.Sweet goddess, he was...magnificent!There was no other word for it. From the column of his throat and the broad span of his shoulders down to the cut lines of his abdomen and those impossibly long legs. Every inch of him was sheer masculine perfection given form.And at the apex of those strong thighs, the thick length of his arousal jutted proudly, flushed and rigid with readiness.Emillia couldn't tear her gaze away from it, couldn't seem to draw a full bre
The guards deposited the maid in an unceremonious heap on ground, her hair obscuring her face as she lay crumpled and unmoving.Meredith sneered down at the pathetic figure for a long moment, her expression twisted into one of utter contempt."This is what happens to those who dare defy the destiny. Who turn their backs on their sacred duties in favor of petty selfishness and greed." Her words dripped with venom."Let this be a lesson to you all," Meredith continued, her gaze sweeping over the gathered wolves with a look of pure, unadulterated loathing. "The path we walk is not an easy one, nor is it without its sacrifices. But it is sacred. Ordained by forces greater than any of us can comprehend."Then she turned her piercing stare on Serena. Her eyes bored into the younger woman with an intensity that seemed to strip away every last vestige of her defenses and false bravado."You would do well to remember that, dear. The choices laid before you are not ones to be made lightly or wit