2.

The first part of the ceremony was done, now left the second and last part. Natalia felt a surge of emotions as Vitale took her hand and led her out of the hall, where the pack had witness their mating ceremony. She felt joy, love, gratitude, but also fear, anxiety, and doubt. She had just pledged her life to the alpha of the Sanguinari wolf pack as his mate and Luna. She was happy to be his, but she was also terrified of disappointing him.

Looking at his handsome face, his dark hair and grey eyes, his strong stubbled jaw his broad shoulders, it felt almost like a dream. He looked confident and proud, but also tender and protective. V smiled at her, squeezing her hand when he sensed her gaze, making her heart flutter. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to make you mine, my beautiful Luna.”

Natalia blushed and lowered her eyes, feeling a wave of heat wash over her. She wanted him too, but she was also nervous. She had never been with a man before, let alone an alpha werewolf. What if she wasn’t good enough for him? What if she couldn’t please him or satisfy his needs? What if he regretted choosing her?

At that thought, she felt a sudden urge to stall, to buy some time to calm her frayed nerves. She noticed that her skin was sticky and still stained with wine. She used that as an excuse and said, “Vitale, can we take a bath first? I feel dirty and uncomfortable.”

Vitale frowned, looking at her with concern. He sensed her hesitation and wondered what was wrong. He wanted to reassure her and tell her that everything would be fine, that he loved her and would never hurt her. But he also respected her wishes and didn’t want to pressure her. He nodded and said, “Of course, my love. Whatever you want.”

He kissed her forehead and led her to their room, which was decorated with candles, flowers, and silk sheets. Natalia slipped into the bathroom, her heart pounding in anticipation. This is it, after tonight, she'll officially be the Luna. She would have a family, a mate, a pack. Everything she had ever hoped for, and she'll cherish it with all her life.

As the warm water cascade down her skin, it calmed her frayed nerves and by the time Natalia stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy white towel, she was feeling better than she had been all her life. All the pain of ridicule and rejection from the pack members forgotten. Cuz in this very moment, Natalia felt it was worth it.

She felt a surge of heat as she saw Vitale sitting on the bed, his shirt unbuttoned and his eyes dark with desire. He smiled and held out his hand to her.

"Come here, Kitten," he said, his voice husky and dark.

Natalia walked towards him, her heart pounding. Vitale who was tired of waiting pulled her into his arms, kissing her gently. He ran his tongue over her lips, coaxing them open. He tasted like wine and mint. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

He broke away and looked into her eyes. "You're so perfect, Natalia. I love you more than anything in this world. You're my mate, my Luna, my everything."

He kissed her again, then moved his mouth to her neck. He nipped and licked her skin, making her shiver. He found her pulse point and bit down gently, marking her as his. She gasped and arched into him.

He moved his hand to the towel and tugged it off, exposing her naked body to his gaze. He groaned and kissed every inch of her, making her legs become soft like jelly.

As their lips meet in a passionate kiss, they surrender to the irresistible pull of their desire. They explore each other’s bodies with feverish intensity, oblivious to everything else. None of them noticed the faint odor of a burning herb that lingers in the room, nor the sinister eye that watches them from a concealed device, recording their every gesture.

...

Meanwhile, somewhere in the depths of their pack house, a solitary figure wallowed in his agony. He clutched his chest, feeling the ache of his lonely heart.

“How many years have passed? Five? Ten?” He muttered, emptying the fourth bottle of wine into his mouth and hurling it to the floor with a loud shatter.

“When will I find my mate? When will she come to me?” He moaned, reaching for another drink when a knock on the door startled him.

“Who is it?”

“Relax. It’s just a little birdie looking for some company tonight.”

“Go away, I'm busy and I’m not interested.”

“In what? Suffering in silence?” A seductive woman entered, her heels tapping on the dark floor as she approached the shadowy man. “You don’t have to give up on her, you know. She can still be yours.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. I saw how you looked at the Beta. You were practically salivating over her.”

“That’s absurd…”

“Shh… No need to deny it. I can help you get what you want if you’re willing to play along.”

He was silent for a moment, considering her offer.

“What do you want me to do?” He finally asked.

The woman smiled wickedly as their eyes locked in the dark, revealing a mutual understanding of the risks involved. A deal was being made, an alliance that could change their world. Every move, every word spoken, carried implications that would echo far beyond their secret exchange.

Natalie and Vitale had no idea that their passionate night would have dire consequences. A storm was coming, a perilous situation that endangered not only their love, but everything they cared about. They were unwittingly trapped in a tangled web of lust and power, where the true intentions of those lurking in the shadows would only be exposed with time.