Mating Ceremony
Lilith’s POV;
The day of the mating ceremony came so fast that I wondered if I was really ready for this.
Looking at myself in the mirror, dressed in a pretty white laced dress with a light pink tulle skirt that covered my legs and a crown of flowers resting on my head, reminded me of the woman in the mirror.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
That was a few days ago, but it felt like just yesterday. I couldn’t say anything to anyone, but I was always wondering who the woman was. She had told me that I was going to find out who she was pretty soon, and I couldn’t wait.
I glanced at the mirror slowly again, willing myself to see her, but instead, all I saw was my own reflection and how beautiful I looked. Although my eyes held a certain sadness, I smiled slowly in a bid to hide it.
“You look beautiful, my lady,” Cara said, and I nodded without a word.
Adams had told me that it was the custom in the Blackhound pack for all the werewolves to be in their wolf form during the latter part of the mating ceremony. Apparently, that was the most important part of the ceremony, as we were going to need the moon goddess’ blessing.
I heard the door open, and I turned around to see him strolling in with a huge smile on his face. He was dressed in an expensive suit, and his jet-black hair was slicked back with gel.
I could see Adam’s apple bob up and down as his eyes landed on my face, an unrecognizable expression on his face as his smile faltered. I resisted the urge to ask him what was wrong.
“It’s time,” he said, his voice husky as he walked towards me and wrapped his arms around me.
My heart skipped a beat, and I swallowed hard, willing my heart not to betray me. Luckily for me, his beta appeared in the doorway to tell us that everyone was waiting for us already.
He nodded and grabbed my arm, raising it to his lips and kissing it before we exited the house, hand in hand, and began heading to the venue.
The first ceremony was to be held in the garden, while the second and most crucial part was to take place in the woods.
I stood motionless, my eyes vacant, as I glanced at the garden, which was now well-decorated and filled with guests from all over the werewolf realm.
Lexi’s happiness was radiating through me, and a deep breath was expelled from my lips as my eyes landed on the familiar faces. Raider, Cassandra, and their parents.
I swallowed the painful lump in my throat as the memories of my parents’ deaths came rushing back to me, like an old wound that had been opened again. I peeled my eyes away from them.
Adams gazed at me and pulled his brows into a frown as he whispered.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said, my voice giving no hint whatsoever as to how I currently felt.
“Sure?” He grabbed my arms and looked into my eyes, and I nodded, knowing that it was time to say our vows. His eyes gleamed with pride and adoration.
“Lilith, the first time I set my eyes on you, you took my breath away, and I wouldn’t mind my breath being taken away by you over and over again if it meant I got to be with you. I love you, Lilith, and”
He was still talking with my eyes fixed on him, but I wasn’t listening to him; my mind was preoccupied with other things, and it wasn’t until I saw his lips stop moving that I realized that he was done.
I was meant to have prepared my vow too, but I hadn’t. I had decided that I was going to say whatever came to mind. Whatever I said wasn’t going to be true anyway.
“Adams, I am honored that the moon goddess chose me to be your mate despite everything. I love you and wouldn’t want to do this with any other person.”
The words I was speaking didn’t seem like they were coming from my own mouth. But then I heard the crowd erupt with cheers and congratulations, urging us to seal our bond by sharing a kiss.
Adams pulled me tightly against him, and I didn’t resist nor did I care. His lips descended upon my cold and unresponsive one, and he pulled away almost immediately. It was a very light kiss.
A sigh was expelled from my lips, and everything became a blur. The mixed emotions I had been harboring all let loose, and I zoned out.
Adams’ hand grasped mine, and I swallowed hard, pushing aside the emotions that came with it. My heart was a block of ice, and I wasn’t going to let my guard down and melt before him, even though that was what Lexi wanted.
Exchanging vows, receiving gifts from the guests, Adams’s warm smile-it all felt like a painful headache. What was worse was that Lexi kept trying to link up with his wolf. I knew that we were going to eventually do that in the latter part of the ceremony, but for now, I do not want to experience those emotions.
We were seated in the middle of the crowd, and one by one, everyone came to offer their congratulations and gifts.
“Congratulations, your highness-her highness.”
The familiar voice broke my daze, and I glanced up and stared at her. She had a small smile on her face as she bowed, and she was holding a small box. Raider was beside her, also bowing.
I could feel Adams’s gaze on me, and as our eyes met, he nudged them, and I realized what he was doing.
He wanted me to be the one to make them stand. It was customary to keep bowing until the Alpha King or his queen acknowledged you.
“Thank you,” I said after a while, and they both stood up.
I could see the irritation on Cassandra’s face that even the fake smile she had on couldn’t hide.
“Is that punishment enough?” Adams asked as soon as they left, and I struggled not to laugh, and I nodded slowly.
It wasn’t enough punishment for them after what I went through, but there was only so much an Alpha king could do to an Alpha’s son. It was satisfying to watch the anger on their faces and know that they couldn’t do anything.
He held my hand; his warmth and strength were oddly comforting. Lexi purred, and my eyes rolled internally.
“I’ll always protect and be with you,” he said, and I nodded without a word as the man who looked like him and whom I had seen a few days in the conference room walked towards us.
“Welcome to the family,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips as his eyes twinkled with mischief.
I could feel Adams tense beside me, and from the corner of my eyes, I saw his lips pursed in a thin line.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t be properly introduced the last time. I’m Ben, his brother,” he patted Adams, earning a glare from him.
I said nothing but nodded as I realized that this was him, the one the maid had been talking about the other day.
“Why do you look-you don’t seem happy? Aren’t you happy to become the queen?”
I grinned widely, and he frowned before bursting out laughing.
“You’re funny. I hope we get to catch up soon.”
“Aren’t you going to leave?”
“Are you trying to chase me away?”
“I–”
He turned to glance at me and winked. “See you around your Highness and you two; have fun.” He walked away, and I heard Adams mutter a string of curses under his breath.
I resisted the urge to ask him any questions as we focused on the other guests who were coming to greet us.
“Congratulations, Your Highness. My Queen.”
Upon hearing his voice, I swallowed hard, and even Lexi whimpered. I raised my head slowly, staring straight into his eyes, making me relive my parents’ deaths all over again.
Don’t show him that you’re affected by him!
“Alpha River! I never thought I’d see you here,” Adams responded as he glanced at me.
“Did you send him an invitation?”
I shook my head as Alpha River chuckled nervously.
“She was like a daughter to me, you know. She was supposed to even be my daughter-in-law.
“Oh, I see. Then what happened?”
He chuckled nervously as he rubbed his forehead, something I always noticed him doing whenever he was stressed about something.
“Well, you see, your highness. James betrayed me and everything -”
At the mention of my father’s name, I swallowed hard, willing myself to remain calm and not do anything. I didn’t want any of them to know that I was still in pain over what happened.
“Get out! Right now, before I’m forced to call the guards on you!”