CHAPTER 142: Games of Fate

CHAPTER 142: Games of Fate
Alora’s POV

The nausea and headaches always felt manageable each time Morgan was near. This morning was the best I've had in a long while because Morgan had been with me all night and even this morning. 

After the study incident, he was clingier and more present than he had ever been. It felt like everywhere I turned, he was there. 

Today was the first meeting of the committee in charge of the mating ceremony, and it was mandatory for me and Morgan to attend.

I sat in my vanity chair, trying to tie my hair into a ponytail. I needed to dress well and composed, maybe then I will feel like my old self.

I used to love getting dressed, picking out clothes that made me feel like me. Lately, though, every time I pull something from the closet, it feels like it doesn’t belong to me anymore, like someone went and stitched it a size smaller just to remind me my body isn’t the same.

I sat there staring at myself in the mirror. I looked different, I felt different.

I frowned and stood up, looking at my reflection with a deep frown on my face. My face looked fuller than usual, my stomach felt taut and slightly bloated, my hips were now fully shaped, my breasts full and rounded. 

It seemed like I had added weight…lots of weight in one month and a few weeks. 

I had never felt the need to be self-conscious about my body because I was built like an athlete…until today.

My frown deepened, and I began to feel frustration building up. 

I needed to do something about it.

Just then, Morgan, who had just finished having his bath, walked in with a smile on his face until he saw my scowl.

I quickly covered my body with my robe and tried to fix my face.

His arms curled around me from behind as he inhaled my scent.

My body melted into him. He smelled of wood and musk, and home.

I closed my eyes as I felt the tension go out of me, jolts of electricity chasing down my spine. 

“I caught you scowling at your reflection in the mirror…what's wrong”?

I forced a smile. “It's nothing.”

“It's something if it got you worked up,” he said, his eyes locking with mine through the mirror. 

He always did that when he knew I was not telling the truth, and he also knew I could never say no when he looked at me like that. 

“I feel like I am adding weight,” I confessed, avoiding his gaze. 

He paused, his eyes scanning up and down my body, then licked his lips.

“Does that bother you? I like this new look better”, he said, pushing my hair back and leaving tiny kisses all over my neck.

I felt my body responding to his little seduction. I closed my eyes trying to reel in the want and need coursing through my body.

My inner walls began to throb

“Fck your scent is driving me mad baby”, he kissed my neck, flicking his tongue on my skin.

“And you’re perfect. Your body is perfect, your skin, your shape… I wouldn't want it any other way, baby” he cooed, touching every part of me like he was worshiping it. 

“I love your hair” he placed a kiss on the back of my hair, then twirled the tip around his finger.

"I love your face” kiss on the forehead.

“I love your eyes” kiss on both eyelids

“I love your nose” kiss on the tip of my nose

“I love your lips” kiss on my lips

“I love your ears” bite on the ears

“I love your body” kisses on my throat, chest, breast, stomach, down my hips.

Then he came up and captured my lips, biting and sucking. 

The towel he had on him had gone down a notch, revealing the V on his groin. 

My body lit up like a Christmas tree, every nerve in my body standing on alert at his touch. 

I whimpered, latching onto his lips, as he deepened the kiss, swirling his tongue, and making love to my mouth.

Just then, Selene’s voice came through the mindlink. “Alora, we are all waiting for you and Alpha.”

I gasped and stepped away from him.

A deep growl left his lips and he frowned, looking up at me through hooded eyes filled with desire.

“We need to go. The committee are waiting for us.”

“They can wait” he replied, reaching for me again, but I placed my palm on his face, pushing him back gently.

"We have all night, baby” I teased, kissing his mouth, then smacking his butt and pushing him in the direction of the wardrobe. 

He pouted and mumbled, palming his erection, willing it to come down.

I chuckled, moving around to get him something to wear.

We finally managed to get ready and stepped out hand in hand.

The committee was already waiting. 

As we walked in, everyone at the table stood and gave a half bow.

Morgan mumbled some apologies about cold showers and we sat down.

Harry had a mischievous smile on his face before clearing his throat and sitting down close to Morgan while Chloe stood behind me.

On the far side, the Sage was already seated, and beside him was Elder Thorne.

Selene sat in the middle, her hair pulled back just like mine, and she had glasses on her face.

“Alpha Morgan. Alora.” Selene’s voice carried with calm authority as she motioned us forward. “Thank you for gracing us with your presence. We will now begin.”

Morgan reached out under the table and took my hands in his, his touch anchoring me and helping with my nerves, which were all over the place.

“As secretary to the committee,” she began, “I will outline the sequence of events for the upcoming mating ceremony of Alpha Morgan and his fated mate and Luna, Alora.”

His chosen mate and Luna. The title still felt too big in my chest.

Selene’s eyes flickered toward me before she continued. “The ceremony, as tradition dictates, spans several days and includes both sacred rites and public celebrations. Each part holds significance in the eyes of the Goddess and the pack.”

I clasped my hands together under the table. 

This was really happening. Realization dawned on me. 

I felt nervous and prickly. 

Morgan turned to me, noticing my uneasiness. 

He snatched my hand back under the table, his fingers rubbing soothing circles around it.

His touch calmed my frayed nerves and I heaved a sigh.

“The first is the Engagement Gathering,” she said. It is less formal but highly symbolic. The couple is introduced publicly as mates to the allied packs. Gifts are exchanged, blessings are spoken, and the elders seal the announcement with the ceremonial wine.”

I nodded faintly, though my throat was dry. I’d heard of it before, but hearing her speak it aloud, with everyone watching me, made it feel heavier.

Selene went on. “Next, the Sacred Ritual at the temple. The couple kneels before the altar, offering a prayer and a token to the Moon Goddess. It is a purification rite meant to cleanse and bless your bond before the trials that follow.”

Selene lifted another page. “After the ritual comes the Vows and the Blood Oath. The mates choose if they want the vows to be spoken privately or publicly, but the oath is public. Each swears their loyalty, their unity, and seals it with blood before the elders.”

Beside me, Morgan’s shoulders remained relaxed, but I saw his jaw tick. I couldn't tell if he loved or hated the next part.

Selene’s voice faltered just slightly, her eyes cutting to mine again as if to gauge how I was handling it.

I kept my face still, and threw her a small smile, which she returned.

Selene straightened the papers. “After the oath comes the Chase. The Luna runs, and the Alpha pursues. It is symbolic of the ancient days, when Alphas claimed their mates under the full moon. The pack will witness. The Alpha must catch his Luna before dawn breaks.”

A few muffled chuckles rose from the table. My eyes caught Elder Thorne’s eyes glinting with amusement.

Heat climbed up my neck. To be chased like prey while the whole pack watched…it felt more humiliating than sacred. My stomach rolled.

Selene kept her voice steady, though I didn’t miss the strain in it. “When the chase ends, the marking follows. The Alpha leaves his mark, and in return, the Luna accepts it. This will be witnessed as well, so the bond is sealed beyond question.”

Morgan intertwined his fingers with mine in my lap under the table, his gesture somehow mirroring the words Selene had just uttered. 

I turned to look at him, and he had the same amusing smile on his face.

He was enjoying this…making me nervous. 

I smiled back, before I avoided his gaze.

Witnessed. Always witnessed. There was no room for privacy in this werewolf tradition. I thought to myself.

“And finally,” Selene said, “the Feast. A celebration with all allied packs, where the unity of Alpha and Luna is honored with dance, with music, and with shared tables.”

“Wow, that's a lot of things lined up to be done", I muttered under my breath.

The whole table erupted in laughter.

Morgan pressed me into him. “We will do it together “he murmured” and then planted a kiss on my cheeks.

The sage smiled and shook his head. Harry rolled his eyes while Chloe chuckled.

But then Selene cleared her throat again. “And last,” she said, her voice careful now, “the Luna Games.”

The way she said it made everyone look tense.

My breath caught.

Morgan’s hand stilled.

This time, Selene didn't look at her book, she stared straight at us, me and Morgan.

“As you know, the Luna Games are one of the oldest traditions of mating ceremonies. They cannot be omitted. Not in the case of the Alpha King.”

The Sage nodded once, approving. Elder Thorne leaned back in his chair, arms folded, as if satisfied we had finally come to the real matter.