Chapter 168 Chapter 167

Chapter 168 Chapter 167
Aloria.

"That's good. Everything is ready on our end as well. We're just counting down to the day," he mutters, leaning close so he can rest his forehead against mine.

I meet him halfway, basking in the feeling for a moment longer before a thought occurs to me.

"Where's Kairos?" I ask, opening my eyes to look at him.

Draven shrugs, but his hold on me tightens imperceptibly.

"In his study, probably. Catching up on last-minute work. Do you want to see him?"

I shake my head.

"I just wanted to know where he is," I reply.

"He's fine, Aloria. He's just as eager, even if he'll never show it," Draven says, letting out a wry smile.

I chuckle, feeling my cheeks heat up.

Then, much later, I blurt out, "This doesn't feel real yet."

"Oh... It's real. And you better start believing it," he mutters, giving my nose a tiny flick.

Then, quite slowly, he starts pulling away from me.

"I have to go now... I just came in to check on you. We'll talk more at dinner, alright?"

"Alright," I answer, smiling at him, feeling butterflies go on a rampage in my belly.

Draven leans in on an impulse, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. With a soft nod of his head, he turns around and leaves the room, closing the door gently behind him.

A small smile grows on my face as I stare at the closed door, my heart fluttering.

Everything is ready. The dress. The ceremony. The blessing.

Now all that remained is the night itself.

And somehow, that made my heart race even faster.

Oh... I can't wait.
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Draven.

I walk down the empty hallway after leaving Aloria's room, heading straight to Kairos's study.

I find him sitting behind the grand oak table, bent over a ledger that's open in front of him. Hearing me enter the room, he raises his head, fixing me with a stare, one brow slightly raised.

"How's Aloria?" he asks without missing a beat.

I cross my arms, allowing my lips to stretch into a lopsided smirk as I make my way towards him.

"She's excited and nervous, but she's game." Watching him closely, I add, "What about you?"

"Me?" Kairos asks, his eyes widening slightly. "Why are you asking me that?"

I scoff, shaking my head.

"Don't start with that, Kairos. In a few days, we'll be officially bonded with Aloria. Aren't you feeling anything about it?" I ask, probing.

A tense silence settles over the study, and Kairos slowly leans back, looking lost in thought for a moment. Finally, he speaks.

"I do feel... certain things. I'm just not dwelling on them. This is a decision we make together, is it not?" he asks, and I nod.

"Yes... it is," I groan, my voice low.

"Then we see it through. We'll bond with Aloria. And we shall be with her for all eternity," he finishes, his voice firm.

A slow grin spreads across my face as I look at him.

"Direct. I like it."

Kairos scoffs, but his eyes crinkle at the corners as he lets out a small smile.

"You wouldn't have it any other way."

I shake my head.

"No, I wouldn't."

"Very well... Let's do this then."
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(Two weeks later)

After days of nerve-wracking waiting, the mating ritual day finally arrives. It's a small, intimate ceremony, held in the courtyard of the manor, which has been transformed into a lush flowering landscape of white roses and lilies, as well as crawling green vines that help give the space a very earthy, fairy-like atmosphere.

Incense has begun to burn, giving the air a fragrant, holistic feel, and the ritual candles have been placed in all the right places, waiting for sunset so they can be lit.

I am unable to sleep the night before, just tossing and turning as I think about today, my heart beating faster than ever. Now, as I stand in the morning light, staring at the courtyard where the ceremony will take place, I'm feeling a strange sense of calmness, unlike the nervous energy that has been plaguing me for the past few days.

My mind drifts back to the very beginning, when I am being sold off to the Ashenvale brothers at the auction house. Now we're here. I never, in my wildest dreams, imagine this. Still, it's the most beautiful, most romantic thing I've ever witnessed, and I can't wait.

"Excuse me, my lady..." a maid calls from behind me, giving me a respectful bow. I turn towards her, waiting for her to speak.

"We came to retrieve you and take you back to your room, my lady. It's time for you to have breakfast and prepare for your evening," she says, keeping her tone respectful.

"Oh... What about the alphas?" I ask, clasping my hands in front of me.

"They aren't in the manor at the moment, my lady, but they will be coming back soon. Do you want to send them a message?" she asks, looking up at me.

I shake my head, a soft smile blooming on my face.

"No need... I will see them this evening. Let's go back to my room," I say, walking ahead while she follows behind me.

By the time I enter my room, the entire space has been transformed. A simple breakfast of tea, honeyed bread, cheese, and cut grapes is waiting for me. My ceremony dress has been laid out with my jewelry and accessories, and a huge tub of steaming, fragrant water sits at the center of the room, filling the air with the scent of jasmine and lilies, as well as the humid heat rising from the tub.

Three maids stand together, waiting to serve me. I greet them, and they respond, watching as they move around to help me out of my nightclothes and into the steaming water, carefully washing my body and massaging my muscles. I relax against the edge of the tub, letting the heat and their gentle yet firm hands work out the residual tension in my limbs.

By the time the water grows lukewarm and the bath is concluded, I feel like a completely new person. My skin is butter-soft and luminous, my muscles are lax, and it feels like I'm floating in the air.

The maids wrap me in a robe and gesture for me to have my breakfast. I eat slowly and quietly, savoring the taste of fresh bread and cheese in my mouth, a tiny smile budding on my lips as my stomach fills with food, my mind already fixed on this evening... that special moment.

I finish my meal, and the plates are immediately cleared away. The maids instantly move to the next phase, massaging my entire body and rubbing light, fragrant oils into my skin, brushing out my hair until it shines.