Chapter 215 Preparations for the mating ceremony
Chapter 215
ASTERIA
I stared at Austin, my heart sinking. "Is that a good idea?"
Austin turned from the window, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you think?"
I opened my mouth, then closed it again.
What could I say? That I thought it was reckless? Dangerous? That inviting rival packs could expose everything?
But I wasn't in a position to question him.
I kept quiet and just looked at him, trying to keep my expression neutral.
Austin moved closer, closing the distance between us until he was only inches away.
My heart beat faster, hammering against my ribs.
He leaned forward, his voice low and dangerous. "What are you so scared of? Me inviting packs who've had issues with Mooncrest?"
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I just thought you wouldn't trust anyone that easily."
I paused, my hands trembling slightly. "And I'm scared the news might get to Richard or Darius. If they find out what we're planning, it could spoil everything."
Austin looked at me for a long moment, then smiled with a cold, calculating expression.
"You're right to be cautious," he said. "But don't worry about that. I'm going to deal with it."
I wanted to ask him how he planned to deal with it, what precautions he was taking, whether he had spies watching Mooncrest.
But I kept my mouth shut.
Austin's smile had faded, and something in his expression made me wary.
He looked like he didn't quite trust me yet, like he was still testing me, watching for any sign of betrayal.
And with me questioning his decision about the invitations, I didn't want to risk his wrath by pushing further.
He stepped back, giving me space to breathe again. "I want you to oversee some of the preparations. Report to me how everything is progressing."
I nodded quickly. "Of course."
"Good." He turned and left without another word.
I stood there for a moment, my heart still racing, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.
The preparations for the mating ceremony were elaborate.
More elaborate than anything I'd ever seen.
Redfire wanted to make a statement to show strength, to inspire fear, to demonstrate their power.
I watched as servants transformed the main hall, hanging banners in red and black, arranging weapons as decorations, setting up a raised platform where the ceremony would take place.
The invitations had already been sent out to rival packs.
Eastfang Pack—border enemies who'd fought with Mooncrest over territory for decades.
Lightclaw Pack—business competitors who'd lost contracts and wealth to the Pikes.
Ironpaw Pack—an old blood feud stretching back generations, the original cause long forgotten but the hatred still fresh.
Silvermane Pack—territory disputes that had turned violent more than once.
The invitations were framed as celebrating Austin's union with his new mate.
But I knew the truth.
This was a war council in disguise.
Austin was gathering allies, building a coalition, preparing for something much bigger than a simple mating ceremony.
Over the next two days, I met with Austin's advisors.
They were hard men, scarred from countless battles, with eyes that had seen too much violence.
They tested me, asking pointed questions about Mooncrest's defenses, Richard's strategies, Ravenna's weaknesses.
I answered everything, proving my usefulness, establishing my place in Austin's inner circle.
I learned about Redfire's politics; who held real power, who was loyal to Austin, who might challenge him if given the chance.
I learned their power structure, how decisions were made, how conflicts were resolved, how loyalty was rewarded and betrayal punished.
It was brutal, efficient, ruthless.
Everything operated on strength and fear.
The seamstress fitted me for multiple ceremonial robes.
She brought fabric after fabric: silks, velvets, brocades in every colour imaginable.
But I kept coming back to one combination.
Red and black.
The red was the colour of fresh blood. The black was the colour of darkness, of night, of death.
Together, they felt right.
They symbolized what this ceremony really was, not a celebration, but a declaration of war.
"This one," I told the seamstress, running my hand over the red silk. "I want this one."
She nodded and began taking measurements, pinning the fabric to fit my frame.
Austin assigned a woman to teach me the mating rituals.
Her name was Mara, an older she-wolf with greying hair and sharp eyes.
She came to my chambers one afternoon and sat across from me, her expression serious.
"The Redfire mating ceremony is not like other packs," she began. "It's older. More brutal and binding."
I leaned forward, listening carefully.
"First, there's the blood oath," Mara explained. "You and the Alpha will cut your palms and clasp hands, mixing your blood whilst speaking the old words."
She demonstrated the hand position, showing me how to hold my palm upward.
"Then comes the public claiming," she continued. "The Alpha will mark you before the entire assembly. In front of every pack member and visiting Alpha."
My stomach turned. "Mark me how?"
"He'll bite your neck," Mara said bluntly. "Hard enough to draw blood and leave a permanent scar. It's meant to show ownership, to demonstrate that you belong to him."
I touched my neck unconsciously, imagining Austin's teeth sinking into my skin.
"After the marking, there's the ceremonial scarring," Mara went on. "A heated blade will cut matching symbols into both your palms. The scars bind you together, a physical reminder of your oath."
She paused, studying my face. "Can you handle that? The pain?"
I nodded, even though I wasn't sure. "I can handle it."
"Good." Mara stood. "During the ceremony, you must not flinch or cry out. Any sign of weakness will be seen as a bad omen."
She demonstrated how I should stand, how I should hold myself, how I should react to each part of the ritual.
We practiced for hours until my legs ached and my head pounded with all the instructions.
That night, alone in my chambers, I stood by the window looking out at the pack territory.
Doubt crept in, cold and insidious.
Was this really what I wanted?
To bind myself to a brutal stranger just for revenge?
To let him mark me, scar me, claim me as his property?
To give birth to his children, risking my life in the process?
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
One of my maids entered, bowing. "Luna, the Alpha has sent for you."
I turned, surprised. "Now?"
"Yes, Luna."
I followed her out of my chambers and into the hallway.
Austin was there, walking toward me with long, confident strides.
He smiled when he saw me, a rare expression that softened his harsh features slightly.
"Take a walk with me," he said, offering his hand. "In the garden."
I hesitated for only a moment before taking his hand.
His palm was rough, callused from years of fighting, but his grip was surprisingly gentle.
We walked in silence for a few moments, my heart racing.
I glanced at him occasionally, trying to read his expression.
"Are you scared of me?" he asked suddenly.
I nodded, seeing no point in lying. "Yes."
He let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist instead, pulling me closer to his side.
The sudden contact made me stiff.
"You know no intimacy is allowed until the night of the mating ceremony," he said, his voice low.
I nodded again, my throat tight.
"Good," he continued. "Because if it were allowed, I'd have kissed you already to ease your tension."
"I'm not tense," I argued, even though my entire body was rigid.
Austin laughed, a genuine sound that surprised me. "I can hear your heart racing. And you're walking like you've got a rod down your spine."
My face flushed. "I'm fine."
We reached the garden. It's a surprisingly beautiful space with flowers and trees arranged carefully.
"Dance with me," Austin said.
I looked around. "There's no music."
"Don't worry about that."
He took my hand and pulled me close, positioning us in a traditional dance hold.
Then he began humming a well-known tune, slow and melancholic.
We moved together, swaying gently, and I looked up at him properly for the first time.
He was handsome in a dangerous way. He'd sharp features, intense eyes, a mouth that could smile or snarl with equal ease.
He didn't look as monstrous as people made him out to be.
How was I dancing with him under the moonlight? Was I hallucinating?
"I admire your courage," Austin said quietly, still humming between words. "Coming here alone and offering yourself like this."
He paused, his eyes searching my face. "You must be really pained to want this revenge so badly."
I looked away, my chest tightening. "I am."
"You'll have your revenge," he promised, his voice firm. "And you'll be mine."
He leaned closer, his lips near my ear. "How would you like to break the law a little bit?"
I looked up at him, confused. "What?"
He grinned and kissed me softly but quick, his lips warm against mine.
It was over in seconds, but my heart was hammering.
"I should take you back to your room," he said, stepping back. "You need to rest."
I nodded, unable to speak.
He walked me back to my chambers and paused outside the door.
Then he kissed my forehead gently. "Sleep well, Asteria."
He turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
I entered my chambers and closed the door behind me, leaning against it.
My mind was spinning, my emotions chaotic.
But then I looked up and saw my reflection in the mirror across the room.
Except it wasn't my face staring back at me.
It wa
s Ravenna's.
Her eyes. Her expression. Her perfect, hateful face.
The doubt vanished instantly, burned away by pure rage.
I stepped closer to the mirror, my hands clenched into fists.
"I'll burn everything you love," I whispered to her reflection. "Everything.”