Chapter 8
Elowen's POV
I wiped the blood from my lip with trembling fingers. My body ached, bruises already forming where Drake had grabbed me. The forest path stretched dark and quiet as I walked back toward the pack house, refusing to let Casper guide me. Each step hurt, but I needed this pain—it reminded me I survived.
"We should get you cleaned up," Casper said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it.
I shook my head. "I'll handle it."
One hour later, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my puffy eyes and the faint bruise on my cheek. Cindy's mating ceremony was starting in two hours, and I looked like absolute hell. My throat tightened. I couldn't ruin her day by showing up like this.
A sharp knock startled me. Before I could answer, Casper pushed the door open.
"You're not ready." His eyes swept over my ratty t-shirt and sleep shorts.
"I'm not going." I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. "Look at me. I'll just embarrass Cindy."
Casper crossed the room in three strides, grabbing my chin and turning my face toward him. His touch wasn't rough, but it wasn't gentle either.
"That piece of shit doesn't get to win," he growled. "You're coming. And you're going to look fucking amazing."
He didn't wait for my response, just wrapped his fingers around my wrist and pulled me out the door. My heart hammered against my ribs as he led me through hallways I'd never been allowed in before, past guards who straightened when they saw him.
"Alpha Thornwood's son," one nodded respectfully, then frowned at me. "Sir, the preparation room is restricted to—"
"She's with me." Casper's tone left no room for argument.
The guard's eyes widened slightly, but he stepped aside.
Inside, Cindy sat on a cushioned chair, already halfway through her preparation. The room smelled of burning sage and cedar, silver candles flickering on ancient-looking stands. Thornwood Pack's forest green emblem hung on tapestries around the room.
Cindy's eyes lit up when she saw me. "Elowen! They're letting you in?"
"No," I said at the same time Casper said, "Yes."
Cindy laughed, rising from her chair. Her silver ceremonial robe caught the light, forest green wolves embroidered along the edges. She looked breathtaking, every inch the Alpha's daughter.
"Prepare her," Casper ordered the attendants. "Like family."
The room went silent. One of the older women cleared her throat. "Sir, the Beta's daughter doesn't typically receive—"
"Did I fucking stutter?" Casper's eyes flashed gold.
The woman bowed her head. "Of course not, sir."
They led me to a chair, and I sat awkwardly as they assessed my face. One reached for a heavy foundation, clearly planning to cover my freckles completely.
Casper's hand shot out, stopping her. "The freckles stay. They're part of her."
His fingers brushed my cheek, so lightly I almost thought I imagined it. But the warmth that spread from that touch was undeniable. The makeup artist nodded quickly and chose a lighter foundation.
I watched in the mirror as they transformed me. Light coverage that let my freckles show through, champagne gold eyeshadow blending into smoky brown, mascara that made my lashes look impossibly long. My lips turned a deep rose color, erasing any trace of my earlier distress.
My hair took longer. They worked it into a half-up style, weaving in delicate silver threads and tiny moonstone beads that caught the light with every movement.
When they finished, I barely recognized myself. The woman in the mirror looked wild and elegant at once, nothing like the timid Beta's daughter who always tried to disappear.
"Holy moon goddess," Cindy gasped, spinning me around. "Every unmated wolf is going to be fighting over you tonight!"
From the doorway, Casper watched with narrowed eyes that had turned completely gold. I felt his gaze like a physical touch, hot and possessive.
He snapped his fingers, and two women wheeled in a rack of ceremonial clothes. Unlike human bridesmaid dresses, these each held significance in wolf culture.
"Choose," Casper said, voice low and rough.
I ran my fingers over the fabrics—silk, velvet, lace—until I stopped at a silver gown. The material felt like moonlight between my fingers, so light it seemed to float. The bodice was intricately embroidered with forests and wolves running beneath a full moon. Tiny emerald stones studded the waist, representing Thornwood colors.
But what made me pause was the back—an intricate pattern of fine silver chains forming the phases of the moon, designed to rest directly against skin.
"This one, I want it," I whispered, surprising myself with my boldness.
Something dark and hungry flashed in his eyes. He nodded once.
The attendants helped me into a private changing area. The dress slid over my skin like water, cool at first then warming to my body. When I stepped out, a collective gasp filled the room.
Cindy's mouth actually dropped open. "I think I just lost my spot as the center of attention."
Casper's eyes had gone completely wolf-gold, his pupils thin slits. "Turn around," he ordered, his voice barely human.
I slowly rotated, feeling the silver chains shift against my bare back. I heard his sharp intake of breath, felt the heat of his gaze. He stepped closer, his lips nearly touching my ear.
"Freckles," he growled, so softly only I could hear, "I might not let you make it to the ceremony grounds."
Heat flooded my face and traveled lower. Inside me, Juno purred with satisfaction.
"We have time before the ceremony starts," Casper announced to the room. "I'm taking her for a walk."
No one questioned him as he led me out a side door onto a forest path lined with silver lanterns. The late afternoon air felt cool against my exposed skin.
His fingers encircled my wrist, thumb brushing over my pulse point. Each touch left behind his scent—pine and smoke—marking me subtly but unmistakably.
"That fucker Drake," he said suddenly, voice deceptively calm. "You're done with him for good, right?"