Chapter 30 Fated Taboo
❀ Maeve ❀
I could scarcely believe my reflection in the mirror.
For breakfast with the Alpha, I’d selected a dress out of a wide range of options. All of them similar to the one I’d worn to the mating ceremony.
Bastian must’ve liked the design without knowing it was vampire fashion.
Something inside me cringed at the indirect deception.
The dress was white and tight at the bodice like a second skin, its sheen matching the shine of my oiled hair. One high slit revealed my toned leg with every step.
Dark blue inner lining tinged the flowing white skirts that matched the simplest jewelry I could find in my new beauty room—a black tweed choker inlaid with royal blue diamonds.
Its single length of chain just barely touched the bloodgem in my chest, giving the impression of being one piece of jewelry.
A red bloodgem from my vampire and blue diamonds from my lycan. My skin prickled from the taboo.
The girl in the mirror was stunning, with spotless, milky skin. Wide, luminous amber eyes that glowed.
Tears welled. I blinked them back.
If only my mother were here to see me now.
Yara, summoned by Bastian, stood behind me with a satisfied smile.
“Still want me to call you Maeve?” She teased.
My lips curved with light laughter. “Yes, Yara. I don’t need a fancy title to prove my worth.”
I turned to face her, my back straight. “I’m ready.”
With a brisk nod, she walked ahead of me, holding the door open.
Running a quick appreciative glance over my image, I glided out of the room.
Bastian’s wing was sparse with staff. Apart from myself, and two other faces I’d gotten used to, no other pack members wandered around here.
He must like his privacy.
I prepared my mind for an audience with the Alpha. Now that I had my wolf, I felt less intimidated and more confident.
I was even looking forward to it.
Soon, we arrived at a passageway lit with bright sunlight that filtered in through large, arched windows in the stone wall.
With each step forward, my back straightened even more, my chin lifted.
I was a Princess Consort. My mother was missing, and I had two mates of starkly opposite species.
I had to glean as much information as I could to secure myself in this court. Somehow cement my position in ironwolf while protecting my vampire mate.
Show time.
Two large guards flanked both sides of an open archway, and already I could hear voices within.
Yara stopped beside me. “This is where we part, I’ll be at the training grounds. Will you honor us with practice today?”
My lips curled. I imagined kicking her ass with my new found abilities. She smirked back, and I knew she’d read my mind.
“See you then.” She bowed and spun away.
I watched her leave, her posture sure and athletic. I had to hold myself back from challenging her right then, just to test out my new strength.
With a deep breath, I turned into the archway, past the guards, and into the breakfast hall.
The chatter quieted instantly.
Utensils clattered back into bowls, necks cricked to turn to my direction.
To temper my nerves, I focused on the decor of the hall.
Light from the split, high ceiling illuminated the path in the middle of the hall. Long, polished tables sat several finely dressed pack members on either side.
Intricate carvings bloomed behind thick black curtains that had been pulled open to allow air in from multiple terraces.
The view out of the arched windows was a breathtaking canvas of IronWolf territory.
Up ahead, at the very end of the hall, stood a dais similar to the one in the large ceremony hall.
But a canopy of light gray curtains separated that section from the rest, and it was held open with thick bands of gold rings.
A hearth burned within, giving the section a warm, golden glow.
The rustle of my skirts brushing along the floor filled the silence. My prim shoes clicked like a metronome.
Finally, I reached the dais, pausing at the last step.
Alpha Mordane reclined at the head of a low table, his eyes glazed and vacant.
For the first time, I wondered if he was mentally sound.
Maybe the crazy runs in the family.
The seconds dragged on.
Then Bastian finally rose, unhurriedly, his gaze locked on mine.
He descended the dais, holding out a hand—I took it.
He spun me to face the rest of the hall.
The wolves hadn’t moved, eyes locked on me like I was the best thing after roasted meat.
“It is my honor, and pleasure, to introduce my mate, Maeve Till.” He slid his gaze to me, beaming.
What is he up to?
Wait… had he just said my name?
My heart stuttered, my brows furrowing. I’d never told him my last name—my mother’s maiden name. He must’ve asked the other rogues.
“In the scant hours we’ve known each other, she’s shown admirable temerity and kindness—both virtues unparalleled in a mate.”
Both sounded nothing like me, or maybe the first one.
Bastian took both my hands in his, gazing down at me so earnestly, I almost fell for it.
“Maeve, the moongoddess found me deserving of a being such as you, and intend to demonstrate my appreciation. Would you do me the honor of doing eternity with me?”
Swooning gasps sounded from the females in the audience.
He grinned down at me, not bothering to hide the bite and challenge on his face.
He knew something.
Deny. Deny. Deny.
“It would be an honor, Prince Bastian. As I’d already ascertained from your model character and wisdom, I have much to learn from you. I’d be honored to accept this mate bond with you.”
Coos and ahs filled the hall. Light clapping ensued.
The chatter slowly rose once more, and Bastian led me by the hand to a spot at the low table.
Unlike the rest of the hall that used standard tables and chairs, this section had thick sitting pillows and a soft rug. I tucked my legs, settling in.
On the left were Bastian, myself, and two male soldiers. Both wore a vast collection of daggers on belts crisscrossing over their shirts.
On the right were the man from the mating ceremony—Commander Leif, then Ashar, and two more armed soldiers to their side.
I channeled apology through my gaze to Ashar, but he gave an impassive one back.
I hoped I hadn’t fucked up our just budding friendship.
Alpha Mordane suddenly spoke, making me jump.
“Welcome to the pack, Maeve. I hope you find it to your liking.”
His eyes were suddenly illuminated, looking more present.
I cleared my throat, summoning a cheerful disposition. “I do, Alpha. Bastian has been good to me.”
He just smiled.
He turned his attention to Commander Leif, continuing as if he hadn’t just spoken to me.
“I’m getting more disturbing reports of heightened vampire activity in Blackbridge. And in turn, it is spreading toward IronWolf.”
“The threat is being neutralized, Alpha,” the commander said, his voice grave. “I believe the vampire intends to divide our attention—spread our forces thin, and then attack the fortress.”
“I called it,” Bastian leaned forward. “I tried to warn you, but you didn’t listen. You allowed the leech into the fortress, gathering intel like a good little spy. We should’ve had his head when we had the chance!”
His fist slammed onto the table, splashing mead.
A chill crawled down my spine at the hatred in his voice. Veins stood out on his arms, his chest heaving.
Alpha Mordane merely stared off into the distance.
“I’ve often wondered what else could be conjured with that stash of crimson blood,” he muttered, ignoring Bastian.
To Commander Leif he ordered, “Make a capture, perhaps torture would make the feral vampires reveal the location of their sire.”
My stomach twisted. Alpha Mordane wasn’t in league with Maverick Graves. What did this mean?
I shuddered, thinking—
Nikolai lied to me.