Chapter 11 ~The ceremony~
(Xander's POV)
My father and I were sitting in his quarters. I was called by Calvin this morning while preparing for the bonding ceremony, my father had something important to discuss with me.
He cleared his throat. He seemed to take his time with this.
“Alexander, I know we pressured you into finding a mate, but it's not too late to change your mind about the girl.”
I almost scoffed. The same man that was on my throat to find a mate is now telling me I have time to change my mind.
“No, thank you,” I uttered, coldly.
“What about Nova?” He pressed on. “What happened between the both of you?”
I clenched my jaw. “I don't want to talk about it.”
“Well, since we're both here, I'm just going to say it. I don't like the girl you chose.”
Theon growled defensively. My wolf seemed to think otherwise. He was clearly smitten, especially after last night.
I shrugged in response to my father's statement. “We're all entitled to our opinions.”
“If that girl is what you really want, you can go ahead with the bonding ceremony. I can see you have made up your mind.”
“Her name is Fiona.” I retorted.
I could see the old man was trying to get on my nerves, and I'd be damned if I let him.
“Fiona from where, of which pack? Ashridge pack? Oh, please.”
That was all my father cared about, the only reason he was pressed on this matter was that he thought I'd go with some Alpha's daughter from an equally powerful pack and then we'd form an alliance and subsequently, Silvereign will get more power, wealth and influence.
Instead, I went with a lowly omega from one of our rival packs.
It felt good to see the looks on their faces when I brought Fiona in.
“Well, if not for anything, I hope the bond will resuscitate your dying wolf and break the curse.”
I raised my eyebrows, surprised how he found out. I'd made sure no one but Calvin knew.
“How di…”
My father chuckled dryly. “You must think I'm a fool. You forget I was once Alpha too.”
He gnashed his teeth. “And your mother, the bitch, is coming today. Somehow, she got to know about the bonding ceremony.”
The news broken to me instantly soured my mood. I disliked my mother, everyone did.
She was a rogue wolf that my dad had tried to make Luna out of, but what did she do? She ran off with one man after another, returning each time to beg before she ran off again with a new lover.
Did you blame the old man? My mother had traumatized him into thinking any werewolf not of noble lineage was a disaster waiting to happen, but somehow I trusted Fiona.
“Loki must have told her.” I rolled my eyes.
“The bastard!” My dad spat out.
Well, suffice it to say, Loki wasn't our father's ‘favorite’ son, so he, out of spite, joined alliances with our mother. What did they say about your enemy's enemy?
I stood up to take my leave. I had more pressing matters today.
The room was filled with elders, gammas, omegas, and other members of the pack. The bonding ceremony was about to start. Our shaman was at the podium waiting for the Luna. I stood on the left side in my alpha apparel. Calvin and Yara were close by.
Then she walked in. My Luna, in a long flowing dress, her red curls looked even more beautiful flying in the wind.
I sucked in a breath as we mindlinked.
You look so beautiful.
I know, it took me eight hours and a shit ton of cosmetics.
I smiled from where I stood.
The shaman's voice boomed. “Today we are gathered for the mating ceremony of Alpha Xander and Luna Fiona.”
The whole room went quiet as the shaman wrapped our hands together in a symbolic red sash. The emblem of Silvereign was encrusted with the material.
We took our vows next. “I promise to display loyalty, to protect and honour my human and wolf instincts as alpha. And protect my Luna, in the name of the moon goddess.”
Fiona said her vows next, a small smile playing around her lips. “I promise to honour my human and wolf instinct. To show loyalty and protection as the Luna of the Silvereign pack, in the name of the moon goddess.”
The shaman brought out a chalice and nicked our thumbs with a small knife, drawing blood. He raised it and muttered a few words.
I could feel the bond between Fiona and me strengthening.
“It is done.” He brought the chalice down.
The rest of the ceremony was basically us being congratulated and entertaining the attendees. I spotted Alpha Varon and Luna Alice, Nova's parents. I saw Nova sitting somewhere in the corner, a forlorn look on her face.
I smirked in satisfaction. There was no way she'd have believed that I'd find another mate in less than 24hours of her breaking up with me at the school's parking lot.
Her parents and the elders, alongside my father, were discussing something I didn't care to know about.
I looked around, only noticing that I hadn't seen my mate in a while.
I went looking for her, calling out. “Fiona?”
She was nowhere to be seen, so I checked her room.
She was lying on the bed, her back facing me.
“Fiona? I've been searching everywhere for you.”
It was when she turned I saw that she'd been crying. Her eyes were red and her face blotchy.
My wolf whimpered in my chest.
“What's the problem?” I asked, concerned.
Her face turned into a scowl as she stepped down from the bed and faced me.
It took me aback for a second. I tried to get closer to her, but she brushed my fingers away.
“Is it true?”
“Is what true?” I was confused.
She took a shaky breath. “Is it true that the only reason you chose me as your mate was to break some curse? That I'm only a second-fiddle, and the contract originally belongs to Nova?”
I stood, shocked and rooted to the spot. Who must have told her?
I'm sure it's Nova.
I needed to explain. “That's not exactly what happened.”
“It's actually fine. I don't want to know, since you've decided to make this like a business deal, let's keep it that way.”
I tried explaining, but she cut me off.
“I don't want to hear anything from you. I need to be left alone.” She said and lay on the bed, her back turned to me.
I left the room, and came face to face with Vivienne, who had been eavesdropping.
That was when I realized it wasn't Nova who told her, but Loki's mate, Vivienne.