Chapter 129 2.1 THE CLAIMING
\-SIANNA'S POV-
"Ugh! I cannot support this!" I argued with cracks between my brows. Contorting a perfectly glamorous face. "Why do you force me?"
"Firecat," My mate extended a hand and helped me from the silver- grey limousine in front of the grandiose hotel at RoseWater Prowlers Pack. "This is no different from when a werewolf rejects his fated mate to be with another who he might choose."
Lightly, I bit my bottom lip because I wanted to be angry at this man. However, the gorgeous sight of his chiseled jaw and nose, lush soft lips, and piercing green eyes that gleamed in delight of my outfit, made it impossible to hold a grudge.
He's been raking his lustful eyes over me since I got dressed for the event. I wore a baby pink floor-length one-shoulder sequin mermaid dress with frills and crystal embellishments that zips up the back and has a long split up to the hip on the left.
You'd think that I was naked because of the way he licked his lips a thousand times, with eyes narrowing and nose flaring. His beast was hungry again. Hungry for my meat. He did not give a damn about concealing his attraction for me.
"It is different and you know why. It's like a bloody auction." I debated with aggravation, after slipping a foot out and standing before him. "All chosen mates will eventually meet their fated mate. There is no guarantee that they will have the willpower to resist or reject their moon-blessed mate when that time comes. The mate bond pulls the most stubborn hearts into becoming one with love. Besides, some females are not given the choice."
I should know better than anyone about the exponential power of the mate bond. After all, that is what happened to me seventeen years ago when I thought I would have ended up with my high school sweetheart, Curtis. Had we respected the mate bond of the moon goddess, there would have been happier endings. I ended up with the Alpha King as my fated mate. And years later, we are blessed with three awesome children.
"And that, my dear, is why we are here to monitor the event. The new decree states that they may voice their objections to us or our representative and we would see to it that their choice is honored without backlash from their Alpha." He was as stubborn as a mule.
I wanted the Claiming Ceremony abolished. Only low-ranked wolves experienced it. Beta and Alpha bloodlines were exempted. Vance, my husband and true love, saw no reason to destroy what he referred to as years of tradition. Not all packs conducted a Claiming. In fact, sixty percent of the werewolf realm had renounced it. Thus, producing substantial grounds for my disapproval.
At age eighteen, omega she-wolves were enlisted to participate in the Claiming which happens bi-annually in May and November.
Werewolf males get to travel to the pack hosting the Claiming and scout among the participants and choose if he fancies a female. Vance claimed that it is fair because a she-wolf is free to reject a claim from someone she deemed unacceptable. However, they are only awarded three rejections before they must choose a mate on the condition that they have not met their fated mate.
"Dear, I suggest you don't go wandering off this evening." He warned, with eyes swirling black and brushing the tendrils of my slightly curled black hair that fell down my cheeks. His nose skimmed my jawline, inhaling and filling me with desire.
"I won't," I promised, knowing that I had to limit the amount of attention that I gave anyone else. He was being super possessive. Yes, in fact, as the years went by, he became majorly proprietorial.
In my role as queen, I created a social media voting forum for each of the packs that held Claimings where everyone could vote against it. Since then, only five packs took the opportunity to expunge the tradition. In my opinion, members of the other pack were being commanded not to vote. It was one of the things on my agenda to accomplish before Valen reached the age to take his reign, and Vance and I would retire.
"My goddess, my queen, you are too beautiful to walk around the night with that scowl on your face." Under a sky of pristine midnight velvet that comprised glittering stars, he pulled me into a hug and passionately kissed my lips.
Butterflies slammed against the walls of my stomach. Sparks still engulfed my body whenever he took me into his arms. Nothing about our bond had waned, not the love or the passionate sex and most certainly not the PDA.
When the kiss broke, I sighed and threw my arms around his neck. " We could be at home doing other things." I licked my lips
suggestively.
"Woman, don't get me thinking about the dirty things that I want to do to you." His hand lowered to my bum, squeezing and grinding me on his hard member. He gazed into my eyes with the most beautiful emerald green and an obscene smile. "You'll have to take care of my cock if you rile me up."
I placed an index finger on his lips, "Hold that thought." He pinched my nipples and I shrieked. "Ah!" A sheer shiver of arousal snapped
into my core.
Giving him a playful slap on his pectoral, I laughed and pushed him away. He took my hand and guided me up the wide granite steps to enter the building, then down the hall to our left, to approach the two tall black wooden doors. Two male warriors on either side widely opened the doors, and we walked inside.
Once we entered, the music stopped and the trumpet sounded. Everyone paused their socialization and spared us their respective attention, falling to their knees.
"Announcing our most beloved rulers, His and Her Royal Highnesses, Alpha King Vance Wolverson, and our Luna Queen!" A
warrior guard dressed in a black uniform announced, stepping forward and then falling back.
"Rise and resume." Vance boomed, looking regal and powerfully unmatched.
The ballroom was dazzling with sparkling crystal chandeliers, priceless fresco paintings, and thirty-foot gilded ceilings. There were lustrous cream drapes by the floor-to-ceiling windows to enhance its opulence.
A path was cleared through the crowd as we made our way to the steps at the side of the stage with shimmering green curtains to take our designated high towering seats amidst the Alphas and Lunas that were in attendance. Around the large ballroom were round tables with elegant chairs for families and others, while both male and female participants would stand in the center. Girls on the right and boys on the left.
Lustful whispers and stares breezed through the room before quieting down. For some, it might have been the first time they were seeing us in person.
An amicably familiar face with curly brown hair and teal eyes rose from his seat and quickly locked eyes with me. I flashed him a bright smile as he bowed to us and handed us drinks before walking to the podium as the audience fell silent. Warning rumbles rolled over Vance's chest and I intertwine my fingers into his with my glass in the other hand to soothe his wolf.
"Welcome all. I'm Alpha Fernando of the pack and the official for tonight." He scanned the room, assessing the participants. "Firstly, we acknowledge the presence of our Sovereign and remind you that you are free to take any objections or concerns that you may have regarding the selection." He merely turned to give a head nod and his teal eyes lingered on me. "We are happy that they could
personally join us."
All those who were sitting stood. The women curtsied while the men did a forty-five-degree forward slope of the back bow. We waved to them with a tip of our heads. My eyes examined all the expressions of the females, who were uncomfortable, anxious, or eager. "Without further ado, we will get right into the ceremony. I will call a male's name and they will announce the female that they have decided to claim." Fernando's deep voice addressed the hundreds of eyes zoning on him. "The female has the right to accept or reject an offer. You already know the rest of the rules, therefore, we shall
proceed."
Within ten minutes, the ceremony began and I sat through two hours of it sipping on champagne and rubbing down the arm of my possessive mate who did not take his eye off Alpha Fernando even
once.
"Is there anyone who objects to their selection?" Alpha Fernando inquired from the attendants and gave ample room for Protestants to step forward. "Very well, carry on to the marking reception." No one fought over a girl or objected and Vance cast me a satisfied
look. It did not break my resolve to abolish this and I surely shall, one day. Moving on, they will have to mark their claimed mate before proceeding to the reception hall in the adjacent ballroom for
the claim to be legitimate. At least my children will not be subjected to this.
Vance and I stood, making our way from the stage to the buffet line
to allow others to freely engage us while we munched. I was happy
that my phone had not rang once to alert me of anything going awry at home.
Older by two years, Valen did an impeccable job when he was left in charge of the twins. It could stem from the fact that they did not wish to cross him because of his two magical guardians that live with us. At sixteen years old, he was a replica of his father in every way.
"Alpha King Vance," Alpha Fernando boldly joined us, filling our
plates. He bobbed his head and appraised, "Thank you for coming today." He turned to me, "Luna Queen, as you can see, everything at the function is going exceptionally well. Twenty Omegas were claimed and marked today."
"Congratulations on a job well done, but I am still moving forward with the motion," I firmly reiterated.
"When did you both get so friendly?" Vance grumbled and bit a slice
of his cake. His guard rose to the roof, sending ominous daggers at the younger Alpha.
Alpha Fernando chuckled nervously, "My King, the queen, and I were at university together before she moved back to Dark Wolverson. As a matter of fact, we even had some online classes together. We have
stayed in touch since then."
"You did?" Vance's accusing eyes swept to mine with his little green monsters showing their prominence.
"Yes, but no worries, Alpha. I am newly mated." Fernando thought
that could appease him, flashing his hand to support his lack of interest.
"Oh, how wonderful!" I clapped cheerfully and almost hugged him.
Vance's hand snaked around my waist, pulling me into him. "Then don't make me turn your Luna into a widow." Fernando gulped and I laughed without heart because we knew he was as serious as an execution judge. When he gets into this foul mood, everyone tends to be on edge. It killed the fun sometimes. All mates were intrinsically possessive and the intensity of it strengthened with status.
"Where is she?" I eagerly wished to meet her.
Fernando had longed to meet his mate while at the time I was with
Curtis. We had completely different views about the entire obligation towards one's mato Evidently his argument won. Ho slightly turned
2.1- THE CLAIMING
+40 Bonus
claimed female omegas and came to his side and hooked his arm
with hers.
My glance swept across the vast room and ascended to the balcony where I spotted another blonde-haired Alpha standing. He intently stared down at me with a drink in one hand and the other in his pants pocket of his blue jacket suit.
Five unmated women encircled him, flirting like their life depended on it. Though he seemed very detached from the coquetries. Brazenly, his hazel eyes illuminated with lust as his lips bent into an amused smirk and he slowly brought the glass to his lips. Desire
flitted on his oblong face.
It was creepy.
Bringing my attention back to our group, Vance's heated gaze scorched me. He was on the verge of snapping his tenuous thread of control as he bitterly spat through our mind-link, "Is that another
one of your old college buddies?"
Tipping on my toes, I whispered in his ears, "I only have eyes for
you, Wolfie." My tongue traced along the helix of his ears and then I kissed his cheek hoping to calm him down.
Sadly, the stupid Alpha did not divert his gaze from me. A loud growl emanated from Vance's chest, clearly indicating that the twig of control had been splattered, and his wolf's presence in the form of his sable black eyes caught the unsettling admiration. Everyone in the room whimpered as Vance's aura unfurled like a whipping belt. The blanched Alpha recoiled and disappeared from the balcony with his lady friends trailing him. Except for a black- haired female who peered down at me with a forced smile. Obviously,
she was a little too bold and unable to conceal her contempt. She had no wolf but there was something present in her that intrigued me. It
required time to uncover.