Xander Pov

Bloodied, weak and fed with aphrodisiac. I barely made it out of the trap set by that cunning woman.

Lucia Everett.

Last night was a planned attack, not to kill me but to have me to herself. If she had succeeded last night, it would have been quite messy. Fortunately, I met my mate at the right time. Running through the woods, away from those bastards, I had smelled her scent.

It was faint, yet alluring. Just like now, as she walked towards me, wearing a transparent veil.

Elise Grayson.

" Beautiful...!" I whispered, stuck at the beauty walking towards me, the veil barely holding off her gorgeousness.

Underneath the transparent veil, I could feel her anxiety. Her fear, perhaps. I wanted to hold her close, whisper sweet nothings, if that would calm her.

Just like last night.

But I couldn't. It was against the pack rules. I had to wait for the Luna to meet me, then we would be joined. The Luna has to be the one to come meet me during the mating ceremony.

It was taking too long. The ceremonial song, welcoming her to my side. I sighed in frustration as I glanced at my grandma. This old woman was full of tricks.

" Amma, can you hurry?" I mindlinked her, pulling off my alpha look. I cast her a pleading look, I was dying to be with my mate.

Amma continued, more slowly, a smug look perfectly etched on her face. She truly wants to deal with me.

" Amma, don't you want to carry your great-grandchildren?" I asked, hoping this would make her give up.

That got her, I think, her expression shifting. All old mothers do love to have the next generation on their laps.

" Prepare the ritual drink!" Amma announced, beckoning the maids to escort my mate to me.

As Elise got closer, her scent hit even harder, memories of last night floating. My wolf, Skye, growled. Another step and she was facing me, her beauty barely hidden under the veil.

Amma stood before us, her staff fitted on the ground. For a second, she looked nothing like the Amma we knew. Her eyes glowed, and her claws elongated as she grasped the sacred wine cup. Swiftly, her claws dug into my palm, drawing a cut that spilt blood into the wine.

She turned to face Elise, to perform the same on her and I felt my heart in pain. She doesn't have a wolf. Cutting her palm was going to hurt, right?

Amma and my eyes met.

She must have sensed my worries. She faced Elise. " Don't worry, it won't hurt."

I clenched my fist tightly, wishing I could be the only one to spill my blood. How could it not hurt when my mate doesn't have a wolf? Without a second thought, before Amma could cut her palm, I moved swiftly to her side.

" Brat, don't do anything rash. It would spoil the ritual," Amma cautioned, glaring at me.

I don't care. The last thing I want is to hurt my mate. She doesn't even have healing powers.

" Amma, I-"

Elise's voice cut through as she gave me a weak smile. " Dear, it's okay. I have endured worse."

At first, I felt excited, hearing her call me affectionately. Then her last word hit me, hard.

Worse? She endured worse?

My eyes pierced through the gathering of people, finding the culprits to unleash my anger. How dare they treat my mate like that? Skye growled, feeling restless and murderous.

Until Amma cautioned. " Today is your mating ceremony. Respect the sacred union."

I bite my lips, refusing to look at Amma, who had gotten close to Elise for the cutting ritual. As if to drive her point home, my mate was silent as the knife cut through.

Not a whimper, not a sound. How much had she endured all these years?

Elise, stood opposite me, her eyes barely looking up. I could feel her heartbeat, synchronised with mine, as we prepared to seal our bond.

Amma's wise and revered presence commanded respect, her voice weaving a spell of tradition and commitment.

"By the power of the moon and the ancient ways, we gather to witness the union of Xander and Eliss," she began. "Let their bond be strong as the mountains and fierce as the wolves that roam our lands."

I took a deep breath, my voice steady as I spoke my vows. "Elise, my mate, my love, I promise to stand by your side through the trials and triumphs of life. I vow to protect and cherish you, to hunt with you under the moon's silver light, and to build a life filled with laughter, adventure, and loyalty. You are my moon, my stars, and my guiding light."

Elise's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke her vows, her words piercing my heart. "Xander, my mate, my heart, my Alpha... I promise to stand by your side through the storms and the calm. I vow to support your passions, to share your burdens, and to stand together against all challenges. You are my shelter, my partner, and my forever home."

As we exchanged vows, our gazes locked, and I felt the familiar rush of Skye drawing in her alluring scent. I wanted to feel her scent more, but then something struck me. Something mixed with her scent smelled ancient.

I squinted, the familiar scent of a powerful wolf smell blending with Elise's scent. I tried to calm myself, thinking it might be a scent from one of the pack members. But then, the wolf's aura was too powerful and it was obviously coming from Elise's side.

"By the power of the ancient ones," Amma declared, "you are now mated, bound together for life. May your bond be strong, your love fierce, and your pack prosper under your leadership."

Amma smiled, her eyes shining with tears, as she bound our wrists together with a leather thong.

The pack's wolves, gathered around the clearing, let out a chorus of howls, their voices echoing through the night.

" Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" The pack members cheered on, Elise's face burning red even under the veil.

I leaned in, raising her veil as her gorgeous face lit up my world. I brushed my lips against Elise's, our kiss sealing our union. She tasted sweet and I couldn't stop ravaging her lips. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, bound together by our love and our commitment to one another.

I wanted more than just kisses, I was dying to have her again. But Amma would be the end of me. She let out a loud cough, making Elise push me back softly.

As we broke apart, gasping for air, I smiled, feeling Elise's love and devotion radiating towards me.

"Forever," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

"Forever," Elise replied, her smile mirroring mine as I lifted her up. I whispered into her ear," I am starving. I want to eat."

" Should I prepare something for you? I can cook-"

I let out a smirk. Of course, she was going to cook for me, and I was going to eat every part of her food.

I carried her bridal style out of the coronation ground, walking towards the mate chamber that had been prepared alongside the coronation. I could feel Elise looking surprised.

" Didn't you say you were hungry? Aren't we going to the palace?" She asked, frowning.

" I am hungry," I slowly breathe out, and I can see her getting more confused. My mate was so cute and innocent!

As we entered the mating room, I placed her gently on the roses-filled bed before whispering into her ears.

" I am hungry...of you, sugary. I want to eat every part of you," I told her.

Without letting her say anything, I ravaged her lips while my hands grabbed her beautiful twin molds. She let out a moan that made me lose all my senses.

Elise, you are mine!