Ravenblood

Chatper2

The annual mating ceremony was just around the corner and by just around the corner, tomorrow night, when the moon blooms to blood red.

On the 11 lunar cycle of the year, there would be a mystical gathering of packs, mainly male lycans, lurking in the corners of the Carvidol under the blood moon. Each wolf is fueled by the primal urge and constant mantra in their minds to locate their chosen one, amidst a convergence of howls and palpable energy.

Then the females shall gather at the Ends Lake, waiting upon the arrival of their mate to claim them as a possession.

To partake in this hunting, one must have reached a certain tier of maturity in physique and mind. At the age of 18 complete twelve lunar cycles.

This has been a tradition for us for centuries, with the instructions followed obediently. And I do not doubt that the reason I walk through the halls leading to the Royal house is related to the mating ceremony.

The one I partake in. Again

Knocking lightly on the huge door, I awaited its welcome then stepped as soon as the guards yawned them apart, revealing the king and the witch that sat next to him.

Her cold eyes burned holes into me as I greeted her.

“Alpha Ben,” I gave a curtsy, “You sent for me”

Since his marriage to Veronica, I was now like an old book on a shelf to him, gathering dust; its pages, torn and requires no need for its story as it has been read too many times.

Veronica was the new Luna in his life now, a queen that held his heart, and her words were law, he claimed. This is why he wasted no time in giving a stern warning against calling him “Father” rather than be called “Alpha Ben”. According to her, I didn’t come from his seed, but a result of my mother’s h******y. As if my mother had planned her r**e.

Nevertheless, I agreed to avoid brutal punishments. Or rather, lessen it.

Alpha Ben, it is.

“Yes,” He replied, caressing the armrest of his regal seat. “How have you been?”

I studied him, not because of his surprising question but his appearance. The hairs on his head and face were turning grey. Wrinkles etched around the corners of his face while his hair thinned. And if a good look at his position on the throne, one could see that he slouched.

The lack of an heir to the throne must have weighed on him harder than I thought.

“I am well” I replied, doing my best to hide my bruise but aware that he didn’t care.

No action would be taken if was completely honest.

“It is a few days to the 11th lunar cycle and I’m sure you know what that means?” He awaited an answer.

“Yes, Alpha,” I said, my head still in a bow.

“And you are aware that you shall partake in this one. For the second time” The last sentence sounds judgmental.

A wide smile stretched the devil’s lips.

“Yes, I am aware.”

“ I take it that you’re ready, yes?” He questioned.

“Yes,” I gulped nervously, “I am re…ady.”

A wild laugh broke out of Veronica, “Oh she? Ready?” She cackled, “She can’t even attract a rogue if she was given a chance. She..” Another chuckle, “is incapable of doing anything. A weakling and a reject is what she is.” Then she sneered, her last words biting into me, “As expected of an omega”

Ignoring her mockery, “Perhaps, her mate will locate her this time. Not everyone gets their chosen one at the first attempt. I assume you already know about that, Veronica. Seeing as I am the one who finally accepted you at the expense of your mate. When you were slowly turning into an artefact in your parents' home.”

Did he just…defend me? Today seems to be full of surprises.

“My mate was disabled” Her face grew red with anger, but her words had a certain chill. She knew better than to disrespect the king.

Ignoring her completely, he faced me, “As much as your presence is essential to this household, I would not have you unclaimed for the second time, it is a big slap to my face. It can also lead to a lot of things. Like desperation” He gazed at his wife, “So do well to appear pleasantly. Wash properly, clean clothing and whatever it is you females do. Just ensure that your mate finds you and claims you. Your Luna here would help with that” Then he turned to her, “Take her to the best seamstress and ensure she is elegantly accessorized.” Then back to me, “You’re dismissed”

I bowed again, a sense of worry taking over for the scowl that laid on my stepmother’s face, but for the fear of being rejected again.

*********************

Experience mistreatment from my stepmother is just one facet of stigmatization I encountered within Cardery.

Imagine being repressed for belonging to a species, unfairly labeling your strength and intelligence as zero and incompetent.

To them, omegas are nothing but a bunch of inarticulate wolves -weak and deemed only essential for satisfying one’s lust.

To put it simply, to be used and discarded.

Every day I walked the streets of Cardery, eyes scrutinized me, judging and condemning my every step.

“A basket of apples, please” I ordered.

“Sur-“ The salesman's smile deepened to a scowl, “No apples.”

I looked at him and then at the pile of apples that lay beside him. “But they are…” I pointed at them, “ They are right here”

“They are not for sale” he spat, “Not to raven-bloods”

Ahh yes, the jagged scar at the side of my neck.

Once the mark on the right side of my neck is noticed, the markets would speak in hushed tones, their words filled with profanities.

An omega with Raven blood- a taboo to behold, they’d say.

It was said that a heinous crime was committed by a certain group of my kind. An atrocity that almost wiped the entirety of Carvidol, a long time ago.

Since then, omegas have felt the sting of stigmatization and discrimination from other ranks within the wolf community.

Perhaps that was the reason I was without a mate during the last season.

I walked away, not wanting to cause trouble. I have enough of that going on in my life already.

Days went by in a flash and it was a few minutes to the hunt, I was dressed in the most expensive ball gown; a black gown adorned with layers of fabric, intricate embroidery, and ornaments at the hem of the skirt.

My hair was braided in an elegant updo, intricately styled, and secured with hairpins. The curls were left to hand neatly at the side of my head. And my make-up was perfect, the dressmaid had done well to conceal the bruise.

I looked beautiful.

For the first time in forever, I looked beautiful.

A knock came at the door before revealing my stepfather. He walked slowly into the room, studying my appearance and for some reason, it unsettled me.

“You look beautiful,” He said, stroking my face, “Just like your mother”

His eyes roamed my body for a moment and his touch wavered over my skin for what seemed like hours before he cleared his throat and walked out of the room

What was that?

*********************

The carriage trudged the rough corners of the ground as it took us to Ends Lake, where the females await their mate. I tried to ignore the gazes of my stepmother on me; cold and unsettling.

I focused on nature’s surroundings until we reached our destination.

“Before you go,” Her icy tone stopped me in my tracks. She smiled sinisterly as I looked at her, “There is…something we must discuss.”

“What could that be?” I asked curiously.

“You look lovely tonight” Her words as quickly as she moved to my side. “A rather striking contrast to your usual, daily appearance.” Panic arose within me as she touched my hair while talking.

“Oh don’t shy away my darling” Her fingernails dug into my skin in an attempt to keep me steady, “It is not every day that we should be at loggerheads. Right?” Her fingernails dug harder, “Right?”

I nodded meekly.

Then she laughed maniacally, her fingers sinking into my skin, hard enough to draw blood. I tried to shrug off her hold and get out of the carriage but laughed harder, grasping my arm in a tight hold before quietly saying, “Unless you’re trying to steal from me, I don’t see the reason for us fighting all the time” Then her face turned dark, “but you are trying to steal something from me, aren’t you?”

“What?” I frowned, “What do you mean- Let go!”

“Oh yes, you are! I knew it ?” She jumped and grabbed my hair, ruining the perfect hairdo.

“Stop!” I cried out.

“I was taken aback by the unusual tone and comment of my husband to me earlier today. It was cold and disrespectful, almost like it wasn’t my Ben speaking. Like he was under a jinx, which proved to me right after witnessing the romance between the both of you in the chambers.” She wrenched my hair back, “You’ve put him under a spell, haven’t you?”

“What? No!” I whimpered, “Let me go, please, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Liar!”

I screamed as she spat on my face then proceeded to rip my dress apart.

“Could it be the jewel?” Rip!

“Stop please!”

“This dress!” Rip!

“This stupid corset” Rip!

“What is it, you little w***e?! Where have you kept the spell!”

RIP! RIP! RIP!.

Until I was left in my undergarments and dragged out of the carriage.

“Take her to the ceremony where the pretty ladies await.” She smirked, “Liars should be punished”

“No! No!” I screamed but I doubt anyone could hear me over the orchestra.

I tried to yank off their hold but it was no match for their primal strength.

Alphas of each pack occupied the high table to witness The Claiming. With watchful eyes, they observed as each wolf emerged from the forest, selecting their mate among the awaiting females at the same time, I was thrown into the scene.

A series of gasps escaped the crowd at the sight of my state. I felt their judgmental eyes on me as I stood there, ragged and dirty, an unexpected anomaly in the carefully orchestrated event. When my gaze met with Ben’s, I knew it was over me.

The Alphas exchanged concerned glances at my sudden appearance, casting a shadow over the otherwise ceremonious event.

Then a growl reverberated through the forest, accompanied by a pair of red eyes, the only visible elements in the dark forest. Then it emerged slowly and fully into the light, its body morphing into a large, black wolf with eyes that glowed the darkest red.

But wolves with red eyes could only mean that…

“All hail Alpha Xandro as he arrives to stake his claim.” One of the generals that trailed behind him announces.

The crowd, some keeping their gaze fixated on me, bowed their heads in respect.

Alpha Alexandro Caphile of Edengar, the highest pack in our continent and the Alpha of all Alphas in Carvidol shifted his red eyes in my direction, taking slow steps towards me. It was then that my wolf whispered, “Mate.”