Living The Past

I looked in the mirror. My long white dress glistened in the sun. My mom braided my long black hair. Another servant girl placed flowers in my braid. “Don’t look so sad!” My mother looked in the mirror at me. She was beaming and of course she was. The Langoria’s had paid her a hefty dowry for me. No doubt they would have. I was the only werewitch in history since the goddess herself who could control all the elements. Many suitors from other packs came offering riches for my hand. My mom was set on me belonging with a werewizard. She had prayed the Langoria’s would take notice. My marriage to Charles Langoria, future alpha was arranged for once he turned 18. Being slightly older at 19 didn’t bother them. They wanted my power to produce powerful heirs. I had dreamed my fated mate would take me from this place. A place I could be normal and not feared. “Come Julia, it’s time to line up.” My future mother in law Luna Hera stood by the door. The servants bowed their heads as she entered. “My dear aren’t you beautiful.” She smiled and took my arm. The sleeves of my dress were tight, I requested them to hid my full sleeved tattoos. I needed them to help contain my magic, but I didn’t find them very beautiful. Suddenly she stopped and looked back. “You may take your seat Emily.” She called to my mother. “Yes ma’am.” My mother walked out first. Everyone was scared of the Langoria’s. Luna Hera could be nasty and unforgiving. Alpha Drake carried out harsh punishment’s or so the stories have gone. A servant came up and handed me a bouquet. Luna Hera lead me to the giant banquet hall. The place was packed with elite members of the pack. At the end of the aisle I saw Charles Langoria. Everyone stood as Luna Hera lead me down the aisle. Normally my father would do this. Luna Hera insisted it be her to symbolize the turning of one Luna to another. She just loved the spot light. I felt tears pool as we approached the half way mark. Charles beamed in his kingly garb. His Long white cape was longer then my train. As we approached him, Luna Hera held out her hand. She took Charles hand and placed it with mine. He gripped my hand gently and she took her seat next to Alpha Drake. She took his arm and smiled proudly. I watched Charles face as he recited his vows. Then the preacher turn to me. I couldn’t think other to just repeat. “To have and to hold.” I said keeping my voice steady. “For richer for poor..” I gripped his hand. “In sickness and in health…” I took a deep breath. “As long as we both shall live.” I was finding trouble looking directly into Charles’s eyes. His deep blue eyes looked like they could cut into my soul. Charles slipped a ring onto my finger and everything started to feel like a blur. I took a deep breath knowing I had to regulate myself from losing control. Then the preacher announced for us to kiss. Charles leaned in and kissed my lips gently. My first kiss, in front of so many strangers. Everyone stood cheering. Charles looked at me and took my hand. The servants rushed to grab our trains as we walked out of the grand hall. Charles led us into a near by room. He took off his long cape and walked up to me. He took the bouquet out of my hand, walked over, and set it down. He walked back and he lifted my chin to look at him once more. Without a word he kissed me again. I had no idea what to do with my hands or anything for that matter. I let his tongue explore my mouth. The feeling was disgusting and he stopped and looked at me. I whipped my mouth and he still held my chin. “You’re not going to kiss me back? I’m your husband now.” He said matter of factly. I stared at him. “I just… never have.” I said to him. He laughed. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to learn. Before we go to the reception, it’s custom I mark you to show the pack our commitment to each other.” I looked at him confused. “I thought that was going to happen tonight?” I honestly didn’t want to be marked at all. “In regular marriages it’s done before or the night of. In our case, the alpha does it before the reception. It brings security to the pack.” Charles unhooked my sleeves. Now I know why Luna Hera requested detachable sleeves when I insisted on sleeves. He slowly pulled my sleeves off. “Are you ready?” He asked me. I leaned my head to the side and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath. “It will only hurt for a moment.” He said softly into my ear. I clenched my jar waiting for the pain. I felt his teeth dig into the nape of my neck. I yelled out with it being more painful then I thought. I was told after being marked, you feel a wave of love for the person your mated to. That the love you feel takes that pain away and it’s replaced with a pleasure feeling. I didn’t feel that. I only felt pain radiate through my body. He let go and I gasped for air. “There. Not so bad?” He said rubbing my arms. He wiped the little bit of blood off his mouth and gave me a quick kiss. He walked over and grabbed my bouquet. He came back and put it in my hand. He hovered his hand over my mark and I could feel it healing. He pulled out a handkerchief and cleaned it up. “Come, let’s celebrate with the pack.” I took his arm and he walked back into the grand dining hall that had been swapped now into a reception. Everyone cheered again seeing my mark. My mom ran up and hugged me. Everyone was so happy. Everyone but me.