Chapter nine: The Ritual bath
1012 Words
Dominic gently applied antiseptic to my cheek, I couldn't help but ask, "How did you know about the drugs?"
He paused, meeting my eyes. "I make it my business to know everything about you."
I nodded, absorbing the weight of his words. "Do you think Mike believed us?"
A confident smirk tugged at Dominic's lips. "Without a doubt."
Relief washed over me, but a lingering unease remained. Our charade had worked for now, but I couldn't shake the feeling that more challenges lay ahead.
Dominic shook his head, his eyes wide with incredulity. "I don't know how you could have anything to do with a man like that."
I sighed, regretting something. "Neither do I. When Mike and I first started seeing each other, he was okay with me working as a nanny. But as soon as I was close to paying off his loans."
Dominic wrinkled his brow. "He changed?"
I nodded. "Yeah. He started belittling me, saying I was never going to be anything other than a low-paid babysitter. It was like he couldn't stand having me on my own."
Dominic's face hardened. "You deserve much better than that."
A slight smile creased my lips. "Thanks.
Dominic and I locked eyes, a warm tension building between us. He broke the silence, asking, "Is there anyone else who knows you're not a wolf? Family? Anyone?"
I shook my head. "No, I was adopted. My biological parents died when I was young."
I rolled up my sleeve, revealing a distinct mark on my forearm. "This birthmark is the only connection I have left to them."
I looked at him, surprised. "Really? I had no idea."
He nodded. "It's considered a good omen. Do you know how your parents died?"
I hesitated, the memories painful. "They passed away in an accident when I was a child. I don't remember much."
Dominic reached out, gently squeezing my hand. "I'm sorry for your loss. But perhaps this mark connects you to a heritage you weren't aware of."
I glanced at the birthmark, a mix of emotions swirling within me. "Maybe it does."
Dominic and I shared a sweet moment, our eyes meeting in a silent understanding. He inquired further, his tone softening, "Is there someone else that knows you're not a wolf? Family, perhaps?"
I hesitated, the painful reality balancing on the tip of my tongue. I replied, "No, I was adopted. My natural parents were victims of a car crash when I was a child."
His expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry, that was insensitive of me to say. You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready."
I smiled a little, thankful.
Dominic continued, his tone warm, "Tell you what, let's focus on getting you and the baby settled into your new home. Ella smiles and Ella stands up. Dominic said to her, After you."
As we arrived home, Dominic turned to me with a serious expression. "If any of my staff give you trouble, come to me, okay?"
I nodded. "Of course."
Dominic then called out, "Janis!"
Janis appeared promptly, her demeanor respectful. "Yes, Alpha?"
"I think the Luna could use a nice hot ritual bath," Dominic instructed.
"Yes, sir," Janis replied, before leaving to make the preparations.
Curious, I turned to Dominic. "Dom, what's a ritual bath?"
He simply smiled, offering no explanation.
A short while later, I entered the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. Janis was carefully placing rose petals into the steaming water.
Observing her, I asked, "What's all this for?"
Janis glanced up, her expression unreadable. "Silly me, I forgot the salt."
She left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the fragrant bath awaiting me.
As I stood alongside the bath, Janis glanced at me and told me, "He will be here soon."
I frowned, perplexed. "Who?"
Janis smiled grimly. "The Alpha, of course. It's tradition for the Luna to share her first ritual bath with him."
My heart sped up. I had not seen this coming. "Oh, I. I didn't know."
Janis continued to put rose petals into the water, her movements methodical. "It's tradition. The ritual bath is a symbol of unity and trust between the Alpha and his Luna."
I held my towel a bit tighter, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. "I see."
Janis rose to her feet, rubbing her hands together. "I'll fetch the ceremonial salts. Please, make yourself comfortable.
she left the room, I breathed deeply, trying to settle my nerves. The idea of this kind of intimacy with Dominic frightened and intrigued me. I glanced at the door, wondering how I was going to survive this surprise tradition.
Standing at the bath, Dominic entered, closing the door behind him. He looked at me, serious-faced but kind.
"Ella," he began, "we need to bathe together. It's tradition. But I know if you're not comfortable with it." I was taken aback and anxious. A shared bath was more intimate than I had anticipated. Dominic continued, "We don't necessarily have to go through it. We only need to make it seem real to the staff. They will want us to go through the ritual." I nodded slowly, considering his words. "How do we make it seem real?"
He smiled benevolently. "We can wet our hair and robes and splash a little water here and there. That should be enough to satisfy their requirements."
Relief swept over me. "Let's do that.".
We worked together, meticulously wetting our robes and hair, giving the impression that we had both participated in the ritual bath. As I did the work, I couldn't help but appreciate the respect in Dominic's actions, the deference to my limitations.
We were finished, and he offered me a hot towel. "There, that should do it. If anyone questions us, we adhere to the tradition."
I took the towel, moved by his understanding. "Thank you, Dominic."
He smiled, his expression gentling. "You're welcome, Ella. Let's go confront the staff together."
- Writer
