Deathless Heart: Immortal for you

The Ritual

Elodie’s Pov

It was four in the morning, and I had to fetch water. Alone. Again.

The cold air bit at my skin as I carried the heavy bucket back to the house, my arms aching from months of doing this same chore. It was tiring, but I had no choice. The house was still dark when I stepped inside, but Eleanor, my stepmother, was already awake, waiting as usual.

"You need to be fast," she snapped the moment she saw me.

I set the bucket down and rubbed my sore fingers. "But Mama, we have maids to do this work for us. Why am I the one fetching water?"

She folded her arms and tilted her head. "So you want to be lazy about it?" Her voice was sharp, filled with that usual disappointment. "Do you even know what today is?"

I sighed. "I know what today is."

"Then tell me."

"Today is the day the Alpha gets a mate. His mate will be announced."

I knew better than not to say more. What did the Alpha’s mate ceremony have to do with me scrubbing floors and fetching water at dawn?

"What about Juliette?" I asked. "She should help too."

Eleanor’s eyes darkened. "Do you not know that Juliette is going to be the Alpha’s mate?"

"We don’t know that," I said, my voice quiet.

Eleanor stepped closer, lowering her voice like she was sharing a terrible secret. "You are an enemy disguised in a pity’s body. My child is willing to be chosen. Now, get back to work."

I turned away without another word. There was no use arguing. I picked up the rag and started scrubbing the floor, my thoughts heavier than the bucket I had just carried. I hated this life. Every morning felt like a trap. The same routine. The same commands. The same unfair treatment.

I just wanted to run away.

I was deep in thought when Juliette’s voice—my stepsister, cut through the silence. "You missed a spot."

I gritted my teeth and kept scrubbing.

"Tell me that again and I will kick you real bad," I muttered under my breath.

Juliette smirked. "You don’t want me to tell Mama what you just said, do you?"

I looked up at her, unimpressed. "Go tell her. You are free."

She rolled her eyes. "I am in a good mood today because the Alpha’s mate will be me. So I won’t waste my time on you. Just clean this place fast." She turned and walked away, her steps light, her confidence unshaken.

I shook my head. I had no time for her games.

Once the chores were done, I served breakfast. The dining room was silent except for the occasional clinking of spoons. No one spoke, but I could feel Juliette’s excitement vibrating in the air.

When she was done eating, she placed her spoon down delicately and turned to mama. "I need to prepare for the ceremony."

Eleanor nodded and glanced at me. "You know you are not going anywhere, right?"

I kept my expression blank. "I wasn’t planning to go anywhere."

"Good."

I turned to leave, but then the front door opened, and my father stepped in. His eyes found me immediately.

"Elodie, you are coming with us."

Eleanor’s face twisted in shock. "Why?"

My father’s gaze was firm. "The Alpha’s mate could be anyone."

Eleanor let out a sharp laugh. "You know how the Alpha and Juliette have always been. It is obviously her."

"My word is final," my father said. "Go and prepare. There is no more time. The morning ceremony will begin soon."

He handed me a bundle of fabric, soft and beautiful, unlike anything I had ever worn. I held it against my chest, my heart beating faster. For the first time in a long while, I felt something close to happiness.

After hours of preparation, we were ready. Dressed in fine garments, we left for the Alpha’s mansion. The ceremony was being held outside, the air buzzing with whispers and excitement.

I stood among the crowd, my hands clasped tightly together. I was just supposed to watch. I was just supposed to be invisible, like always.

*****

The ceremony began with grand celebrations. Dancers twirled in mesmerizing patterns, their bright costumes flowing like waves. Musicians played lively tunes, the rhythm filling the air with energy.

People laughed, clinked their cups, and drank to their hearts’ content. Servants moved swiftly, refilling goblets with rich wine, ensuring no one was left wanting.

I stood close to Juliette and Eleanor, but I wasn’t truly with them. They whispered to each other, their lips barely moving, their eyes flickering in my direction every now and then. Their quiet laughter sent a wave of irritation through me. I didn’t have to hear them to know they were mocking me.

I clenched my hands and looked away. The entertainment was good, but my mind was elsewhere. I had a book waiting for me at home, a romance novel about forbidden love. I would rather be reading that, escaping into a world where love was kind and not something people fought over like hungry wolves.

As I was lost in thought, a sudden hush fell over the crowd. The music stopped. The laughter faded. A new presence took control of the night.

Then, a voice, smooth and commanding, filled the air.

"Now is the time for us to know who the mate of the Alpha is going to be."

I turned my head sharply, my heart picking up speed.

"We do not know why the gods delayed in revealing her," the Moon Goddess continued, her glowing eyes sweeping over the gathered crowd. "But finally, she has been chosen."

The silence was deafening. Everyone held their breath.

And then, she said it.

“Elodie Moreau.”

I blinked.

The name echoed in my ears, but it didn’t make sense. My name? No, that was wrong. It was supposed to be Juliette. Everyone knew it. I turned, expecting to see someone else step forward, claiming the title that was never meant to be mine.

Then the murmurs started. People were looking at me. Whispers spread like wildfire. My stomach twisted, a wave of dizziness hitting me.

Alpha Lewis stood frozen, his golden eyes darkening with shock. He took a step forward, his hands curling into fists.

"This is impossible, who even is Elodi, " he asked, his voice low, almost dangerous.

Juliette gasped beside me, her face twisting in horror. "Elodie is my stepsister! How is this possible? There must be a mistake!"

The Moon Goddess remained unmoved. "We cannot question the gods. We cannot question the Moon. This is your mate, and the ceremony must commence in a few days." Her voice held finality. She gave no room for argument. "As tradition demands, the chosen Luna must move into the Alpha's residence immediately to prepare for the bonding ceremony."

Gasps erupted across the crowd. My heart pounded. Move in with him? With an Alpha who clearly didn’t want me? This had to be a mistake.

The Moon Goddess turned and disappeared into the glowing mist, leaving the stunned silence behind.

Then, before I could fully process what had happened, Alpha Lewis and Juliette stormed toward me, fury burning in their eyes.

"You," Lewis spat. "What did you do?"

Juliette’s face was red with rage. "You must have tricked the gods! You, you are an enemy disguised as a person!"

"I didn’t do anything!" My voice trembled, but I refused to cower. "I swear, I don’t know why—"

"Thank the gods," Juliette cut me off, her lips curling. "The mating bond won’t be complete until the ceremony. If not, who knows what disgusting things you would be doing right now?"

Louis turned to her, his expression softening. "Stop thinking about that, my love. I will never, ever accept her as my Luna. You are the only one I want by my side." He looked back at me, his golden eyes burning with hatred. "You are worthless. You will never be mine. You don’t deserve this title, and I will make sure you regret whatever it is that you did.”