Sold to the Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 5

Lythia's POV

Dawn light came through the narrow windows of my stone chamber. I sat on the edge, stiff, fingers knotted in my lap. The bond pulled tight inside me, the same one that had haunted me for years. The door bursted open without a knock, and four she-wolves stepped in.

"Time to prepare the bride," one of them said, voice filled with fake sweetness.

They carried steaming copper basins, bolts of white silk, and a crown of silver thorns.

I stood slowly. "I can bathe myself."

"Tradition says otherwise."

They stripped me before I could argue. Cool air hit my skin, then warm water poured over my shoulders. Hands scrubbed rose oil into my back, my arms, and every part of my body. The scent filled my lungs and made the bond tighten hard.

"Look at her tremble," one whispered. "The exile is scared of her own mating."

My jaw clenched. "I'm not scared of anything you understand."

Another snickered while lacing the gown. The silk was thin and clung close, low across my chest, slit high on both thighs. When they put the crown on my loose hair, the thorns pricked and drew blood that ran down my temples.

One of them met my eyes in the mirror. "Smile, little traitor. Today you become Luna, like it or not."

I stared at my reflection, and gave her a cold smile. "Then let's not keep my Alpha waiting."

They marched me through torch-lit halls to the ritual chamber under the old pack hall. Hundreds of wolves filled the circular pit. Drums beats were low, and the smell of incense, myrrh and wolf's bane, made my head spin while the bond tugged hard.

Zyran stood at the center of the dais, shirtless. His goleyes locked on me right away, full of hunger and triumph and something softer. They let me go at the steps. I walked up, chin high, hands shaking at my side.

The High Elder raised a silver bowl. "Blood calls to blood."

Zyran held out his wrist without looking away, and cut his wrist with the blade. He let his blood drip in. When they gave me the knife, it burned in my hand.

"Do it," he said low and darkly.

I cut my palm, and the pain made me hiss. When our blood mixed, the bond tugged harder than ever.

The elder poured the blood on the sacred stone. "Speak the vows."

Zyran spoke first, his voice steady. "I claim you, Lythia of no house, as mate and Luna. Your life is mine. Your pain is mine. Your pleasure will be mine to give or withhold."

Heat flooded me even as I burned with anger. The words dragged out of me, pulled by rite and bond.

"I accept your claim, Zyran of Blackfang. Your strength is my shield. Your will binds me."

The pack howled, and Zyran gaze promised with old every part of the vow.

The elders chanted the final words, and the crowd gave us space. He stepped close, breath warm on my temple.

"You look beautiful in white," he murmured. His thumb wiped blood from my cheek. "Soon I'll strip it off you, piece by piece."

My pulse jumped. "You think blood chains make me yours?"

"No," he said. His smile was slow and dangerous. "They make you honest. That fire behind your hate has burned for me since they dragged me away."

My eyes stung. The bond flooded me with his memories: silver lashes, endless dark, my name keeping him sane.

"I never wanted to hurt you," I whispered.

Something raw crossed his face. "Too late for regrets, little wolf. I'll teach you to want what comes next."

Zyran cupped my face and kissed me, slow and deep. The bond flared hot, and a moan escaped my lips and I wish it never did.

When he pulled back, my lips tingled, and he smirked.

"Come," he said, voice rough. "The pack waits to see their Luna."

He led me to the bridal suite. The heavy door was carved with old mating runes, and candles burned inside. Furs covered the wide bed, and he stopped at the threshold.

"Punishment begins tomorrow night," he said softly. "Tonight I give you mercy. One night to accept what you are."

I lifted my chin. "And if I never accept?"

His grin showed teeth. "Then the torment will be pleasurable for me."

He stepped back and closed the door, and the lock clicked.

Alone, I pressed a hand to my chest where the bond throbbed, wild and demanding. Tomorrow he would ride north for the Alpha conference, and tomorrow he would start collecting every debt.

Tonight the bond said only one thing, that I was bound to him, mated to him and his.