Ashes Of Desire

CHAPTER 18

CARA

The moon shone brightly on the grounds of the pack. Howls echoed in the air. Most of the pack members had shifted to their wolf forms, some with their mates, licking each other's snouts, while others remained in their human form.

I closed my eyes and tried to connect with my inner self. I could hear the little movements of the breeze, the distant howls and quiet murmurs but I couldn't hear the voice of my wolf. I sighed and opened my eyes.

‘Just once,’ I looked at the full moon, tears pricked my eyes but I blinked them away.

The smell of pine and oak wrapped around me.

“You look beautiful, Cara”. Draven whispered in my ears sending shivers down my spine. I felt his body heat as the scent of pine and oak enveloped me.

He stood beside me but his gaze never wavered from my face. His stare burned my skin making the cool air of the night useless.

“Hmm”, I replied, having no words to respond back.

“Now you may start taking your vows.” Elder Sully, a priest uttered.

We stood beside each other, in front of a blazing fire.

I took the first step, rounded the fire and he followed behind me. Then he took the lead and did the remaining three steps.

We had completed the six vows. My palms wouldn't stop producing sweat. Just one vow remained and I would be bonded to him. I wouldn't be able to walk away from this bond as freely as I wished. I looked at him.

He had a calm expression, his jaw and shoulders painfully relaxed to my dismay. I wished he were as affected by this as I was.

Suddenly, he turned his attention to me.

Our eyes locked on each other for a moment, then he lowered his eyes to my lips then back to my eyes and looked away.

I blinked rapidly wondering what that was.

“Now you both…get close to the fire.” I swallowed as we did what was told.

My eyes wandered, hoping someone could stop this. I glanced at Henry but he didn't meet my gaze.

My fists clenched by my sides. ‘This is it, cara.' I whispered.

Abby came beside me and handed me a knife, while the same was done for Draven by his beta Jason.

The ritual required a knife to be handed over by a close one. At least we had one thing in common.

“You have to cut the palms of one another. Deep.”

We faced each other and I placed my right hand in Draven's left palm. He glanced at me, his thumb drawing circles at the back of my palm. I sighed, my shoulders dropped slightly, before he placed the tip of the knife on my palm, giving it a long and deep s***h.

I tightened my fist and clasped my mouth.

He let go but his eyes never left me. I did the same and slashed his palm.

The s***h dropped more blood than mine but he made no sound. His eyes were still on me.

“Join your hands together over the fire.” The priest uttered and began chanting incoherent words.

I gulped and joined my palm with his. I felt the wetness of his palm. His hands were big and coarse, and our blood smeared together, mixing beneath the fire. A jolt of electricity coursed through me as the fire changed its orange glow.

When the first drop of blood dripped, it roared to life, blue then settled in red. The pact was sealed.

“Your blood binds you” Elder Sully spoke.

“So does your fate.” Removing our hands, blood smeared all over.

Due to the full moon, Draven's cut hand closed almost immediately.

I, on the other hand, was yet to start.

“It's done.” Elder Sully announced, followed by howls and stomps. Beers were passed around and people moved in a snake-like choreography.

“Are you okay?” He asked. I looked at him, his eyes, they were black. He blinked and they settled in grey.

“Hmm…yes, I am” Lying wasn't a hard thing to do. I knew he knew but I couldn't be bothered by that than the dull ache in my chest.

Everything was getting to me. The wolves' shifting was a stark reminder that I can't… I bit my lips.

I wondered if Draven mocked me. Why did he have to make it obvious his wolf was present? And the marriage, I released a breath.

I excused myself and went to wash my hands. Entering the pack house, I slid into one of the guest restrooms.

The mirror looked back at me. I looked at the dress and the thoughts of a certain hand, tracing my curves, nibbling my neck with his teeth, I blinked repeatedly.

I took a deep breath and washed the blood off my hands. My cut was half healed.

I stepped out and collided with Henry.

“Oh, my Cara.” He came and gave me a side hug.

“What do you want?” My voice was tight. My hands still itched to strike him.

“Congratulations. I know you're upset but with time, you'll understand.” I couldn't keep my eyes from rolling at him. He saw it but ignored it.

“ I brought a gift.” I chuckled.

“You brought me a wedding gift? How lovely.” I faked a smile and walked away.

“It's a gift from your parents.” My steps halted and I turned to face him.

My eyes swept the gift. A small dark wood, with deep carvings, and a weathered wolf fang on top.

My hands itched to touch it but I hesitated.

“My parents left me a gift and I am just learning? Perfect timing, Henry.” I scoffed at his audacity.

“They left it in my care. Your father asked me to give you when you find a mate.” I raised a brow at him.

“It's funny you think I would believe you after the stunt you pulled. ” His smile faltered and his grip on the box tightened. I was sure he would break it.

He sighed and relaxed his fingers.

“I know your trust has dwindled Cara, but I am not the enemy. I will always want what's best for you.” He said in that soft tone.

“Should I remind you, you're not my father. As for the gift…” I paused, his jaw clenched and his gaze was fixed on me. I raised my chin.

“Leave it in my room. We have a reception to attend.” He didn't nod, he just walked away.

“Where did you leave your husband all by himself?” Draven questioned me immediately after I sat by his side.

The smell of drinks and various dishes caught my attention. Music played and people moved to the rhythm. Sounds of laughter graced my ears and I relaxed my shoulders a bit.

“Don’t act like my mate now” I snarled at him.

“Denial is a river in Egypt. Haven't you heard that saying?”

"Being delusional isn't good for your mental health. Haven't you heard the saying?" I rolled my eyes at him.

Then his lips curved slightly upward. " I like that you're practising your mate duties."

"Ugh… can't you let me savour a moment of peace?" I scowled.

"I guess my hard work is paying off.” His eyes swept over me.

“Whatever” I turned my attention away from him. My eyes scanned the environment.

“I can't get my eyes off you, Cara.” He whispered only to my hearing. Heat crept up my cheeks.

I looked down at my hands, not meeting his gaze.

“I love when you're flushed”. His hands were caressing my cheeks now. I drew back slowly, my heart racing at the intensity of his stare.

“Uhm.. Excuse me.” I said, quickly moving away from him. To be clear I ran from him.

I placed my hands on my chest, my heart still hammered away. I inhaled air deeply and breathed out. What was happening to me.

I looked at the moon. I shook my head and blamed it for my reaction.

“Oh my…there you are.” I turned and Abby was jogging towards me.

I lifted a brow, and tilted my head slightly.

“You have a visitor.” She answered through ragged breathing.

“Why do you sound like someone who just came back from a battle?” Her breathing had settled down somewhat.

“It's a battle for me. Someone thinks that because he has a d**k, he is better than me.” She scoffed, my hands on her waist.

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“First, tell me who the visitor is.” She slapped her head lightly.

“Forgive my manners. It's Stella.”

“Oh…” I wasn't expecting her today.

“Let's hurry to her,” I walked towards the pack house but turned only to see she was walking away from it.

“Where are you going?”

“Huh,” she asked, looking around.

“Abbyyy…” Her shoulders dropped.

“I really need to win this Cara” I blinked repeatedly. My eyes narrowed at her.

“It's a game. Jason and I are playing a game. And there are spectators too. I can't lose.” I slapped my palm on my forehead.

“I thought you didn't like him,” she nodded.

“And I don't. But he challenged me. I won't back down. I will come after I win.”

“But…” She didn't even give me a chance to speak, she was walking away, blowing air kisses to me. My lips stretched into a smile.

I walked into my room and there she was, sitting on the bed.

“Auntie…oops Stella,” I laughed nervously as she slightly smacked my arm.

“Oww Stella, be soft please,” my voice childlike, she laughed softly, her hands smacking my arm again.

“How are you, darling?” I could only force a smile.

“Trying” she gave a curt nod. I guess she already assumed the answer.

“I saw this. I warned you hoping something could stop this marriage.” she sighed

“I really tried.”

“I know. But he will protect you. That's my only consolation.”

“Oh my darling,” she hugged me, patting my head softly.

“Stella”

“Mhm”

“Henry gave me a gift.”

“That's lovely.”

“From my parents.” She paused and gently pulled me from her embrace.

“Your parents?” I gave a nod.

“But why now?”

“He claimed it was their wish to keep it from me till this day.”

“I see. Show me.” I moved towards my bedside table, where the small box was kept.

“Here,” I hadn't opened it before she snatched it from my hands.

“How did he get this?” I shrugged my shoulders, but my eyes observed her.

Her eyes widened with each second.

“Is…is something wrong?”

“It's a curse, Cara.” She exclaimed, her eyes locked with mine.