Celebration
It’s like I’m having an out-of-body experience as I make my way down the stairs. An oversized cloak wrapped around my shoulders and fell to the floor. Two guards followed me but I paid them no mind. I already know that Ethan will be waiting for me either at the bottom or outside the packhouse. I hope it’s the latter but. Dread makes its way up my body with every step I take.
The handmaidens had been waiting for me in the bathroom down the hall. As much as I wanted to run screaming, I walked inside and they helped me undress. I had spent the last hour being washed and wiped down. Powdered and prepped for the second time today, I was thankful for the break from Ava.
I was on the ground floor now and Ethan was nowhere in sight. I wouldn’t let myself hope, I knew he was somewhere around here. I walked to the front of the packhouse, the door opening as I grew closer, and Ava stood outside. One of our carriages was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
For someone who had spent hours bad-mouthing women for looking indecent, Ava was dressed like a harlot. She wore a blood red bodice over clothes, over a flowing skirt that fell above her knees. The white stockings stopped just below the fabric of her skirt. Her hair fell down her back in loose curls. We both knew it wasn’t acceptable to leave our hair down if we weren’t mated and marked. The only two times a woman could wear her hair down were as a child and after she was claimed.
“Took you long enough,” Ava huffed.
She smiled at me as I came to a stop in front of her. She was in a good mood and I didn’t really care to know why. A part of me knew and didn’t want to think about it. The sun was starting to set and the celebration would begin soon. Ava began her descent down the stairs and I had no choice but to follow.
A warrior standing by the carriage opened the door and Ava walked through first. I followed her and he offered me his hand to step in. When I was in, Ava was seated on the left, so I took a seat on the right side. A few minutes passed before we were off. The sound of the whip against the horse threatened to drown me with memories I didn’t want to remember. The trip to the meeting hall was smooth and quiet. I didn’t look at Ava and she didn’t look at me. I stared out of the window, trying and failing to calm my nerves.
The moon was visible in the sky even though the sun had not completely set yet. I wished for all of this to be a dream. Shane was locked up beneath the packhouse and Ethan waited for me at the Meeting Hall. No one could help me now, I could only help myself. The time had come. As the carriage came to a complete stop and I knew we’d arrived. Time was passing quickly and I could only help the rest of the night went the same.
The door opened and Ava stepped out first. I stood up, ducked my head, and stepped through the carriage door. Lanterns were lit outside of the Meeting Hall and as I looked around many were already heading in. My heart beat rapidly in my chest as the warrior offered me his hand. I took it as I stepped down and followed Ava as she made her way in. The large meeting hall doors opened and the moment had finally arrived. The night I’d dreaded all my life was finally here. I watched Ava wave attendants away from her.
Stepping through the double doors to the meeting hall, one of the attendants stepped up to me. I nodded and one stopped beside me, while the other reached out as I untied the cloak. He took it off and as the material fell from my shoulders, I felt exposed, naked. I practically was.
The dress I wore tonight was white, signifying purity and chastity, but it looked the exact opposite. The sleeves fell off my shoulders and hung loosely on my arms. It dipped low in the front, my breasts were on full display, the dip stopping just above my belly button. The silk skirt was sheer and I didn’t look down. I didn’t have to, I knew that it was sheer.
I’d seen it when the handmaidens carried it to me. I would be on full display for Ethan and for everyone gathered in the Meeting Hall. I followed Ava in and the attendants announced our arrival. Heads turned and eyes fell on us, before dropping down our bodies. I knew what we looked like.
We looked like harlots and if I was being honest with myself, weren’t we? Ava willingly, while I practically sold myself for the love of my life. Women snickered and men’s tongues lolled out of their mouths while their eyes ravaged our bodies. I held my head high despite feeling my lowest as I walked down the red carpet that would lead me to the front. I wanted to focus on the wall or a flower, anything, so I didn’t have to look at Ethan, but I already knew I couldn’t.
Looking forward, I saw my father seated on his throne. His eyes were practically popping out of their sockets as he looked over her hair. His face turned a shade of red as he took in her clothing. He looked her over with anger, disgust, and clear disappointment. I knew if today were any other day he would have said something.
Looking to his side, I locked eyes on Ethan, his eyes darkened with lust as he took in my appearance. I wished he would look at Ava instead of me, but he didn’t. He watched me until I grew closer. Standing up, he walked down to where I stood. Ava curtsied low for him and I lowered my chin. When I felt his fingers on my chin, I raised it and looked into his eyes.
“Greetings to the Alphas,” Ava murmured.
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