Chapter 40. Ceremony

**40. Ceremony**

***Rafael's POV:***

I knew I was being reckless, but witnessing Astrid with someone else ignited a fury within me that was hard to contain It was a hard time for me to lose my anger in Astrid's presence.

I'm bothered by the thought of anything bad happening to Astrid. I couldn't shake the feeling that my intuition, which had proven reliable in the past, was signaling something ominous. What if I lose...? That can't happen.

I was still apologizing to Astrid, and I had to talk to Eva later, and I felt awful that I had to scold and hurt her.

"What are they doing here?" Astrid asked, peering behind me. I knew who she was referring to, but I had to invite them.

When I glanced back, I saw Edward getting out of the car with the girl he had chosen as his mate after rejecting my Astrid. Though I couldn't be happier that he rejected her (yeah, I'm selfish like that), it kills me to think how awful it must have been for her.

Edward was accompanied by Astrid's brother, now their beta. Contrary to their misguided belief, I hadn't invited them for reconciliation. Instead, I had discovered their pack's dire financial situation and saw an opportunity to exploit it.

Despite the fact that I had canceled our business with Edward while I was in their pack to fetch Astrid, I had kept track of their pack's financial situation, and to my surprise, they were about to go bankrupt, and they now needed my assistance to survive. This was just what I had been waiting for.

I expected him to run up to me and beg mine and Astrid's forgiveness, and I even thought that if Astrid forgave them, I could consider helping them survive without causing all the damage I had planned in my head, but they dared to irritate me even more. They went and joined forces with Vincent, who is not only my arch-enemy in our supernatural world but also in business.

I've invited witches from other covens, but not Vincent. Why would I? I believe he was the one responsible for my mother's death.

As Astrid prepared to confront them, her anger palpable, I knew I needed to intervene. I drew her into an embrace, hoping to shield our conversation from the keen ears of the werewolves.

"Why did you invite them?" Astrid asked sternly.

"Do you trust me, little dove?" I inquired.

"I do, but..." she hesitated.

Her fist was tightly clinched. I was scared she'd bruise her palms, which I'm extra cautious of these days.

She began to walk. Towards them, based on her body language, she would probably punch them.

"Astrid," I said, taking her hand in mine and turning her around. "No 'buts.' Just know that I haven't invited them for anything positive. I have some old business to settle, but there's nothing to worry about. Trust me, I know what I'm doing," I assured her, feeling her tension melt away.

"OK, I'll bear with them," she said, nodding.

"Better now?" I asked as we clasped hands. I kissed her forehead, and we joined the others, faking smiles and greetings. She inhaled deeply and nodded.

"Come on, let's go."

"Rafael, I want to say something," she interrupted.

"Yes, my dove, I am listening," I said, giving her my undivided attention.

"If you want to announce or crown whatever that is, you mentioned me being queen. I am prepared for that," she declared.

"Did I hear it right?" I raised a brow.

"Yes, I think I have to agree to that sooner or later. You haven't left me with any options, I think," she said again.

"No, I haven't," I confidently stated. I was expecting to hear it from her. I couldn't help myself and embraced her in another hug.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," I said like a parrot.

"I heard this big evil vampire doesn't say thank you to anyone," she laughed against my chest.

"When it comes to his queen, this Big Bad Vampire is totally lost," I conceded.

She blushed and refused to look me in the eyes. Thankfully, Astrid joined in, and we both liked making Edward jealous. I made sure Astrid was as close to me as possible.

"I am happy to be here, Your Highness," Edward remarked.

"Yes, I have an important announcement to make, right, my queen?" I said, looking lovingly at Astrid. "I have some business matters to talk about with you, so I hope you will stay up for that later." It was more like a command.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't intend to make these people jealous of me and Astrid. I enjoyed showcasing my abilities and possessions.

"You must be very nice, Mr. Delmar, to embrace someone like Astrid, who is already..." That bitch who was with Edward had a deep cleavage and repeatedly tried to press her chest forward to grab my attention.

"Address my queen as Your Highness or Queen. I won't tolerate any disrespect towards my mate," I declared firmly, gritting my teeth. If she's going to fling herself on me, I'm not sure what I'm going to do to her.

Astrid stared at me proudly, as she had done since the morning, and she denied glancing at her brother, who had his head cast down. What brother is he who can't even protect his sister or speak up for her? I can't imagine abandoning Eva in her worst hour. I could read his mind as well, but like their mother, I couldn't delve deeper into his thoughts.

"Come on, my little dove, we have some more 'important' people to meet." I could see the sadness on Edward's face; if he imagined he'd come and see my Astrid in pain after he rejected and sold her, then here we are.

We proceeded inside and met other guests before I summoned everyone's attention. When Astrid realized the time had come, she stiffened. I extended my hand for her to take, which she did.

"It's an incredible honor to host this ball, bringing together diverse realms. Allow me to introduce my mate, Astrid, my better half." I drew her along with me. "Now, to address the question on everyone's mind, why aren't we staying with my father? He labeled us Varlets because I sought my kingdom, and I appreciate you all standing by us even after that."

"Anyway, today I want you all to welcome Astrid, my mate, and accept her as queen of vampires, varlets, or whatever we are now, as my people will vow their fealty to us. I welcome you all to be a part of this very special day in my life, and I hope our being referred to as Varlets doesn't bother you because you all know it's just a silly conflict that my father and I will resolve eventually." Yes, I intended for that because he had to give me my throne anyway after me and Astrid, mate. "So I want to do the honors of the ceremony, which is unusual for the king to do since my mate is more special than that entire ordeal..." I looked at Astrid, who was filled with confused emotions.

She was perplexed, proud, and nervous all at the same time. I snapped my fingers, and a maid appeared with a dish containing a blade, goblet, and crown. That goblet was filled with a small amount of everyone's (the vampires) blood—only a drop or two.

I took the dagger and held it in my palm at first. Astrid gave me a frightened look. I slashed my palm and made a large dent in it so that blood could drain.

"Rafael!" Astrid yelled and ran over to me.

"Don't worry, my dove, this is essential, and I can't even feel anything," I whispered, attempting to calm her pounding heart, the beats of which I could even hear from here.

I spilled my blood into the goblet before turning to face her. "I'm not going to lie; it's going to hurt you, but I have a doctor waiting who will attend to you right away." I was more concerned than she was about following the process. I wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been absolutely necessary. It's the only way for all vampires to feel linked to us.

Normally, someone else would slash our palms, but I can't trust anyone when it comes to Astrid.

"I trust you, Rafael, and don't worry, I've been through worse," she remarked, looking at her brother.

I clasped her hand in mine and exhaled deeply. "Could you please close your eyes for me, Astrid?" I requested.

She nodded and did what I instructed. I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her palm gently.

I hastily made a small cut to extract some blood and quickly put it into the goblet. She winced slightly in pain. Eva stepped forward and began to stir our blood.

I instantly summoned the doctor, but to my and Astrid's surprise, she healed right in front of us, faster than vampires.

"What happened just now?" Astrid looked at me, then at her palm, then back at me.

I noticed that everyone's attention was focused on us. Thankfully, Eva brought me the chain with the mixed blood pendant. I wore one and got Astrid to wear the other.

I offered her a reassuring glance and made a mental note to talk about it later.

I got the crown and placed it on top of her head, and she looked stunning, just like the goddess she was.

"As you all know, the new queen bows to the king, and everyone follows, but this time we are having a change," I announced, and everyone started murmuring.

I looked at Astrid, who gave me a puzzled look. I smiled at her, got down on one knee, closed my palm on my chest, and bowed my head. "Hail to my Queen!"

Not only vampires, but everyone, even her brother and his pack members, bowed in front of Astrid since standing when the King is bowing is considered disrespectful.

Astrid slapped a hand on her mouth, but a sob escaped her lips.

She forced me to stand and hugged me. "What would I have done if you hadn't been in my life?" she asked.

"Thank you for coming into my life, Astrid; you have no idea how fortunate I am to have you." I kissed the top of her head.

after a feast We dismissed everyone, and I had some emails to check over. I'm sure Astrid won't like it when I tell her about my conversation with Edward and her brother when she gets out of the bathroom. Astrid appeared in her PJs. She appeared dull, possibly exhausted from the day's activities.

I resolved to tell her everything tomorrow.

When she stumbled, I hurriedly tossed my laptop aside and ran to her side. "Astrid, are you okay?" I asked.

"Ple... Please make it by the headboard; I have something to tell you," she said.

I didn't want to leave her in this condition, and there was no way I wanted to rest on the bed, but she begged again.

She approached me carefully, her feet trembling. She sat on the bed and rested her head on my lap. I was wearing shorts, and as soon as her skin touched my thighs, I yanked my legs away as they burned. Despite the fact that my body temperature is generally cool, hers was scorching.

"Astrid, what happened to you?" I kept a hand on her forehead but had to quickly retreat it because of how hot her skin felt.

"Huh..." In her drowsiness, she mumbled when she opened them Her narrowed eyes were crimson, and her beautiful lips had abruptly chapped.

"What is wrong with you, my little dove?" I was scared. Her skin temperature was abnormally high, even for a werewolf.

"W... Water," she gulped her siliva.

I made her sit on the bed and swiftly teleported to the side table to get a bottle of water.

Before I could turn, I heard bones crack and whirled around to see Astrid's body in a strange, inhuman shape. before my brain could register it She fell on the floor sideways. I dropped the glass from my grasp and walked over to her side. She was trying to speak, but her breathing was labored.

"Astrid, please stay with me. Bryan would be here with a doctor at any moment." I urged her, picked her up from the floor, and placed her on the bed.

"Hey, Astrid, please don't close your eyes. stay with me." I shuddered and tapped her cheeks lightly to keep her eyes open.

My eyes welled up with tears. "Just a little more, Astrid, my dove. Please, please stay with me," I implored.

With considerable difficulty, she managed to move her hand near my cheek, but before I could feel her contact, her hand dropped by her side, and she closed her eyes and stopped breathing.

"Astriddddd!!!" I yelled.

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