Chapter 58

"As you are sworn in as Alpha, Celeste and Atlas will also be sworn in as Beta and Gamma," she continues. "Their parents will step down and transfer their titles through blood. This ceremony will be different from your transformation ritual, where you pledge your loyalty to Artemis. This time, you will offer your loyalty to the pack you will lead and protect under the goddess's name."
Her words fill me with pride and determination. But then Silas interjects with a sharp tone.
"Why does it worry you? Are there consequences for her?" He clips the question. Even though we arent going through with this, he is taking the threat seriously.
My mother's expression turns serious as she explains the ancient tradition of the Gemini ritual - a test between twins for the title of Alpha. She tells us that it has been centuries since an Alpha took the title without defeating their twin in ritual combat. It is deep magic set so many centuries ago, hardley anyone knows the details of it.
"The last time this happened was with Alpha Njord during the Eclipse war," she continues. "Back then, all supernatural beings fought for territory and power, and although each species now governs itself, werewolves still hold influence because we emerged victorious. Njord and his brother Cain led our pack into battle, but when Cain faced a Dragon Tamer, he did not survive. As the only surviving child of the Alpha, Njord had to take on the title without winning it. And now with Aiden alive and well, it is uncertain what consequences may arise from breaking this tradition."
My mind swirls with thoughts and possibilities as my mother's words sink in. I am grateful for her wisdom and guidance, but also wary of the ancient magic that may hold hidden dangers for me and my pack. We all fall into a pondering silence. Good thing this wouldn’t be a true succession. How would the balance of nature or even artemis react if we didn't actually follow the ritual? Would she lash out at me or even turn her wrath toward the pack for the nerve of not following the tradition she set. Would she punish us all because of me?
“There really isn’t time to worry about the consequences now. There will also be symbols painted onto you. Silas, you will be the one to paint most of them except the alpha symbol. It is only fitting because the mate bond is sacred and created by the goddess herself. That would be the closest thing to the goddess painting the symbols herself.” Silas reluctantly nods in acknowledgement, still not wanting to go through with this plan. “I myself will have the honor of drawing the Alpha symbol. Since Granite is gone, I as the Luna is the closest thing to an Evergreen Alpha as the powers have transitioned to me when he died. I may not necessarily have the title, but I am the alpha female.”
“What will I be expected to wear?” I ask.
“Well, That will be up to you. Pack colors are a must and you will also wear the pack crest. This can be a pin or embroidery.” She says. “ill have a seamstress stop by to go over designs.”
After more time of hammering out details, a small group of girls can be heard coming towards us. This halts our conversation. Selene and her squad of bitches decide to grace our presence. Her gaze makes its way towards us and it stops at me. Her eyes are filled with loathing. A deep hatred. Not the usual bitchness, but this look wishes for a painful drawn out death. What the fuck did I do?
She carefully hides that look with a mask of pleasantness and turns to my mother. Flashing her a beautiful straight smile that hides venom.
“Luna, my parents heard about the upcoming ceremony. Is there anything I can do to help?” She smiles with fake sweetness.
“Yes Selene, could you ask your mother to meet with me? She has such a talent for coordinating and would love her insight on things.” Mom smiles back.
“Of course, I will tell her when I see her tonight.” She bows her head in respect. “If you need help with anything I am always of service, Luna.”
“Thank you, Selene. I’ll let you know.” Mom sweetly smiles at her. She mirrors my mother’s smile but I see venom. Interesting. She finally leaves with her group leaving us back to our devices.
The conversation finally ended and Mom claps her hands, signaling that it was time for us to get some rest. We all bid each other goodnight, leaving only Silas and I at the table. As we headed to the kitchen to clean up, I couldn't help but feel a tingling sensation as his deep purr echoed in my mind.
Once our dishes were rinsed and placed in the dishwasher, Silas turned to me with those alluring words, igniting a fire within me.
“Now, where were we?” Our lips meet, starting off as just a small taste before quickly turning into an intense hunger, like a wildfire ready to consume everything in its path. My hands found their way under his shirt, feeling the sparks of our bond ignite between us. He growls against my lips, lifting me up and cupping each cheek.
The passion between us continues to burn as he carries me towards my room. The door was quietly kicked open and closed again as we entered, not breaking our kiss for even a moment. He gently lays me on my soft sheets, never once taking his lips off mine.
As my shirt is gently nudged up and removed, I give myself fully to him, trusting him completely. For once, no haunting memories plague my mind. All I can think about is my intense need for him.
His lips trail from my mouth down to my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake before making their way to my breasts. With each touch of his teeth and tongue, waves of pleasure spreads throughout my body like wildfire. "Do you still believe you can make me scream, love?" he grunted between marking the soft skin of my breasts. "When I keep you in this state of bliss?"
In response, he expertly undoes the clasp of my bra, releasing my flesh from its confines. Taking one sensitive bud between his teeth, he applies just enough pressure to send electric currents of ecstasy coursing through me.
A moan escapes my lips as I throw my head back and closed my eyes, allowing myself to be consumed by the sensation.
“Tell me to be gentle. Tell me to take this slow. Otherwise Vladmir won't let me.” He growls as he moves on to my other nipple. Blanche howls within me, not allowing me to tell him to be gentle. My wolf and I merged as one and commanded,
“We don't want you to be gentle. Show us who we belong to.”
This sends him into a frenzy. His eyes locked onto mine as Vladmir takes control while Blache continues to fuel my confidence. His eyes merge into a hypnotic mix of violet and black. “You belong to me, Athena Goldstein. Mind, body, and soul. You are mine to taste, touch, fuck, and love.” With that declaration, he forcefully removes my jeans and tears off my panties with ease, granting himself full access.
His fierce lips make their way down my stomach and over my pelvic bone until finally reaching the most sensitive spot of all.
The first stroke of his tongue nearly sends me over the edge and my hips buck in response. He wraps an arm across my stomach, holding me down. Keeping me from squirming away.
“Goddess!” I yell breathlessly.
“Hmm, it seems to be the other way around, Angel.” He licks again, his skilled tongue entering me. A tantalizing combination of licks, sucks, and pulls follow, bringing me higher and higher up that beautiful ladder towards my climax. He then inserts two fingers, giving my desperate core something to clench onto.
“Come for me.” He growls, sending even more vibrations through my body. With a final cry of pleasure, I clench down on his fingers as I ride out the blinding high.
As I come down from my peak, he takes one last taste of my sweet wetness before climbing back up to meet my lips in a sloppy yet passionate kiss. His tongue eagerly explore my mouth as if searching for the answer to a question only we knew.
Once our need for air forces us apart, he stares at me with a feral intensity in his dual-colored eyes.
“What does it taste like?” He asks huskily.
I meet his gaze, feeling the possessiveness radiating from him.
“Yours.” I reply without hesitation.