The Howl of Claim | COMPLETED

XXXIX | F r e y a R u t h

Folie ( C r a z i n e s s )

My feet were covered in heels and every time I walked, they would tap loudly, grabbing attention from everyone.

Everyone included tons of werewolves slaves and Marco. Everyone else - Lycans - was already gathered at the place where the ceremony was supposed to be held.

"May I?" Marco pushed a hand forward and I stared at his hand. At one time he wouldn't even willingly touch me and now this.

Wow, people these days I tell you.

Anyways, I place my hand on his. I was used to this since I had a Gamma and Beta who held my arms in functions normally but looking at Marco, he was doing this for the first time.

Holding a female's hand, by the way, his hand was slightly shaking.

Or maybe, it was because he was touching his king's mate.

"You know what? Maybe we shouldn't." Marco suddenly mutter. I sigh and pull my hand back. This guy was weird, I rolled my eyes and started walking, leaving Marco to follow me. Right.

"She is going to be the next Queen."

"Maybe she will have a little sympathy for us."

"I hope she doesn't become like them."

I give them one glance and I notice that their faces were filled with awe just as much as fear. What did they fear?

Were werewolves really treated that bad here?

I pushed a wavy strand of my red hair behind my ear. Right now I had to be somewhere or my erasthai would drag me there if I am not there in five minutes.

We were not supposed to see each other before the ceremony.

That's what the females giving me a makeover said.

It was bad luck.

Bad luck can kiss my ass.

I sighed and continued walking. I have been here for a good while and I knew where I was going - thanks to my endless venturing in this place - so I didn't care if I lost Marco.

Also, Klepto was not here and I missed her dearly, I hope she was doing good.

Avalon wouldn't be joining us either which leaves Marco to handle most things.

"You coming?"

"Right behind you."

I had lifted my dress a little higher to not get it dirty.

Why were we walking?

Oh yeah, it was another tradition where no vehicle is used on ceremonies like this. They say, 'It shows just how willing mates are to mark each other.'

Sucks.

I am in no shape and angle eager or willing to get marked by my mate.

My dress was a long slightly flared dress and was being a really big headache at the moment.

We continue to walk for hardly two more minutes when we finally reach a large area filled with lights and Lycans.

My feet were suddenly frozen and Marco came to stand beside me. Previously he was walking behind me to keep eyes on everything - if something decides to attack me, or I decide to run away.

"Go, I'll be right there."

"Don't tell me you got cold feet." Marco teased and I glared at him.

"Go!" My voice was cold and strong. Stronger than my Alpha voice and even I was shocked.

Umm, what the fuck!?

The Lycans standing several feet in front of us turned to look and my eyes widened.

Shit. I didn't want to get the attention.

"You know what? Let's just go." I started walking while looking straight forward, avoiding everyone's eyes.

What the fuck just happened!

When I was finally backstage, I sighed in relief and closed my eyes.

I still can't believe that I was going to do this! I was going to get marked! By my mate! Who I was trying to run away. Now I am willingly getting marked.

Willingly - maybe.

Do I really want to do this?

I look around to notice that there is a way that leads somewhere in the forest. I can run if I want to but I am not.

And I don't know why not!

I don't know how long I am staring in the woods when someone comes to stand beside me and clear their throat.

I look at my side to find my mate looking as gorgeous as ever.

"If you are planning to run away, just so you know, I'll catch you just like every other time."

"I am not thinking of running away," I whisper softly and Darius looks at me, holding my stare. He takes a step closer to me while staring adoringly at me,

"You look beautiful." Uh, why does this comment make me want to melt!

"Um, thank you."

I don't say anything else, nor does he. We both stare at each other, every second Darius was inching closer and I had the same thoughts in my mind that he had in his.

That was until a loud bell was rung and we both broke from a daze,

"It's time."

It's time.

I still did not move from my spot. I just could not accept the fact that this was happening. I vowed to never leave my pack, to always serve it but now, here I am - getting accepted in another pack.

I felt both my hands being grabbed in larger ones, Darius pulled them up to his chest and looked straight in my eyes as I looked up in his eyes.

"I know what you are thinking, and I don't blame you but this is your destiny. Those Lycans out there, they need you. Your pack does not need you there anymore but this pack does, I do."

My serving days there are over, now I have to take care of these Lycans.

"You were replaceable there, there were chances for you to be gone but not here. You are not replaceable, if something happens to you, we will fall apart." Suddenly Darius smiled and I was starstruck.

"I will fall apart if something ever happened to you." Imagine my eyes shining with adoration.

I clasped my hand around Darius and gave him a reassuring nod with a big smile of my own.

"Don't sweet talk me, I will definitely run away then." One reason for saying this was because I didn't know what else to say and he was making me flushed.

"Come on." Darius pulled me and we both appeared on the stage, the once chattering Lycans were now quiet and staring at us.

Even the werewolf slaves were standing at the back, watching us like hawks. They looked creepy.

"We are all gathered here on this beautiful night so I can announce the good news to you all. You all must have already known that I have found my erasthai and today, she will officially become your Queen." The Lycans clapped.

Darius turned towards me and I stiffened.

Please tell me he hasn't changed his mind about marking me privately.

I soon sighed in relief when he pulled a knife out and asked for my hand, I confidently gave him my hand and he slit both of our palms. I didn't even wince - perks of being an ex Alpha and a half transitioned Lycan.

Darius immediately joined both our hands before a single drop of our blood could be wasted. In an instant, our blood mixed.

Power surged through me, it was like a breath of new life - it felt amazing!

Even though the bond was complete now, Darius still doesn't let my hand go and kept it joined.

Even the crowd had giant smiles etched on their faces, they even looked fresh so suddenly. Their faces were glowing.

Was this all because of me?

"I also want to inform you, that I will be marking my mate privately as per her request." Darius' voice didn't even waver while saying this but the crowd who had smiles on their faces turned to frowns.

"I change the tradition of my forefathers, it's up to you if you want to mark your mates in public or not." Darius nodded at the crowd, "If anyone has objections, speak now."

No one spoke, Darius took that as agreement.

"That may be all. Thank you for joining us on this beautiful night." And that was it, Darius gave me a look and I noticed his canines out - he was ready to mark but was controlling himself.

Thanks to the gods above, Everyone started to leave and Marco had now started to talk to Darius.

A new profound adrenaline rushed in me and I sneaked away from Darius.

I was fucking scared of his canines.

I was once bit and it hurt like a bitch, I had sworn to rip my enemies teeth first if they ever try to bite me.

I didn't even know that I would find my mate, I was not mentally ready - also, Darius did these weird things in my body and that made me want to jump his bones, so close proximity between us was not good either.

But marking, it was really intimate, hands everywhere and his lips! His lips will be on my skin.

I am ready to run now because my non existent wolf\Lycan inside me was ready to go on a rampage of sex drive.

...

I m ow that this chapter is really bad written.

Just saying, she is afraid of close proximity with Darius. She just doesn't want to show what she feels for Darius just now. She doesn't want to admit everything to him just now.

Also, the man she hated - he will be marking her - she does not hate him anymore though.

Man, my character is confusing me aswell.

P R O Q U E E N