Embers In The North
36

The ceremony unfolded at a deliberate pace, showcasing performances that only accentuated the superiority of the Graypelt wolves over her own kind.

Returning her attention to her meal, she picked up her spoon and licked the gravy off, refusing to be overwhelmed by the series of events plaguing her. Her thought suddenly went to Decker and she huffed heavily.

She couldn’t let Cridius harm him too. With a painful swallow, she contemplated discussing this concern with him. Roth was the Alpha of Aupheadia which made him Cridius’ main contender. If he was indeed raising the Hero’s Forge, what did he have in mind for Decker?

In a frantic rush, she ate her dinner, trying not to think about Roth, Decker, or Bandos, but at the same time, she felt like she couldn’t ignore the nagging fear of not knowing what to expect.

“Is there a reason you’re inhaling your food?” Cridius asked.

Her gaze flickered to him as she swallowed a mouthful and slowed down. “I am starving.”

Before he leaned forward to wipe the crumbs off her mouth, his serious, judgmental eyes roved across her face.

Holding her chin, he whispered, “There’s an abundance of food for your pleasure, and should you desire more, the maidens can fetch it for you afterward. Do not embarrass the Triston house.”

After pulling away from his touch, Reyna sat back in her chair, set her cutlery down, drank a big glass of wine and exhaled deeply. Eventually she would revert to her ‘recklessness’ and say something to force his hand if he kept speaking to her like that.

“Lord Cridius. It is time to complete the more intimate part of the ritual,” Iris said from where she stood at the head of the table.

Cridius stood up and held out his hand to Reyna. “We have to complete the ritual now,” he told Reyna.

The unease in Reyna’s eyes grew as she wondered why Cridius made it seem as though she wanted this. With his hand over hers, he assisted her to rise and guided her down from the dais. The entire hall fell into silence once more, heads bowed low as Iris ushered them out.

Behind Iris, they passed through the heavily guarded corridor Ariel and the maidens had brought her through. If only she could get a few minutes to get a better lay of the entire citadel and its secrets, she would know how to get around and possibly replace out where her father and the others were being held. Thoughts of Lance and her Fleet of Gammas were too much to bear at the moment; it only intensified the ache in her chest.

After several minutes of walking, they departed the Grand Hall, heading towards a secret chamber absent from any of the citadel’s Wings. Iris led them through a concealed wall; they literally walked through an enchanted gateway that blended in with the stone walls of the citadel, arriving in a peculiar chamber that she could only assume was Iris’s lair.

Reyna stood in awe, gazing towards the far end of the outdoor chamber where the creek from Iris’s vision stood. In the centre of the room stood a well, oozing thick white steam, surrounded by four females clad in diaphanous white dresses, leaving little to the imagination. Their long, wavy blonde hair cascaded down to their waists, and intricate black glyphs all over their arms.

“What is this place?” Reyna asked Iris.

“This is the lair of the priestesses,” Iris replied. “We share a likeness, you and us. What your kingdom knows as the line of wise women, Kuntheas dubs the line of blessed women. A lineage of favoured females, destined to serve the House of Triston as priestesses and mates.”

Mates? Reyna glanced at Cridius, now standing beside the well, arms fastened behind him. Did that mean Cridius and his brothers could only mate with females from the line of wise women?

“That explains the connection I feel with you,” Reyna mused as she really looked at Iris. It was why she was in a way helping her. “I have a lot of questions.”

“Iris, begin the ritual,” Cridius commanded as he joined them. “You can seek answers on your own time. Perhaps you will finally learn about the true history of your kind.”

Reyna regarded Cridius, a hint of irritation at his subtle insinuation of her ignorance, yet she kept her cool. As Iris moved toward the creek, Reyna couldn’t help but be captivated by the breathtaking arbour adorned with the most vibrant purple flowers she had ever seen. Beyond it lay a jungle of trees, a forest that seemed almost otherworldly.

“Remove your clothes,” Iris instructed them, standing before the arbour.

Reyna hesitated, raising an eyebrow at Cridius. “Why?”

Iris, from a distance, responded, “You drink from the well, pledge yourselves to each other under the watchful eyes of the gods, and enter the creek naked with your mate.”

“Why do I have to be naked?” Reyna frowned.

“We’re wolves, Reyna. It symbolizes the freedom of our kind; there’s nothing to hide,” Cridius growled.

After removing his shoes, Cridius proceeded to shed his brown breeches and shirt, maintaining eye contact with Reyna throughout. There was no way she would walk naked among these people, especially not in front of him.

Unable to avert her gaze, Reyna continued to watch him, attempting to discern the nature of this peculiar ritual. It didn’t take long for his shirt and trousers to join the pile, unveiling a physique that exuded strength and power. Her eyes shamelessly raked his naked form before she turned her attention to the approaching females, each carrying bowls.

One of them presented a bowl to Cridius, which he accepted and downed in a single gulp before handing it back.

“Your turn, unless you want me to help,” he told Reyna.

Accepting the bowl from the other female, Reyna reluctantly drank the bitter liquid, cursing softly as it stung. Groaning, she moved toward Iris by the creek, but Cridius intercepted her, his whiskey eyes sending a clear warning that he would rip her dress off if she didn’t do it herself.

Taking a deep breath, she turned her back to him and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“A little help.” She bit her words and waited.

Holding her breath, she felt the fabric slowly peel away, his cold, rough hands brushing against her skin.

Reyna tensed in the grip of a shudder and when her dress collapsed in a heap at her feet, she stepped out of it and faced him again. Inching towards him, she undid her bra, tossed it aside and removed her panties before kicking off her shoes. In a slow circle, Cridius took his time to look her over, and she struggled to resist melting under the guile of his gaze.

“You are truly glorious, Reyna.” He caressed her cheek.

“As conceited as this may sound, I already know.” Reyna smiled.

Cridius clasped Reyna’s hand tightly and brought her down to the creek, where Iris was waiting. As they approached, Reyna felt a sudden wave of anxiety swell up inside of her; she had never experienced such feelings of vulnerability before. Cridius didn’t let go as they stopped in front of Iris, who stood tall and moved closer without so much as a glance at her staff which remained hovering behind her.

“In the depths of this venerated place, where the gods reign supreme, I must ask you this - Alpha Cridius and Luna Reyna, are you willing to take this solemn oath and accept your roles as Alpha and Luna of Kuntheas? To break it is death,” Iris asked.

At Iris words, Reyna withdrew her hand from Cridius’ grasp in order to cover her bare breasts with the strands of her hair. “Does this make me a Luna?” she asked uncertainly.

“You already are,” Cridius replied, and Reyna turned to face him.

“What I mean is, I do not wish to lose my name or my place and simply become your mate. A Luna to bear you an heir, Cridius. I know what being your Luna is,” she snapped.

Careful, Reyna.

Iris’ warning sounded in her mind, and Reyna stole a glance at the priestess before taking a calming breath.

“I wish to be your equal. Alpha Female of Kuntheas. I have no interest in being on the sidelines and being doted on. I wish to fight, to deliberate, to strategise with you. Iris, I join with him as a mate and Alpha, not as his Luna.”

Cridius walked up to her, and she hated how vulnerable she felt, exacerbated by their nakedness, though he appeared entirely at ease.

“Did you forget what happens if you defy me, Reyna?” he asked.

“I did not, nor have I. All I have done is propose something different from what you know. If anything, you searing your mark into me without my consent is proof of you defying me. One would think, as my mate, you would want to make up for that.” Reyna challenged.

No response came for either Cridius or Iris for a while.

“You cannot speak to the Alpha like that, Luna,” Iris cautioned. “If I may be so bold, Luna. A female has no place in the affairs of Kuntheas. We do as our Alpha tells us to, nothing more.”

“She’s got a lot of nerve,” Cridius grunted to Iris with a gruff voice. “Give her time, she will come to understand that she cannot fight this. She was meant to be here and, once she becomes aware, she will know. Continue the ritual.”

“Cridius you’ve-”

“Silence, Reyna!” he barked, and her frustration ignited.

“No! No, I won’t keep quiet. Give me something for Odin’s sake!” Reyna retorted, exasperated.

His hand clenched around her throat, and she gasped as the pressure increased. “Do not ever speak that name in Kuntheas, do you understand?” he spat.

Ator materialized beside her, growling viciously at Cridius, and his eyes slipped over to her Howler with simmering rage. While she worried that he would hurt Ator, she was a tad confused by his reaction to her use of Odin’s name.

“Fine!” Reyna groaned, drawing his attention back to her. “Release me! You cannot treat me with such disregard! I am your mate, and even if you do not wish to be partners in this, afford me the respect befitting your mate.”

“Milord, perhaps I can offer a resolution to this,” Iris interjected quickly. “If the Luna survives the run and learns to wield theKoi, perhaps then she may be included in the affairs of Kuntheas?”

Cridius turned his gaze to Iris, contemplation flickering in his eyes and Reyna’s anxiety surged as she hoped for a swift decision before her airway was cut off. His grip on her throat loosened, and he released her.

“You’re a burden I do not wish to bear,” Cridius growled at Reyna. “Fine, let it be so. I swear it; if Reyna Moltenroar completes the race and masters a Koi, she will serve as my mate in arms, as Alpha of Kuntheas alongside me. But if she fails, she will be Luna of Kuntheas, fit only to bear an heir.”

Iris bowed to him while he maintained a steely gaze on Reyna. She narrowed her eyes at him, massaging her throat and simultaneously calming the rage in her mind. Iris had once again come to her aid, making Reyna consider a more strategic approach, exercising caution with her words and suppressing impulsive outbursts. The need for a more calculated approach was obvious; Reyna had to play the long game now or he would be the death of her.

“How gracious of you, Lord Cridius,” Reyna said with a small bow.

Cridius arched a suspicious brow at her, then he turned to Iris. Reyna stepped back to his side in front of Iris.

“Kindly send your Howler away, Luna,” Iris reminded her and she turned to Ator pacing beside her.

Reyna took a breath, sending Ator off and preparing herself for what came next. Her mind now fixated on the race both Cridius and Iris had mentioned, but she shook it out of her mind. All she wanted was a moment to not have to worry about anything but that seemed impossible.

“Lord Cridius, please take her hand,” Iris commanded in a firm tone.

Once again, Cridius clasped her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. As she glanced down at their joined hands, an unexpected calmness washed over her, soothing her anxious nerves. His gentle squeeze reassured her, and stealing a quick glance at him, she then turned her attention back to Iris.

“Alpha Cridius and Luna Moltenroar, I bless you both as mates, and before the gods, I unite all the realms of the world under House Triston as Alphas of Kuntheas, and I bind you to Lord Cridius’ oath.” A blinding light emanated from Iris’ staff. “Step into the creek,” she instructed, stepping aside.

Willingly, Reyna followed Cridius, considering whether this ceremony would grant her similar powers. Doubt lingered; it seemed foolish for their gods to grant her abilities that could potentially harm Cridius. Besides, conquering these formidable Graypelt wolves would require an army.

Reaching at the creek’s mouth, Cridius entered the cool water, guiding her in behind him. As they waded toward the middle, Reyna couldn’t help but sigh in relief. The sensation of the cold water was immensely satisfying after enduring its absence for so long.

In a gentle embrace, Cridius brushed her hair back from her face. “I almost forgot you were anIcehelmand need cold.”

Her voice took on a distinct timbre as she shouted, “Get off of me!”

Tensing up from his muscles and the pressure of his erection against her, she felt an unwanted hunger stirring within her. Surprisingly, Cridius released her and turned away, smiling at her reaction.

Meanwhile, Iris chanted in a mysterious tongue, and the blinding light from her staff illuminated the surroundings once more. Reyna, squeezing her eyes shut, couldn’t resist peeking as the creek began to bubble and surge.

A column of water enveloped them, creating a seal that made her momentarily feel suffocated. As the water submerged them, Cridius held her close, and together, they entered the depths of the absinthe-hued liquid.

Wrapped in his arms, she watched the water’s graceful dance around them. The sensation was unlike drowning or suffocating; it didn’t even feel like they were underwater. As she marvelled at the swirling ripples, she subtly slipped away from Cridius. Soon, a ripple knotted around her wrist, drawing it back to Cridius, binding them together. Trembling, they both felt the cool liquid from the knot seeping into them.

Her eyes locked onto his, and he gave her a smile, acknowledging the connection between them. In response, Reyna scowled, resisting the bond.

Stop fighting me so much; we both know it won’t be long now.

His voice echoed in her mind, sealing their connection as mates. She huffed lowly as the water around them began to freeze, lifting them back to the surface.

As the frost continued across the creek, Iris asked, “Do you have another gift?”

Reyna nodded, swiping water from her face. Iris shifted her attention to Cridius, who was watching Reyna quietly. His constant scrutiny made her acutely conscious, especially in her current state of undress.

Iris said, “Milord, you may step out,” waving to two women standing nearby with robes in hand.

“Why am I leaving her in here, Iris?” Cridius questioned without moving away from Reyna.

“The gods have a gift for your mate,” Iris explained with a smile.

Mate.

The Triston Graypelt Alpha was now her mate.

After a quick glance at her, Cridius looked at the freezing creek before climbing out, his massive back and taut ass in her view. Cridius took a robe and tied it on, then he turned around and she averted her gaze.

Her body cooled as she immersed herself in the half frozen creek. When she resurfaced, a tendril of water coiled around her and settled in front of her. She touched it, and it transformed into a glimmering silver staff, adorned with a vivid replica of Ator’s head and a vibrant, glowing aura.

Taking a breath, she looked from the floating staff to Cridius, ignoring Iris for the moment. While she had anticipated her abilities being enhanced, the question lingered: why would the gods grant her something that could potentially harm him?

“This goes without saying, Luna,” Iris said in a hushed voice. “When you mate with the Graypelt, you vow to protect them with your life; if you hurt or dishonour them, death will follow.”

Odin’s balls!

“Now, pick it up,” Iris commanded.

Reyna complied, and as the staff’s power surged through her, the entire creek glazed over in ice and radiated with an ethereal light.