Chapter 6 Ch 6

Gwen’s Pov

The cell door opened with a loud screech that made me flinch.

Two female wolves walked in carrying a basin of water and clean clothes. They did not look at me. Did not speak. They just set everything down on the floor and turned to leave.

"Wait," I said. My voice was hoarse from screaming yesterday. "Please. Can you tell me what happened to my baby? Where did they bury him?"

The older woman paused at the door. She glanced back at me with sad eyes. "I am sorry for your loss. But it is better if you do not know where. It will only make the pain worse."

She shook her head and left, locking the door behind her.

I stood up slowly. Every part of my body hurts. My breasts were swollen and painful, still full of milk. My heart felt like someone had reached inside my chest and crushed it. But I forced myself to move. To wash with the cold water they brought. To put on the clean dress.

It was a mating dress. White with silver embroidery along the edges. Beautiful and expensive. The kind of dress Luna would wear. I wanted to tear it to shreds. I wanted to burn it. But I put it on because I had no choice.

The door opened again. This time Luna Rhonda walked in. She wore a deep purple dress and her hair was styled perfectly. She looked like she was going to a party, not forcing someone into a false mating.

"You look lovely," she said, circling me slowly. "Much better than yesterday. Although your eyes are still quite red and puffy. We will need to do something about that before the ceremony."

“What do you want from me”

"I want you to play your part," Rhonda said simply. "Duane needs a mate to become Alpha. You are convenient. And broken enough to be controlled." She stepped closer. "Besides, this way we keep you close. Keep an eye on you. Make sure you never cause problems."

"I am no threat to you. I have no powers. No family. No mate. Nothing."

"Exactly. Which makes you perfect." Luna Rhonda smiled. "The ceremony begins at sunset. You will smile. You will say the words. You will convince this pack that you are honored to be Duane's mate. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"Wonderful." Luna Rhonda clapped her hands together. "Now, let us fix your face. We can’t have you look like you have been crying for days. What would people think?"

She pulled out makeup and began applying it to my face.

I looked beautiful. And completely dead inside.

"Perfect," Luna Rhonda declared. "Now remember. Smile. Be gracious. Make them believe you want this."

The door opened. Duane stood there wearing formal Alpha clothing. Black pants, white shirt, a ceremonial cloak with his pack's symbol embroidered on it. He looked handsome and strong and completely evil.

"It is time," he said. He held out his hand.

I took it because I had to. His skin felt wrong against mine. Cold where Horace's had been warm. Rough where Horace's had been gentle. Everything about him was wrong.

He led me out of the cells and through the pack territory. Wolves lined the path, watching us walk by. Some looked curious. Others looked disgusted. A few looked sympathetic but said nothing.

We reached a large clearing where the entire pack had gathered. Hundreds of wolves, all dressed in their finest clothes. At the center stood an elder wolf who would perform the ceremony.

"People of Crescent Moon Pack," the elder announced. "We gather tonight for a sacred occasion. The mating of our new Alpha, Duane, to his chosen mate, Guinevere."

Whispers spread through the crowd. I heard my name repeated over and over. Heard the word "witch" mixed in with other, uglier words.

"Let us begin," the elder said. He gestured for us to step forward.

Duane pulled me to stand beside him in front of everyone. He kept my hand gripped tight in his, making sure I could not pull away.

"Duane, son of Magnus, do you take this woman as your mate? To protect and provide for her all your days?"

"I do," Duane said. His voice was clear and strong.

"Guinevere, formerly of the witch covens, do you take this man as your mate? To honor and obey him all your days?"

I opened my mouth but no words came out. Every part of me screamed to say no. To run. To fight. But I thought of Dominique. Of his tiny body in the ground. Of what they would do to him if I refused.

"I do," I whispered.

"Louder," Duane said through his teeth, squeezing my hand painfully. "They cannot hear you."

"I do," I said louder.

The elder smiled. "Then by the power of the moon and the laws of our pack, I declare you mated. Alpha Duane, you may mark your mate."

Duane pulled me close. His face came toward my neck where he would bite me, leaving his mark for everyone to see. I closed my eyes and tried to pretend I was somewhere else. Anywhere else.

His teeth broke my skin. Pain shot through me, sharp and burning. I felt the mate bond snap into place against my will. It was nothing like the bond I had with Horace. That had been warm and right and beautiful. This felt like chains wrapping around my soul.

When he pulled back, blood dripped from his mouth. My blood. He smiled at the crowd. "My mate. My Luna."

The pack erupted in cheers and howls. They celebrated like this was a happy occasion. Like I had not just been forced into slavery.

Duane leaned close to my ear. "Smile and wave, wife. Show them how happy you are."

I forced my lips to curve upward. I raised my hand and waved to the crowd.

The celebration went on for hours. Food was served. Music played. Wolves danced and drank and laughed. I sat beside Duane at the head table, silent and still. He kept touching me. My hand. My shoulder. My hair. Claiming me over and over in front of everyone.

Luna Rhonda sat on his other side, looking pleased with herself. "You did well tonight, Guinevere. Much better than I expected. Perhaps you will make an acceptable Luna after all."

"Thank you," I said flatly.

"Of course, you understand your position now. You are Duane's mate. The pack's Luna. But you have no real power. No authority. If you try to use your position to cause trouble, I will put you back in that cell. Or worse."

"I understand."

"Good." She took a sip of wine. "Oh, and one more thing. Tomorrow you will begin your duties as Luna. Serving the pack. Taking care of their needs. And you will do it with a smile. Any complaints, any resistance, and there will be consequences."

I nodded. I had no fight left in me.

Finally, the celebration ended. Duane stood and pulled me to my feet. "Come, wife. It is time to retire to our chambers."

Fear shot through me. I knew what he expected. What usually happened on a mating night. "Please. Not tonight. I just buried my son yesterday. I just lost my mate. Please give me time."

Duane's eyes went hard. "You are my mate now. Your old life is over. The sooner you accept that, the easier things will be." He started pulling me toward the Alpha house.

"Please," I begged. "Please, I cannot. Not yet."

He stopped walking and turned to face me. His hand came up fast and struck my face. The slap echoed across the clearing. Several wolves gasped but no one moved to help me.

"Do not embarrass me again," Duane said quietly. "Do not make me look weak in front of my pack. You are mine now. You will do as I say, when I say it. Is that clear?"

I touched my stinging cheek. Tasted blood in my mouth. "Yes, Alpha."

"Better." He grabbed my arm and dragged me the rest of the way to the house.

That night was the worst of my life. Worse even than losing Dominique and Horace. Because this time I was alive and conscious for every horrible moment. Every touch I did not want. Every word that cuts like knives. Every second of being trapped with a monster who wore my mate's mark.

"I will survive this," I whispered into the darkness. "I will find you, Dominique. I promise."

The moon shone through the window, silver and cold and distant. I wondered if she was watching. If she cared that her chosen bonds had been so violently broken and twisted.

But the moon gave no answers. She just hung there in the sky, silent and unchanging, while my world burned to ashes around me.