The Markings Ceremony

Chapter 22

Outside the Luna Ruby Mansion, the wind was bristling. Hundreds of pack members gathered for the momentous day as the stone walls watched. The day had arrived for the marking when they would be assigned a new alpha. The ancient walls knew the truth, even with all the excitement in the air. Nothing to get giddy about existed.

This dark palace used to be vibrant and noisy. It held hundreds of pack members and children. The adults were prepared to pass on their customs, and the pups were excited to grow into wolves and defend their pack. The pack lost its customs and culture somewhere along the line.

Blood soiled its history, and instead of accepting it, everyone fled. The Blood Moon Pack evolved from the Luna Ruby Pack. It stopped referring to Italy as home. Naturally, there were still occupants of the Italian estate. That is until you realized that everyone there was either a trainer or a groundskeeper.

But at night, you might hear some wolves howling deep in the woods. The wolves who were raised here are the ones who experienced their ancestors' blood course through their veins. They were ignorant of the fact that this day was meant to be far more significant than anyone was letting on. Two wolves who had been split apart for 600 years were supposed to reunite on this day.

Sadly, things don't always turn out the way we want them to. Blaine De Lombardi was intended to mark her sister, not his other half. No, it was all done for convenience, not out of love. For political reasons, he needed a Luna, and it made perfect sense for him to choose his childhood girlfriend. However, the thing with love is that it's real. Most people could see that Blaine didn't love Mirabel—at least not the way he used to.

Not only were two soulmates reuniting on this day, but that wasn't all that it was. This dealt with the widespread killing of all those werewolves many centuries ago. The person whose only responsibility it was to safeguard them slaughtered them. Their devotion and affection were the things they gave their all for, and this marking was casting them aside. The bodies of Elena's children were piled into her temple centuries ago by Alpha Ronaldo Matteo. He persisted until she granted his request that he be given another opportunity with his partner. The loss of a partner has led werewolves to the brink of morality, even though it was barbarous.

The woman of the hour was on the palace's eastern wing. Miracle Lorenzo was seated in a chair with white cushions. She was encircled by three mirrors as she prepared for her special day. Her brown hair was arranged in a fishtail braid bun at the nape of her neck. The bun had two white lilies pressed into it, just like the bouquet she would be carrying to Blaine.

The woman would typically wear a silky white garment during these events. Usually, it was baggy and just a little bit exposed. This was meant to be a foreshadowing of what was to happen as darkness fell. The woman refused to put on makeup or jewelry. The ceremony's goal was to bring the two spirits together in their most organic state.

The male would dress in nearly pajama-like white linen pants. As they marked their mate, everyone would be able to see their chest. This represented the belief that he would never withhold his heart from his partner.

To feel closer to the ground, they would both go barefoot. It gave them a connection to Idia, the earth goddess. Furthermore, to obtain the blessing of Elena, the moon goddess, marking ceremonies were only performed during full moons.

For the ceremony, practically everything was ready. Mirabel continued examining her neck in the mirror. She put her hand where her neck joined her shoulder. A grin tugged at her mouth as she visualized Blaine pressing his teeth into it. She had believed that the chance to leave a mark had been lost forever, back when she was kinder and younger. She was here now, against all the odds.

"Isn't someone excited?" Mirabel's closest friend, Stella, questioned her.

Mirabel smiled in response; that was all. She was eager to shed her omega identity and, at last, transform into the Luna she was always meant to be. Stella asked the terrible question that seemed to be on everyone's mind these days as if she could read her mind.

"How amazing that he turned you into an omega! As though you're his partner? Has something negative occurred?"

Mirabel smiled narrowly at her. She was never sure how to respond to it or any other inquiry that was thrown at her.

What made Blaine turn you into an omega?

You're his mate, right?

Is it not a concern that he is unfaithful to you?

But wait, didn't you betray him initially?

None of them dared to pose the question to their cherished future alpha. It was more motivated by fear at first, although at first, it was out of respect for his privacy. Over the last three years, Blaine has undoubtedly become sterner.

All of this was insignificant to Mirabel, though. All she could think about was how happy she was that the day she had been dreaming about since she was fifteen was finally here. She expressed her gratitude to the stars for keeping Blaine's real partner out of the picture.

Mirabel understood deep down that she and Blaine had once been in love. Their love was less a love and more a way of mourning. Their love began to wane when they moved past it. Mirabel knew she would have no chance if Blaine's mate turned up, but maybe it still existed if you looked hard enough. If her partner had been in the photo, she would have been deep-seated, knowing that she would never have glanced at Blaine.

That is the mate bond's peculiarity. You were so consumed by it that you couldn't escape. Few have refused it, but not indefinitely.

"Where is your sister?" Claire enquired.

Mirabel said to her mother, "Maybe she is assisting Jessica and Clara with the arrangements."

Mirabel was not correct. Trapped in the bathroom, Lucia was gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Even after all these years, she wasn't ready to see Blaine. His scent—goddess, his scent—and his dark eyes were always the objects of her admiration. The moment Blaine's automobile arrived at the palace, she detected the scent of fresh pine. She rushed beneath her covers to protect herself from her aroma the moment the pine scent reached her nostrils.

The painting she had found in the west wing was more disturbing to her. Four days had passed after the incident, and she was still unsure of what to do. Was it expected of her to inform someone? Given that there might be more going on, is it appropriate for Blaine and Mirabel to carry on with the ceremony?

Though the questions tormented her thoughts, she knew the answer deep inside. She vowed never to let her sister down on this day. Not after everything she'd gone through. After losing her soul mate all those years ago, here was her chance to rediscover love again. After inhaling deeply, Lucia wiped her hands over her dress. She gave herself one last glance in the mirror before leaving the restroom and going to see her sister.

She discovered Mirabel standing in front of a vanity, grinning broadly. She had never looked more stunning, and her eyes were twisted up with happiness. Her face was against Claire's, and the older daughter's arms were wrapped around her neck.

Claire looked at Mirabel, her green eyes full of sadness. After her mate passed away, no one anticipated that Mirabel would find happiness. It was the worst nightmare for a parent being aware that your child will be alone throughout their existence, unable to enjoy or appreciate the beauty of the world.

Humans can exist without love. They may discover it in their passion, friends, or even animals. A few of them even go on to love more than one person during their lifetime. With wolves, such is not the case. A wolf will only ever be genuinely in love with one person in their lifetime.

There is always a chance that a marriage will end in divorce. Sometimes their love fades, and other times it is just insufficient to sustain the marriage. A wolf is permanently bound after it is marked.

Lucia fixed her gaze on her sister and mother. A small part of her realized that Blaine and she were done for good. Still, there was a genuine gladness in her. She was relieved that her sister's wish would at last be realized. What if Lucia's partner disappeared? It's not like Blaine and she had a shot, to begin with. They hated each other since they were little, so they were doomed from the beginning.