the marking ceremony

Vanessa’s pov,

When I arrived in Ireland, I expected Colin to pick me up but to my surprise, his mom was waiting for me. Maggie noticed the surprised look on my face and asked, “Expected someone else? Colin can’t see you before the marking ceremony dear. It is tradition.”

I couldn’t help rolling my eyes, of course, there would be a traditional rule like that. I sat next to Maggie in the car and responded, “Well I don’t mind.”

We drove to a small church nearby and as soon as I got out, I noticed a huge muscular man standing outside. He had a big beard and blue eyes that were fixated on me. “What’s his problem?” Spirit growled in a low voice.

I sniffed the air and his scent of vodka and fish hit my nose almost making me throw up. “Must be from the Russian pack,” I replied. When he saw me, he immediately picked up his phone and I heard him say, “She is here.” before disappearing out of sight.

Maggie put her arm around me, “Don’t worry he can’t hurt you here.”

I smiled at her and said calmly, “Ow I am not worried.”

A hint of doubt flashed in Maggie’s eyes before she took my hand and guided me to a door on the side of the church. I walked into a small room with a make-up table and a couch. Light shone through the stain-glassed window on a beautiful silver dress hanging on the wall, making it light up with all the colors of the rainbow.

From the corner, Colin's little sister Annie ran towards me and pulled me in for a tight hug. I couldn’t help but smile and I hugged her back. I wouldn’t be able to hate Annie even if I wanted to. She had a wide grin on her face when she shoved the dress in my hands. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

I giggled at her enthusiasm, “It is.”

“Go on put it on, lass!” she shouted.

The shiny dress felt soft like satin on my skin, the shoulder bands laying loosely on my arms leaving my shoulders bare. Annie took a silver ribbon and braided part of my hair with it like a crown around my head. “Go on look in the mirror. You look beautiful,” she urged.

I stared at my reflection, and I had to admit I looked innocent and cute. My cheeks were flushed for some reason which added to the image of innocence. I softly stroked the skin on my bare neck staring at it, knowing that soon there would be a mark there. A mark that would not disappear. I was so lost in thought that I jumped up when Annie touched my shoulder.

“It is time Vanessa,” she said.

Nerves immediately rushed through my whole body and the urge to run had never been so strong. The only thing keeping me from running was Spirit barking to me, “Don’t you dare Vanessa. Stay!”

With sweaty hands, I followed Annie who brought me to a big wooden door.

“You have to go through there,” she squeezed my hand lightly and continued, “You can do this.”

She went in through another smaller door and I tried to calm down my breathing before opening the heavy doors. My eyes quickly scanned the room when I walked in. There were benches on both sides. I saw the Russian guy and also the rest of Colin’s family sitting there.

At the end of the pathway, there was an altar with a golden statue of the moon goddess. In front of it stood a high priestess with a big book in her hands. Spirit howled louder than ever when I laid my eyes on Colin. “MAAAAATTEEEEE,” she screamed almost deafening me from the inside.

His green eyes were locked on mine, and I could see his wolf trying to surface just by looking at me. His pupils were heavily dilated, and flocks of orange swirled around like a storm was brewing from the inside. It was clear his wolf was going just as crazy as mine.

I walked to the altar trying to control the buzzing in my head. I barely registered what the priestess was saying because I needed all my concentration to not transform. I did not know how long I stood there when I suddenly heard her say, “You can mark her now Alpha Colin, and after that seal the bond with a kiss.”

I was full of adrenaline in an instant and my eyes were big with fear as I stared at Colin. He immediately noticed my discomfort and took my face in his hands. He softly caressed my cheek with his thumb and whispered, “I will be gentle, I promise.”

I swallowed loudly when his gaze shifted from my lips to my neck. I felt his fingers caressing my collarbone leaving a shiver down my spine. He lowered his face, and I held my breath when I felt his warm lips on my skin. I closed my eyes and gasped loudly when his sharp teeth penetrated my flesh. The buzzing in my head became louder and my vision went blurry for a second while the pain went through me sharp as a knife. I slowly came back to my senses when I felt his warm tongue lick away the blood from the wound.

When he pulled back, my mind suddenly became clear as day and his scent hit my nose hard. I felt overwhelmed by the delicious smell of cinnamon and burned firewood that penetrated my nose. I never smelled it this intense before and why did it smell so good? I looked up confused and realized I could even hear Colin’s heart beating. I forgot where I was and who was there. All I could think of was him being so close to me. My eyes devoured him inch by inch, from his muscular arms holding me to his wide chest to his cheeky smile and his green eyes staring deeply into mine. Had he always been this attractive? And combined with that delicious smell all I wanted to do was throw myself into his arms.

I groaned trying to get a hold of myself when the priestess said, “You still have to seal it with a kiss Alpha Colin.”

Before I knew it, he grabbed my chin and lifted my face, locking his lips onto mine. His lips felt much softer than I expected, and I couldn’t help myself lean into him. He softly nibbled on my lower lip before pulling back again. Leaving me breathless and annoyed that it ended so quickly. While my mind slowly came back to its senses again realizing we were surrounded by people, my body did not. My nipples became stiff against the thin fabric of my dress, and I could feel wetness erupt between my legs. My cheeks flushed when the scent of my own arousal hit my nose, knowing Colin could smell it too.

His cocky smirk confirmed for me that he knew exactly how my body reacted to him. Embarrassed and annoyed I hissed, “Don’t think this changes anything! We still have our deal I don’t want you to dominate me!”

Colin chuckled and lowered his mouth to my ear so only I could hear. “The only place I want to dominate you is in the bedroom,” he whispered in a low husky voice.

Of course, my body and Spirit were overjoyed by this suggestion, but I was certainly not. I was just about to give him a piece of mind when the Russian man walked up to us. He completely ignored me and just shook Colin’s hand. “Congratulations, I will tell Alpha Vlad the ceremony is done. He expects both of you at his birthday party next week.”

Colin nodded and the man quickly left after that. When I looked around, I noticed Colin’s family disappeared as well. “Where is everyone?” I asked.

“They went to our townhouse for the night so we will have the mansion to ourselves,” he nonchalantly responded.

I narrowed my eyes, “Why would we need the mansion to ourselves?”

Colin’s eyes were twinkling naughtily, “So we can have our mating night of course.”

I looked at him stunned not knowing whether he was kidding or not. He had to be fucking kidding, right?"