I was dragged through another maze of corridors before we finally stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.
One of the women pushed it open, and I was shoved inside.
It was a bathing chamber.
Steam rose from a large stone tub in the center of the room, and the air smelled like herbs and something else, pine, maybe. The walls were dark stone, lit by flickering candles.
Before I could even process what was happening, the two women began unlacing my gown.
"Wait—" I tried to step back, but one of them grabbed my arm.
"Hold still," she said firmly.
"I can undress myself—"
"We don't have time for modesty, girl." The other woman tugged at my sleeves. "The ceremony begins soon."
My cheeks burned as they stripped me down, pulling off layer after layer until I stood there in nothing but my skin and my shame.
I wanted to disappear.
They guided me toward the tub, and I stepped in, gasping as the hot water hit my frozen skin. It burned at first, but then it felt good.
I sank down into the water, covering myself as much as I could.
The two women knelt beside the tub, one pouring a pitcher of water over my hair while the other scrubbed my arms with something that smelled like lavender and snow.
I looked at them properly for the first time.
They were young, maybe a few years older than me. One had dark hair braided down her back and soft brown eyes. The other had lighter hair, almost blonde, and sharper features.
They didn't look cruel.
Actually, they looked… kind.
"What are your names?" I asked quietly.
The dark-haired one glanced at me, surprised. "Calista."
The blonde one smiled slightly. "Thalia."
"I'm—"
"We know who you are," Calista said gently. "Princess Zahira Nightstar. The peace bride."
I flinched at the title.
Thalia poured more water over my hair, her touch surprisingly gentle. "You're braver than I expected."
"Braver?" I let out a bitter laugh. "I'm terrified."
"We know," Calista said softly. "But you didn't bow. That took courage."
"Or stupidity," I muttered.
Thalia laughed. "Maybe both."
They worked in silence for a while, scrubbing away the dirt and exhaustion from the journey. The water turned cloudy, and they drained it, filling the tub again with fresh, steaming water.
This time, they added oils.
The scent was intoxicating, something floral and sweet, mixed with something woodsy and wild.
"What is that?" I asked.
"Moonflower oil," Thalia said. "And wolf's bane extract."
My eyes widened. "Wolf's bane? Isn't that—"
"Poisonous?" Calista smiled. "In large amounts, yes. But in small doses, it enhances your scent. Makes you… irresistible."
My stomach dropped.
"Why would I need to be irresistible?"
Neither of them answered.
When they finally pulled me from the tub, they dried me off with soft towels and sat me down in front of a mirror.
I barely recognized myself.
My hair, usually a tangled mess, was now sleek and shining. My skin glowed, and even my eyes looked brighter.
Thalia began braiding my hair, weaving in small silver beads and tiny white flowers.
Calista opened a chest and pulled out a gown.
My breath caught.
It was beautiful.
White silk that shimmered in the candlelight. The neckline was modest, but the fabric clung to every curve. The sleeves were long and flowing, and the skirt pooled at my feet.
"I can't wear that," I whispered.
"You can," Calista said. "And you will."
They dressed me carefully, lacing the gown at the back. It fit perfectly.
Too perfectly.
Thalia stepped back, studying me. "You look like a queen."
I didn't feel like one.
I felt like a sacrifice.
"It's time," Calista said softly.
My heart stopped.
"Time for what?"
"The binding ceremony."
I stood frozen as they led me out of the chamber and down another corridor.
This one was different.
Torches lined the walls, and the floor was covered in dark red fabric. We stopped in front of a massive set of doors.
I could hear voices on the other side.
Lots of voices.
"Wait—" I grabbed Thalia's arm. "How many people are in there?"
She hesitated. "The court. The council. The high-ranking members of the pack."
My blood ran cold. "They're all going to watch?"
Calista squeezed my hand. "You'll be fine. Just breathe."
The doors opened.
And I stepped inside.
The room was enormous.
High ceilings. Pillars carved with wolves. Torches everywhere, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls.
And there were people.
So many people.
They lined both sides of the room, dressed in dark furs and leather, their eyes glowing faintly in the firelight.
Werewolves.
All of them.
And they were all staring at me.
I forced myself to keep walking, my hands trembling at my sides.
At the end of the room, standing on a raised platform, was Alexander.
He wore what I recognised as traditional werewolf ceremonial clothing, from what I had learnt at home. A long black coat embroidered with silver wolves, a fur mantle draped over his shoulders. His silver-grey hair was pulled back, and his golden eyes locked onto me.
And for a split second, they widened.
He sniffed the air.
His eyes flared pure gold, glowing brighter than the torches.
Then he shut them, his jaw tightening.
When he opened them again, there was a smirk on his face.
I kept walking, even though I could feel their stares, their disgust.
Human.
Filth.
Weak.
"Silence."
Alexander's voice brought an abrupt end to the murmurs in the room, and instantly, everyone went quiet.
I reached the platform, my legs shaking, and he held out his hand.
I stared at it.
Don't be afraid. Don't let him see you're afraid.
I reached out, my hand trembling, and placed it in his.
His fingers closed around mine, warm and strong. Then he smirked and pulled me closer, so close I could feel the heat radiating off him.
"Is the little bird afraid?" he murmured.
I lifted my chin. "No."
His smirk widened. "Liar."
Before I could respond, his hand slid to the back of my neck, tilting my head to the side, and he leaned in.
I panicked. "What are you—"
His other hand caught both of mine, pinning them against his chest.
"Marking you," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin.
And then he bit.
The pain was sharp, immediate, and I gasped.
His teeth sank into the side of my neck, and I felt something warm trickle down my skin.
Blood.
I squeezed my eyes shut, biting down on my lip to keep from crying out.
Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't—
He pulled back slowly, his tongue sweeping over the wound.
The pain dulled instantly, replaced by a strange, tingling heat.
I opened my eyes.
He was watching me, his golden eyes glowing, his lips stained with my blood.
"This," he said, his voice ringing through the room, "is my wife. My mate. Anyone who harms her answers to me."
The room erupted in murmurs.
Some nodded. Others looked furious.
But no one dared speak.
Alexander turned back to me, his hand still on my neck. "Take her to my chambers. Prepare her for the consummation."
My eyes widened.
Consummation?!!!!
"What?" I breathed. "I—I don't—"
He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. "You'll understand soon enough, little bird."
Then he let me go and walked away.
I stood there, frozen, as Calista and Thalia appeared at my sides.
"Come," Calista whispered.
Consummation.
Oh gods.
Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods.