~CHAPTER THREE~

SILVANA

My jaw dropped. "Tonight? But the wedding just ended."

Before I could protest, the maids stepped foward in sync. I wanted to fight them off, to scream and run, but I was outnumbered. Two pairs of hands gently but firmly guided me towards the bath chamber. They worked with practiced efficiency, unlacing the heavy white gown and easing me into the steaming, sunken tub before I could even find my voice.

"Don't worry, My Queen," the older maid whispered, pouring a cup of lavender oil into the water. "It is always frightening the first time. But Alpha Garrick is a fair man. I believe he will be gentle with his mate."

That's not the point!

Her words brought me no comfort. The heat of the water was opening my pores, and as the soap suds lathered over my skin, the panic came. The synthetic beta musk was being completely washed away.

The steam in the room grew thick, and beneath the floral notes of the bath oils, I could feel my own natural Omega scent begining to rise. It was a soft, sweet fragrance like wolf honey and rain. If anyone smelled that, Garrick would kill me before the night was over.

"Stop."

The maids froze, their hands hovering the water. "My Queen?" The other maid asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Is there a problem?"

I forced myself to sit up, narrowing my eyes to mimic Morgana's haughty authority. "All of you, out. Now."

"But we must finish drying and dressing you-"

"I said leave," I interrupted, dropping my voice to a cold tone. "Unless you want to stand there and watch the King claim me tonight? Because if you stay, that is exactly what you'll be witnessing."

The younger maids instantly blushed, lowering their eyes. While the older maid stared at me for a beat, then nodded. "I understand, Luna."

She stood up and bowed. "We apologise for overstepping, Your Grave. We will wait outside."

She gestured to the others, and they quickly filed out, shutting the doors behind them.

The moment the locks clicked, I scrambled out of the tub. I didn't even bother drying myself properly. I grabbed a simple silk robe from the table, wrapping it tightly around my wet body, and scanned the room. My small leather satchel sat on a chair near the bed. I reached for it, my hands shaking as I pulled out a vial of synthetic musk.

Just incase, I packed two vials.

"The Alpha King approaches!" A male's voice boomed from the hallway.

My heart leaped into my throat. Even through the heavy wooden doors, a thick, suffocating wave of Alpha scent filled the room. His scent hit me first. It was so potent my head spinned. I frantically popped the cork off the vial and splashed the bitter liquid over my neck, wrists and chest, praying it would cover my natural scent in time.

The heavy brass door handles began to turn. In a rush, I kicked the glass vial under the bed, sending it rolling out of sight just as the doors swung wide.

Garrick walked in. He had discarded his formal leather attire, now wearing only a loose black shirt that clung to his frame. His eyes dark eyes immediately found me, tracking my rapid breathing. He looked lethal, his presence occupying every inch of the massive room.

"Good evening, My Lord." I squeaked, gripping the lapels of my robe.

He didn't answer. He slowly closed the heavy doors behind him and grumbled under his breath. "Let's get this over with."

Without another word, his hands went to the hem of his black shirt, pulling it over his head in one smooth motion. I stared at his chest - it was a map of silver battle scars, his muscles taut and sharp. He stepped toward the bed, his eyes dark eyes fixed on me like a predator cornering it's prey.

"Wait!" I cried out, throwing my hands up in front of me.

Garrick paused, his eyebrows drawing together. "What?"

"Can we uhn....can we take it slow?" I stammered, my mind racing for any excuse to buy time. "This is my first time. I'm...I'm not ready to just jump into bed."

He tilted his head, studying me. There was no warmth in his expression, but he shrugged, moving to sit on the edge of the matress. He rested his elbows on his knees, looking up at me. "Then what?"

"Then...." My throat was now incredibly dry. I looked around the room, desperately searching for a distraction. "I'm so nervous that I'm hungry. I can't think straight on an empty stomach."

He stared at me for a long, silent moment. Then he let out a short, rough breath that might have been a laugh.

"Gable!" He called out.

The door opened instantly. The older maid walked in and bowed her head down respectfully.

My eyes went wide. I looked at the door, then back to Garrick. "You....she was standing right there?"

"Gable is your personal maid," Garrick said in a flat tone. "She will always be stationed right outside your door."

A stupid, panicked question slipped past my lips before I could stop it. "Does that mean she can hear everything we do in here?"

Garrick's lips twitched, a flash of geninue amusement crossing his dark eyes before he quickly masked it. Gable stifled a tiny laugh behind her hand, her shoulders shaking slightly. I felt my cheeks burn with a deep, humilating blush of embarrassment.

"Bring my wife some food," Garrick ordered, his eyes never leaving my face. "Something heavy. She seems to have an appetite."

"Right away, Alpha." Gable said, bowing again before slipping out of the room and closing the door.

Once again, we were left in a heavy silence but this time it wasn't suffocating. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my breathing steady. "Thank you."

He didn't reply. He sat perfectly still on the edge of the bed, his posture relaxed but his gaze was razor sharp. Suddenly, his head tilted back. His chest expanded as he took a deep, slow breath through his nose. His nostrils flared, and his brows furrowed.

"What is that weird smell?"