Chapter 5 5: A Violent Ceremony
When we stopped at the boundaries of the Skyfall pack territory, the recent events slammed into my mind like a terrible blow.
The public rejection, the tears, the humiliation.
A terrible quiver ran through me. I didn't suppress it.
I let the ache sting my heart, allowing the pain to fuel the cold, hard strength I needed.
They all must pay for the anguish they gave to me.
“Tsk, tsk, is it still hurting, Darling?”
Cassian stood behind me, taking a strand of my curly ginger hair between his fingers, caressing it gently before kissing them.
“Do you want my shoulder to cry on like always?”
His voice was laced with mockery, smiling coldly at my condition.
“Because standing here, you look terribly weak.”
Frowning, I pulled his hand away, rolling my eyes with a cold reply.
“I don’t need you or your shoulder.”
“That’s more like the Valoria I remember.” He smirked, bowing slightly, extending his arm with theatrical grace.
“After you, My dearest Ethereal Huntress,”
I took a deep, steady breath to revitalize the identity I lost between the cracks.
Ethereal Huntress.
The title resonated, blurred but the dominance and authority was crystal–clear.
I had been Kyzen's most graceful hunter. I hunted rogues, mad-wolves, and rebels.
I used to be undefeated.
How could I possibly have forgotten that? Being an Ethereal Huntress was my core, my pride.
That was another matter; it died. I died.
But, I am reviving now.
Considering my new purpose, I moved forth, holding my chin up.
A charm surrounding me accompanied by a sly smirk, asserting the power Cassian's pact had gifted me
“Well, well.”
My fingers delicately moved in the air, surprising the members who thought enticement was not my capability.
Moving forward, I saw the pack was gathered as Ethel and Ronda stood, hand in hand, flashing an everlasting smile for each other.
Those shitheads.
Did they think they could become one after discarding me so easily?
Like hell.
“I can’t believe this moment is here, Ethel. I am so happy.”
“Me too, Ronda–”
“Come on, Ethel, how can you start the ceremony without me?”
Before he could complete those words, I threw a dagger as a warning that went right between them, causing them to back away from each other.
“What the fuck?”
When his oceanic eyes locked with mine, he was taken aback but soon anger struck him harder as he growled at me.
“You? Why are you here after running away, Valoria? What do you want now?”
Smiling venomously, I folded my arms at my chest.
“I am merely here to attend the marking, Alpha,”
Ronda hissed, “Why? For more humiliation?”
I shrugged carelessly. “Who knows? Maybe I'm here to show off my lost lover.”
“Lost lover? What in the hell are you talking about, Valoria?”
My gaze darkened in pure, wicked delight.
Smoothly appearing behind me, Cassian’s fingers clasped my shoulder.
Pressing me into his toned body as our wolf powers collided to become one, invincible one.
I knew he once abandoned me yet his authoritative presence behind me boosted my confidence, widening my smirk.
My breaths hitched briefly, sensing a fiery spark at the contact when his nose brushed against my cheek, kissing it possessively.
His hands were all over me, standing right behind me as a shield.
He dangerously locked his crimson eyes onto Ethel’s staggered form, mocking him with every calculated movement.
“How does it feel to lose the same prize ‘twice’ by me, Ethel?”
Twice? I looked up at Cassian. When did that happen?
Shit. I couldn’t remember properly.
When Ethel recovered from the brief shock, his jaw clenched, sending daggers in our direction.
“Cassian?”
“Such a bland reaction,” Cassian chuckled darkly, “I thought you would at the very least, hug me.”
He dragged his fingers across my collarbone, emphasizing the bite mark he left last night, demonstrating absolute ownership.
His other hand held mine, a possessive grip and a direct taunt.
Was he doing this to outrage Ethel?
If he was, it was working perfectly.
Ethel’s attention shifted from Cassian to his hands, the way they moved across my skin, digging into my skin, blending our scents. It brought a scowl on his stern features.
“I don’t know about hugging,” Ethel hissed, tearing off his coat and tie, tossing them aside. He rolled up his sleeves, his muscles bulging.
“But if you want me to openly break these bones of yours, then be my guest.”
He stepped down from the altar, prepared to engage in a fight to the death.
Flashing a mischievous glimpse, Cassian also opened a button of his black shirt and cracked his knuckles.
“Why don’t we find out who breaks whose bones?”
“Sure.”
We weren’t supposed to do that yet.
“Ethel, no!” Ronda called, trying to hold Ethel’s arm.
I mirrored her actions, stepping forward, “Cassian, no!”
But neither man listened.
They ripped our hands away, their rage boiling over. They were pumped, ready to kill, their hatred exploding the moment they met in the center of the clearing.
