Ashley’s POV
“Is there any problem?” Steven asked, his intense gaze on me.
“What? No, there’s no problem,” I replied quickly, hoping my voice didn’t betray my nervousness.
We arrived at the venue, swarming with cameras and reporters. This was my reality now-being married to a powerful, sought-after CEO. I was still adjusting.
“Ashley!” My friend Mabel rushed over, pulling me into a hug. “Girl, you look like you just went through a beauty transformation!” She beamed, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
I introduced her to the twins before we all moved into the wedding hall. Hours passed in a blur until finally, Steven and I stood before everyone, reciting our vows. The ceremony ended, but I knew the real part was just beginning-the werewolf mating ceremony. We said our goodbyes, and soon enough, I was in the car heading back to the mansion with Steven.
The silence between us was thick, but I didn’t mind. As long as he wasn’t being cruel, I could handle the quiet.
The car stopped, but not at the mansion. We were in front of a dense, mysterious forest.
“What is this place?” I asked as we got out of the car.
“It’s the path to the Moon Goddess’s shrine,” Liam replied.
We began walking, the forest growing darker and more intense with each step. I struggled with the weight of my wedding gown as branches caught at the fabric.
“Why is the Moon Goddess’s shrine so far into the forest?” I muttered, almost stumbling.
Finally, we reached a towering, ancient tree. A group of people stood around it, watching us with reverence.
“Who are they?” I whispered.
“They’re from the Oakwood Pack,” Roy answered quietly.
We approached the tree, and they all bowed as an older woman with wild white hair stepped forward, her eyes glinting with wisdom.
“Ashley,” she said, her voice like the rustle of leaves.
“Umm…hi?”
A strange smile crept onto her face, and then she turned to Steven.
“Hand, Alpha,” she said, and Steven extended his hand without hesitation.
The old woman drew a blade, slicing his palm. His blood dripped into a bowl she held with ritualistic care. Then, she approached me, grabbing my arm.
“Wha-”
“Be calm,” she murmured, dipping her fingers into Steven’s blood and tracing a crescent moon on my shoulder. The blood burned against my skin, and I bit back a gasp. I saw Steven wince, feeling the shared pain and connection sealing between us.
“In our world, an Alpha’s bride becomes the Luna,” she announced, her voice echoing through the trees. “Today, Alpha Steven has claimed his mate, the Luna of the Oakwood Pack!”
“All hail the Luna!” the crowd chanted, bowing deeply.
I was overwhelmed. Their devotion, the weight of my new title-it was so surreal.
Back at the mansion, it was as if another world awaited. Lights glittered, music played, and guests were arriving by the dozen.
“The mating ceremony officially begins!” Brie announced, and the crowd erupted into cheers and dancing.
“Who are all these people?” I asked Freja, watching the crowd in awe.
“They’re werewolves from all packs-not just Oakwood. It’s tradition,” she explained, a smirk dancing on her lips.
Freja guided me to a seat beside Steven. As I glanced at him, his face was stone-cold, eyes fixed intently on the crowd as if he were in his own world, far from the celebrations around him.
“Steven?” I asked quietly. “We…we need to talk.”
He barely glanced at me. “I’m listening.”
“We’re bonded now,” I said, my voice shaky but determined. “If we’re going to spend our lives together, shouldn’t we at least be friends?”
He finally looked at me, his expression unreadable.
“I know you probably think I’m crazy, but we were friends once, remember? When you were Leon, that kind kid…”
He turned away, his jaw tight. “That innocent kid is gone, Ashley.”
“No, he’s not. I’ve seen the way you talk to the twins. I heard about how you saved Liam’s life. I know there’s still kindness in you, Steven.”
“You…”
Before he could respond, Roy and Liam rushed over.
“The Moon Pack just arrived,” Liam said, as several figures walked in.
A woman with a fierce expression approached us, her eyes narrowing as she looked at me.
“Maya!” Steven said.
“So this is her?” Maya’s gaze roamed over me, dismissive. “You left someone as powerful as me for…this human girl?”
“Enough, Maya!” A tall, white-haired man in their group snapped, and she retreated.
“Alpha Steven,” he said coldly.
“Alpha Calix,” Steven replied, not bothering to stand.
“You insulted me, my daughter, and the Moon Pack.” Calix’s voice seethed with restrained anger.
“How so, Alpha Calix?” Steven asked, his tone neutral but challenging.
“You promised to claim my daughter, yet here you are, bonded to a weak human!”
Weak? His insult hit me hard, and I fought the urge to snap back.
“You’ll speak of my mate with respect,” Steven said, his tone deadly. I looked at him, startled.
Did he just take my side?
“And if I don’t?” Alpha Calix sneered, stepping closer.
Steven’s smile was cold, calculating. “Unlike you, I don’t run to anyone for help. I fight my own battles.”
“How dare you!” Maya spat.
“Keep quiet,” Steven growled, his voice carrying a fierce warning that made the air itself seem to tremble.
“You think you’re untouchable, don’t you?” Calix’s eyes blazed with fury. “You think you know everything?”
“I know enough,” Steven replied coolly.
“Do you?” Calix’s voice was dark with satisfaction. “I killed your betas, Steven. Did you think I wouldn’t find out that you sent them to spy on the other packs?”
Steven’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond.
Calix smiled, reaching into a bag one of his men handed him and dropping something in front of us. A severed head rolled to a stop at my feet.
I gasped, horrified.
Steven’s expression shifted, a storm brewing in his eyes. His rage was palpable.
“Happy married life, Alpha Steven,” Calix sneered, turning to leave.
In an instant, Steven was in front of him, his hand plunged into Calix’s chest. The Moon Pack wolves moved to attack, but Steven’s men blocked them.
“Let my father go!” Maya shrieked, her voice panicked.
“Be calm, daughter. He can’t kill me without igniting a war,” Calix smirked, despite Steven’s hand wrapped around his heart.
Steven leaned in, his voice low and venomous. “You killed my pack members and expect mercy? You think I fear a war?” He tightened his grip. “Let this be justice for my wolves.”
With a swift, merciless movement, Steven ripped out Calix’s heart. Blood splattered across the floor, and Calix fell, lifeless.
“Father!” Maya screamed, her eyes filled with fury and anguish.
She glared at Steven, pure hatred in her gaze. “We’ll be back. I’ll make you regret this, Steven. Your death will be slow,” she hissed before disappearing with her pack.
I stood there, frozen. My heart raced, and nausea twisted in my stomach. I’d just witnessed Steven kill someone-violently, with his own hands.
He turned to me, his face and body splattered in blood.
“You still want to be friends?” His voice was mocking, deadly, as he took a step closer. I staggered back, fear paralyzing me.
“This is who I am,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Leon is gone. I am ruthless, merciless. This is the man you’re mated to, Ashley. You should be terrified of me.”
His eyes bore into mine, daring me to deny the truth. And for the first time, I realized just how dangerous he truly was.