Chapter 13-The Consummation

Elara's POV Congratulations kept pouring in like a never-ending storm. I stood beside Thorne with a perfect smile plastered on my face, nodding and thanking people I didn’t know. My cheeks hurt from forcing it, but I kept the mask on tight. No one could see the rage boiling underneath. Thorne hadn’t left my side once since we said our vows. He stood close—too damn close—his big body like a shadow that followed my every move. It felt like he was waiting for me to run. Like he expected it. His silver eyes flicked to me every few seconds, cold and watchful. The heat from his arm brushing mine sent unwanted sparks across my skin. “Never thought I’d see the great Alpha Thorne actually get married,” one Alpha said with a loud laugh, clapping Thorne on the shoulder. Thorne just gave a small nod, face blank. The man turned to me with a kind smile. “You look radiant, Luna. Congratulations.” I thanked him softly, and he walked away. I let out a slow breath. This was exhausting. “Congratulations, Luna,” a familiar voice said brightly. Tyler, Thornes beta, appeared with his usual grin. He winked at me. “But I must borrow your husband for a minute.” Thorne gave me one long, unreadable look, like a warning, before walking off with his beta. For the first time since the ceremony, I had space to breathe. But it didn’t last long. I felt eyes on me from across the room. A woman with short black hair that stopped at her neck was staring hard. Her sharp black eyes were full of pure malice. She swirled wine in her glass and started walking toward me, hips swinging like she owned the place. She stopped right beside me, too close for comfort. “I really can’t understand why Alpha Thorne would choose to marry a woman like you from a lower pack,” she said sweetly, but her voice dripped with poison. I didn’t even glance at her. “Should he have married you instead?” She let out a cold, bitter laugh. “Wait until his mother and sister get back and find out he married in their absence. And worse…a lowlife like you. They’ll make your life a living hell.” I stayed quiet, ignoring her like she was background noise. That seemed to piss her off more. She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a venomous whisper. “Listen to me, you b***h. It doesn’t matter that Thorne married you. I’m the one who’s always been by his side. You’re nothing but his wife in name only.” I sighed, tired of her voice already. “You want my husband so badly? Go get him. Stop talking too much. Your voice is giving me a headache.” Her face twisted like she wanted to slap me. For a second I thought she might throw her wine at me. But she forced a smile, lifted her glass in a fake toast, and hissed, “Enjoy this while it lasts.” Then she walked away, heels clicking angrily. I rolled my eyes. Another enemy already. Great. Just what I needed. My eyes found Thorne again. He stood in the corner with Tyler, talking seriously about something. His tall frame looked powerful even from across the room. The black suit stretched perfectly over his broad shoulders. I quickly looked away before he caught me staring. Someone cleared their throat behind me. I turned and saw my father. “Will you grant your old man the honor of a dance?” he asked softly. Even though part of me still burned with anger, he was still my father. The man who raised me, trained me, loved me in his own way. I placed my hand in his and let him lead me to the middle of the floor as slow music started playing. We swayed together gently. For a moment, the noise of the hall faded. “I know no amount of apology will stop the anger in your chest,” he said quietly, “but Elara, believe me when I say this marriage was our very last hope. If the Silver Claw pack had attacked…they would’ve taken everything. I wouldn’t have been able to protect you or our people. It might seem cowardly, but I’d rather see you alive and hating me than taken as their slave.” Something softened inside me. I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his shoulder for a second. Tears stung my eyes but I blinked them back. My life wasn’t ending here. I would find a way out. Not today, but soon. He touched my face affectionately, smiling with pride. “You’ve always been strong.” Just then, the music shifted. Thorne appeared beside us. My father stepped back, and Thorne took my hand. His grip was firm, sending heat racing up my arm. Everyone watched as he pulled me close for the husband-and-wife dance. His hand settled on my lower back, pressing me against him. Our bodies fit together too well. I could feel the hard muscles under his suit, the steady beat of his heart. We moved slowly to the music, but every step felt charged. His scent wrapped around me…dark, masculine, dangerous. My body reacted even though my mind screamed at it not to. “You’re playing the perfect wife quite well,” he murmured, voice low. I lifted my chin, meeting those silver eyes. “Don’t get used to it.” A ghost of something dark flickered across his face. He pulled me even closer until my breasts pressed against his chest. The way he held me felt possessive, like he was already claiming every inch of me. “I hope you’re prepared for the public consummation,” he said suddenly. My step faltered. I looked up at him in confusion. “What even is that?” He leaned down, lips brushing my ear. His warm breath sent shivers racing down my spine. “It’s our tradition.” “What tradition?” I whispered, heart starting to race. “When an Alpha gets married, we make sure the marriage is consummated immediately. Everyone stands as witness and watches the Alpha take his wife.” My heart slammed against my chest so hard I thought it might burst. The room suddenly felt too hot. Too small. His hand on my back burned through the fabric of my dress. “Which means,” he continued, voice dropping even lower, rough and intense, “you’ll have to moan for the whole pack to hear.” My knees nearly buckled. A rush of heat and horror flooded through me at the same time. Public? In front of everyone? The thought of lying there, exposed, while he…while I… I stared at him, searching his face for any sign he was joking. There was none. Just cold certainty and something darker burning in those silver eyes. He pulled back slightly so he could look at me properly. The tension between us thickened until it felt like electricity crackling in the air. My body was traitorously aware of every point where we touched…his thigh brushing mine, his hand on my waist, his breath on my skin. “So tell me, dear wife,” he whispered, voice low and dangerous, eyes locked on mine, “are you ready to moan?”