Chapter 98: A Royal Wolf’s Claim
Chapter 98: A Royal Wolf’s Claim
(Celeste’s POV)
Marcus’s fingers dug into my silver–scarred wrist again, his grip unyielding. The pain from his touch was relentless, sending sharp jolts up my arm as he carelessly handled the raw burns left by Victoria’s silver dagger.
Stay calm, I told myself. Any sign of weakness would only encourage him further.
“So delicate,” Marcus purred, his violet eyes gleaming with twisted amusement as he studied
my reaction.
I fought the urge to pull away, but his grip tightened as if sensing my resistance. His wolf,
Shadowfang, pulsed with dominance, a heavy aura pressing against mine. It wasn’t just
physical force–his wolf pressed on mine emotionally, seeking submission.
“Are you testing me, little mate?” he asked softly, though the cruelty in his voice was
unmistakable.
I stiffened, sensing the trap in his words. Anything I said could provoke him further.
From across the chamber, Regina Blackwood, the Alpha King’s sister, watched us with an air
of satisfaction. Her sharp violet eyes moved between us, missing nothing.
Seated elegantly on her throne–like chair, she exuded power, her wolf radiating the calm
dominance of a royal. Yet her subtle smirks revealed just how much she enjoyed this moment.
“Growing closer already, I see,” Regina said, her voice smooth like polished silver. “I must say,
Marcus, you’ve done well.”
Her words made Marcus’s smile widen. “Of course, Mother,” he replied, his tone dripping with
arrogance. “She’s learning her place.”
Learning my place. How often had I heard that phrase since my return to the Winters Pack?
Each word grated against my nerves, but I masked my emotions carefully.
Regina tilted her head, her perfectly styled black hair shimmering under the light. Her regal appearance was only enhanced by her near–glowing violet eyes.
“Celeste,” she purred, shifting her attention fully to me, “you’ve made quite the impression on
my son.”
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Chapter 98: A Royal Wolf’s Claim
Her words were deliberate, probing. Her wolf rolled against mine, testing for weakness.
“Lady Regina,” I responded formally, forcing my silver–scarred wolf to remain steady, “your
family’s kindness has been… remarkable.”
The polished response earned a raised brow from the older royal. It was clear she relished the
control she held over this situation.
“Remarkable indeed,” Regina echoed, before flicking her gaze to the pendant hanging around
my neck. Alexander’s pendant.
I resisted the urge to touch it as her focus lingered. There was something about the way her
wolf’s aura darkened slightly at the sight, though she said nothing.
“Interesting choice of accessory,” she remarked finally, her tone deceptively light.
“Very modest,” Marcus added with a calculated grin. His violet eyes burned with malice,
flicking from the pendant to my face.
I held my ground, refusing to lower my gaze under Marcus’s scrutiny.
“Though hardly suitable for my future mate, wouldn’t you agree?” he added, his voice dripping
with mockery.
My wolf tensed, curling inward defensively. His words weren’t a compliment–they were a
declaration of control.
“I’ll find you something far more appropriate,” Marcus declared, his grip on my wrist tightening.
“Something deserving of your new status.”
The implication in his tone twisted in my stomach. My wolf bristled, wanting to break free, but I forced her back. Marcus’s violet eyes gleamed with possession, his wolf howling in silent
warning.
“Manners,” Regina chided gently from her seat, though her tone held no real reprimand. “A royal mate deserves only the best, Marcus. Do be mindful.”
Her thinly veiled criticism settled heavily in the room. Though superficially polite, her words carried the weight of warning–as if to remind Marcus that even he remained below her
authority.
For a moment, Marcus’s fingers faltered slightly. It was brief, barely noticeable, but it gave me
a fraction of hope that maybe she wasn’t as utterly cruel as she seemed.
“Of course, Mother,” Marcus replied smoothly, though his tone had cooled slightly.
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Chapter 98: A Royal Wolf’s Claim
Regina stood gracefully, her movements calculated. She gestured toward the ceremonial tools laid out neatly on a long table nearby, their silver glinting ominously in the light.
“Shall we begin selecting materials for the mate–marking ceremony?”
The phrase struck me like a blow, making my wolf recoil.
My gaze landed on the ceremonial dagger first, its blade etched with ancient symbols of bonding and blood.
One swipe of that blade across both our palms, and my life as his mate would be sealed–a
permanent, unbreakable tie to Marcus.
The weight of the realization pressed on my chest, but I forced myself to focus. I couldn’t
afford to show my hesitation now.
Regina’s violet eyes gleamed knowingly as she lifted another item from the table–a
moon–blessed crystal vial. The fragrance of wolfbane and bone ashes reminded me of binding
rituals, sealing not just spirit bonds but also dominance hierarchies.
Her actions seemed graceful, but the deliberate nature of displaying each tool wasn’t lost on
- me.
“It’s all coming together beautifully,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
Marcus suddenly released my wrist, though an unmistakable smirk remained on his lips.
“Choose something, my little mate,” he instructed casually, stepping back enough to grant me
a sliver of space.
I hesitated. Each movement was deliberate now–anything I touched would be noted and held
against me.
As if sensing my unease, Marcus leaned forward slightly, his wolf energy radiating
dominance. “Don’t take too long.”
I turned toward the table, careful to keep my expression calm. Still, I felt their eyes on me- Marcus, watching for signs of hesitation, and Regina, cataloging every decision for potential
manipulation.
My fingers hovered over the ceremonial dagger. Though instinct screamed at me to avoid it, I
couldn’t let them see my fear.
A sudden knock at the chamber doors saved me from making a decision. The tension in the room shifted as Regina turned gracefully to face the interruption.
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Chapter 98: A Royal Wolf’s Claim
“Enter,” she said coolly.
A beta wolf appeared, bowing his head deeply. He avoided eye contact with anyone but
Regina.
“My Lady,” he began with visible hesitation, “the ceremonial preparation team is required for the Alpha King’s upcoming Blood Moon ritual. Your assistance is requested.”
The room’s dynamic shifted immediately.
The informal authority Regina had lorded over this meeting dissipated slightly. Nothing–not
even her royal blood–outranked her brother, the Alpha King.
Her wolf flickered with irritation, though it was masked quickly.
“The Alpha King’s ceremony,” she said smoothly, placing the ceremonial vial back on the table.
“Naturally, it takes precedence.”
Marcus, however, was less adept at concealing his annoyance. His fingers locked onto my
wrist again, causing my skin to sting as if freshly burned.
The pain drew an involuntary intake of breath from me, but I refused to look up at him. I
wouldn’t let him see the hurt.
Instead, I shifted into formal submission. “Thank you for your time, Lady Regina,” I said
quickly, desperate to escape the suffocating room.
Regina watched me like a predator observing prey. The faint curl of her lips suggested
amusement as if she knew Marcus’s intent to test me further.
As we exited the chambers, Marcus didn’t release me immediately. His grip remained firm, his presence suffocating as his wolf’s dominant energy curled possessively around mine.
The moment we turned a corner out of sight, I wrenched my wrist free. It took more force than
I anticipated, making Marcus’s violet eyes flare with amusement rather than anger.
“You seem eager to leave my company,” he said, his voice low.
I didn’t reply, keeping my posture neutral. His wolf snapped at that perceived slight, shifting
the tension back to dangerous grounds.
Marcus’s intense gaze fell immediately to Alexander’s pendant still resting around my neck.
His lips curved cruelly. “Tell me, little mate, do you treasure this trinket so much?”
The chilling satisfaction in his tone twisted in my stomach. My chest tightened as I braced for
his next move.
