Chapter 6 Rituals: MARKING

THIRD PERSON'S pov

AFTER ONE YEAR LATER

It's been a year now, Selena and Zack had known each other. And the two know their mate better than anybody else.

Zack had introduced her to his parents and they both loved her as their own daughter, especially Zack's mother, Lucille.

She had to stay with her mate for two weeks for something called interaction with the Crowns.

"Selena!!" Lucille called as she was back from shopping. "Yes Mother!" She answered walking towards the dinning table where she was.

"I need to talk to you when we are done with dinner, " she muttered. "Alright. Mother" she said carrying the shopping bags along with her as she headed towards their room,(Zack and Selena).

Selena sighed as she dropped the shopping bag on the floor. When she opened the wardrobe, she began to place the new clothes in it.

"Jane!!" She called and felt tired, slumped on the bed heavily.

Quickly, Jane rushed in. " Your highness, is there a problem?" She asked.

"Phew!! Jane, stop calling me your Highness. If I should ask about your age, you should be older than me. Not a year but three right?" She asked and Jones nodded.

"And also I'm not yet mated to the Alpha. So, stop calling me her highness" she muttered.

"I'm sorry I can't , it's an order from the Alpha" Jane bowed her head slightly.

"What do you need your Highness? You called me" She asked.

" Of course, I need a chill glass of milk right now. " She ordered.

" Alright. I will be right back in a jiffy " Jane muttered and left for the order.

She was lost in thought when Jane came in and the door banged loudly, jerking her off. "jeez...!" She flinched.

" What... Why the heck do you bang the door like that? " She yanked.

"I'm sorry your highness, it's a mistake" Jane muttered while placing the tray on the table.

Jane handed the cup filled with milk to her and she gulped it down on a spot, instantly.

Jane's eyes grew wide as she watched her sip every remnant remaining in the cup. Selena handed the cup back to her and she placed it on the tray.

"You seem thirsty, your highness" she asked and Selena nodded.

"I do that when my other half gets paranoid. She is very hard to control"

"She'd felt weak with the way I drank that milk. It's just a punishment. She's getting wild and wilder these day" she added.

"I love it but won't it affect you also?* Jane asked.

"No..It won't* she answered sincerely.

The door opened and a random maid walked in and bowed. "Your highness!"

" The queen ordered for your presence at the dining table. '' she said and left.

She smiled, " I love food." With that she walked out and Jane, who was still in the room, chuckled.

She walked into the dinning room and her heart melted when she saw Zack staring at her .

He winked and she blushed instantly, moving her gaze from his. "Father! Mother!" She called and bowed slightly before sitting down.

A maid came forward and served her food. She was about to place the food in her mouth when she saw someone glaring at her.

She dropped the food down and smirked. "Zack!" She called.

"Can you taste this food?" She said and scooped some into his mouth.

"Iron " she asked.

"No!!"

"Salt!"

*No!" He answered and she smiled.

She sighed and looked at the direction again but found no one there. Lucille who noticed it also looked at that side also but found no one.

She had to do that, knowing she would get hurt if there's anything in it. But For Zack, he is still stronger than I.

"Selena, Meet me in my room when you're done" Lucille said leaving the dining room.

Zack looked at her and she blushed, concentrating on her food.

After she was done eating, the next thought in her mind was to meet her Mother in-law quickly and she strides toward her door.

Selena placed a light knock on the door and a fainted voice could be heard. "Come in".

"Selena," Lucille called.

"Here I am, Mother!" She muttered.

"Come sit beside me "

Selena sat down beside her as she looked up to her. "I wanna discuss some things with you," Lucille said.

"What is it, Mother?" She asked, feeling nervous already.

"Selena don't you think the time is almost getting near" Lucille said.

" What are you talking about, Mother? " She asked, not getting what she had just said.

" Mating. " She said in a low tone." Very soon, you will need to give us an heir to the throne. " She completed and Selena doesn't feel comfortable, the fact she is still 19 made her more scared.

"B..b..bu..but" she stuttered and did not know what to say.

"But I haven't been marked" she snapped quickly avoiding Lucile gaze.

"I know you would, I'd say that and I got that prepared already tonight" Lucille said and she gasped.

"My parents didn't know about it and they haven't been informed." She muttered, finding a way to escape and stop the discussion, she isn't ready for any marking.

She felt uncomfortable hearing the word Mating, even the marking process. She heard it's painful process when being marked by your mate.

"Don't tell me you are scared of all this, to be marked or to be mated"

"Both, the two, in as much I'm gonna feel pain. I'm scared" She answered, shivering on her spot already.

"It is part of the process you need to pass through when you're ready to be queen of the wolves" Lucille said, as every word dropped into her heart.

She can't afford to lose the honour and respect, all because of the pain. At least, it just a matter of time. She thought thoroughly.

"I'm ready!" She chirped in and Lucille looked at her. "Are you really sure?" She asked.

"Yes Mother!" She muttered. Lucille grinned happily and hugged her.

"Thank you for accepting," she said.

"Get ready in the evening, the marking process will be taking place" Lucille added and she nodded.

She couldn't take her mind off the mating taking place, as the sun set, her thinking rise.

Finally it came, the sound of drums were heard and Selena looked at Lucille and she nodded. "It's been scheduled already before I discussed it with you," she explained.

She felt a bit nervous and clasped her hands together. Lucille looked at her and smiled.

" Come on, Selena, you don't need to be afraid," She said, calming her down.

"Let's go, your parents are there waiting for you" Lucille said and they walked out of the room.

• Selena POV •

We walked out of the room, I shivered at the view in front of me. There were too many crowds waiting for me as the beating of drums continued, and loudly.

The elders were standing at one side of the ritual stand. I almost peed on my gown the elder instructed for the woods to be lightened.

"Don't be scared" Lucille said as she took my hand in hers, soothing it carefully and I smiled but disappeared immediately.

The sticks were planted in a circle, Lucille released me to the girls standing to receive me and I stepped back not wanting to go.

"Selena" Mother snapped and I went to them immediately.

They pulled me into a corner, shred off my clothes immediately, including my bra and panties. They wrapped me with leaves.

Only my chests and the lower part of my body could be seen covered, the rest were exposed.

My heart for the first time in so many years never beat like today. Everyone bowed their heads as he approached closer.

" The ritual is ready, Your Majesty." Said one of the elders referring to Zack and he nodded.

After chanting some sacrificial incantations, I was pushed to the wooden table where the marking would take place and laid on it.

Then I became terrified, looking around searching for someone and it landed on the Queen. Lucille smiled at me and nodded.

I looked up at Zack and he winked, I felt like strangling him after passing all this stress.

Then I heard a growling sound, and I knew he had turned into his wolf form.

I felt his hands on my shoulder and thigh while he leaned his face to my waist. His razor-like teeth pierced into my skin on my waist.

I yelled in pain, screaming and grabbed the wood firmly, gnashing my teeth. When he released his teeth from my flesh, I was breathing like I was gonna die in the next minute.

Before I could gaze up to his face, he had turned to the normal human he was. The other wolf helped me stand to my feet.

I was feeling a huge pain on my waist but when I glared at it, the teeth marks were all gone, leaving a scar on my skin.

I was shocked. How the fuçk did that just happen? I thought it will be bruised for some time but no!

It's healed!

It's fucking healed!

The bite healed?!

But then he stared at me, and with his deep voice, he muttered. " Mate..."

Lucille came forward and I was handed to her, she took my hand and pulled me for a hug.

But I yelped in pain. "I'm sorry" she said and I nodded.

I could feel my eyelid heavy and before I knew it, I slumped onto her arms and black out.