The ride to his estate had been suffocatingly quiet. I had a thousand questions clawing at the back of my throat, but none of them made it past my lips. Vincent didn't speak either. He stared out the window, jaw set, posture relaxed in that intimidating way only an Alpha could manage.
When the gates finally opened and the car rolled up the long driveway, the sight of his mansion stole my breath. Towering, modern, elegant. Beautiful in a way that made my stomach twist. This was the power of money—and the power of the man I had just married.
The vehicle stopped. I didn't wait for the chauffeur. I pushed the door open myself, stepping into the cool night air. Vincent mirrored the action on his side, silent and unreadable.
I gathered the folds of my wedding gown, eyes fixed on the massive entrance ahead. All I needed was a bed where I could just lay down and figure out what to next with my life... of how to make an escape.
I had taken only a few steps when Vincent's voice finally cut through the silence behind me.
"You know we're supposed to consummate this marriage, right?"
I froze at his words.
I turned slightly, meeting the hard line of his gaze. "No! We don't have to do anything."
A few days ago, I might have whispered that he was my dream man. He had seemed charming, gentle even, when I'd met him at the club. But after what he said to me at the altar, I began to question everything.
I tried to walk away, but his hand closed around my wrist with swift precision. He pulled me back, turning me until I stood inches from him. Close enough to feel the heat radiating off his body. Close enough to catch the intoxicating scent of his cologne.
His eyes dipped to my parted lips, before he lifted them.
"The council elders are inside, and so is Mother Luna and they are not going to leave that house until I mark you as my mate."
he said, his voice low enough to send a shiver down my spine.
His breath brushed my skin as he spoke. And when he leaned back, his lips ghosted against my cheek—just a faint touch, barely there, yet sharp enough to send a tingling rush across my skin.
"Then you'll just mark me without having to be inappropriate," I stated, the words slipping out before I could reconsider. I stepped back, desperate to put any distance between us.
He exhaled slowly, almost as if I were being unreasonable.
"I could do that if you were my mate," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But since you're not, we'll have to do more than just that." His gaze flicked over my face with an unreadable expression before he added, "Don't worry. This will be the first and the last time I will have to touch you. Now, let's go inside."
My mouth fell open, but nothing came out. I hadn't thought this through...any of it. I'd been too focused on escape, on survival, to consider the rules binding an Alpha's Luna. A chosen mate needed to be marked in every sense. And in this marriage, where the bond didn't exist naturally, consummation wasn't just expected—it was required.
A cold dread pooled in my stomach.
I tried to pull my wrist from his grip, but he held me effortlessly, his fingers firm around my skin.
"How about you pretend to be happy about this marriage," he said, leaning in just enough that his voice brushed my ear. "It won't go well if the elders find out this union is nothing more than convenience."
Reluctantly, I let him guide me toward the entrance. For a moment, I considered bolting—just turning and sprinting into the night, but the thought died quickly. In my wolfless state, I wouldn't make it past the gate. Vincent would catch me in seconds, and the humiliation would be worse than anything waiting inside.
The heavy doors opened just as we reached them, revealing a warm, golden-lit foyer. Four elders stood waiting...men and women draped in ceremonial robes.
"Alpha Vincent," one of the elders beamed, clasping his hands together. "We are so glad that you finally got your mate and that you've decided to take her as your bride."
Another elder, an older woman with silver hair braided down her back, stepped closer to inspect me. Her eyes softened with approval. "She's lovely," she said. "Such a fine Luna for our pack."
A chorus of pleased murmurs followed.
"Yes,she is very beautiful."
"We will soon be expecting a lot of cubs to strengthen the bloodline."
Heat crept up my neck, a mix of embarrassment and dread as I offered the best smile that l could give.
"You two definanately need an alone time. You must be tired."
The elderly woman who had just spoken about cubs said and the others nodded knowingly, exchanging looks that made my stomach drop.
Vincent led me through the expansive house, silent except for the soft echo of our footsteps on polished floors. Everything was elegant, expensive, meticulously curated. Art on the walls. Dark wood furniture. Marble everywhere.
But nothing compared to the room he brought me to.
He opened a heavy black door, and I stepped inside cautiously.
His bedroom was large and shadowed, illuminated by a few soft lamps. Dark walls, darker furniture, a king-sized bed draped in charcoal linens.
I stood just a few steps in, unsure if I should step in dipper or if I should just stand in the same position.
Then Vincent stepped in behind me and clicked the door shut.
The sound echoed through the room.
A lock sliding into place with a quiet finality that made my heart hammer as the silence stretched. It was just the two of us