The Unkowns

Mating Ceremony

-Chapter 4-

My eyes fluttered open to find two women Unknowns peering down at me. I immediately went into defense mode and leaped up to a crouched position.

"What are you doing, silly girl? Get yourself down from the bed!" One of the women Unknowns demanded hoarsely.

She was old; much older than the elders at Thorn. Deep wrinkles were etched into her skin, and her scraggly grey hair hung down to her ankles. The woman beside her must have been no less than twenty, with flowing blonde hair to her waist and delicate features. Both wore lavish gowns made of rich fabrics, yet their feet were bare. I was shocked to find that their golden eyes glowed as if a lantern burned inside them. The Unknowns were quite strange.

I looked down to see myself crouched onto an elegant bed with sheets of silk. Never before had I ever experienced such finery, and there I was standing on beautiful fabric like a fool. My face burned as I quickly swung myself onto the floor.

"My name is Katia and this is Faun" the older woman croaked, gesturing towards the blonde Unknown beside her.

"We are to prepare you for the mating ceremony. What is your name, child?" Katia asked, reaching out a bony hand to finger one of my fiery curls.

"I am not a child" I told her stubbornly, stepping out of her reach.

"Feisty, I see. You will make a wonderful mate to a powerful male. He will have his hands full, though" Katia chuckled and eventually Faun joined in.

Internally, I joined them. They believed I was here to find a mate? Neither of them had the slightest idea of my true intentions.

Seeing as Cedric reacted horribly to my questioning about Sasha, I decided to close my mouth and and keep my eyes open. Over time I shall find the whereabouts of my sister.

"Let us begin" Faun sweetly spoke and stripped off my hunting outfit. She then led me through an old oak door into the bathing room.

Nakedness was common in Thorn, especially during the summer season, so I felt no uncomfortableness baring myself. Baths, on the other hand, were extremely rare and occurred merely twice a year. I had only bathed the nights before yearly festivals, and had never experienced the luxury of bathing indoors.

Katia had filled the bath with steaming hot water while I undressed, so I carefully stepped into the shining marble tub.

I could not help but cry out in bliss as the heat from the water flowed through my body, filling me with warmth. Katia and Faun offered to assist me, but I refused. I was perfectly capable of washing myself.

After my bath they forced me into an emerald satin gown with fabric so long that it trailed behind me. Katia twisted my wild mane into a fancy knot while Faun applied a strange sort of powder to my face. The experience was not pleasant, but when they presented me with a mirror I could not help but admire the fierceness that radiated from my body.

"Ready, miss?" Faun asked timidly, holding out her hand.

I put the mirror down and turned to face her.

"Ara." I stated proudly, raising my chin up in the air.

"Excuse me, miss?" She asked.

"My name is Ara."

Kati's turned to Faun. Their eyes met and they nodded to each other, smiling knowingly. I stared at them in comfusion.

"We must depart for the Mating Ceremony immediately, Ara," Katia croaked and pulled open another oak door that lead to the hallway.

My mind raced as I slowly strode down the narrow hallway. I had not planned far enough ahead to know how to find Sasha, I had just assumed I would see her when I arrived. If she was not a guest at the ceremony then all hope would be lost.

We reached the end of the hall to find an enormous ballroom filled with Unknowns. Dresses of all shapes and sizes, colors and designs, patterns and prints adorned the women. The men simply wore long tunics and tights black as midnight. All attendants were oddly shortened of shoes, waltzing around with bare toes.

"Have your people ever set eyes on footwear?" I asked Faun incredulously.

She burst into uncharacteristic snorts of laughter.

"Allow dearest Faun to compose herself for one moment." Katia glared at Faun and continued.

"We find no use in shoes since they are so frequently destroyed by the shifts."

"Shifts?" I asked.

"Transformations into our wolves," she explained and I nervously nodded. Although I had ridden on a wolf's back, I had not yet grown accustomed to the knowledge of weres.

I waited until Katia and Faun occupied themselves, then frantically scanned the room for Sasha.

There was no sign of her gentle demeanor or her swaying honey locks.

I mentally cursed, but told myself that hope was not lost. There were too many Unknowns in the room to judge whether or not she was here with only one glance. I must keep looking.

Pardoning myself through the throng of dancers, I searched for any signal of Sasha's presence. Her petite body, her sweet laughter, or even the mentioning of her name.

No luck was to be found.

I cursed under my breath.

What am I to do now?

Wandering aimlessly through the crowd, I sadly plotted my escape route.

My plan had failed. Everything I had worked for was for nothing.

I would never be able to see my beautiful sister's face again.

"Quite the lovely locks," a smooth voice taunted.

I did not even bother to respond. My eyes were set on the back door to the ballroom, the route that I must take if I am to escape this wretched place.

A warm hand wrapped around my waist, and I jumped to dismantle myself from its grasp.

"Do not touch me," I snapped, then gasped when I looked up.

Before my eyes was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Luscious midnight locks adorned his head. Piercing green eyes gazed into my own. Full, pink lips curled into a dazzling smile. My immediate reaction was to touch him, to feel his soft bronze skin, but I somehow managed to refrain.

"Mine," he growled at me, clutching me to his body as if I was a possession. At that moment I knew my escape was futile.