Immense Passion

Chapter 7 - Tradition

Word Count: 2312

Naveya's POV

I woke up to the harsh white light of our hospitals rooms. A rhythmic beating in the background of my heart from a machine was the only sound that could be heard. Other than Alpha Damien and a pack medic talking outside my room. 

I listened closely to what they were saying, but no words could be clear. Only their tone. Alpha Damien sounded frustrated, upset. The medic sounded worried. 

I wanted to know what they were talking about, but I didn't want them to know I was awake. Before the door could open, I closed my eyes and pretended I was asleep.

"She will be fine, Alpha, but I still recommend putting off the ceremony."

"But if her virtue is in tact then we don't need to wait. I am ready to complete tradition."

Wait... my virtue? He had the medic check my virtue? I was starting to feel enraged. 

"I just recommend letting her rest. Finishing the mating process will be have a large impact on her body. Besides, you should give her some time to process what's happening and what this all now means. I would want time if I were her."

Alpha Damien let out a low rumble from his chest. 

A few moments of silence followed after his warning and expressed frustration. 

"Leave us," is all he said. 

I could hear the medic walk out of the room. Poor girl, she was just trying to help me. 

I kept my eyes closed, trying my best to seem still. My heart rate stayed calm until I felt his fingers graze along my arm. The beeping noise started to quicken just before he retreated his hand. I decided I wanted to confront him. 

Peaking my eyes open slowly I saw him. His eyes. Beautiful pools of hazel with specks of gold. A look of care and authority. He was concerned for me, and that alone made my heart race even more. We continued to look towards one another, taking the other in. It was romantic. Until he spoke.

"Naveya, there's something I need to discuss with you."

I nodded my head slowly. 

"Since you completed the Luna's Challenge, you'll start the finalization. Our pack follows the Ancient One's traditions. Soon, you will be branded in front of the pack with the Luna's mark."

I knew that, that was a tradition that a majority of packs still followed. 

"But, there is one other ceremony that will be completed." His voice dropped an octave, stepping carefully with his words. 

My throat felt dry, but I still wanted to speak, "What is it?"

"The mating ceremony."

My eyes widened. My mother explained to me what this was. We learned about this in history. When the Ancient One's would be blessed with a new Alpha and Luna, they would uphold the mating ceremony to ensure the pack would receive a male heir to the throne. All high ranking wolves including the elders would watch as the Alpha mated with his Luna in front of everyone during her first heat. It was tradition. In the world of regular humans, kings and queens would do this, too. To ensure there would be an heir to their throne. 

This mortified me. "You want to mate me in front of everyone? I can't do that, I refuse!"

My words triggered something within him. He slammed his fist on the bed, next to my hips and looked at me with quick rage.