SERAPHINA'S POV
I can't help shaking as I take his hand and climb onto the altar, not after what I've just witnessed with so many eyes.
I'm more nervous, even terrified, of the man standing behind us and watching us carry out his plans perfectly. A part of me is scared for what else he has in store for tonight, even with him being absent.
"Are you okay?" Artemis whispers to me, the look of worry in his eyes.
I take a deep breath.
How can I be, after everything that's just happened? I disliked Kamila and her ideologies. We fought most of the time, but once upon a time, we were somewhat friends, at least for a night.
And even with her recent betrayals, I never hated her to the point of wishing for whatever happened to happen right in front of me and everyone else like that.
It's not her fault that she was tied into a bond that was fake and grew feelings for Artemis, yet she has to pay the price for it, bearing such inevitable pain.
I find myself breathing too hard, blaming myself for it, trembling, and being scared that I'd make a mistake, and I'd be the one being dragged out next.
"Hey, hey," he calls my attention again while my mind slips further into anxiety, dissociating from my body. "Relax. Nothing's going to happen to you; I'm here."
Soft circles are drawn continuously on the back of my hand until I can focus on my breathing again, controlling the in and out flow of air from my lungs. Until I feel present again, yet the pain doesn't stop.
The guilt doesn't fade away.
"It's all my fault," I mutter low enough for only him to hear me, looking up to meet his eyes.
I should have done something, regardless of Silvan. I should have helped her.
"No, it isn't. None of this is your fault," he assures me, cupping my face in his hands like a fragile egg, staring deep into my eyes.
I look within his while he speaks about being calm and not blaming myself, yet I see the guilt and a hint of sadness.
The regret of having needed to hurt another person, yet the resolve of knowing that it was something that needed to happen.
I realize he's just like me, trying to do the best he can, unable to feel a bit of guilt when he feels like he's let someone down.
He needed to put an end to things with Kamila to be with me, and regardless of how distasteful it had to be, it has happened because he'd do anything for me.
Knowing that alone swells my heart with more emotions, wishing I could hug and kiss him right now, even with the thousands of leering eyes watching us.
"Step to the center of the altar beneath the moon's light," the priestess calls upon us, interrupting our whispering.
We approach the center of the altar, right beneath an opening in the ceiling that lets the soft glow of the moon's light seep through and fall on us.
Surrounding the small bowl of fire placed in the middle of it, I can almost feel a warm energy emanating from it while it surrounds him and me, standing on opposite sides to look at each other.
"Now, exchange your proclamations," she commands us.
I take a deep breath, feeling a tinge of excitement and nervousness washing over me, pushing aside every bit of fear from what has been witnessed to move forward.
"I, Seraphina Hawthrone, stand before the moon goddess and all who bear witness. I willingly accept the sacred bond formed between Artemis Sinclair and me. With unwavering commitment, I promise to stand by his side, immersed in love, fortified by strength, and united in purpose. Beneath the gentle gaze of the moons, we shall face whatever challenges may come, for our hearts beat as one."
He smiles too hard from hearing my words, a smile that is too contagious and makes me realize how pivotal this moment is for us.
Forced or not, it's him and I making vows to the other; Artemis and I.
A moment I never thought would be possible.
"I, Artemis Sinclair, son of Alpha King Silvan Sinclair, accept you as mine. I offer my solemn pledge before the moon goddess and those bearing witness. I willingly accept the mate bond between Seraphina Hawthrone and me. I accept the fire tying our souls together, and the blessing of the moon goddess," he says earnestly, looking into my eyes and not just reciting those words but meaning every single one of them.
I'm breathless again and lost in him as he is in me, holding his hand and wishing this moment could last forever, feeling the mystical pull in my heart drawing me to him, screaming at me that I'd never find anything as special as what we have.
To think there was ever a moment where I wanted to run away from him. I regret it now, grateful that he had been brave enough to stop me regardless of how I'd feel, knowing I would want this too.
A dagger is given to me, and I take it into my hands, stabbing at his finger and drawing out blood that he drips into the fire. He does the same before I let my blood fall into the flame that burns fiercely.
"The union is complete," she now announces to the crowd that claps all around us, celebrating the moment with us.
Artemis eagerly takes my hand, pulling me forward to face the crowd that cheers.
"I have something to say, for all of you to know now," he announces to everyone, taking me off guard.
I look at him with a raised brow, knowing the ceremony should be over with no other rites left to be done. And yet he presents me to the crowd.
"Artemis?"
"Today was initially supposed to be a wedding, one joining my previous partner, Kamila, and me. The ceremony you all were really supposed to be here celebrating until the plans changed at the last minute," he begins suddenly with a more serious expression.
The congregation grows silent almost instantly, subtly agreeing with him about the changes. I don't know what to feel, having them openly agree that I wasn't what they were hoping to witness today.
Maybe a few hours ago I would have felt hurt by the realization, but not anymore.
"My heart was never with Kamila despite finding her so early and growing up together. It's always felt incomplete, and I've found myself questioning the power of a wolf's bond for so many years, questioning myself. Guessing that perhaps I was defective; a mated wolf without an ounce of desire for his own mate," he says, squeezing my hand as if to draw confidence for what he needs to say from our intertwined hands.
Without meeting my gaze, I feel the waves of compassion and love emanating from him, unspoken words echoing through the air.
"That is until I met my true mate, Seraphina. Nothing has ever made sense before her; my world has only been so bright with her around me now. I am only able to experience what a true bond is with her by my side. And in the very few months of knowing her, she's changed my life, taken over every single aspect completely to the point that I had no choice but to surrender."
Finally locking eyes with me, he holds my gaze, leaving me momentarily speechless. A tear of joy escapes, and he wipes it away, leaning in to place a tender kiss on my forehead.
I close my eyes, savoring the warmth that envelopes my entire being as his lips touch my skin.
"In this vast world, you are my constant. You're not just my partner, Sera; you are my confidant, my inspiration, my north star. And even if fate stands in my way, I won't stop fighting until I have you forever."
"Stop it," I say amidst tears.
"I don't think I can. Not until you promise you won't ever think of leaving me again, and if you're scared of anything, we face it together."
I couldn't dare to leave him now, even if I wanted to. Even if the world was ending and the only way to stop it was letting go of his hands, I don't think I would.
"I promise."