Luca's POV
The day of the ceremony dawns bright and cold.
I barely sleep. Anxiety, anticipation, and terror war inside me. By tonight, I'll be permanently bonded. No escape. No backing out.
Forever.
"You're panicking," Rian murmurs beside me. We've been sharing a bed since I agreed—his compromise for not locking me up again. "I can feel it through the bond."
"I'm not panicking."
"Your heart is racing. You're breathing too fast. And you've been staring at the ceiling for three hours." He rolls to face me. "Talk to me."
"What if I'm making a mistake?"
"Are you?" His eyes search mine. "Do you want to back out?"
"I don't know. Maybe. Yes. No." I cover my face with my hands. "God, I'm a mess."
"You're human." He pulls my hands away gently. "And you're about to permanently bond with a werewolf who kidnapped you. Anyone would be terrified."
"You're not helping."
"Sorry." He kisses my forehead. "What can I do? Tell me how to make this easier."
"Explain what happens. Exactly. No surprises."
He nods, sitting up and pulling me with him. "Okay. The ceremony starts at midnight under the full moon. The pack will gather in a circle around us."
"The whole pack watches?"
"It's tradition. We're bonding in front of witnesses—making it official."
My stomach churns. "That's... invasive."
"We don't have sex in front of them," he says quickly. "That part is private. But the bonding bite and vows happen publicly."
"What are the vows?"
"Traditional pack vows. I claim you as my mate, my omega, my heart. You accept me as your Alpha, your protector, your partner." His thumb brushes my cheek. "You can add your own vows if you want. Make it personal."
"Then what?"
"Then the bite. I'll mark you here—" He touches the existing mark on my throat. "—deeper this time. Permanent. It'll hurt."
"How much?"
He hesitates. "A lot. The bonding bite is more intense than the claiming bite. It's meant to scar, to mark you forever as mine."
"Great," I mutter.
"But after the pain comes pleasure. The bond floods you with endorphins, euphoria. Most mates say it's the most intense high they've ever experienced."
"Most mates didn't get kidnapped first."
"True." He cups my face. "But I promise, Luca. Once we're fully bonded, you'll feel me completely. My love, my devotion, my commitment. The bond doesn't lie. You'll know exactly how I feel about you."
"What if knowing doesn't change anything?"
"Then we figure it out together." He kisses me softly. "But I don't think that'll happen. I think once you feel what I feel, you'll understand."
"Understand what?"
"That you're my everything."
Heat floods my cheeks. He says things like that so easily now. No hesitation. No shame.
"After the bite?" I prompt, changing the subject.
"After the bite, we're led to the ceremonial chamber. That's where we complete the physical bond."
"Sex."
"Making love," he corrects. "There's a difference."
"Is there?"
"With you? Yes." His eyes are intense. "I'm not just fucking you to complete a ritual. I'm claiming my mate. Worshipping you. Showing you with my body what words can't express."
I shiver at the intensity in his voice.
"You're doing that Alpha voice thing," I mutter.
"What Alpha voice thing?"
"The one that makes my knees weak and my brain stop working."
His smile is wicked. "Good to know I affect you."
"Shut up."
He laughs, pulling me close. "Nervous about the sex part?"
"A little." Honest answer. "I've never—I mean, what we did before was—"
"Foreplay," he finishes. "I know. You're a virgin."
"Don't say it like that."
"Like what? It's not a bad thing." His hand slides up my back. "If anything, it makes this more special. I'll be your first. Your only."
"Possessive much?"
"Extremely." He nips my ear. "But that's what you're signing up for. An obsessive, possessive Alpha who will spend the rest of his life making sure you're satisfied."
"Just satisfied?"
"Worshipped. Cherished. Thoroughly fucked whenever you want." His voice drops lower. "I plan to learn every inch of your body, Luca. Every spot that makes you gasp. Every touch that makes you beg. By the time I'm done with you tonight, you'll be ruined for anyone else."
"There won't be anyone else. We're bonding."
"Exactly." His smile is dark satisfaction. "Mine forever."
A knock interrupts us. Damon's voice calls through the door. "Alpha? The preparations are ready. Time to separate."
"Separate?" I ask.
"Tradition," Rian explains. "We spend the day apart. Preparation, meditation, anticipation. Makes the reunion more intense."
"More intense than what we already have?"
"You'd be surprised." He kisses me deeply. "I'll see you tonight, my almost-mate."
"Almost-mate," I repeat. "By midnight, just mate."
"Forever mate." He stands, moving toward the door. "Oh, and Luca?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't run. Please."
The vulnerability in his voice stops my automatic sarcastic response.
"I won't run," I promise quietly.
Relief floods his expression. Then he's gone.
I'm alone with my thoughts and impending permanent bonding.
God help me, I'm actually doing this.