A Nightmarish Reality

Chapter 3: A Nightmarish Reality

Thea's POV

I took a deep breath and made my way to Feliz's room, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves. Aunt Terra had prepared me for this moment, explaining the importance of the mating ritual and the marking that would seal our bond. She had told me it was a sacred tradition, a way to solidify our union and strengthen our pack ties.

Aunt Terra had dressed me in a beautiful, flowing white gown, intricately embroidered with delicate silver threads. The gown was made of a soft, silky material that felt like a gentle caress against my skin, and it fell in loose folds to the floor, rustling softly as I moved. The sleeves were long and flowing, with tiny bells sewn into the cuffs that tinkled softly as I gestured. Around my neck, Aunt Terra had fastened a delicate silver collar, adorned with a small crystal that pulsed with a soft, gentle light.

My hair was braided with silver threads, and my feet were bare, but Aunt Terra had painted my toenails with a delicate silver paint that matched the embroidery on my gown. I felt like a queen.

I knocked on the door, my heart pounding in my chest. The silence that followed was deafening. I waited for what felt like an eternity, my hand hovering over the door handle. No response. I knocked again, a little louder this time. Still nothing.

Just as I was about to turn away, I heard a faint growl from the other side of the door. "Enter," Feliz's voice was curt, devoid of any warmth.

I pushed open the door, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves. And that's when I saw him, sitting on his bed, his eyes fixed on me with a cold, harsh gaze. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, filled with a mixture of disdain and disgust. "What do you want, Thea?" he spat, his voice laced with venom.

I tried to stand tall, despite the hurt and rejection I felt. "I've come for the mating ritual, Feliz. Aunt Terra said it's time for us to complete the bond." I tried to sound confident, but my voice trembled slightly.

Feliz snorted, his eyes mocking me. "You think I want to mate with you? You're nothing but a weak, pathetic omega. I'd rather mate with Naomi than with you." He sneered, his lips curling up in distaste.

His words cut deep, and I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as tears pricked at the corners. I had hoped that our mating would be a chance for us to start anew, but now I realized that Feliz had no intention of ever accepting me.

I tried to speak, to plead with him to reconsider, but my voice caught in my throat. I felt a lump form, and I struggled to swallow it down.

But as I turned to go, Feliz's words stopped me. "No, wait. I'll mark you, but not because I want to. Because it's my duty as your mate. But know this, Thea: I'll never love you. You're nothing but a burden to me."

He stood up, his eyes cold and hard, and approached me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he reached out and grasped my arm, his grip like a vice. He pulled me closer, his breath hot on my neck, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me.

"This is just a formality," he whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "You'll never be my true mate. Naomi will always be the one I desire."

And then he kissed me. His lips were rough and tasted like ash. A shiver ran down my spine as the heat of him seeped through my clothes and warmed my skin. I felt his arms around me, pulling me tighter against him. My legs trembled beneath me at the contact between us. I pushed him, and when he let go, I stumbled back, my eyes brimming with tears. The sudden rush of emotions was overwhelming, and I couldn't meet his gaze. I felt vulnerable and exposed, like he had stripped me bare with just one kiss.

My hands shook as I tried to smooth out my dress, trying to cover myself up and regain some semblance of dignity.

The silence between us was heavy with tension, and I could feel his eyes on me, boring into my skin like a cold, hard weight.

"Why did you push me?" he asked again, his voice laced with disappointment and a hint of anger. But I couldn't speak, couldn't find the words to explain the turmoil that was brewing inside me. I just shook my head, my eyes fixed on the floor, and tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.

My eyes widened in horror as the realization dawned on me. Marking me, the sacred bond between mates, wasn't a beautiful, intimate moment like Aunt Terra had described. It was... this.

This harsh, brutal act that Feliz seemed to regard as a mere formality. I felt a wave of shame and embarrassment wash over me, and my mind raced to comprehend the enormity of my mistake.

Feliz's eyes narrowed, and he asked the question that made my heart sink: "Are you a virgin, Thea?"

I couldn't bear to answer, couldn't bear to admit my innocence to this wolf who seemed to care so little for my feelings. My face burning with shame, I turned and ran from the room, fleeing the humiliation and the horror of what was expected of me.

I ran to Aunt Terra's chambers, my heart racing with fear and shame.

"Thea, what's wrong?" Aunt Terra asked, concern etched on her face.

I couldn't speak, couldn't form the words to describe the horror I had faced. I just shook my head, tears streaming down my face.

Aunt Terra's arms enveloped me in a warm embrace. "Oh, Thea, I'm so sorry. I should have prepared you better. I should have told you the truth..."

I pulled back, looking at her through tear-filled eyes. "What truth, Aunt Terra? What truth did you keep from me?"

Aunt Terra's face was somber. "The truth about the mating ritual, Thea. It's not just a sacred bond... it's a physical bond too."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized what she meant. Feliz expected me to give him my virginity, to complete the mating ritual. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me at the thought.

Aunt Terra's eyes filled with sadness. "I know, Thea. I know it's a lot to take in. But you must understand, it's a tradition that has been passed down for generations..."

I didn't hear the rest of her words, my mind stuck on the thought that I would have to give Feliz my virginity, a man who doesn't accept me as his mate and Luna. Even though we are married, the thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I knew that I would never be able to look at him the same way again.

As I left Aunt Terra's chambers, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was walking into a nightmare, one that I might never wake up from. The thought lingered at the back of my mind, haunting me like a ghost: I would have to give Feliz my virginity.