23| Cheery Goodbyes and Unveiled Lies

His icy eyes darkened at the sight of me and Rafayel laughing. He immediately said something to Alpha Enya and started walking in our direction. Claire panicked and looked at me.

"Did he hear us? I heard that Lycans have very sensitive hearing?" She whispered. Rafayel started laughing harder at this. I barely stifled my laughter.

"He probably didn't, considering the noise in the hall. Don't worry," I said, amused.

"Hear what?" A quiet, sexy male voice sounded in my ear. I jumped.

'When did this guy get near me?'

"Alpha Zak, we were just talking about your 'handsome' features. Nothing else," I said smoothly. Rafayel finally stopped laughing. Rylan looked like he was about to faint. I turned my head and looked up at Zak. His blue eyes met mine in a questioning gaze.

"So granite means handsome?" He asked, amused.

'Oops.' Claire looked like she was about to burst into tears again.

"I rarely punish straw haired omegas. Don't worry," Zak reassured her 'kindly'. I flicked his hand.

"Don't tease her," I scolded him.

Claire looked like she had finally caught up with the conversation and looked at us.

"Straw haired who m-" her voice was cut off by Rylan, who put his hand on her mouth to shut her up.

"How about you introduce me to your friend now? I have been waiting quietly for a while," Rylan said to Claire kindly. She melted at his words and nodded.

"Ash, this is Rylan, the guy I'm gonna be mated to. Rylan, this is Ash, my best friend," Claire introduced us to each other. Rylan gave me a friendly smile.

"Greetings to the Lord of the North and his Chosen Luna," He said formally. He nudged Claire when she didn't say anything.

"Greetings to the Lord of the North," she mumbled after being poked by Rylan twice.

Zak nodded curtly at their greetings.

"I see that your friends are just like you," Zak said dryly. Rafayel shook his head in disagreement.

"I say that she's more like me, Zak. How does it feel to be mated to your best friend's female version?" Rafayel teased. Zak looked at him in disgust, moving closer to me. He ignored him and turned to me.

"We can start the ceremony and set off to Eternal Frost right away. I made all the arrangements with Alpha Enya. Say your goodbyes now. You can meet them later in the pack if you want."

I nodded. As Zak was the most powerful Lycan in this place, he would have to start the ceremony, but I didn't expect we would be leaving right after. Claire hugged me.

"I'll come visit you there. Congratulations on finding your true mate. I heard the rumors but didn't think the lucky person was you, Ash! Tell me if he troubles you though, I'll help you sneak away," she whispered in my ear.

Zak let out a scoff.

Claire glared at him.

'Why do I get the feeling my best friend and mate don't seem to like each other very much?'

She let go of me and turned to Zak.

"I hope you take good care of my best friend."

"I will treat my mate very well," He affirmed.

They both shook hands begrudgingly before Rylan dragged her away. I waved her goodbye till she was out of sight.

"What a riotous lot," Rafayel laughed, shaking his head at us.

"Why are you still here? I only told you to take care of her when I'm not around. Get out," Zak said to Rafayel, noticing his presence again.

"Fine, I'm going," Rafayel rolled his eyes. He cheerfully waved me goodbye and walked away, leaving only me and Zak behind.

I looked at Zak awkwardly.

"You don't need to assign someone to look after me every time you need to go somewhere. I won't try to escape," I said. 'At least not now.'

"It's for your safety, not because I'm worried you will escape. We need to go now. It's time. Don't fret too much," He said softly.

"Okay." I let myself be led by him to the centre of the ballroom, where Alpha Enya was standing with a priest wearing the robes of the Temple of Cerne. The robes symbolising our goddess were dark as the night, with silver lining and gold embroidered symbols of the moon and stars.

A loud horn bellowed, signalling the start of the ceremony. Everyone in the ballroom became silent in an instant. We both took our places on either sides of the priest. In front of us was a table in which two decorated knives and an ornate bowl was placed.

"Today, we stand here to witness the blood oath of true soulmates, blessed by the Goddess Cerne," the priest announced loudly. He handed us both the beautiful-looking knives.

"Do you both consent to take this blood oath and form a pact with each other for all eternity?"

"I do," Zak said determinedly. I gulped.

'Ah, for all eternity? Did this guy change the vows?'

I glared at Zak, he just smirked at me.

"I do," I said begrudgingly.

"Since it is your intention to enter the holy covenant, let your bloods mingle on this sacred day, prove your consent before the Goddess Cerne and her temple."

Zak made a long cut on his palm and silver blood dripped down his hand into the ceremonial bowl. The cut healed in an instant. I did the same and made a long gash on my palm and blood flowed out.

Only, my blood today wasn't red like normal wolf shifters.

It was silver, like that of a Lycan.