CHAPTER SIX

She wasn't ready for this yet, not now, not in the situation she found herself in. The air was thick with the scent of sawdust and Myrrh, the fragrance wafting up to her nostrils and making her feel lightheaded.

As she breathed in deeply, the aroma transported her to a place of unease. Her mind was reeling with thoughts, her heart pounding in her chest. How could this be? She thought to herself, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for an escape.

She had been given a mate by the goddess. Although she had wanted a mate, she insisted that it was the wrong time. Who would accept a poor Omega like her as a mate? The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

Her eyes slowly rose to meet the gaze of her mate. Andrea's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of Klaus. She felt as though she had been punched in the gut, her lungs refusing to expand.

Klaus's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he took in Andrea's appearance. His face was a mask of shock, his eyes wide with disgust. This is not really happening, he thought to himself. How can this lowlife be mated to me?

The room seemed to fade away, leaving only Andrea and Klaus. The air was thick with tension, the silence between them palpable. Andrea's heart was racing, her mind screaming in protest.

Klaus's face slowly transformed, a smile spreading across his face. But it wasn't a smile of joy or happiness. It was a smile of mockery, of disdain. "Seems you are happy that you have been mated to me, huh?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Andrea's face remained impassive, her expression a mask of calmness. But inside, she was seething. How dare he? How dare he pretend to be interested in her when she knew he couldn't care less?

Klaus's eyes ran through her from head to toe, his gaze lingering on her curves. "You will welcome me wholeheartedly, right?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Andrea's eyes met Klaus's, her gaze steady and calm. But inside, she was trembling with fear. She knew that Klaus's words were laced with venom, and that he would stop at nothing to make her life miserable.

Luna's voice cut through the silence, her words a stark contrast to the tension in the room. "Son, what are your takes on this?" she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Klaus's smile grew wider as he turned to his mother. He whispered something in her ear, his words inaudible to Andrea. But she could see Luna's face transform, a satisfying look spreading across her features.

Andrea's mind was racing with questions. What had Klaus told his mother? What did he have planned for her?

The Alpha's voice cut through the silence, his words dripping with sarcasm. "Well, we will celebrate this great feast of my son being given a mate. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time."

The room erupted into murmurs, the crowd buzzing with excitement. But Andrea's heart was heavy with dread. She knew that Klaus would never accept her, that he would reject her outright.

And yet, she waited. She waited for Klaus's decision, her heart pounding in her chest. She preferred to be thrown to the mine than to be mated to Klaus. Maybe the gods hated her so much for trying to mate her with a monster.

As she stood there, waiting for Klaus's decision, Andrea couldn't help but wonder. Are all these not enough? Hasn't she suffered enough in his hands?

***

May's hands moved with precision as she applied her mascara, her eyes locked on her reflection in the mirror. 

A smile spread across her face, her lips curving upward as she thought about the ritual ceremony.

She believed, with every fiber of her being, that she would be mated to Klaus, her beloved. 

The thought sent a thrill through her, and she swayed her hips gently as she dropped the mascara into her makeup bag.

May's fingers closed around the eyeliner, her hands moving with a quiet confidence as she began to apply it. She hummed a soft tune, her voice barely audible, as she worked.

Memories flooded her mind, memories of her and Klaus's shared moments. She recalled the way he smiled at her, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. 

Everyone envied their relationship, and May knew she was the obvious choice to be Klaus's mate, the future Luna.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't wait to be bound to Klaus, to stand by his side as his partner. 

May's excitement was palpable, her hands moving with a renewed sense of purpose as she finished her makeup.

She stood up, smoothing out her dress, the silk fabric rustling softly. May had chosen her best dress, washing and ironing it with care, wanting to look perfect for Klaus.

As she turned to leave, her sister Lila knocked on the door, her voice a gentle tease. "Hello, sister. Ain't you done dressing up?" May turned, a smile still playing on her lips.

"The ritual ceremony has started," Lila reminded her, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't keep Klaus waiting." She winked, her eyelid fluttering closed for a moment.

May's confidence soared as she asked, "How do I look?" She fanned herself with her hand, her eyes locked on her sister's, seeking reassurance.

Lila's gaze swept over May, taking in her sister's elegant dress and perfectly coiffed hair. 

A slow smile spread across her face. "You look stunning, May," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "Klaus won't know what hit him."

May's smile grew wider, her heart racing with excitement. She turned slowly, giving her sister a full view of her outfit. 

The silk fabric rustled softly as she moved, the sound echoing through the room.

Mrs. Linda's hesitant voice echoed through the hall. "May, where have you been?" Her breathing was labored, and her heartbeat almost audible.

Her two girls, May and Lila, exchanged puzzled glances, their faces screwed up in concern.

"I've been in my room, taking my time to dress up," May replied calmly, smoothing out her clothes.

Linda's gaze darted from Lila to May, her eyes narrowing slightly. She shook her head, a mixture of disappointment and frustration etched on her face.

"Is everything okay, Mom?" May asked, noticing the discomfort on her mother's face.

Linda's voice rose, her words tumbling out in a rush. "You were supposed to be at the ritual ceremony by now. Klaus is waiting for you. I've been searching everywhere for you."

May's eyes widened, her voice defensive. "I know Klaus is supposed to be mated to me. But I couldn't possibly go there looking like this. I needed to get dressed."

Lila intervened, her voice soothing. "Instead of arguing, why don't we just get going?"

Linda's sarcasm dripped like honey. "Oh, yes, by all means, go ahead. You'll see what's been going on while you were busy primping."

As Linda turned to head back to her room, Lila asked, "Aren't you coming with us, Mom?"

Linda's reply was laced with bitterness. "No, I've had enough embarrassment for one day. You two go ahead."

May's eyes met Lila's, both of them wondering what their mother meant. May's voice trembled slightly. "Do you think something's happened to Klaus? Maybe he's...maybe he's been mated to someone else?"

Lila's reassuring pat on May's back was meant to calm her down. "Don't worry, May. Klaus is meant for you. Let's just get going."

As they walked through the hallway, Fred approached them with hesitant steps. "How are you both doing?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

May and Lila exchanged a brief glance before responding in unison, "We're good."

Fred's eyes darted between the two sisters, his expression faltering for a moment. May's curiosity was piqued. "Is there a problem?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

Fred's gaze lingered on Lila before he asked, "Please, can you excuse us?" His tone was polite, but his eyes betrayed a sense of urgency.

Lila's confusion was evident as she stepped away, her eyes fixed on Fred's retreating back. She wondered what Fred could possibly want to discuss with May in private.

As soon as Lila was out of earshot, May turned to Fred, her eyes narrowing slightly. "So, what is it?" she asked, her voice low and even.

Fred's eyes locked onto hers, his pupils dilating slightly. "You...you've been mated to me," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

May's eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. She felt as though she'd been punched in the gut. A life without Klaus was unthinkable. 

She had always dreamed of being the next Luna, of basking in the attention and adoration that came with it.

Her gaze swept over Fred, taking in his awkward stance and nervous expression. "And you're happy about it, right?" she asked, her tone husky with sarcasm. "I'll reject you right away. We don't have a future together."

Fred's eyes dropped, his face flushing with embarrassment. "But—" he began, only to be interrupted by Lila's impatient voice.

"Can we please keep going?" Lila called out, her eyes fixed on May and Fred.

May's gaze lingered on Fred for a moment before she pushed past him, her long strides eating up the distance. 

Lila fell into step beside her, the two sisters making their way towards the crowded room.

As they approached, May's eyes narrowed, her gaze drawn to the center of the room. Her mouth dropped open in shock, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before her.

She turned to Lila, her voice barely above a whisper. "What's happening here?"

Klaus's voice resonated through the room, his words deliberate and clear. "I'm ready to take a decision as regards my being bonded with my mate. The priest should come forward."

May's eyes widened, her gaze fixed on Klaus as if transfixed. Her face contorted in a mix of anguish and desperation. 

She couldn't bear the thought of watching her sister, Andrea, bond with the man she loved. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms.

Andrea, standing opposite Klaus, swayed slightly, her legs trembling beneath her. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for a glimmer of hope. Her face was pale, her lips pressed together in a thin line.

As Andrea's gaze met May's, a spark of tension flashed between them. May's eyes blazed with anger and resentment. 

Andrea's eyes reflected a deep-seated fear. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken emotions.

Fabian, the priest of the Redwood pack, stepped forward, his eyes locked on Klaus. "Do you really want me to make the pronouncements now?" he asked, his voice measured and deliberate.

Klaus nodded, his jaw set. "Yes, go ahead."

Fabian's eyes swept the room before focusing on Klaus once more. "Do you accept Andrea as your mate, bonding eternally with her, or do you choose to reject her, thereby destroying the bond that joins you both?" The priest's words hung in the air, heavy with anticipation.

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Klaus, awaiting his response. May took a step forward, her eyes locking onto Klaus', her heart pounding in her chest. The air seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Klaus's decision.