The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Isabella

It seems like Arden was avoiding me because I didn’t see him the whole week leading up to the wedding. He stopped having his meals in the dining hall with the family and rarely comes out or maybe not even in the pack house.

Though a part of me felt happy while the other part of me, especially my wolf Sia wanted to perceive his scent and also be close to his mate.

And I have also become quite close with Lance and Violet more like they were my best friends. And sometimes Violet spends her free time gisting and staying with me. And Lance on the other hand was more of a brother. He always makes sure to share all the pack information with me.

I sighed, it was the day of the new moon, today was the supposed ceremony that would be held in my honor. My mind was busy thinking about all the horrible options for this marriage. I couldn’t stop my anxiety from kicking in. I was so nauseated by my fear and worries that I could throw up at any minute. If I kept overwhelming myself with those thoughts, I was going to cry for sure. I couldn’t allow that to happen, I had to be strong for myself after all today was supposed to be my big day, my wedding.

Sighs… I could hear the loud noise of chattering from outside the castle. I guess everybody is getting ready for the ceremony, I closed my eyes, huffing again when the door pulled open and….

The Queen entered my room with a group of maids and instructed them to cleanse me in the moonlight lake. The maids did not wait for another order and all of them rushed toward me and gently nudged me out of the room and took me to God knows where. I kept my cool and followed them like an obedient lamb as we reached the end of the hallway, there was an entrance I hadn’t noticed and they opened the old-looking door and we climbed down the staircase.

We got to an old part of the pack. The surroundings looked old and scary and the air was somehow cold, breezy, and calm. There were burning torches that hung on the wall and their light was kind of dim and they did much to brighten the path.

After walking for a while, we got to an open space that looked more like an ancient deserted place. And there was this creepy feeling about this place but I kept following them despite feeling anxious about the whole thing.

We stopped in front of a lake that looked more like an inland basin and the sides of it were decorated with wild colorful flowers and the most beautiful part of it was the moon’s reflection inside the water. The way the moon’s reflection shone in the water was making a long trail of shimmering light on the lake’s surface. I can’t help but marvel at the beautiful sight before me. Still, lost in my thoughts I didn’t notice that there was an ancient hut.

I snapped out of my thoughts when one of the maids tapped my hand indicating for me to come closer and strip naked. I stared at the maids in utter confusion.

“What’s going on,” I asked

“My lady, you’re expected to bathe inside the lake on the day of the full moon as the next Luna of the pack. And we the maids are to personally scrub your body and anoint your feet. It’s an ancient practice that every Luna has to partake in to be able to receive the blessings of the Moon Goddess.” One of the maids explained

I was stunned but I have no other option than to do what I just heard. I started removing my clothes and noticed one of the maids went inside the old hut and bought a basket with containers filled with herbs, menorah, incense, and scented oil.

I removed all my clothes and stood there fully naked standing close to the lake. I watched the maids decorate the four intersections of the lake with a menorah and incense and they sprinkled some herbs inside the lake and gestured for me to step inside the lake.

I shuddered as I stepped inside the lake but to my surprise, the lake was warm, and it was sizzling as if it was hot. And the maids came and started cleaning, washing, and scrubbing my body. When they finished they started cleansing my body with different kinds of herbs and oil.

I felt like a lamb being skinned and drenched in oil and herbs.

I stepped out of the lake and I was covered with a red robe that was tufted with a moon symbol and a white turban twist towel was used to wrap my hair. We walked back to my room and I noticed that the Queen was sitting in my room with some people giving orders and it was quite obvious that she was thrilled with her new role of being a wedding planner and mother-in-law.

I sat down on the stool that was already placed there for me and the manicurist, and makeup artist started working on me while a hair stylist and florist started working on my hair, stretching, curling, and weaving tiny orchid and lotus flowers were fixed into a tiara around the top of my head. I looked into the mirror, unable to recognize my sudden transformation. The makeup artist was quite good and the result was exquisite and glamorous. I looked beautiful, very beautiful.

” Ohh! My Lady, you looked absolutely gorgeous.” Violet showered me with praise and came to hug me and I returned the gesture.

” Bella my dear, you’re the most beautiful bride I have seen. Your beauty is captivating and I’m glad you’re part of the family.” Queen Selena said and came in my direction and kissed me on the cheek.

Her words and actions made me feel some kind of warmth inside my heart and I felt tears threatening to fall and close my eyes and took a deep breath to avoid losing control and messing up my makeup.

“It’s time dear. Are you ready?” Queen Selena asked

No.. No. I would never be ready. Though I didn’t say it out loud it was all in my head.

I pushed back my shoulders and raised my chin and did my best to look confident and self-assured.

“I’m ready.”