Chapitre 108: Chapter 108: Public Submission
Ravyn POV
Bond with him in public now, when they'd made such plans to do it in Silverpaw territory and talked about it? She didn't even know the first thing about shifter bonding ceremonies, but based on every other ritual in shifter society, they had to be highly sacred.
She remained kneeling where she was. Her, Ravyn Rolfe Faolan. In front of elves and witches and members of the Lugdunum Royal Court.
Dane pulled Jude aside and spoke to him in urgent whispers. Garnet and Jiro also clustered around him, and Bram and Mali. From the intensity of his churning emotions, they gave him an earful. She heard the words "tradition," "proper preparation," and "can't believe you did this." Azandra was beside herself.
Tulaska, Roslynn, and Eirika just stood back, watching thoughtfully. Why?
Lilia knelt by her, murmuring, "Dane talked about these old traditions."
"I heard about them," Ravyn muttered. "I thought the shifters got rid of some of them because they were considered too outdated. Especially in this ever changing world."
Lilia shook her head. "A wolf is a wolf is a wolf," she said softly. "And maybe bringing back some of the old traditions can balance this fast-moving world. There are HUMANS here, Mother. That's enough change for a lifetime. I know Jude could have given you some warning–"
"When we're alone, we're going to have words."
A smile flickered across Lilia's face. "But he's an Alpha. This is what you signed up for."
"Would you do this if it were Dane?"
Lilia sighed. "I'm the Luna here, so yes. His word is law. But we'd have words, too, about communication and the right way to do things. I'd understand, though. Especially after the ugliness we just witnessed with those shifters."
Ravyn felt like vomiting at the thought.
Jude wanted to make a point to everyone, like a true Alpha. He wanted to send a clear message.
She couldn't say no. To do so would humiliate Jude. As an Alpha. In front of members of his pack, and with Dane and Lilia watching. With all of Evenhide as an audience. And it would only stoke more hatred and prejudice.
"Mother." Lilia's voice was gentle. "I bowed down and sniffed Jude's behind when we met, in front of everyone. I let him sniff me. I'm not even mated to him. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is to surrender."
The huddle between Jude and the others broke up, and Jude strode toward her. Dane's face was full of acceptance. Jiro and the others gave Ravyn small smiles, although Azandra still turned away from Jude in a huff.
Returning to Ravyn, Jude took her hands in his. His deep brown eyes looked down into her violet ones. "Will you accept me? Will you be my mate, my Luna?"
* * * * *
Lilia POV
"The strongest thing you can do is to surrender."
She'd learned that lesson when Dane refused to let her go with him to attack the Crimsontails. Who would have thought she'd be the one to teach her own mother that?
Ravyn knelt on the soft grass in front of the fire, the orange and red glow bathing her in a radiance like a goddess. Looking up at Jude, she trembled. Imagine, Ravyn Rolfe, defeater of Hades, Pack Mother, witch from an ancient family of mages, and a royal pain to the witch circle at times, trembling.
Maybe, in the rush and confusion of the events, in Jude's haste to bond her after dragging his paws and the need to seal their mating, something got lost. Even Jiro and Garnet, who both had learned to embrace the trappings of royal ceremonies and rituals, bonded privately in the Cresta dining room. They didn't even bond in front of the Crimsontails when they arrived home as Alpha and Luna and a newly mated pair. Strange, considering Jiro and Garnet went out of their way to reassure the Crimsontails and, in Jiro's case, be the embarrassed center of attention.
Ravyn looked up at Jude, and Lilia caught her whispered words. "What do I do?"
After getting an earful from the family, Jude stood before Ravyn and said, "You'll need to recite these words. 'From this moment on, I pledge my love, my life, and my soul to you. I promise to be your partner, your protector, your Luna, and your friend, for the rest of our lives. I will submit to you as the submissive partner. I take you as my mate, to love, honor, and cherish, until the end of time and beyond.' And then you say, 'With this vow, I submit to you as my dominant partner, forever and always.'"
Lilia approached, cautious. Bonding ceremonies were so sacred that the words weren't written down. Jude must have talked to the wise women about it.
Ravyn breathed deeply. "Who performs this ceremony?"
"Normally, an Alpha for any couple in the pack, but for us, it would be our wise woman." Jude grinned. "And we have three. Unless you want Dane to do it?"
Overhearing, Dane said, "It would be my honor, but the Wise Women would put me to shame. Stick with them."
Ravyn swallowed, looking nervous. "Alright. Let's do it."
Tulaska, Roslynn, and Eirika strolled towards them, three graceful and powerful females. They stood before Ravyn and Jude. Eirika intoned, "You've come before us and before the Moon Goddess to bond as mates."
Tulaska raised her medicine rattle. "Since the first mated pair bonded, this has been our people's way. It's a joining of souls, of fates, of lives. From now on, your lives are one."
Roslynn smiled, spreading her hands. "Since the first full moon, Lunas have submitted to their Alphas in all things. This doesn't mean that the Luna is a slave, or a possession. It simply means that the Alpha will protect, care for, guide, provide for, and love the Luna. In return, the Luna will care for, respect, honor, love, and give everything to the Alpha. This submission is a sacred bond that's never to be taken lightly, or abused."
Eirika's face was serene. "Indeed, it takes a strong individual to submit to someone, to place yourself in your mate's hands. To belong to your mate completely, body and soul. Ravyn Rolfe, Jude Faolan, is it your intention to be bonded today before this gathering and the Moon Goddess?"
Ravyn and Jude answered as one. "Yes."
Lilia held her breath, and the entire gathering did. Dane's hand slipped into Lilia's.
* * * * *
Jude POV
His ears rang with the scolding he'd earned by springing this public bonding on Ravyn. His family wasn't wrong to take him to task. However, after he explained his reasoning, all of them could see the wisdom in his madness.
Besides, Ravyn looked beautiful, kneeling and trusting him, her eyes never leaving his face.
"Ravyn," Tulaska said in a mild voice. "Recite the words that will bind you to Jude for eternity."
Gazing at him, Ravyn gripped his hands in her warm ones and said in her sweet voice, "From this moment on, I pledge my love, my life, and my soul to you. I promise to be your partner, your Luna, your protector, and your friend, for the rest of our lives. I will submit to you as the submissive partner. I take you as my mate, to love, honor, and cherish, until the end of time and beyond."
Those words unlocked something primal and powerful within Jude. The scents around him seemed sharper, the sounds like a night symphony, and the energy more alive. He lost himself in Ravyn's amethyst eyes. She added, her voice quivering. "With this vow, I submit to you as my dominant partner, forever and always."
With a growl, Jude said, "I accept your submission. From this moment on, I pledge my love, my life, and my soul to you. I promise to be your partner, your protector, your Alpha, and your friend, for the rest of our lives. I will rule you with kindness, fairness, and love as the dominant partner. I take you as my mate, to love, honor, and cherish, until the end of time and beyond."
His voice thick and his heart so full it might burst, he added, "With this vow, I rule you as my submissive partner, forever and always."
Jude POV
His ears rang with the scolding he'd earned by springing this public bonding on Ravyn. His family wasn't wrong to take him to task. However, after he explained his reasoning, all of them could see the wisdom in his madness.
Besides, Ravyn looked beautiful, kneeling and trusting him, her eyes never leaving his face.
"Ravyn," Tulaska said in a mild voice. "Recite the words that will bind you to Jude for eternity."
Gazing at him, Ravyn gripped his hands in her warm ones and said in her sweet voice, "From this moment on, I pledge my love, my life, and my soul to you. I promise to be your partner, your Luna, your protector, and your friend, for the rest of our lives. I will submit to you as the submissive partner. I take you as my mate, to love, honor, and cherish, until the end of time and beyond."
Those words unlocked something primal and powerful within Jude. The scents around him seemed sharper, the sounds like a night symphony, and the energy more alive. He lost himself in Ravyn's amethyst eyes. She added, her voice quivering. "With this vow, I submit to you as my dominant partner, forever and always."
With a growl, Jude said, "I accept your submission. From this moment on, I pledge my love, my life, and my soul to you. I promise to be your partner, your protector, your Alpha, and your friend, for the rest of our lives. I will rule you with kindness, fairness, and love as the dominant partner. I take you as my mate, to love, honor, and cherish, until the end of time and beyond."
His voice thick and his heart so full it might burst, he added, "With this vow, I rule you as my submissive partner, forever and always."
Ravyn's eyes shone with happy tears, and she looked profoundly moved. He pulled her up, and gave her the claiming bite exactly on the spot where he'd marked her weeks ago. Goddess, he loved that patch of skin. Loved marking it again and tasting her blood and her surrender. She gasped, and her nails raked his neck, marking him.
Eirika shouted in the silence as everyone watched in awe, "You are mates! You are Alpha and Luna! By the Goddess, may you be mated for eternity!"
Lilia and Dane, with Bram and Mali not far behind and Daxius clapping, led the thunderous cheers.
Jude grinned and claimed Ravyn's mouth in a hungry, demanding kiss.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
AmandaMadden
AmandaMadden Ravyn and Jude are publicly mated! I adapted the bonding ceremony language from Character.ai.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone