Vivian felt Ronan’s back muscles tense under the ministrations of her hands when she ntioned her ex-mate, and she could have sworn she heard a low growl from the man’s throat.
Did she overstep her bounds and say more than she should have?
Of course, after all, why would he want to listen to her sob stories?
"I’m sorry," Vivian apologised, her lips pressed into a thin line for a mont. "I won’t ntion him again."
Sensing her resignation, Ronan skilfully shifted onto his back, holding her hips to steady her while she straddled his waist.
"Why would you assu that I don’t want you to talk about him?" Ronan asked thoughtfully, his hand soothingly gliding up and down her thigh.
"You always seem...displeased to hear his na," Vivian said, comforted by the warm touch of Ronan’s rough hand, which now began to squeeze and massage her thighs. "I thought perhaps I shouldn’t ntion anything related to my past."
Ronan frowned.
While he was aware that his prior reactions to Dane’s ntions were uncalled for, he didn’t deny that he detested the Alpha wolf. However, that didn’t imply that he hated listening to Vivian share the dark monts of her life before eting him.
"That does not an I want you to close yourself into a shell, sweetheart," Ronan said sympathetically, pleased that she was relaxing under his touch. "If anything, I wish you would tell more. Share more of your life, whether it was with Dane or anything else."
Vivian had never been granted the opportunity to relate the unfortunate events of her life before. Before Ronan, there was no one she was fortunate enough to confide in or seek solace with.
Was it possible that could change now?
"Please," Ronan urged. "Tell what your life was like with Dane. The only reason you shouldn’t tell is if you’re uncomfortable with sharing it, but if you wish to, then I’ll be more than glad to listen."
Vivian inhaled a deep breath and exhaled a mont later to clear her mind.
Where should she start?
There was much that occurred during the seasons over the year she was mated to Dane.
However, there was one mory in particular that stood out to her.
It was the day she was sold to Dane once she had turned eighteen and co of age to be mated to an Alpha.
Her father felt no remorse in the purely business manner; he struck the deal with Dane Blackthorn, the prestigious Alpha of the Nightshade Pack.
The Nightshade pack stemd from a noble lineage in servitude to the kingdom of Crescentia in the South. Naturally, they only sought suitable and distinguished oga suitors for the Alphas of their clan.
For Vivian, she was considered fortunate that Dane, the Alpha heir of Nightshade, consented to their matchmaking.
Although not born of high noble blood, the ogas of the main branch of Moonborn were renowned for possessing sothing valuable that all Alphas within the radius of their lands very much desired.
Hence, making Vivian a valued asset as a mate.
And of course, her dearest father seized the opportunity to gain a favourable stance within the Nightshade Pack’s circle to elevate his social standing.
Thus, on the morning of her marital ceremony and contract with Dane, Vivian was dolled up and pampered with exotic skincare treatnts and made to don a striking red gown with gold embroidery.
It was the first ti in her life she’d been favoured with the privilege to wear expensive makeup and a gorgeous dress.
After all, a product being traded in a business deal was compelled to be presentable and attractive to the client.
The ceremony was grander than any event Vivian had ever attended alongside her father and brother for formality’s sake. In reality, her presence was deed worthless and insignificant since she was in no way beneficial to their affairs.
It was held in a magnificent ballroom that accommodated the full attendance of three other packs allied with Nightshade. The decor was more extravagant than she’d ever seen, much too overwhelming in a sense.
Golden chandeliers illuminated the ballroom, with several long rectangular tables filled with varieties of food outlined the outer parts of the hall.
In such a high society gathering, shifters mingled with each other in clusters as they observed the ceremony.
At first glance, when Vivian had been escorted by her brother to the altar, Dane appeared rather gentle. With slicked-back blonde hair, tall with broad shoulders, dressed in navy velvet attire with a long coat and a white frilled shirt on the inside, he stood as a distinguishable figure.
Vivian seed more at ease when he t her gaze with soft lilac eyes and a polite smile. She was never privileged to have courted a man before; however, she was already assured that her Alpha and soon-to-be husband were everything she’d dread about in a man.
When she reached the altar, Dane took her hand and pressed a charming kiss to the back of it. Her cheeks ward bashfully as he helped her up onto the dias.
"You’re even more beautiful than I imagined, wife," Dane complinted, his voice sonorous and velvety, which made Vivian’s heart thump faster than usual. "I have waited to have you for a long ti."
Vivian did not answer, nor did she understand his desires.
What was there to desire from her after all? Other than what she secretly possessed?
There was still room to be wary of him.
Nevertheless, she answered him with a shy smile, and they said their vows before the priest. Their marital union was sealed with a soft, brief kiss.
Her first one.
Vivian had never forgotten the light-hearted chuckle Dane released when she was hesitant and uncertain of how to reciprocate the kiss.
Unashad of their audience, he slipped an arm around her waist to bring her closer and murmured in her ear, "Just press your lips to mine, wife, and follow my lead next ti."
Vivian flushed as his warm breath sent shivers down her spine, but she nodded obediently.
They took a secondary set of vows per shifter customs, and although primal and animalistic, as a show of possessiveness, Dane stood behind Vivian on the dais with his arms wrapped around her.
For all to witness, he sunk his teeth onto her bare shoulder to leave a mating mark.
It was customary for an Alpha to mark his Oga mate with a bite on their right shoulder to declare what belonged to them during the marital ceremony.
"With this," Dane whispered in her ear. "You are now mine."
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