Moondance Pt. 1: The Bonding
So here we go, part one! So in this AU Alphas/Betas/Omegas are determined by the amount of ‘presence’ they express which influences others. Alphas obviously have the most, Betas second, and Omegas have little to none.
The nation of Lucis is primarily made of wolf shifters, Niflheim humans. For now there is an uneasy peace between the two.
Every muscle in your body twitched as you were driven to the Scientia mansion. Today was the day, you were going to be bonded …These were the last moments of freedom. As the streets passed by you thought about what life would hold after today. Would he be a kind mate or would he be like the nightmares that you had heard about? Your knee started to bounce as your mind kept going over and over how this could go.
“Are you scared, dear?”
Your mother’s voice cut through your thoughts and brought you back reality. With a shake of your head you forced a smile. “No, I think I’m more anxious than anything else.” You knew there was no confidence in your voice and she reached out to pull you in closer, letting you rest against her.
Her fingers gently stroked your temple in a soothing motion. “Everything will be okay.” She cooed softly, “I know you will be just fine.”
If only you could only believe that.
As the limo pulled up to the mansion you felt your mouth go dry and the cold grip of reality firmly grasp you. There was no turning back, no running away. Taking a deep breath you held your head high and stepped out as the door was opened. You were not going to let them see you cower like a beaten dog. Runt or not, you were a wolf and they would see that.
First things first. The veiling.
Legend held that the Great wolf Ardyn had been tricked into marrying his brother’s beloved because the bride had been veiled before the ceremony, hiding her identity until it was too late. He had been cast out of the kingdom for his transgression and cursed to roam over Eos forever lost.
At least that was the story they told to explain the custom of the groom seeing his mate for the first time and veiling them himself. Can’t marry the wrong person if you’re the one to do the veiling.
So there you sat after being shown into a small room off to the side, the plush cushion under you threatening to swallow you whole and your parents stood on either side. You could hear footsteps outside and the doors were pulled open. You raised your head and focused your stare on the group in front of you as they entered. You recognized his parents but your eyes couldn’t be torn from the one behind them. Green eyes meeting yours.
Your father gave you a reassuring smile and stood up as they stopped in front of you. “Hear me! We bring to you the chosen who has come from the rivers of Galahd to be with their betrothed. What say you?”
“Hear me.” His mother started as Ignis walked forward to stand in front of you. “The betrothed we present to you is the future lord of house Scientia and advisor to the future king.” She turned to her son, “Is this your chosen?”
He nodded, his face remaining expressionless. “It is.”
“Then he shall veil them and they will stand before the gods.” Your father continued.
As Ignis reached out you pulled back causing him to stop. His scent overwhelmed you smelling of fire and sage. Your eyes searched his trying to get a read on him if he was okay with this or if he was just doing this because it was his duty. As the veil came down you lowered your head and let out a sigh.
The thin lace now over your face did little to obscure your vision but you took the hand that Ignis offered to you, steadying you as you stood up. You muttered a small thank you but there was no response from the man beside you.
His hand was strong and his fingers intertwined with yours as you both walked down the hall. The ceremony was going to be held in the back gardens, a sacellum had been constructed for the occasion. The scent of alphas was heavy in the air as you walked out with him, heading towards the alter and priest. Your mind was telling you to run, heart beating so fast you were sure everyone could hear it. He brought you right before the alter and the priestess started the ceremony.
You were only half aware of what the she was saying as you looked at the man before you. Still stoic, still unreadable. What would life be like after today? Would he always be this cold and detached?
“Your hand.” The priestess said quietly, snapping you out of your thoughts.
Trying to still your shaking, your raised your right hand, pressing your palm against his. The priestess started to loosely tie a silver cord around your joined hands, once-twice-thrice. With his free hand Ignis reached out and lifted your veil and for a moment you thought you caught a smile on his lips as you looked up at him, but in a split second it was gone.
“12 circles for 12 full moons weave a spell of protection.” The priestess continued as the two of your started to walk in a circle, six to the right and six to the left to represent the waxing and waning cycle. At the end, she unbound your hands. “You are bound.” She smiled and the gathered guests started to clap and cheer.
He leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to your lips before taking your hand. “Ready?” He asked lowly as he drew in close.
His scent was making you heady and you forced a nod, slowly walking with him back towards the mansion. There was going to be a little break before the reception allowing you two a little bit of time together without interruption.
“How are you feeling?” He asked having brought you back to the room where the veiling had taken place earlier.
You were a little unsure how to answer, was he expecting the truth or was he expecting something else? “Overwhelmed.” You said softly, going to sit on the cushion. It was the only familiar thing in the room.
“Likewise.” He answered, moving to sit down. Ignis offered you a soft smile, “But I hope we will be able to enjoy ourselves a little bit.”
You found yourself giving a snort and glanced at him out of the corner of your eye. “I’m sure you will, they’re all going to wonder why your parents picked me.”
You saw him cock his head slightly to the side and he let out a quiet chuckle. Standing, he crossed the distance between the two of you in a few strides and reached out for you, gently tapping your chin upwards with his fingers and forcing you to look up at him.
“Dear Y/N,” He started softly. “They may have made the arrangements for our meeting but the choice has always been mine.”
You jerked your head back from his touch and glared. “You could have anyone you wanted so why pick a runt omega?”
There was something in his eyes that you couldn’t quite place, “Because you are independent, not just another omega bred and schooled to marry well. My position requires most of my time, I need a partner that has their own life and will be able to carry on without me there. I need someone who can stand on their own.”
“Then why find someone at all?”
His eyes closed and you heard a sigh escape his lips, “My station requires a mate.”
The hair on the back of your neck rose up and you felt the familiar sting of tears pricking at your eyes. It hurt knowing that even in this day and age your worth was determined by the life you could bring into this world. “No, it requires a broodmare.” When he didn’t deny it you let out a disgusted growl and turned away.
You couldn’t wait for the reception to start. Except for dinner you would at least be able to be near your friends and family before the den period started. You made it your mission to avoid being with your mate for more than a few moments, only long enough to be introduced to his friends; the prince, who seemed more than just a little bored with the whole thing but seemed genuinely happy for his friend. The shield, who was more interested in the open bar and chasing any female who would entertain his attention once dinner was over and lastly a human ambassador from Niflheim who just wouldn’t stop taking pictures. It was all making your mind spin and the wine you had been drinking to help calm your nerves wasn’t helping.
Well, the feast was grand and as the moon rose high in the night sky the shifters transformed and the joyous howls of the wolves could be heard on the night air. You were talking with your family when suddenly you were pulled away by strong hands you didn’t recognize. Glancing back over your shoulder you saw it was the shield, his name escaping you.
“Hey Iggy!” He called out, lifting you up into his arms. “I think it’s about time we bundle you two and get your marriage started, don’t you think? Guys, c’mere and help me drag him inside! Ladies, someone wanna take this one off my hands?”
Bundling was an old tradition, one where the newlyweds were taken to their den by their friends, stripped and bundled together in the sheets of their marital bed. You swallowed a lump in your throat, fear rising up. This was one tradition you didn’t think would be happening.
Ignis pushed through the crowd that had gathered around and went to get you, hands clasping your waist and pulling you down. “That’s enough, Gladio!” He said sharply, an arm wrapping around you and pulling your body flush against his. “There will be none of that.”
The other man pouted and looked like a scolded child as he reached to run a hand through his unruly hair. “C’mon Iggy, it’s tradition!”
“And when you have your own bonding you can do what you want.” He growled, his grip on you never loosening for a moment. His presence flared in a show of dominance. “You are right though, I think it is time for my mate and I to bid our guests farewell.” Ignis looked down at you and all you could do was nod weakly.
With him not leaving your side the two of you started to go through the crowd and started to say goodbye. Even through the fog of inebriety you could feel dread slowly start to creep in only getting worse as he lead you inside once the guests had left.
You had imagined this night going much differently growing up. You had thought you’d be in love and not dreading the moments to come. Following Ignis upstairs you couldn’t stop your body from shaking or the tears from slipping down your cheeks. He held the door to the master suite open, allowing you to walk past him. Hands shaking you reached back to start undoing your bindings.
“Please stop.”
Freezing, you looked as Ignis came to up to you and gently pulling your hands away but kept them in his own.
“I do not intend to share a bed or a bond with you until you are ready.” He squeezed your hands before reaching up to cup the side of your face, thumb brushing away a stray tear.
“And what if I am never ready to share those things with you?” A few more tears started to slip from your eyes.
He shrugged and stepped back, “Then that will just have to be. I’ll be staying a few rooms down, I wish you a good evening.” With that Ignis turned and left the room, closing the door behind him, leaving you alone to process what had just happened.
