Chapter 32

Colette had been bound to the post for what felt like an eternity. Ylenia had left her there, off to distract Dancescu. She’d said it was better than him pacing around, waiting for the full moon to rise. After a while, Colette had slid down to the ground, her legs aching from standing for so long.

She’d expected people to stare. For the first hour or so, it seemed like everyone was watching her. But now, they were coming and going, checking to see if she’d transformed yet.

Across the clearing, she could see Sorin. She wished more than anything that they were together. He hadn’t moved at all, and she was worried he was seriously injured.

She sighed and shifted her position, her wrists already sore from the ropes. She didn’t know how much time she had left. The sky was growing darker by the minute, and a chill was setting in.

“Are you hungry?” a woman asked suddenly, her voice thick with an accent.

Colette turned to find the source of the voice.

A tall, curvaceous woman stood there. She looked strangely familiar with her jet-black hair and almost black eyes. There was something about her low-set brows and the near scowl on her lips.

“Uh, no. I’m fine,” Colette answered quietly, unsure if her upset stomach could handle any food.

The woman squatted down in front of her, studying her with a narrowed gaze. “I’ve stayed away from you until now for your own good. I didn’t think it would help you if anyone saw us together,” she said, placing a basket of baked goods next to Colette.

“Why not?” Colette asked cautiously, trying to read the woman’s face for clues.

The woman raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and smirked. “You are Sorin’s mate,” she stated.

Colette nodded slowly.

“And I am his mother,” she said bluntly.

Colette stared at her, shocked.

She didn’t look old enough to be Sorin’s mother. She looked the same age, maybe even younger.

“My name is Silviana, but eventually—” She paused until Colette met her gaze again. “—I would like you to call me mom.” Her eyes sparkled as she said it. “I’ve always wanted a daughter.”

Colette’s eyes widened. No ~way~. “You want me to call you mom? You can’t possibly be Sorin’s mother… You’re so young.”

Silviana laughed warmly. “It’s the lycan.” She waved her hand dismissively. “But really, I do. When you feel comfortable enough. It’s very difficult to conceive with someone who isn’t your destined. I was lucky enough to have one child, but that will be a different story with you and Sorin,” she said cheerfully.

Colette’s stomach dropped, and she felt her face turn red. “Uh, we haven’t really—”

Silviana leaned forward, brushing Colette’s long, black hair over her shoulders and inhaling deeply. Her expression tightened.

“He hasn’t marked you. Is there something wrong with him? Did he overstep your boundaries?” she asked quickly, her voice filled with concern.

“No,” Colette answered.

Silviana tilted her head, looking curious. “Am ~I~ making you uncomfortable?”

Colette nodded slowly.

“Ah,” Silviana said, “I see. You were raised around humans. I’m sorry.” She sat down next to Colette, offering her the basket of treats. “You really should try to eat before tonight’s big event. You need strength if you’re going to pull this off.”

“Yeah,” Colette grunted. “But maybe I won’t shift.”

“Sorin’s made plans for you,” Silviana replied tersely, aware of what would happen to her son if Colette managed to escape.

Colette turned to look at Sorin’s still form again. “That’s him,” she murmured to his mother.

Silviana followed her gaze and nodded. “Don’t worry, dear. He’s perfectly fine. I’ve seen him through worse,” she assured her.

Colette tried to calm herself, but the image of Sorin was burned into her mind. She picked up a muffin and started to eat it slowly.

“You’re very pretty,” Silviana said, trying to make conversation.

“Thanks,” was all Colette could manage to say in response.

They sat in silence for a while, neither of them knowing what to say.

“When all this is over, I would love to have you over for dinner,” Silviana finally said, trying to sound cheerful.

Not that it mattered. If Colette didn’t shift, she wasn’t sure she’d ever see Sorin again.

Colette didn’t respond. She was lost in her thoughts, her eyes fixed on Sorin’s unmoving form.

“Can I give you advice?” Silviana asked. “Offer you help?”

Colette nodded.

“If you are going to shift, you’ll need to relax, extra relax. Tonight will be painful, and you don’t want to be tense.”

Colette nodded again.

“I spoke with Sorin beforehand,” Silviana began, pulling a flask-like bottle from her basket. She handed it to Colette.

“It’s Sorin’s blood. He said you’ve already had his blood before, so you know what it’s like, and he doesn’t want you to have anyone else’s. Not even mine.” She laughed softly.

Colette put the flask in her pocket. “What do I do with it?”

“Uh…” Silviana hesitated. “Just drink it if you feel any pain or discomfort. This is only if you ~do~ shift.”

Colette nodded, understanding. The flask was cold, and Colette wished it were warm like Sorin, so she could feel his warmth, even if only for a moment. She wanted to open the flask and breathe in his scent, but judging by Silviana’s reaction, that wouldn’t be a good idea.

Colette tensed as Silviana started to stroke her hair. She smelled like dark chocolate and red wine: sweet and bitter, but sophisticated and expensive.

Colette looked so young, almost unbelievably so. It was easy to see the family resemblance with Sorin. She was breathtaking.

Silviana moved in closer, her fingers gently weaving Colette’s hair into a braid.

“Silviana,” a voice echoed, causing both women to jump.

Silviana was on her feet in an instant, her attention snapping to her alpha. She lowered her gaze and tilted her neck just a bit, a silent sign of submission.

“What are you doing with my human?” he demanded, his voice laced with possessiveness.

Silviana wanted to argue, to challenge his claim over her new daughter-in-law, but she bit her tongue, her lips pressing into a thin line of annoyance.

“I was just watching the show, like everyone else.” She gestured to the crowd that had gathered around them.

He scowled at her, clearly not buying her explanation.

Ylenia stepped around him, her hands twisting together in a nervous dance.

“It’s almost time.” Dancescu’s grin was wicked as he rubbed his hands together, looking every bit the villain Colette was starting to believe he was. “Ylenia.” He snapped his fingers, summoning her forward. “How long until the full moon?”

Ylenia shifted from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable. She squinted up at the sky, then checked her wristwatch before answering, “Less than an hour, sir. Really, it could be any minute now.”