Ren was just about to shoot a glare at Cilian when the older women in the group exchanged delighted glances, nodding at each other silently as their eyes sparkled.

"This one truly loves his wife," one stout woman said, her eyes brimming with gossip.

"Of course," another stout woman added, nudging the first one as she whispered loudly, "The protector was very busy last night. He is clearly eager to start his lineage."

Ren’s ears immediately turned red. He felt like a specimen under a microscope. Before he could grab Cilian and blame him for all of it, his stomach betrayed him with a loud, hollow growl.

The women laughed, a warm, maternal sound that filled the air.

"Come, little bride," the first stout woman said, reaching out to take Ren’s hand. "The protector has tasks with the men and the Alphas. We must take you to the shaded spring to eat and prepare you for the ritual."

Cilian’s hand tightened on Ren’s hip for a second, his defensive instincts flaring as he eyed the women, but Ren didn’t even look back.

He was starving, humiliated, and desperate to put some distance between himself and the man who had turned him into a ’twinkling star’ the night before.

He let the women lead him away to a shaded grove nearby, which already had a series of roasted fish, tuna, and opened coconuts. Ren salivated right away, his stomach doing another embarrassing growl, and the women laughed.

Ren sat down with them and noticed how they clasped their hands together and closed their eyes, probably saying a silent prayer and he did the same. But he didn’t know what he was praying for and felt awkward, so he simply thanked them for the meal and they nodded.

Ren began to eat the roasted fish and coconut with a desperation he couldn’t hide. The last thing he remembered eating was that single bite of steak from the plane. Cilian made it so weird for him so he couldn’t even eat properly.

And then he used a lot of strength the previous night too. He’d be grateful for anything they gave him to chew.

The women and male Omegas sat around him, weaving flower garlands and chatting while he ate.

And then, the conversation he had been hoping to avoid surfaced out of nowhere.

"You were very loud last night, child," one of the women remarked and Ren nearly choked on his coconut milk.

He coughed violently, his face turning a shade of purple and then red.

"I—I’m so sorry." He said, whipping his mouth with the back of his palm and trying to shield his reddening face. "I didn’t realize... I apologize for the noise. I should have—"

The women erupted into a chorus of belly-deep, genuine laughter and Ren paused, confused. Were they mocking him right now?

"Why apologize?" the stout woman asked, patting Ren’s knee with a grin. "In this village, many nights are like that. No one cares. It simply means you love your partner that much. The louder the screams, the deeper the love. It shows a strong heart and a healthy Alpha." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Ren forced a small, pained smile, nodding politely while his mind reeled. What an absurd logic, he thought, picking at a piece of fruit.

If only they knew the ’love’ they were celebrating was a jagged, beautiful nightmare built on a foundation of fire, bodies, and secrets.

Every sound they had heard last night wasn’t a testament to devotion; it was the sound of Ren losing a war against his own body.

But as he sat there, surrounded by the chatter of the women and omegas, he felt a strange sense of vertigo. He was becoming exactly what Cilian wanted: a character in a story that wasn’t true.

Across the village square, Ren could see Cilian standing among the men. Even from here, the Alpha’s gaze felt heavy. Cilian was doing more than just participating in the ritual as he was calculating and weaving the hospitality of these people into a shield.

If they were the ’Beloved Newlyweds,’ they were safe. No one would look for a monster in a paradise.

No one would question their past.

Soon after, the stout woman stood up, clapping her hands.

"The sun is at its peak! It is time for the Blessing of the Tide."

Ren was led away to a smooth volcanic stone. The women moved around him while dipping their fingers into bowls of fragrant oil.

"The scent of frost is strong on you, little bride," the woman murmured, her fingers tracing Ren’s collarbone, stopping just before touching a dark bruise Cilian had left there. "Your Alpha has a cold heart, but a warm touch, yes?"

Ren didn’t answer with words but he forced himself to nod, so he seemed less suspicious. He sat stiffly as they painted white lines over his pulse points—his wrists, his throat, and over his heart. Then, they wove heavy, white jasmine into his hair, the scent so thick and sweet it made his head feel light.

"There," the woman said, stepping back. "Now, we take you to the shore. Your husband is waiting."

The word husband was so heavy but he could not correct them even if he desperately wanted to.

The beach had been transformed. Torches made of dried palm fronds lined the white sand, and the entire village had gathered at the water’s edge. In the center of the crowd stood Cilian.

Ren’s breath got caught for a moment. Cilian was bare-chested, the white bandage Ren had applied earlier standing out against his skin. Red hibiscus flowers hung around his neck, making his gold-brown eyes look darker. He stood with his feet buried in the sand, and looked like a force to reckon with. He was no ordinary man anyway. He was Cilian Vane, so this level of presence and aura was a sure thing. Then, Cilian’s gaze locked on Ren.

As Ren approached, the villagers began a low chant, clapping in time with the sound of the waves.

The moment Ren stopped in front of Cilian, the chanting slowed and became a humming sound in their throats.

"You look..." Cilian started, his voice dropping into that dangerous, melodic tone. He reached out with his left hand, his thumb catching the edge of the jasmine crown. "Twinkling again, Ren. I told you being a star suits you."

"Shut up," Ren whispered, his face heating up. "Let’s just get through this without exposing our lie."