Mated

Lying beside him, I couldn't help but stare up at the ceiling, my hazel green eyes filled with a mix of emotions. It had happened. The deed was done. We were officially mated now. But deep down, I knew the truth, our union was not born out of love, but rather selfish political alliances. The thought offered me no comfort, only the ache of a broken heart.

Beside me, I sensed his movement as he turned towards me, his eyes searching for mine. I purposely avoided meeting his gaze, instead focusing on calming my racing breath. But try as I might, my breath still trembled, betraying my inner turmoil. Despite my rapid blinking, a single tear escaped, making its way down my cheek.

I heard the covers rustle as he shifted closer to me. His finger gently brushed against my face, capturing the tear. "I'm sorry, Hailey," his voice resonated in the dimly lit room, both deep and gentle. His touch was followed by a soft stroke through my brunette hair and a tender kiss on the crook of my neck.

"I know this isn't what you wanted," he murmured, regret evident in his voice.

"It doesn't matter," I replied quietly, my gaze still fixed on the ceiling. His apology felt like a stab to the heart, but I couldn't hold him responsible. Our circumstances were far beyond our control.

Swallowing hard, I tried to push down the ache in my chest. "It was unavoidable, it isn't your fault," I muttered, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark, tousled hair. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I allowed my cheek to rest against his strong chest, finding some solace in his comforting presence.

The steady rhythm of his heartbeat brought a sliver of comfort to my shattered emotions. "I wish I could have given you more time to get to know me before all of this," he confessed, a touch of bitterness seeping into his words.

"But those old Elders insisted on sealing our union immediately."

I nodded in agreement, understanding the practicality behind the decision, even if my heart vehemently protested. The needs of our pack took precedence over my tender emotions.

The fact that I had already loved another Lycan, Stephan, felt irrelevant now.

Closing my eyes, memories of the past flooded my distraught mind. A bittersweet nostalgia washed over me as I thought about the passionate moments I had shared with Stephan.

I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the reality of my situation. Love would have to take a backseat for the sake of our pack and the responsibility that now weighed heavily on my shoulders, still, I couldn't help reminese on the memories of the past, before my shattered to pieces

****

After the invigorating run with Stephan, our laughter still echoing through the peaceful woods surrounding my home, I couldn't contain my elation. Stephan had been my closest companion since we were little pups, and our connection had gradually grown into something deeper, something more profound.

He had hinted at his intention to seek my father's permission to be my mate, and the mere thought filled me with joy. As my nineteenth birthday loomed closer and many of my friends had already found their mates, I had grown restless, yearning for that unbreakable bond, the sacred mate bond that was the cornerstone of the Lycan world.

Naively, I had believed that my father was patiently waiting for me to discover the one who truly complemented me, someone who would ignite that special connection within my heart.

But now, reality crashed down on me like a tidal wave. Although my father loved me unconditionally, his responsibilities as the Alpha of our pack always took precedence. My older brother and sister had already secured alliances with packs to the north and south. With the vast sea acting as a natural barrier, it was only to the east that we needed a crucial partnership.

When Killian assumed the role of Alpha in that territory, the Elders deemed it essential for our packs to unite, ensuring the stability and prosperity of our people.

The memories of that day played vividly in my mind. I returned home, still intoxicated by the laughter and conversation with Stephan, only to find Jace, my father's Beta, waiting for me at the door.

"Hailey, your father requests your presence in the assembly room," There was an undeniable urgency in his tone as he relayed my father's request for my presence in the assembly room.

With a quick wave to Stephan, my curiosity piqued, I followed Jace, wondering what could possibly demand my immediate attention in the exclusive domain usually reserved for general pack meetings and the important discussions of the Alpha and the council of Elders.

I pushed open the grand golden doors, and an array of emotions washed over me - excitement, concern, curiosity. The room before me was a whirlwind of activity, and I tried to decipher the unusual mixture of moods that hung in the air.

In one corner, the Elders were engaged in conversation with a group of unfamiliar figures, their expressions displaying a peculiar satisfaction.

My father stood in the center of the room, his face adorned with a solemn expression as he conversed with a man in his mid-twenties. This stranger had an undeniable presence, one that was both intriguing and unfamiliar to me.

Rather than immediately approaching my father, I took a moment to observe this newcomer who stood tall, casting a shadow that seemed to engulf my father. His physicality exuded strength. He had beautiful dark hair and piercing blue eyes with a tanned face boasted chiseled cheeks and a full, enticing lower lip.

Sensing my inspection, he turned towards the door, and our gazes locked. There was a hardness to his features, a commanding presence that made me feel as if I were frozen in place.

Slowly, he studied me from head to toe before his gaze returned to my face. I felt my cheeks flush under his intense scrutiny.

For a fleeting moment, he flashed a brief smile, and I thought I caught a glimpse of softness in his manly blue eyes. But it disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared, as he redirected his attention back to my father.

I sulked, feeling a strange sting of frustration at his apparent dismissal of me. It bothered me more than I cared to admit, questioning why his indifference rankled me so deeply.

MY father glanced my way, his face scowling, and promptly ended his discussion with the stranger. He walked towards me with a mix of concern and frustration evident in his voice.

"Hailey, you've been out for another run, I see," my father commented, his voice tinged with worry. I caught my reflection in a nearby mirror and noticed that my long brown hair was tousled, while a faint sheen of sweat gave my sun-kissed skin a radiant glow. Spotting a speck of dirt on my nose, I hurriedly wiped it away.

Turning toward my father, I offered him a sheepish grin, hoping to charm him out of his somber mood. "It was such a beautiful day. I couldn't resist being outside."

"But I've told you, it's not safe to be alone in wolf form, especially during hunting season. Even though our property is marked, not all humans adhere to the signs," he cautioned, his concern evident in his eyes.

"Come on, Dad. I was with Stephan the entire time, and we kept our distance from the edge of the property. We're not foolish, you know," I reassured him, trying to ease his worries.

My father's expression grew serious as I mentioned Stephan's name. He let out a heavy sigh before continuing, "Hailey, I need to tell you something. As you may already be aware, there's a new Alpha in the pack to the east. His name is Killian." He nodded towards the man who stood across the room, and I briefly glanced in his direction, feigning polite interest in my father's news.

"He's here to meet with you," my father revealed, and a rush of confusion washed over me. Why would I be summoned to meet with the Alpha from another pack? The politics between packs had never been of concern to me.

My father had never involved me in council meetings or important affairs of the pack. However, by the sight of the gentlemen conversing with the Elders in the corner, I could only assume that they were representatives from the eastern pack.

"But why would he want to meet with me?" I asked, my heart pounding anxiously, already having a sense of what his response would entail.

"He has come to claim you as his mate," my father revealed, his words hanging heavy in the air.