Chapter 2 - Submission and Defiance

The cheers from the ceremony continued behind Lylah, fading into the distance as she strode angrily towards Cormac. His silhouette stood tall and authoritative under the giant tree, his hands in his pocket. Lylah hated that view. She didn’t ask for this. She didn’t ask to be promised as bride to the Alpha’s son, her heart was already with someone else, someone very far away, who probably thought of her every day, just as she did of him. But her parents had already made the arrangements, and she had no choice but to go along obediently with it.

Cormac began speaking as soon as she reached him, without looking at her.

“I’m going for a run tonight, I want you to join me.”

“This night?” Lylah asked, bewildered.

“You heard me.”

She contemplated for a moment before speaking again.

“But you know this night is reserved for the new moonbound mates. Other wolves aren’t supposed to be running on this designated night of the full moon vow.”

“It won’t matter.” Cormac said, his long brown hair dangling as he turned to face her. “We’ll be married soon, there isn’t much difference between the two running tonight and us.”

Lylah hesitated, her mind racing. “But still...” 

Cormac cut her off, his time brooking no argument. “You will run with me tonight, Lylah. I have decided, and you will do as I say.”

“I won’t.” Lylah said with defiance, folding her arms and looking away.

Cormac moved closer to her. She could feel his ire from his breath that came down hot on her hair, and even though she wasn’t looking into his face, she had a feel of his clenched jaw and tensed muscles, and for a moment she feared that she had actually gone too far.

“I have heard of your insolence, girl...” he began. “And since our parents made known their intentions to pair us I have watched you closely, observing how you carry yourself with pride, as well as your know-it-all attitude.” His voice was filled with contempt as he said the last part, and he eyed her for a while before continuing.

“Believe me, I have no interest in yoking myself to you, there are many more respectful, obedient Lupas out there, and if not for my father’s insistence I won’t even be having anything to do with you.”

Lylah’s heart was racing now, but she remained calm. Cormac wasn’t done speaking.

“However as we’re both into this now and there is no way out, you will have to do your part to make it work. I won’t take disobedience or sulkiness or disrespect or any other silly attitude from you. We can make this easy, or we can make it hard, either ways, it will end in your submission to me, otherwise you will come to regret your very existence.”

His voice was hard and cold in the end, and as he turned to walk away he added, dismissively, “We meet here in the next two hours.”

Lylah watched him walk away, her stomach churning with anger, and trepidation coursing through her as a maelstrom of thoughts swirled in her mind. So Cormac doesn’t like her either? Was he serious when he said he actually doesn’t wish to marry her? How possible is it that his father was imposing this on him too?

Lylah shifted uncomfortably on her heels, looking towards the bonfire in the distance at the happy people now dancing and singing. The joyful sounds of laughter and music seemed to mock her, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within.

Being forced into a loveless marriage was distressing enough, but knowing the other party shared her apathy made it infinitely worse. What kind of marriage would this be – a hollow, loveless arrangement, with Cormac merely tolerating her presence? Or was he deceiving her, hiding his true feelings behind a mask of indifference?

The thought of having to submit to him, love him, and obey him faithfully, when all she felt was deep-seated resentment, made her skin crawl.

Why was her parents forcing this marriage? And if Cormac really does not want it either, why is he going along with it?