Marriage

Josie's POV

"What do you mean I'm getting married, Dad?" I glare at my father. I've been too shocked to speak or move since they told me this news an hour ago. 

He takes a sip of his drink and nods, "Exactly what it means, sweetheart. You are getting married to King Ronan Obsborn." 

"I'm not marrying him. I didn't even know that lycans existed until recently!" I shout. I found out that we shared this kingdom with a group of shifters called lycans, like, literally, humans who shift into beasts, lycans.

And they've been at war with each other. The humans want the war to end, and to do so, they must form a political alliance through marriage. That's where I come in. My father is the Chancellor, and has offered me to marry Ronan, the lycan king, 

"You were born into this family and have enjoyed the privileges afforded to you. Everyone has a part to play, and yours is this." His tone is firm. Father is resolute. Tears roll down my cheek, and I glance at the engagement emerald ring around my finger.

I wiped my tears, trying to be strong. I wouldn't cry... I shouldn't worry. Surely my father's heart will soften, and he won't let me marry a beast. Besides, I'm engaged to Jonathan. His family is as powerful as mine, and they will save me. 

I stormed out of my father's office and drove to my fiancee's house.

"There is nothing that can be done about it, son. You have no idea how powerful, and ruthless King Ronan Obsborn is. If you meddle, you might end up getting us all killed," I heard Jonathan's father say through the crack of the study door. My stomach dropped, and tears spilled from my eyes.

"But father..." he started to protest. 

"Enough! We worked so hard to come to this alliance!" he shouted in a hard tone. "I will find you another woman from an influential family for you to marry, maybe the Granger girl, you used to sneak around with her," he murmured.

I expected Jonathan to protest, but he only agreed. "Yes, father."

A sob escaped me, and I turned, running out of the house. 

At that point, I resigned to my fate, only hoping that I would not die and that my future husband would treat me with kindness. 

... 

I tapped my fingers against my thigh nervously. We were at a chapel. I was wearing a simple but elegant white dress with an open back.

It seemed everyone knew about my marriage to the lycan beast long ago, except me, even Jonathan. My fiancé doesn't answer my calls and hasn't been to see me. 

"Don't do anything stupid, dear, a lot depends on this," Father warned as we walked into the chapel. My mother nodded in agreement. I rolled my eyes. I wanted to scream and run away.  

My nervousness increased. I felt like throwing up and gripped my father's arm. My groom was already at the aisle with an officiator, his back to me. He didn't even care to turn his face. There were a few witnesses from the human and the lycan's side. Sitting in different sections, and secretly glaring at each other.

The lycan king finally turned when we reached the aisle, and my breath got caught in my chest. I knew he was handsome, I'd seen a picture of him, but it didn't do him justice. Tall, about 6'4 ft, dark hair, steel blue eyes, and sharp features. He didn't even shake my father's hand. His eyes narrowed on me and then darkened. I gasped, backing away. I looked back at my parents, but they were already in their seats. 

The wedding ceremony was short. We exchanged vows, signed papers, the witnesses did too, and I got in the car to take me to lycan territory. I didn't even have time to say goodbye to my parents or little brother.

"I have better things to do than entertaining this shitshow any longer," My husband had barked, and drove off in a different car.

We pulled up at my new home, a castle. It was massive and intimidating with tall windows. The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped out. I was still in my wedding dress, nervous, scared, and alone. 

I glanced back to check with the young driver, but he was already gone. I made my way into the house and pushed the door open. It seemed like there was a party, with a lot of people. 

"The human is here!" someone shouted, and the music died down as all eyes pinned me. I started to shake, and tears gathered in my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. I forced a smile, and they all nodded at me subtly, others ignoring me.

The music started to play, and they all went back to their party, ignoring me. I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do or where to go. 

"Hi, Josie, right?!" A tall guy with shaggy hair and a muscular build came to me. I nod, and he extends his hand to me. "I'm Kane. I'll be your aide, King's orders," he said, bowing to me.

"Um, the washroom. Can you direct me there?" I asked, the voice strange to my ears.  

"Sure," 

Kane pointed me to the closest bathroom. I looked in the mirror, and tears streamed down my face. How did I end up here? 

I took a deep breath, wiped my face, and left the bathroom. I was walking down to find my aide when I heard voices coming from a room at the end of the hallway. 

"Do you fucking think I'm happy about this, Sadie! If I could, I would have stopped this sham of a marriage." I moved closer to the sound, and I saw him, only part of him. Ronon was pacing angrily in what looked like an office.

"There should have been another way. I was supposed to be your Luna! I'm your mate!" A female voice shouted. Luna? Mate? What is that? 

"I know, baby, and you will always be. That human is nothing to me." I peeked through the door, and my eyes widened when my husband cupped a woman's face and kissed her passionately.