The Marriage Game: love in a lie.

There was only silence as we stared at each other.

Alpha Axel sat across me never once breaking eye contact. His attire for today was not so complicated as every other day. It was a simple big shirt and a dark pair of pants. His brown hair was also left untouched and his hazel brown eyes sat perfectly on his face. 

Staring at him like this sometimes felt like looking into a mirror. I could see all the features I inherited from him. The only difference was that he was older and I was younger. I also developed the habit of reading his emotions through his facial expressions. Which was exactly what I was doing now. As much as he tried to hide his true emotions; I could see right through him. 

He was nervous. Which felt strange since my father was not someone to be nervous about. He ordered out his wishes and they got fulfilled.

“Have a drink, Xavier,” he broke the silence with his thick voice. He gestured at the glass of wine that was placed on the coffee table between us. It was red wine.

I shrugged my shoulders at him. “I'm fine, Alpha. I think you need it more than I do. Please, help yourself,” I redirected it back to him while trying to be polite.

He shifted in his chair. “You only insist on referring to me by my title when you feel I'm about to hit you hard with something,” he pointed out.

I let a small chuckle slip through my serious expression, before composing myself again. The last thing I wanted was to anger him. “You’re right father. I know you have something huge to tell. Reveal it and let’s get it over with,” I admitted.

Father shifted in his chair and finally decided to get on his feet. He walked away from me and went to stand by the large window that was opposite our chairs. The sun’s rays shimmered through them and were the main reason why the room was bright. 

“Our world was never always like this, you know. There were so many people of different races in it. There were so many cultures and languages. Our differences made us unique. It made us humans,” Father began.

I sighed. If one’s ears could melt from hearing the same story over and over again; then my ears would have melted a very long time ago. He always told this story and I was beyond tired of hearing it. But I knew better than to interrupt him. No one could stop him from diving into the past.

“Eventually, all these people got greedy and they started fighting over resources. Wars broke out and they became endless; out of control, a massacre. Eventually, that world came to an end. The old world melted away and a new world was reborn from the ashes. A phoenix,” my father narrated.

He turned to look at me and I immediately pretended to be paying attention to his story. I nodded my head at him as if I was following.

“From the new world, the Kingdom of the North and the Kingdom of the South arose. Moon pack and Sun pack. A kingdom where only werewolves existed. Unfortunately, like the names they took; they could not work together. That could not be one. So they began to fight against each other. For centuries, this war has lasted until date,” He concluded the story. There was a sad expression on his face and I got the feeling that he was about to get to the real reason for this talk.

He walked back to his chair and sat. He took a glass of wine and downed the entire content. He scratched his nose and ran a finger through his hair.

My father was behaving too strangely. Normally, if he wanted something; he always just ordered me to do it but today, it was taking him forever to speak. Was it perhaps an impossible task? Was he about to send me to my death? Did he want to send more warriors to war and he probably wanted me to lead them?

“What’s wrong father?” I finally mustered the courage to ask him.

Father exhaled sharply. “I found a way to put the war to an end. I found a way to end the bloodshed. The King of the South and I decided to make an allegiance,” he explained.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What deal did you make, Alpha?” I demanded as I felt as if it involved me.

Father smiled nervously and then cleared his throat. “Alpha Klaus has a daughter and I have a son. We agreed to unite both kingdoms by marrying our children together. A bond sealed by blood. This way, it can never be broken. Thus, putting an end to the everlasting war,” he finally splurted out.

I abruptly got to my feet in shock. “What?” was all I managed to say as his message registered itself in my head. My heart sank deeper into its ribcage. My breathing accelerated and I felt my wolf stir within me. My eyes went wide with shock as I stared at him in disbelief.

The last thing I wanted was for my marriage to be arranged by someone else. I had made that clear to my parents before yet here my father sat, telling me that he had sealed off my future. 

“Father, this is my future you're talking about. This is my life you're joking with. You're trying to sacrifice me for your wishes!” I exclaimed.

How could he do this to me? I wanted to get married not because of fame or power but because of love. I wanted to find my mate and bond with her but father was ruining all my dreams. It probably sounded cheesy but this was all I always wanted. I never asked for anything. I had always been the obedient and loyal son. I had always done what my father demanded of me without any questions and all I ever wanted was to be allowed to find my mate. 

But all that was ruined now!

He too got to his feet in a flash. “Watch how you address me, young man! I'm still the Alpha of the Moon pack! I'm still the King of the Kingdom of the North! Show me some respect!” Alpha Axel yelled back at me.

I went quiet immediately. My wolf was in conflict but I fought to put it at bay. The last thing I wanted was for it to be unleashed for it would only get me in trouble.

“Aren't you tired of the bloodshed every day? Aren't you tired of fighting? This war has existed for too long! It is time to put it to an end. You are the next Alpha to be. As my son and heir to the throne, you must protect the people. Even if it means sacrificing yourself for them!” Father vented out his anger.

His words struck a chord within me and I immediately knew that he had a point. I was not born an ordinary wolf. I had royalty running through my veins. And royalty came with a price.

This was the price I had to pay. Even if I was not happy with it, I had to go ahead anyway. I had to sacrifice my happiness for the greater good. 

“Besides, Alpha Klaus’ daughter is a sweet girl. I have heard about her beauty. It is sung like a song in her kingdom. I see no reason why you won't be happy with her. In the end, it is about finding someone you can trust. Someone who can take care of you when you're sick and I believe she can do all that. What more do you want, Xavier?” Father had a lot to say and I could see that he was not going to stop unless I stopped him.

And of course, as the loyal son that I was, I decided to do my father's bidding.

“Fine, you win. I will marry her,” I answered him in a defeated and low voice.

Father's anger immediately cooled off from his face and his eyes twinkled with happiness. He approached me and wrapped me in a tight hug. He patted my back and then released me. His hands lingered on my shoulders.

“Thank you, son. You have no idea how much this means to me. To know that the war will finally end and my son supports me by being the one to end it,” he told me softly.

I could swear that I saw tears fill up his eyes before he blinked them away. It truly meant a lot to him and I knew it because he had been trying to find a way for as long as I could remember.

“Now, you have to journey to the Kingdom of the South and accept the alliance in person. You also have to meet your betrothed and get to know each other,” he explained.

I clenched my fist in anger. Of course, I had to go see my bride-to-be and accept my doom. 

“When do I leave?” I asked. I prayed and hoped that he would send me in a month or even a week but even as I prayed; I knew it was impossible. With my father’s excitement, he was capable of sending me over right away.

“You leave immediately! The sooner you meet, the earlier both of you can get married and the sooner the war can be over. Don’t waste any time. I have asked your siblings to prepare your things for the journey,” he instructed.

I thought as much.

I ran my fingers through my hair in irritation. My life was officially ruined and I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life in sadness.

“As you wish father. I will go to her immediately. Is there anything else you need?” I asked but the question was only laced with sarcasm. He could as well tell me to hang myself to death if he wished. 

“No, my son, you’re already doing the one thing I’ve truly wished for my entire life. . .”