FATED TO THE ENEMY ALPHA

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

ELOWYNNE

Air escaped my lips in a sharp breath as I stared at my father.

“This must be a joke,” I managed to mutter after a few seconds of silence, seconds that felt like hours.

He sighed. “It is not.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m not marrying anyone.”

“Elowynne…”

“I am not getting into an arranged marriage!” I stood from my seat and stared at him in confusion. “This is exactly what you promised you wouldn’t do.”

As a child, I was made aware of my inadequacy. I was the only child of the alpha, and worse, I was a girl. Moonveil pack had never been ruled by a woman, and it was grilled into my head, from jokes during playtime to snide comments from adults, that the only way I could be close to ruling was if I married into another alpha powerful bloodline, and my husband would take over as alpha.

Scared, I made my father promise he wouldn’t marry me off, that he would give me a chance to be qualified for the throne just as he would if I were a boy. He made the promise, but I guess promises aren’t easy to keep, especially when you’re getting old and your pack elders are pressuring you to appoint an heir.

“You know I wouldn’t be doing this if there was a better option—”

“No. You’re doing this because it is the easiest option,” I accused with tears in my eyes.

His face hardened, and I could see his expression change from being my father to being the fierce alpha he is.

“You will be getting married, and that is final,” he said firmly. “Your suitor will arrive soon, so get ready to meet him.” I recognized the slight flicker in his expression as he spoke again. “I made sure to select someone good for you. You will like him.”

***

I did not like him.

Conrad Blackborne was the son of Alpha Caden of Blackridge pack. He was tall, easy on the eyes, and seemed nice. But each moment we spent together, I kept comparing him to Shawn.

My brain knew it was stupid of me to do that. Shawn was practically a stranger I’d met only once under false, hidden circumstances. It was possible I’d never even see him again.

But my wolf… my wolf wanted him and him alone, so she protested against the mere idea of me being with someone else.

And I was seeing Shawn again. Tonight.

My wolf purred in satisfaction at the thought.

“So, what are your hobbies?” Conrad asked.

“Playing with weapons,” I blurted out without thinking.

The horrified expression on his face made me blanch.

“Weapons? That’s very unwomanly.”

“That was a joke,” I let out a small chuckle. “My hobbies are…making healing herbs and hanging out with friends.”

My skin prickled from the lie, but as Conrad’s face softened at my new answer, I knew this sham of a marriage wouldn’t work without me lying about my entire person.

“That’s a good hobby for a woman." He nodded in appreciation. “If I get bruised during practice, or at worse, wounded during battle, I’ll be sure to have a wife who will heal me.”

He said it with such a big smile that one would think he said something so profound. Maybe if healing was truly my hobby, it would be profound. I would be happy.

But that wasn’t who I was.

‘…there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, darling. I can teach you.’

Shawn’s words from last night filtered into my head, goosebumps erupting on my skin as I remember the way his skin felt against mine. His thick, husky voice. His scent…

“Do you also love to cook?” Conrad’s voice ripped me away from my thoughts. “I know we will have servants to do the cooking, but I’d love to cook my wife’s meals from time to time.”

I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes.

“Yes,” I hissed through gritted teeth. “I love to cook.”

By the time I was done talking to Conrad, I was exhausted.

I skipped dinner to avoid seeing my father. What I felt for him wasn’t just anger. It was betrayal, and the extent of it had only worsened after spending two long hours of my precious time with the suitor he claimed I would like.

I changed into my fighting clothes, lay on my bed, and covered myself with a blanket. My body bubbled with excitement, and I almost couldn’t wait for midnight to sneak out.

When it was time, I took my usual route out of the pack house and snuck into the forest. Then I turned and broke into a run, loving the way the night wind breezed through my fur. In no time, I arrived at my spot. Disappointment coursed through me when I found it empty.

The irony! Just yesterday, I hated the idea of another person here. Now, I wanted the opposite?

‘Come back to your senses, Elowynne,’ my inner voice snapped in my head.

I shifted back to my human form and put on my clothes. I opened my satchel, brought out my weapons, and began to set up.

Just then, I heard a rustle in the bushes behind me and felt a woosh as someone rushed up behind me. Immediately, I spun, ready to strike my attacker with my dagger. However, my hand was held midair as I came face-to-face with Shawn.

“First lesson: the art of counter-surprise,” he said huskily, with that smirk playing on his lips. “You noticed the threat before it got to you. Impressive.”

I couldn’t help the satisfied smile that spread on my lips. “I can actually fight.”

“Hm.” He hummed, and a sharp jab to my abdomen made me stagger back a bit, caught off guard by the attack.

“Tsk, tsk. You should never let your guard down, no matter what.”

Letting out a huff, I squared up my shoulders and rolled my dagger in my hands. We began to slowly circle each other, and as I waited for the perfect opportunity to strike, I took him in. Somehow, he looked even more handsome than yesterday, if that was even possible. His jet black hair framed his face in wild curls. His eyes were sharp and focused on my movements, his lips clamped in concentration, though I could still see the hint of a smirk in one corner of his mouth.

“I almost thought you wouldn’t show up,” I said, stepping slowly to the side.

“I had a very important lesson today. I couldn’t miss it for anything.”

Something in the way his eyes darkened made me know he wasn’t talking about our fight lessons. A hot flush traveled down my body as his eyes trailed over my features. They were almost clinical and assessing, but I could still feel the heat in them and see the slight flicker in his eyes.

I attacked.

I could see the surprise in his features as I lunged at him, sending us both to the ground.

“Well, teacher, maybe you’re the one who should never let your guard down.”

When I thought of attacking Shawn, it felt like a good idea. It was definitely good for my ego to kick his arrogance down a notch. But now, having him pinned underneath me, I’ve realized what a terrible idea this was.

My hands were pressed against his chest with my legs on either side of his waist, and I could feel his muscles ripple underneath me. I tried not to think about that fact that I could feel his hardness between my legs.