FATED TO THE OLDER ALPHA

Chapter4

The Lurking Foe

~Aria’s POV~

The grand hall felt like a prison. Eleanor Blackthorn's eyes pierced through me, her presence had my chest beating against my heart after Alpha Caden introduced me to her.

There was one thing that could have made him bring me over here. This wasn't some sort of delusion.

"An Alpha's child cannot go unclaimed," Eleanor said, her facial expression serious. "You will marry my son."

The cold chill from her last words hit my chest hard like a hammer. I knew it! The older Alpha had made up his mind to marry me only under the circumstance of claiming his heir!

I stood breathless. "I didn't want any of this."

"Want?" Eleanor's scoff mixed with sternness and sarcasm. “My dear, this stopped being about what you wanted when you carried his heir.”

She turned, facing her son, and wiggled her eyebrows at him. "Tell her, Caden. Tell her what happens to unmated mothers carrying Alpha blood."

I turned to him, my voice barely a whisper. "What is she talking about?"

Caden's face tightened. "They get claimed. By force if necessary. Any Alpha can challenge for the right to mate you."

"That's barbaric!" Those words escaped from my mouth.

"That's our law," Eleanor bashed in, she wasn't going to entertain the opposite consideration. "Would you rather be claimed by a stranger? Or by nobody?"

When I thought she'd go silent for a while, she resumed her words again. “Dear, this isn't the time for emotions. "My son owes his pack the duty of providing an heir and the Moon Goddess has made you a suitable vessel for that.”

Tears burned deep in my eyes. I had to spill some words out regardless of the panic:

“Is that all I am? A vessel to bring forth an heir? "I dreamed more in life than just being an heir bearer!” My voice broke out.

Eleanor flashed a mean stare across but remained mute. She shifted her attention towards her son and both exchanged muffled conversations.

She had stated the law clearly to me. It was beyond a choice but a duty! A million tears and laments wouldn't change a thing.

"Don't pretend this arranged union means anything to you," I replied. "We both know how all this started."

If I hadn't fallen vulnerable and had my legs open for an Older Alpha on that fateful beautiful night. There wouldn't have been a pregnancy to nurture, and neither would I be getting married to Caden.

To him, that pleasurable night was certainly a mistake. Well, he'd most likely see me as just that.

Silly me to think for a second that what we shared that night was memorable and different, but the older Alpha likely didn't feel the spark and rather buried his mind on his late wife.

“My heir comes first. Nothing else is a priority. I had made that clear from the start. "Didn't I?” He blurted out, his tone oozing with authority.

The sound of his voice and its contents reminded me once again of what my life would become immediately after I tied the knot with him.

Ironically, a few weeks back, I was supposed to marry my mate whom I thought was perfect. How did everything turn sour within a blink of an eye?

Eleanor cleared her throat, which jolted my consciousness back. "The council meets tonight. If you're not mated by then..."

"Fine," I cut her off. "Let's get this over with."

"Good girl. "The officiant is waiting," Eleanor chimed and winked at me. "We don't have all the time."

***

The ceremony room was small and nothing as elaborate as my supposed union with Liam.

The pack elder stood before us, his facial expression etched with duty. "Marriage between wolves is more than a union of bodies. It is a binding of souls."

Caden's hand found mine. His touch sent sparks through my ribs.

"Do you, Caden Blackthorn, Alpha of the Silverpang Pack, take this woman as your mate?"

After a moment of quick thought, he responded. "I do."

I assumed for a few seconds his mind whirled across his late wife. He has refused to be with another woman after her demise, and from nowhere, I'm in his pack, carrying his heir and about to tie the knot with him.

All these unfolded within three weeks of our unexpected encounter. Knowing the facts, he'd have to consider fulfilling his duty to the pack. He had no choice but to consent to the marriage's sacred vows.

"And do you, Aria, accept this Alpha as your mate?"

My throat tightened. That was it. No going back.

"I... I do."

The elder nodded. "Then, by the power of the moon goddess, I declare you both husband and wife—"

The doors banged at the sound of the elder's proclamation.

Liam Blackwood stormed in, warriors surrounding him instantly. Behind him, Selene's scoff had goosebumps clothing my shoulders.

"Well, well," Selene sarcastically spat. "What a lovely ceremony."

"Who the hell are you two!?," Caden’s voice heightened.

Liam swiftly ignored him, his eyes fixed on me. "You actually did it. You married him."

"Liam—"

"Don't," he stepped forward, only to be blocked by guards. "You have no idea what you've done."

I lifted my chin. "I did what I had to do."

"Did you?" Selene's laugh sent chills down my spine. "Or did you just sign your death warrant?"

Caden pushed me behind him. "What are you talking about?"

"She's special, you know," Selene circled us slowly. "My dear elder sister. Always was. Mother knew it."

"Our mother died giving birth to you," I snapped at her.

"Is that what they told you?" Selene's eyes gleamed. "So many secrets and lies you have no idea of, sister. So many twists."

Liam's voice was urgent. "There are invisible forces at work here. Ancient powers are watching her. Waiting."

"For what?" Eleanor demanded.

"For this," Selene raised her hand, dark energy crackling. "For the moment she bound herself to the wrong Alpha."

“I don’t have any feelings for her; I just need an heir, and that she must give me!” Caden screamed in authority. His insensitivity showed forth once again.

“This chaos is caused by the one-night stand we mistakenly had together,” he mouthed further.

Through the surge of pain, I felt Caden's arms around me. "Stay with me, Aria."

"My chest hurts," I gasped. "What's happening?"

Selene's laughter echoed. "Oh, sister. This is just the beginning. They're coming for you now. For both of you."

"Who?" Caden demanded. "Who's coming?"

"A looming enemy is lurking around," Selene's words wrapped with threats.

The pain intensified. My vision blurred, darkness creeping in.

"Caden," I clutched his shirt. "I can't move..."

His arms tightened around me. "I've got you."

"You can't protect her," Selene taunted. "None of you can, the mark is set."

Eleanor's voice cut through the chaos. "What mark? What are you talking about?"

"The mark of the ancient ones," Liam's voice was grim. "They'd been watching. Waiting for the right time to penetrate."

Selene smirked. "Oh, dear sister, it's so fun watching you pretend to be safe. But you're not. None of you are."

Caden blurted out in command. "Get her out of here!"

Two warriors lifted me to my feet as my strength weakened, and my heart raced non-stop.

Something bigger was at play, someone was definitely lurking in the shadows, waiting and plotting.

It seemed like Liam and Serene were right after all. A lot I had no idea of. Multiple strange things unfolding at once!

I was no longer just a bride forced into marriage to fulfill the duty of a pack.

I had also become a target!!!