The Alpha Kings Bride: Mated to my fathers killer

I stand before my father, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. The great Alpha King, my father, sits on his throne, his cold blue eyes fixed on me. It’s hard to ignore how much he looks like me, how much I resemble the man who’s controlled this pack, this kingdom, for as long as I can remember. He’s always been distant, even when he loved me in his own way. He’s always been the ruler first, a father second. But today, there’s no denying the weight of his authority. He's the only thing I've had close to love; he cherishes me, but at times, he also punishes me. “ You’ve heard the news, Selene.” His voice is unyielding, the tone that of a king giving a command. I hate the way he says my name. It’s almost as if he doesn’t see me, but only as a tool for his legacy. A legacy I never asked for. I nod, swallowing down the lump in my throat. I know what’s coming. The arranged marriage. The life I never wanted. “ I’ve arranged a union with Alpha Ken. He’ll be your mate. It’s for the good of the pack.” My heart stutters in my chest. The words are no surprise, not really. My father has been planning this for years. It’s a political move, a move to solidify power, and my name has always been tied to it. But that doesn’t make it easier. I cross my arms over my chest, trying to steady my breath. I try to keep my voice steady, but it shakes when I speak. “What if I don’t want this? What if I—” “ Don’t be foolish.” He interrupts me, his gaze icy, cutting through me. “ This is your duty, Selene. You’ll do this for the kingdom. For the pack. It’s what’s best.” For the kingdom. For the pack. The words repeat in my mind like a drumbeat. But what about me? What about my life? My desires? I don’t have any say in this. I never have. Not with him. Not with this life he’s planned for me. I want to scream. I want to tell him that I’ve never wanted to be a pawn in his endless game of power. I want to tell him that I don’t care about alliances, about politics, about what’s best for the pack. I just want to be free. But I know better. I know that saying any of that would be pointless. I’m not a child anymore. I’m twenty-four years old, and I’ve been groomed for this my whole life. I’m the heir. The only one left. “ Why can’t you see, Father? ” I whisper, though I know he won’t hear me. “ Why can’t you see how much I hate this?” He stares at me, his expression hardening into something unreadable. I catch a flicker of something… regret? Perhaps. But it’s gone before I can make sense of it. “ You will do this. It’s time for you to step into your role, Selene. You’ll marry Alpha Ken tomorrow.” Tomorrow. My chest tightens, but I force myself to nod. I don’t want to. I never wanted this. But there’s nothing I can do. My heart aches as I lower my gaze, trying to keep my emotions in check. I’ve never been able to stand up to him, not truly. Not when it mattered. “Fine,” I whisper, my voice breaking as I say the word I didn’t want to say. The word that feels like surrender. “ I’ll do it. For you.” He stands, his posture so perfect, so regal as if he’s won. And in a way, he has. I’m his daughter. I’ve always been his daughter. Always at his mercy. As I leave the throne room, I feel the weight of the decision press down on me. I should feel relieved, but all I feel is a hollow emptiness. Tomorrow, I’m supposed to marry Alpha Ken. My chosen mate. But I don’t feel anything for him. Nothing at all. I’m about to walk away when the door suddenly bursts open. “My king, I have news to report!” “Speak of the devil, come here, boy ” my father says, gesturing for the strange man to come towards him. “This is Ken, your future husband” My eyes widen, I’ve seen him before. He’s among the royal court. “ It’s my honor to wed such a beautiful bride ” Ken responds, an irritating smirk forming across his lips; he walks closer to me and gently grabs my hand, placing a gentle kiss on it. His ginger hair is all over the place as he stands back up. Ken’s face suddenly becomes serious, “ My king, there have been more of what you asked me to check in the village ” “More? ”, my father responds with an eerie look on his face. “ I’ve already done as you commanded ” Out of impulse, I quickly respond to Ken, “What are you talking about? ” “It seems to me like they are planning something ” “Ken says to my father, ignoring my question earlier. “ I just asked a question, what’s going on? ” He looks at me before suddenly turning his back around harshly. “ There’s a reason why you were brought up with honey and gold, in the most beautiful of gardens. You have no business with the affairs of the kingdom ” “ But I’m the heir ”, I respond, my voice becoming too loud for my own safety. “ You can’t be the heir without gifts, that’s why I’m doing this so that you can become a queen through him! This is all for you! ”, My father huffs one last time before pointing towards the door. “ Selene, to your chambers now! ” That’s right, I can’t rule the kingdom when I don’t even have the blessed gift. I haven’t been able to transform since I was born or even show any sign of royalty. He’s helping me so that I can still be royalty even though it’s not by him. My father doesn’t want me to lose the royal status, so at least let me be married to an alpha and rule. That’s what’s best for me and I am still being ungrateful. All I have to do is walk to the altar and hold the hands of a man that I do not know, kiss a man I do not know and please a man I do not know. What can be so hard about that? I take one last glance at the door before I leave. Tomorrow, everything changes. I’ll just close my eyes and remember my mother or the words my father said to me a few minutes ago; I don’t know if I’m ready for it.