Fated To The Bad Boy Alpha

Chapter 4. Fate That Binds

Aleena Wilder

My life has truly changed since that day. Now, I live in Nathanael’s residence—a cold, imposing place despite its grandeur. Everything feels too foreign, as though I’m a small bird trapped in a golden cage. This residence has become the waiting ground for my upcoming wedding, as well as the stage for Alpha Alexander’s resignation ceremony, where he will pass his position to Nathanael. The condition for Nathanael’s ascension? He must marry me.

That fact keeps spinning in my head, robbing me of sleep night after night. Why me? Who am I, really? I am nothing more than a human girl found and raised by the omega Wilder family as if I were their own. There’s nothing special about me, nothing that makes me worthy of becoming an Alpha’s mate. Is this truly my fate? Why does my destiny feel so grand and yet so burdensome?

That question haunted me, even more so after Nathanael shattered the tiny hope that dared to bloom in my heart.

“For the record, you disgust me.”

His words were cold, sharp as a dagger. He gripped my arm harshly, leaving red marks and a stinging pain on my skin. The physical ache was nothing compared to the wounds his words inflicted.

“My father might have demanded this marriage, but I’ll never touch you or see you as my mate!” His voice dripped with disdain.

“You’re nothing but a lowly omega!”

I could only stay silent. What could I possibly say to that? His words were too cruel, too piercing. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I held them back. I refused to let him see me cry. Not now.

The day of the wedding finally arrived. The preparations were grand because this wasn’t just a wedding. It was also the day Alpha Alexander would step down and Nathanael would officially become the new Alpha. The grand hall of the castle was filled with guests—leaders of various clans allied with the Wildblood pack—all attending in their finest attire, exuding power and elegance.

Their gazes bore into me the moment I entered the hall, filled with skepticism, disdain, and even outright mockery. They didn’t believe that I—Aleena Wilder—was Nathanael’s mate. I could feel their whispers, discussing me as if I were an anomaly that didn’t belong.

Even Alice and my former colleagues, who were there as members of the pack, wore the same skeptical expressions. Their envy was blatant, their disbelief clear. How could Aleena Wilder, once a mere restaurant worker, become Nathanael’s mate?

Each step toward the altar where Alpha Alexander and Nathanael awaited felt like trudging through a storm. I wore a simple white gown chosen by the castle’s stylist. It was beautiful, yet I felt like a doll forced into a role in a play that wasn’t mine.

Nathanael’s gaze remained the same—cold and full of resentment. I knew he didn’t want this, just as much as I felt trapped by this so-called destiny.

Yet, the most unsettling presence wasn’t Nathanael or the crowd’s judgmental stares. It was someone among the guests, a man who seemed to fixate on me in a way no one else did.

He was from the Lunar Ashes pack, one of the esteemed guests invited to this ceremony. Handsome, with piercing dark eyes, he exuded an air of mystery that was hard to ignore. But it was the way he looked at me that sent shivers down my spine. His gaze wasn’t one of judgment or contempt like the others. It felt as though he was stripping away layers of my identity, searching for something hidden even from me.

I tried to shake off the feeling, focusing on the ceremony. Nathanael recited his vows in a monotone voice, almost devoid of emotion. When it was my turn to speak, my voice trembled, but I managed to finish.

When we were declared husband and wife, applause filled the hall. Yet, I knew it wasn’t for me. It was for Nathanael, the new Alpha. I was nothing more than a shadow by his side, an unwanted addition to his reign.

Alpha Alexander handed over the ceremonial cloak, marking the end of his long leadership. The crowd paid their respects to Nathanael, including me. Yet, as I bowed, I felt the Lunar Ashes man’s gaze once more, sharp and unrelenting like an arrow.

When the celebration began, I retreated to a corner, hoping to avoid further attention. But the unease wouldn’t leave me. Who was that man? What did he want from me? And why did his stare make me feel as though he knew something I didn’t?

That day, I became Nathanael’s wife and Luna of the Wildblood pack. Yet, I knew that in his heart, I was still nothing but a burden forced upon him. And amid the crowd, I felt the stirrings of a greater secret—something looming on the horizon, threatening to upend my life once more.

After the wedding and Nathanael’s official induction as Alpha, I hoped to escape the noise and find a quiet moment alone. But fate seemed to have other plans.

A servant approached me, bowing respectfully. “Alpha Alexander requests a private audience with you, Luna Aleena.”

My heart raced. Why would Alpha Alexander want to speak with me? What more could he possibly have to say after everything that had unfolded? Reluctantly, I followed the servant to a smaller, yet still grand, room on the castle’s west wing.

Inside, Alpha Alexander sat in a large chair, a cup of tea in hand. He looked at me with a kind yet authoritative gaze, much like a father about to offer sage advice to his child.

“Please, take a seat, Aleena,” he said gently.

I obeyed, sitting across from him while trying to calm my chaotic thoughts. Alpha Alexander sighed deeply before beginning.

“Aleena,” he said, “I know this hasn’t been easy for you. Marrying Nathanael and suddenly becoming a Luna is an enormous responsibility. But I believe you’re stronger than you realize.”

I lowered my gaze. His words sounded encouraging, yet I felt like someone thrown into a storm with no warning.

He continued, “You may wonder why I chose you as Nathanael’s mate, why I insisted on this marriage.”

I nodded slightly. That question had haunted me since the first time I learned of this so-called destiny.

Alpha Alexander offered a faint smile. “Because the Moon Goddess herself destined it.”

I blinked, confused. “But, Alpha Alexander … Nathanael doesn’t want me. He hates me.”

Alpha Alexander nodded slowly, as if he had anticipated my response. “I know, and that’s precisely why I wanted to speak with you.” He leaned back in his chair, his gaze serious. “Your task, Aleena, is to help Nathanael change. His behavior has been reckless and problematic for this pack. If left unchecked, it could bring harm to everyone under his care.”

His words left me speechless. Changing Nathanael? It sounded like an impossible task. He wasn’t just stubborn; he was filled with animosity toward me. How could I even begin to approach him, let alone help him transform?

“I … I don’t know if I can do that,” I admitted honestly.

Alpha Alexander’s gaze softened but remained firm. “You can, Aleena. I believe in you. Nathanael is my son, but his temper and pride often cloud his judgment. That’s why he needs someone like you—someone who can bring balance into his life.”

I shook my head slightly, feeling overwhelmed. “But he won’t listen to me ...."

Alpha Alexander offered a small smile, though his eyes stayed serious. “He might not listen to you now, but you have time. Don’t let his hatred discourage you. You are the only one who can soften his heart. If you succeed, you won’t just save Nathanael; you’ll save this entire pack.”

His statement made my chest tighten. This responsibility felt too vast, too daunting. I was just an ordinary woman, while Nathanael was a strong, unyielding Alpha. How could I ever hope to do this?

“This won’t be easy, Aleena,” Alpha Alexander continued, as if reading my thoughts. “But never underestimate the power of a kind and steadfast heart.”

I nodded slowly, even though doubt still lingered in my mind. I didn’t know if I was capable of carrying out this task, but I also knew I had no other choice. This was the burden fate had placed upon me, and somehow, I would have to carve my own path through it.

As I left the room, Alpha Alexander’s words echoed in my mind. Could I truly change Nathanael? Or would this mission become my undoing?

***