Fated to my Sworn Enemy

Chapter Two

Ryder's pov

I didn't even know why I was summoned there.

Everyone, including my father, Alpha Ares, knew how uninterested I was in anything related to the pack's administration.

So why was I summoned while the meeting had been going on?"

"Get prepared for tomorrow," he said, immediately after I stood in front of his throne-like chair.

Sitting beside him was my stepbrother, Kael.

Of my father's four children, I am the only one born to my mother; the other three were born to my stepmother, Dahlia.

Despite being the eldest, I was never treated with the respect that position typically commands. Most pack members did not see me as royalty—a status I never desired. Instead, Kael, Dahlia's first child, was favoured and widely believed to be my father's successor as the next Alpha.

My father also treated me as if I were not his biological son, always placing Kael above me. This made me wonder about the change in his behaviour after my mother's death.

None of this bothered me much. Since my mother's passing, I have found no excitement in the world, either within the pack or outside it. It was because of the guilt I felt, knowing I played a part in her death.

As my father spoke, I glanced around at the elders and both sides, unsure who he was addressing, even though he was looking directly at me.

"Was that meant for me?" I asked, pointing to myself in confusion because the events of the next day did not concern me.

In fact, I was not sure if I would be there.

Kael's marriage to one of Alpha Scott's daughters from the Silvermoon Pack was set for tomorrow.

Everyone in the pack, except for me, had been preparing for days.

They were not mates, but the two Alphas had agreed on the union because the Silvermoon Pack couldn't pay their annual tribute to us. This tribute had been in place for years, ever since our pack helped theirs win a war and provided for them during difficult times. Using his daughter as a bargaining chip, Alpha Scott aimed to end the tradition.

"And who do you think I am talking to if not you?" My father growled, his eyes narrowing and his voice sharp as he addressed me.

"But... I don't understand, Father," I said, furrowing my brows.

"Why summon me to this meeting just to tell me to prepare for a marriage that is not mine?" I questioned, my voice tinged with frustration and bewilderment.

"Well, the arrangement has changed. You are the one getting married to Alpha Scott's daughter tomorrow, not Kael anymore. As my first son, it should be you in the first place, not him."

Confusion and disbelief clouded my expression at the announcement. It sounded absurd and suspicious to me.

Why the sudden change of decision? The marriage had been planned for months! There had to be a reason behind my father's abrupt decision. How could he consider me his first choice now when he never had since Kael's birth? There was definitely something behind this, and I was determined to find out and reject the marriage proposal.

Heck, I didn't need anyone in my life for a romantic relationship, except maybe a one-night fling, which I did indulge in sometimes.

Ever since my mother's death, I have intentionally distanced myself emotionally from everyone, making the idea of a relationship seem impossible. A serious relationship would be a nightmare.

The only close bond I had was with Brian, the Gamma of the pack and my best friend.

I used to believe meeting my mate would change everything, including my view on life being exciting and worth living. But after five years of waiting in vain, I had given up that hope.

"There’s no reason other than it being your responsibility, not Kael's. I don't want to burden him with something that is not his duty," my father replied after I asked about the sudden change in decision.

I scoffed in disbelief, disgusted by the mention of responsibility. How dare he tell me about a responsibility that should be mine? Since when did that start?

"It is my responsibility?" I chuckled bitterly.

"Since when do I have responsibilities? Since when did you start assigning them to me?"

"It has been decided already, son. Get prepared for tomorrow because it's going to be a long day. That is the purpose for which you were summoned." He replied, his voice and expression void of emotion.

I glared at him, my eyes burning with indignation. He didn’t care about my opinion or seek my understanding. I mean, I didn’t even know this lady, let alone have met her!

Anger boiled inside me as I glared at him, compelling me to spill over into my words. "You know, sometimes I wonder if you are truly my father. Today, you have given me even more reason to doubt it."

Kael leapt to his feet instantly, his fist clenched, his face red with fury, and his veins pulsing at his temples.

"How dare you speak to Dad like that?!" he bellowed.

I let out a derisive snort, fixing my gaze on his enraged face before deliberately dropping it to his clenched fists. A cold glint entered my eyes.

"Calm down, Daddy's little lapdog." I sneered.

"This conversation is none of your concern, boy."

His fist tightened even more as he took a step towards me, looking ready to lunge. I braced myself, prepared to retaliate for the first time because I was utterly pissed.

Just as he seemed about to lunge, our father's hand shot up.

"Enough," he commanded, his voice low but authoritative.

Kael froze mid-step, his jaw working silently as he struggled to contain his rage. Slowly and reluctantly, he sank back into his chair, never taking his smouldering eyes off me.

I continued. "You claim it's my responsibility when it is the responsibility of your successor sitting beside you. Won't he be the next Alpha?"

But to my utmost surprise, my father burst into hysterical laughter while Klaus chuckled, leaving me utterly bewildered.

"You are done, right?" he asked.

I nodded in confusion.

His face then transformed into a stern expression.

"I thought as much," he replied.

Then he said something I had never imagined him saying.

"It's a disappointment that your mother isn't alive; if not, you could have just asked her who your biological father is to clear your doubt. Perhaps you could go to her tombstone to ask."

The room erupted in snickers, everyone joining in except my father, whose face remained as stern as stone.

A wave of humiliation washed over me, unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

Rage boiled within me, my fists clenching so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. I ground my teeth, barely containing my fury, as he spoke of my mother as if she were nothing more than an afterthought.

His callous words made me question everything I thought I knew about their relationship and marriage. Had his love for her been genuine or merely a façade?

A chilling thought crept into my mind. Perhaps the truth behind my mother's death was more complex than I had imagined. What if there weren't just two culprits, like I had thought, but three—including me and him?

He scoffed as he saw my clenched fist.

His voice deepened as it cut through the air, resonating with the power of his Alpha status. "By the ancient laws that bind our pack and the sacred oath of the Wildforest, I, Alpha Ares, command you to fulfil your duty. You will present yourself tomorrow and take Alpha Scott's daughter as your mate, as decreed by our alliance."

The command struck me like a thunderbolt, its implications sinking in. I could not refuse or defy an Alpha's order. Defeat washed over me, leaving me hollow.

I heaved a deep sigh, struggling to find words. They caught me in my throat, choking me with their weight.

"Fine," I finally managed, my voice a low growl.

"Let's get it over with tomorrow... Alpha." The last word dripped with barely concealed contempt.

I fixed him with one last blazing glare, defiance burning in my eyes even as I accepted my fate.

Without waiting for dismissal, I stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind me with a satisfying bang.

His order had left me no choice but to accept this arranged marriage.

As I stalked down the corridor, a grim smile twisted my lips.

"Whoever she may be..." I muttered.

"I can't wait to see how long she can endure my personal brand of hell before she gives up and begs out of this godforsaken marriage."

Little did I know, fate had a cruel twist in store. The next day would bring not just a wedding but a revelation that would shatter everything I thought I knew about myself, my pack, and the very foundations of our world.