The Marriage Mandate
1092 Words
Alpha Oscar – POV
After a brutal workout and a quick shower, I dropped into my usual spot at the breakfast table. Alone. The silence was loud. I took a slow sip of coffee and let out a sigh.
“Morning, Alpha,” came Jasmine’s voice, soft but distant. I glanced up. She had that kind smile on—but her eyes? Yeah, they
weren’t smiling.
“Morning,” I murmured.
She just stood there, awkward. Hovering.
“What?” I asked, not meaning to sound short, but... well, it came out that way.
“Can I join you?” she asked.
I nodded. The housemaid brought her a plate and poured her coffee. We sat in silence for a beat before she finally spoke up.
“Alpha…” Her voice shook. “My father wants us to get married. Tomorrow.” She stared at her coffee. “He doesn’t believe in
engagement…”
She trailed off, and her eyes drifted toward the hallway. I followed her gaze. Of course—Alpha Draven.
“Alpha Oscar,” Draven began, not wasting time. “You were engaged before—Mae, right? That ended badly. Your pack needs a Luna.
And soon… an heir.” He sat down like he owned the place. “You know how it is—by 25, an Alpha has to have an heir.”
“I’m twenty,” I shot back, raising an eyebrow. “Still got time.”
“Sure,” he said, leaning in, calm as ever. “But time is a luxury. Life’s unpredictable. What happens if you’re gone? No Luna, no heir, no one to take the reins?”
I narrowed my eyes. That wasn’t just a concern—it was a calculated nudge.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he added. “I’m just being real with you. Not trying to start anything.”
“You are my enemy,” I reminded him.
He sighed. “Crimson Pack doesn’t play dirty, Oscar. We fight our battles fair. If we want to take over a pack, we do it openly.”
The way he said it, smug as hell, made me want to roll my eyes—which I did.
“So, what’s your call, Alpha Oscar?” he asked, sipping his damn coffee like this wasn’t my breakfast he was hijacking.
I clenched my jaw. No peace, not even in my own kitchen.
“I’ve got terms,” I said finally.
“Let’s hear them,” he replied.
“I’ll marry Jasmine. She’ll be Luna. But like you said, if I die, someone needs to lead.” I paused. “That’ll be my sister—not
Jasmine.”
His face didn’t twitch. Blank slate.
“Second,” I continued, “Crimson Pack has zero say in how I run my pack. Jasmine included—even as Luna.”
I had to clear things off.
“Deal,” Draven said after a long pause.
I cut into my eggs. “Jasmine, you okay with this?”
“If my father agrees, I’m okay,” she replied, eyes still locked on her plate.
“You don’t have a mate?” I asked.
She looked up—just for a second. There was pain in that glance.
“Her mate died from illness,” Draven answered for her, his voice low.
“What if she finds a second-chance bond?” I pressed.
“She’ll reject it. Most don’t get that lucky twice. Even when they do, it falls apart.” Draven spoke like he was reading from a
rulebook.
“Fine,” I said. “We marry tomorrow. I’ll have Daniel start planning.”
Jasmine suddenly cut in, “Wait. What about you, Alpha? You have a second-chance mate. She’s still alive.”
“I’ve rejected her,” I said flatly. “There’s nothing left between us.”
She glanced at her father. He gave her a subtle nod, like that sealed the deal.
“Just remember, Alpha Oscar,” Draven added, “once you're married, no stepping out. Stay loyal.”
“I intend to,” I replied. “Unless she wants out, I’m in.”
Jasmine lowered her head. That silence said more than words.
“Well then,” Alpha Draven smiled. “I’ll inform my pack. They’ll be thrilled.”
Jasmine stayed behind, but she didn’t look at me. Lost in thought. I didn’t disturb her—I had things to take care of.
In my office, Daniel and Joseph were already waiting.
“Alpha, is it true? You’re getting married?” Joseph asked.
I nodded. “Start the preparations. Make the announcement.”
“Yes, Alpha,” they said in sync. Daniel lingered behind as Joseph left.
“Any update on Mae?” he asked.
For a moment, my wolf stirred. His name on her lips—it didn’t sit right.
“Yes,” I said, keeping control.
“Is she… okay?” he asked, his concern all over his face.
“She’s with a rebel rogue group. Getting herself in a mess,” I replied, trying not to react.
“You’re not going after her?” he asked, surprised.
“No. It’s not our fight. I’m not wasting resources,” I said.
Daniel didn’t like that. I saw it in his eyes.
“I… think I’ll go to her,” he said, hesitating. “I believe—”
“Daniel, enough.” My voice cracked through the air. He locked eyes with me—then looked down.
“She’s a rogue. Move on.”
“I’m sorry, Alpha. I just think… she’s not what everyone says she is. Maybe pushing her away was the real mistake. Maybe I’m a
fool for thinking that. Or maybe…” He trailed off.
Anger flared in my chest. My wolf growled.
“Kill this bastard. He shouldn't have feelings for our mate like that.”
“I’m sorry, Alpha. I crossed a line. I’ll go,” he said quickly, backing out and closing the door behind him.
I exhaled hard. Turned on the projector.
Mae. Sleeping. Peaceful. Innocent, even.
But her voice—her wickedness when she had no remorse for confessing her sins, that sure boiled my blood… it haunted me.
“Alpha.”
I snapped around. Jasmine was at the door, eyes wide. She’d seen the screen.
I shut it off fast.
“Stalker,” Jake—my wolf—muttered inside my head.
I growled internally, silently.
“You stalking your mate?” Jasmine repeated, her tone accusing.
- Writer
