Fated To The Enemy

Swan Lake

After the meal which went on into the late afternoon, the tension Lila was feeling gradually lessened.

With the formalities behind them, Lila found herself walking alongside Alpha Marcus and his young son, Ethan, toward the lake.

The lowering afternoon sun cast a golden hue across the water, and the familiar sight of the swans brought Lila a rare moment of peace. The lake had always been one of her sanctuaries.

As they approached the shoreline, Lila's eyes immediately sought out the swans she had known for years.

Majestic and serene, they glided effortlessly across the surface of the water. Among them were the two largest swans, a bonded pair that had always symbolized freedom and loyalty for Lila.

To her delight, the pair proudly displayed their newest additions—three fluffy cygnets paddling close behind, their tiny forms determined to keep pace with their parents.

"They seem to recognize you," Marcus remarked, his voice laced with admiration as he watched the swans move toward them.

Lila offered a soft smile, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. "I’ve always had a connection with them," she replied, kneeling by the water's edge as the mother swan came closer, gently nuzzling Lila's outstretched hand.

For a fleeting moment, Lila allowed herself to forget the complexity of her situation.

The swans, wild and free, had always been a reminder of a simpler life. Yet even these creatures, bound by duty to their young, understood the balance of responsibility and care.

Marcus watched the scene silently, clearly impressed by the swans’ trust in Lila. "They’re magnificent creatures," he said, stepping closer. "You have a gift with them."

Lila stood, brushing her hands against her gown. "I’ve always felt like they understood me," she admitted. "They’ve been here for as long as I can remember, always nearby when I came to think."

Marcus nodded thoughtfully, his eyes drifting from the swans back to Lila. "It's fitting," he said. "For someone of your status to have such a connection with the land and its creatures. They trust you, just as the pack do."

His words, though intended as a compliment, only reminded Lila of the burden she carried. This wasn’t a natural bond but a forced alliance—one built out of duty, not love. Still, in this moment by the lake, it almost felt bearable.

Turning to Ethan to change the subject she gently asked "Would you like to touch them, Ethan?" her voice soothing and inviting.

Ethan looked up at his father for approval. After Marcus nodded, the boy approached cautiously, his eyes filled with awe. "They’re so big," he whispered.

"They are," Lila agreed, smiling. "But they’re gentle too. If you’re careful, they will warm up to you."

Ethan’s face lit up with excitement as Lila guided his small hand forward to pet the mother swan’s soft feathers. His joy was palpable, and for a moment, Lila’s heart softened as she watched him interact with the elegant bird.

"They like you," she said softly, watching Ethan’s face glow with pride.

"They do?" Ethan asked, glancing up at her with wide eyes.

Lila nodded. "Animals can sense kindness. They know you mean no harm."

Ethan beamed, clearly pleased by the idea. He looked back at his father, who observed the exchange with a rare look of tenderness.

"I didn’t realize you would have such a way with them," Marcus admitted quietly. "It’s... remarkable."

Lila met his gaze briefly before looking back at the swans. "They’ve always been special to me. And now, it seems they’ve taken a liking to your son."

Marcus’s expression softened as he watched Ethan continue to pet the swan. He shook is head in awe as he watched them both laughing as one of the birds nudged Ethan, oblivious to the weight of the moment.

To them, this was peace, a simple connection with nature. But for Marcus, it was a reminder of everything he had tried to bury. As Marcus watched Lila now, he couldn’t help but see something familiar in her—the same quiet bond with the land, the way the animals seemed to respond to her presence without her even trying.

But Lila didn’t know the full story. She didn’t know the truth about the past, or the secrets that had shaped the decisions that brought them here.

Marcus couldn’t shake the growing concern that when she did learn the truth, it might be more than she could bear.

Would Lila be able to handle it? The thought haunted him. The burden of the past was heavy, full of tragedy and decisions that had left deep scars.

As Ethan’s laughter rang out, Lila smiled, completely unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface. For now, the arrangement continued, inching closer to becoming reality.

But once the truth came to light, once Lila learned what had really happened, and who she really was. Marcus wondered if she’d be strong enough to face it.

For now, he said nothing. The truth would come soon enough, and when it did, Marcus could only hope she wouldn’t be crushed under its weight.

Lila looked up as though she could read his thoughts her eyes pierced into his she quickly smiled gently as she raised herself from her position.

Together, they turned to head back toward the pack house, Ethan skipping alongside them, still buzzing from his encounter with the swans.

As Lila walked away she could not shake the feeling as though they had been watched.

She shook it off, thinking that it must have been her father who had sent someone to ensure she was behaving.

As Marcus glanced back over at Lila and gave her a half understanding smile Lila’s suddenly felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe she could find a way to make this life work, even if it wasn’t the one she had hoped for.