Fated To The Enemy

The price of duty

The next morning, the sky was overcast, casting a soft grey light over the land as Lila stood at the edge of the pack house after her training session with the pack warriors.

Alpha Marcus had asked to have a private word. As she stood waiting for him, she debated in her mind that she probably should have changed and freshened up.

But she reasoned that it would take too long and decided to arrive on time rather than late. Besides showing her physical interests would not be a bad thing. Every luna should be physically strong and ready to lead her pack should the alpha not be available.

Alpha Marcus appeared several minutes later walking towards her, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. He gestured for her to join him, and together, they walked away from the pack house, heading toward the quiet forest that bordered the lake.

For a few minutes, they walked in silence, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot the only sound between them.

Lila found her thoughts drifting to the swans again, to the sense of peace she had felt yesterday by the lake, but it was fleeting. Today, there was no peace. Only the reality of what was to be discussed.

Eventually, Marcus broke the silence. "I thought it would be important for us to have a conversation, just the two of us," he began, his voice steady but detached. "Before I finalize anything with your father."

Lila nodded, bracing herself for whatever he was about to say.

"I want to be clear with you, Lila," he continued, his eyes ahead, fixed on the path. "I'm not looking for love in this marriage. I understand the bond that comes with being fated mates, and I won't pretend to offer you anything like that. I've already had my fated mate... and I lost her. I won't love you the way a mate should, and I don't expect that from you either."

Lila's heart clenched at his words, though they didn't come as a surprise. She had already accepted that this union would be one of convenience, not love. But hearing it spoken aloud made it feel more real, more final.

She simply nodded her head in response, not quite sure what to say.

Marcus glanced at her, his gaze serious as he continued. "What I do expect, however, is loyalty. My pack Silver Star is one of the strongest in the werewolf world, and I need a Luna who will be dedicated to its success. You'll have responsibilities—overseeing the pack, helping raise my son, and continuing the strength of our alliance. I need to know that you can accept this role, even knowing that we will never have the kind of bond that fated mates do."

Lila inhaled deeply, feeling the heaviness of his words. She had known from the beginning that this marriage wasn't about love, but hearing the coldness in Marcus's voice still sent a pang of sadness through her.

But what choice did she have? Her brother needed this. Her pack needed this. And she had always known her path would be one of duty, not desire.

"I understand," she said quietly, meeting his gaze with a steady resolve. "I will be a faithful Luna to the Silver Star pack, and I will devote myself to your son and the future of our pack. I know what's at stake."

Marcus studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching her face for any sign of hesitation. "You're certain?"

Lila nodded, her heart heavy but her voice firm. "Yes."

There was a slight shift in Marcus's expression, a flicker of something like relief, though it was quickly masked. "Good," he said, his tone formal again. "It's important that we're on the same page.

Lila swallowed hard. This was it. Her future was sealed. She would be Marcus's wife, Luna of the Silver Star pack, and mother to his son, Ethan.

They continued their walk, and Marcus began to speak of his land, describing the vast territory his pack controlled. "Silver Star is known for its fertile lands," he said. "Our agriculture is unmatched. We've developed advanced farming techniques that have kept our pack strong and self-sufficient. We also have factories that manufacture goods that the werewolf community relies on. It's a powerful position, and I expect my Luna to understand the importance of maintaining those operations."

Lila nodded, listening intently. She knew that Marcus's pack was one of the wealthiest and most powerful, but hearing him speak of it so proudly made her realize the full extent of what she was walking into.

"There will be duties, of course," he continued. "Managing the household, overseeing the education of our young wolves, maintaining alliances. And you'll be a mother to Ethan. He's young, but he will one day inherit the pack, and he needs a stable, loving environment to grow into the Alpha he's destined to be."

The mention of Ethan softened Lila's resolve slightly. She had already formed a small connection with the boy, and she knew she could be a good mother to him. If nothing else, she could pour her love and attention into raising him, ensuring that he had the support he needed.

"I'll do everything I can to support Ethan," Lila said softly. "I want him to succeed."

Marcus gave a curt nod. "Good. He's been through a lot, losing his mother. But he's strong. He'll need a warm heart to guide him."

Lila nodded her head in agreement.

"But there's more Lila." Marcus sounded more stern than before. "With power comes enemies, and I am not short of them. This places you in a dangerous position, and I would like for you to agree to never leave our territory without my permission. You will not wander from the pack house either without a minimum of 4 warrior escorts of your choice. And you will limit your communication with anyone besides your immediate family and members of my pack for the safety of our future.

Lila took a steadying breath, forcing herself to keep her tone calm even as her heart raced with frustration. She needed this alliance for her brother’s future but Marcus’s terms felt suffocating.

“So… I’m to be watched over constantly, with no choice in who I speak to or where I go?” She tried to keep the edge out of her voice, choosing her words carefully. “I understand the need for protection, Marcus, but that’s a lot to ask.”

Marcus’s expression softened, but only slightly. “It’s not meant as punishment, Lila. It’s for your safety."

She gave a short nod, more out of necessity than agreement. “I suppose if this is what you believe is best, I’ll do my part.”

Her voice was steady, but inside, she could feel her wolf, Sara, pacing restlessly. We’re made for freedom, not for cages, Sara’s voice echoed in her mind, a quiet reminder of the cost.

They stopped at the edge of the lake, the water calm and still, mirroring the sky above. The swans were further out today, gliding in the distance, but Lila could still feel their presence, a calming feeling as always.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Finally, Marcus broke the silence. "I'll speak with your father later today," he repeated. "We'll formalize the arrangement. The wedding will be scheduled for the next full moon"

Lila's heart pounded at the thought. So soon. But she nodded, pushing the wave of panic aside. This was her duty. This was the path she had to take. Lila gave a small, polite smile, though her heart remained heavy. "Of course, Alpha Marcus."

With that, he nodded, turned and walked away back toward the pack house.

Lila remained in her spot as she gazed out across the lake watching the swans intently. She would miss her home, her only condolence was that she could still speak atleast to Jacob once she left here.

The two had been so close ever since the day Jacob’s twin brother was killed in a horrible rogue ambush.

Lila’s heart clenched as she recalled that day. The memory of the rogue ambush was a wound that had never fully healed. Jacob’s twin had been everything to him, and losing him had shattered her brother’s spirit.

Lila had become fiercely protective of Jacob, knowing he would never be the same after losing his twin. But her heart also ached for their mother, Amelia, who had been plunged into an unimaginable grief.

While Amelia’s sorrow was raw and visible, their father, Alpha Victor, had been as cold as ever. He showed no emotion, not when his son was killed, and not in the face of his wife’s torment. He had always been distant, more concerned with power and wealth than with the emotional well-being of his family.

To him, the war with the Blackwolf pack wasn’t about revenge or protecting his pack. It was greed and power. Lila had no idea what exactly her father was seeking from the war. The land he so desperately wanted was just forest and meadows. It made no sense. The constant fighting slowly drained their coffers, and each day the pack lost more. His true concern was not for his fallen son or the future of his surviving children, but for the slow depletion of the pack’s wealth.

That was why he had jumped so quick to arrange her marriage Lila’s dowry alone would bring enough wealth to breathe new life into their war efforts.

Victor cared only for the money that would flow back into the pack, the strength it would bring, and the power it would allow him to wield once again.

And while Lila’s heart ached at the thought of leaving her home, her family, and her beloved animals behind, she knew she would need to fulfil her duty to ensure her brother was not left a disgraced and fallen alpha due to their father’s prideful and greedy mistakes.

Just then, Lila’s phone beeped, breaking the quiet around her and interrupting her thoughts. She pulled it out from where she’d tucked it between her hip and tights.

The screen lit up with an unfamiliar number, and she frowned as she read the preview: "Lila, it’s Derek. We need to talk. It’s urgent."

She stared at the message, suspicion flaring up inside her. Urgent? Now he needed her? After everything? If Derek thought she’d just come running, he was sorely mistaken.

“Maybe he’s finally coming to his senses,” Sara muttered.

Lila wasn’t buying it. She typed back, her response sharp and dismissive: “Urgent? Save it, Derek. Whatever it is, I’m not interested. Delete my number and don't contact me again.”

She hit send without a second thought, a grim satisfaction settling in her chest. If he wanted something from her, he’d need a better excuse than that.

Besides she had no interest in colluding with an enemy who had put her in this position.