Fated To The Enemy

Unwelcome News

Derek stood at the edge of the forest, his amber eyes scanning the horizon, but his mind was far away, lost in thoughts of Lila.

A rustle in the trees broke his focus, as his Beta, Rowan, appeared, flanked by two scouts. Their expressions were grave, and Derek could already sense that they carried bad news.

"What is it?" Derek's voice was tense, already bracing for the worst.

The first scout, a tall, wiry wolf named Gavin, stepped forward. "Alpha, we've just returned from scouting near the Swan Lake pack's territory. They've had a special guest arrive.

“Spit it out no need for suspense!” Derek growled. His usual calmness replaced by irritation since the previous nights events.

“It’s alpha Marcus, of the Silver Star Pack, Sir." Gavin replied.

The name alone sent a shockwave of anger through Derek's chest. He had heard of Marcus. Everyone in the werewolf community had. Marcus was powerful, wealthy, and influential. His pack was renowned not only for their fierce warriors but also for their unmatched wealth, built from advanced farming techniques, manufacturing goods, and control over many vital industries the entire werewolf world depended on.

"And why would Marcus be visiting Swan Lake?" Derek's voice was a low growl, as he suspected alpha Victor was up to something he would not like.

Gavin exchanged a glance with the second scout before speaking again. "He's there to secure an alliance... through marriage. He's set to marry Alpha Victor's daughter, Lila."

The name hit Derek like a punch to the gut. Rage and jealousy surged through him, so intense that his vision blurred for a moment. His wolf, barely contained, snarled inside him, wanting to lash out, to destroy everything in his path. The thought of Marcus, some arrogant, powerful alpha—claiming Lila, touching her, filled him with a fury unlike anything he'd ever known.

"No," Derek growled, his fists clenching at his sides. "That can't happen!"

His mind raced, struggling to process the information. Lila was his. She was his fated mate. The bond between them was something no political alliance could erase. How could she even think of marrying Marcus? How could she let another man near her?

Rowan stepped closer, his voice calm but filled with concern. "Derek, we need to think carefully about this. Marcus is not just any Alpha. His pack is incredibly powerful, and an alliance with the Swan Lake pack would make them nearly untouchable. If they join forces, it could tip the balance and ensure a win in their favour."

Derek knew that Rowan was right. Strategically, this was a nightmare. With Marcus's resources and the Swan Lake pack's position, they would become a dominant force, one that could crush Derek's pack if it came to that.

But logic had no place in his mind right now. All he could see was Marcus standing beside Lila, his hand on her arm, his eyes on her—claiming what was rightfully his.

“Ive known Lila all my life I know that she will never marry a man for power” Derek said in a confident tone.

The second scout, a younger wolf named Liam, spoke hesitantly. "Alpha, with respect... she may not have a choice. From what we all know, her father is manipulative and controlling. He'll do whatever it takes to secure an alliance, and if that means marrying her off to alpha Marcus, he'll make it happen."

Derek's chest tightened at the thought of Lila being forced into this. He could still remember the look of shock in her eyes when she realized they were mates.

Derek's mind swirled with thoughts of war, of bloodshed, of the consequences of his actions should he claim Lila as his own and challenge Marcus.

But his wolf didn't care. His wolf wanted to tear Marcus apart, to mark Lila and claim her as his mate, as was their right. Every second that passed, the thought of Marcus with her drove him deeper into a fury he could barely control.

Max, Derek's wolf began to rage "we should have marked her straight away. Human, your stubbornness is going to ruin us!"

"Shutup mutt" Derek banished Max to the back of his mind as he turned and stormed toward the forest. Rowan followed, leaving the others behind.

Derek's instincts were pulling him in the direction of Lila, even though he knew he couldn't just march into her father's territory.

His pack wasn't strong enough to take on two powerful forces at once. Not yet anyway. But the thought of doing nothing—of standing by while Marcus claimed her was unbearable.

"I can't just sit here and let this happen," Derek said, his voice strained with the effort of holding back his rage. "I have to do something."

Rowan nodded slowly, understanding his Alpha's turmoil he was the only member of the pack who knew Lila was Dereks fated mate.

"We'll figure it out. But you need to be smart about this, Derek. Rushing in now could cost us everything."

Derek knew Rowan was right, but the logical part of his mind was being drowned out by his wolf's demands. Every fibre of his being screamed to claim his mate, to rip Marcus apart before he could get anywhere near her.

But deep down, Derek also knew that Marcus wasn't just the man Lila could marry. He was a threat to the balance of power, a force that could reshape the entire werewolf world if this alliance with Swan Lake was solidified. And that made the situation even more dangerous.

"We'll keep an eye on them," Rowan continued. "We'll find out more about Marcus and Victor’s movements, their plans for the wedding will take time they need to wait for the next full moon before Lila can be marked and made Luna of the Silver Moon Pack if they aren't fated mates. So we have some time. If there's an opportunity to act, we'll take it. But for now, we need to be patient."

Derek's jaw clenched as he struggled to hold back the storm of emotions raging inside him. Patience wasn't what he wanted. He wanted action. He wanted to storm the Swan Lake pack right now, tear down their walls, and claim what was his.

But he knew Rowan was right. Acting rashly could destroy everything. He had to be smart. He had to plan strategically.

Still, as Derek looked out toward the distant horizon, where the Swan Lake pack and Marcus's forces were gathering, he felt nothing but rage and jealousy boiling inside him.

“Find out exactly when and where this marriage is to take place! And call for that damn witch Cassandra. I need to speak with her now!” ordered Derek.

Rowan nodded and walked away to follow his Alpha’s orders just as Derek unleashed all his fury on a large rock, beating into it so hard with his fist over and over while blood spilled out he felt nothing but rage.