As I stood on the brink of a moment I had both feared and anticipated, I felt the weight of inevitability pressing down on me like a heavy shroud. This moment, so long foreseen, was finally upon me, and my heart ached with a mixture of anguish and resignation. I couldn't help but wonder why fate had dealt me such a challenging hand. Why was it that I couldn't be with my own fated mate when it seemed others were blessed with such unions? Perhaps my parents were to blame.
As one of the largest and formidable after the royal pack, their ambitions consumed them, leading them to prioritize a powerful alliance with the king over my own happiness. They saw me as a pawn in their grand scheme, destined for a role I never choose for myself.
My father holds the esteemed title of Alpha of the crescent moon pack, a formidable pack that stands as one of the largest and most powerful packs in existence, second only to the regal lineage of the royal pack. His ambitions stretch far, he desires to usurp the Royal pack and claim the title of king for himself. To further this plan he orchestrated my destiny, intending for me to marry the prince. This union would grant him unparalleled access to the inner workings of the royal family, allowing him to gather critical intelligence that could aid in his coup.
From the tender age of my childhood, expectations hung over me like an oppressive weight. I was conditioned to believe that my fate was to become Jaden's mate. Their vision for my Future, I was put through rigorous training designed to mold me into a capable queen of our werewolf kingdom. I was taught to conceal my emotions, to don a mask forged from restraint. Each lesson felt like a thread binding me tighter to a life meticulously crafted for me, with no opportunity for my own hopes and dreams to bloom.
My parents were not bonded by a divine connection of a fated mate; they were a chosen pair, united for their own ambitions rather than love. This disconnect likely blinded them to the emotional turmoil I experienced as they disregarded the notion of mating with weak or lower stations. My father had rejected his true mate, an omega, deeming her too fragile, favoring instead a strong, alpha-blood mate, while pursuing strength and prestige. He settled for my mother, a woman whose ambitions quickly outweighed any affection she might have felt. Their union was one of convenience, with my father being one of the most powerful alpha, aiming for power over passion.
My grandfather is the beta of the red moon pack which was renowned, And one of the oldest existing packs, a legacy built on honor and courage. My mother harboured high aspirations, hoping to marry a high-ranking wolf, someone who could elevate her status to a luna. So when Alpha Bryson proposed to her, she seized the opportunity, unwilling to let it slip through her fingers.
As a result, any semblance of genuine feelings between my parents was a facade, expertly crafted for the eyes of the public. To the media and the kingdom, they were depicted as one of the most glamorous and adoring pairs amongst chosen mates, a dazzling display of unity. But behind closed doors, I was nothing more than an obligation, brought into existence to fulfill a dream that wasn't mine. The indifference towards me was stark; my mother cared more invested in her title as Luna than in nurturing her own child.
Intriguingly, before I grace this world, my mother forged a close friendship with the queen of the Royal Pack, unbeknownst to her, it was all part of a grander scheme, this friendship was a calculated maneuver, designed to bring us closer to the royal family. When the queen ultimately became pregnant and welcomed a son into the world, my mother was positioned to influence the outcome of the royal lineage. A secured agreement- a promise, that if my mother bore a daughter, I was to become the prince's chosen mate, nurtured after birth to fulfill the duties of a future queen ensuring our family's ambitions would intertwine with the royal future.
After my arrival, plans were drawn to inform the council elders of this predetermined arrangement. However, my grandfather, wise and tender-hearted, voiced his concerns, urging caution against such a rigid path. Many among the elders agreed, believing the prince should have the chance to grow, to experience life, and choose among all the capable noble ladies. Yet my parents,driven by ambition, steadfastly continued my training, resolute in her belief that I alone was destined for this role.
My grandfather, one of the strongest and kindest beta I had ever known, treated me with a gentleness that was refreshing amidst the coldness of my parents' ambitions. His kindness often contrasted with my mother's indifference, and he expressed deep regret for the neglect I faced at their hands. He carried a heavy burden, lamenting that he had not guided my mother to value love over power. Losing my grandmother at birth had left its mark on him, and he often sought to compensate for the love she could no longer provide.
For us werewolves, the moon goddess bestowed us with a soulmate, which was gifted to us since birth, and was connected to our soul and wolf. The bond between destined mates is sacred, yet fraught with complications. Although it is possible for two destined soul mates to reject each other, doing so involves immense emotional turmoil and physical agony. Many who lack the strength to withstand this pain face dire consequences, including the risk of death, which is why actual rejections are rare in our society. However Alphas possess strength, which could allow them to accept and reject their mates with a little pain.
Yet, the king's authority allowed him to choose his mate, a decision fraught with expectations of strength and capability. This rule was established by the elders to ensure a queen could stand as a true partner beside the king—a union of equals.
All I genuinely longed for was the freedom to be with the person who was meant for me, the person my heart and soul belong to, rather than standing beside the prince, who I could only ever regard as a dear brother. His affection for me was a quiet storm, a force I could sense but could never reciprocate.
Deep down, I understood why I was unable to reciprocate his feelings. My heart, mind, and soul belonged irrevocably to my true mate, who awaited me out there, hidden beneath the expansive tapestry of the night sky, waiting for the day our paths would finally cross. It was a longing that intertwined with my very essence, a hope that one day, love would find a way to break through the confines of expectation and reveal the truth of my heart.