Her Fate

LUCY

“Mom, we’re back!”

I kick off my shoes in the entryway and hang my jacket on the coat rack. Lyla’s in full-on tantrum mode, throwing sass my way.

The whole day has been a tug-of-war with her. My head’s throbbing and my patience is running on fumes.

“Good afternoon, my darlings.” My mom greets Derrick and me as we walk into the kitchen. A plate of fresh cookies is sitting on the island.

“Lucy, you look lovely today.”

“What’s the occasion, Mom?” I ask, pointing at the cookies.

“What do you mean, sweetie?” she asks, looking puzzled.

“Mom, seriously.”

I slump onto a stool and slide the cookies towards Derrick. He dives in without hesitation.

“We both know you only bake these cookies for special occasions or holidays. And my birthday isn’t for another three days.”

“That’s enough.” My dad walks in through the back door. Mom gives him a peck on the cheek and hands him a cup of coffee.

“I’m just being honest, Dad.” I shrug. “There’s obviously something special happening. I just want to know what it is.”

Dad sighs and takes a big gulp of his coffee. It smells like vanilla, which is odd because his favorite is deep roast.

“We’re having an Alpha and his family over for dinner.” Dad grimaces and dumps his coffee in the sink. “We’re hoping you’ll find his son…interesting.”

I raise an eyebrow at Derrick. He’s got a mouthful of cookies and a surprised look on his face. Lyla seems to find the whole thing amusing.

“Dad…,” I groan. “The odds of finding my mate at sixteen are practically zero.”

“You don’t have to be mates to be together.” Dad takes a cookie and bites into it. Mom’s smiling at me, but there’s a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“An arranged mating?” I ask. Lyla’s amusement has vanished. We share a mutual sense of indignation.

“Only if you like him.” Dad tries to justify himself. “If not, there are plenty of Beta and Alpha males around for you to choose from.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Derrick growls. I’m shocked to see him standing up to our father. He’s never challenged our Alpha before.

“No, I’m not.” Dad grits his teeth. His Alpha energy fills the room, all of it directed at Derrick.

“My daughter is the future of this pack, my son isn’t. Traditions stand whether you agree with them or not.”

Derrick’s head is almost touching the countertop. I glance at Mom, who’s trying to ignore the situation by washing dishes.

“Dad, stop,” I say. “I’ll meet this Alpha and his son if you’ll stop.”

Dad stops radiating his energy and goes back to his cookie. Derrick quickly excuses himself and bolts out the back door.

***

“Hey.” I push open Derrick’s bedroom door and find him strumming his guitar on the floor. “You okay?”

After the argument, Derrick took a quick run through the forest around our house. I guess he climbed back in through the window.

“I don’t understand why he’s so hard on you about tradition.” Derrick runs a hand through his hair.

“Alphas of our pack have to follow tradition to keep our pack strong.” I sit next to him. “Dad just wants what’s best for our people.”

“Lucy, look at Mom,” Derrick growls. “Do you really want to be forced to mate with someone you don’t love?”

Our mom was forced to mate with our dad to keep the pack alive. Dad’s pack was threatening the north and south borders.

Grandfather Harte agreed to a treaty with Grandfather Livian if his daughter would marry the Harte heir.

Mom does love Dad, but it’s not the same as a mate’s love. Living as a wolf without your mate, once you’ve met, is one of the most painful things you can do. But she met Dad before that.

“Listen,”—I put a hand on Derrick’s shoulder—“this pack is our future. Traditions ensure that future. If I have to sacrifice myself for the greater good, then so be it.”

“Kids!” Mom calls from downstairs. “Get ready for dinner! We’re going to the pack house!”

***

I twirl a strand of hair around my fingers. Derrick and I are sitting in the back of Dad’s black SUV.

Mom insisted I wear the same outfit I wore to school today. She and Dad want Lyla’s dominance to impress the Alpha’s son. It would make things easier if I decide to be with him.

Derrick’s wearing dress pants and a white button-up shirt. His hair is slicked back in a low ponytail.

Mom curled my hair and put a simple gold necklace with a small heart around my neck. It draws attention to my neck.

Dad pulls up to the pack house and parks right out front. We all get out of the car and are greeted by a group of warriors, all dressed in black suits and matching shoes.

“Alpha and Luna. Welcome.” They all say in unison. I don’t miss this part of living in the pack house.

My parents thought it would be best to raise Derrick and me away from the rest of the pack to avoid us finding our mates too early.

“Heiress.” One of the warriors bows and offers his arm to escort me inside. Dad nods when I look at him.

I link my arm with the warrior’s as he leads me into the pack house. Derrick follows closely behind us.

Lyla steps into the front sitting room, her senses on high alert. The room is filled with pack members, their laughter and chatter filling the air. She’s caught up in the whirlwind of scents that swirl around her.

Focus, Lyla, I mentally nudge her, pulling her back to the present. For once, my wolf listens to me, and I’m not quite sure how to react.

“Alpha…” a pack member gasps out.

“Didn’t I make it clear that I wanted all of you mutts out of this house for the night?” My father’s growl echoes through the room, rumbling like thunder. “My warriors told me about the little rebellion you all tried to stage.”

“No, Alpha. That’s not what—”

My father’s hand lashes out, striking a female member who dared to speak. She crumples to the floor with a sickening thud. The sharp crack that follows tells me her cheekbone is likely broken.

“I’m not interested in your excuses.” My father dismisses them, wiping the blood from his hand onto a napkin handed to him by one of his warriors. “All ten of you, out. Tomorrow, you’ll face the consequences.”

The pack members bow their heads in submission, quickly vacating the house. I grit my teeth, holding back the words that threaten to spill out.

“Useless mutts,” my father scoffs.

Derrick and I share a look.

This is the power dynamic in our pack. I’m not sure if I can—or even if I should—try to change it.