Mated To My Fiancé's Brother

I shifted back to human form, panting, as my brother Stephan and I concluded our sparring match. He grinned. "You're getting faster, sis." I rolled my eyes, laughing.

"It means you're slow, dumbhead," I replied with an equal grin.

Just then, Ural, our pack's beta, approached us. "Alma, your father seeks your presence." His expression was serious.

I arched my brow, staring at him. This can't be simple. I swiftly turned to my brother. "See you tonight. "Don't be late," I uttered with a slight smile before trailing behind the beta.

I followed Ural to my father's office. Alpha Startam's eyes met mine, filled with concern. "Alma, we have a situation." He handed me a letter, sealed with the royal Blood Moon Pack's crest.

I know this pack even though I've never been there once. I mean, who wouldn't? They are the royals and pretty much dominate small packs like ours. And their letters? We get one at least once a month for either the general meeting or payment of pack taxes. I sat down with the letter in hand.

I slowly tore it open, and the letter's words chilled me: "Face extinction or give us your daughter in marriage to our new Alpha King Lucas." I felt like I'd been poured a block of ice.

"What does this mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as I slowly took up my gaze to my dad.

"It means," my father said, his voice heavy with worry, "we're at a crossroads. The Blood Moon Pack's power is growing, and they want to solidify their dominance through an alliance."

"What?!" I scrambled out of my chair at once.

"I mean, why us? We are but a small pack, Dad? What do they want from us?"

I knew what this meant for me: a life bound to a stranger, an Alpha king who is known to be a tyrant.

"What do we do, Father?" I asked, my heart racing.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and anxiety.

He stood up at once. "We'll fight to the death!" He stated in a commanding tone I've never heard him use before.

"But Father, extinction—"

"Do not worry about that, Alma." He walked over and placed both hands on my cheeks, looking deep in my eyes. "I can't risk my precious daughter to a shady alliance. This can't be good, Alma."

I took a deep breath and spoke, "Father, I think we should agree to the alliance."

"What?!" My father exclaimed, looking shocked by my response.

To be honest, this isn't what I want either. I have always dreamt of finding my mate. I turned 18 some months ago but still haven't found my mate. I know he's not in my pack. Though the ruthless Alpha should not be an option, what if he turns out to be my mate? At the same time, I'm scared my pack might really go extinct if I refuse this proposal.

"Dad, let's look at the bigger picture here. No matter what, we are bound to lose this fight. I can't lose anyone, not after Mom left us." A tear trailed down my cheeks.

My dad looked sad. He doesn't talk about our mom or why she left, but I could tell he was hurting.

He looked at me thoughtfully, then nodded. "Alright, Alma. We'll accept the proposal. But trust me, if he ever mistreats you, then consequences be damned!"

"It's okay, Dad, we'll be fine. I'll make sure of it."

At this point, I only have one thing in mind. Pretend to accept the alliance but find out the real reason I was chosen by the Alpha king. I know I've got skills, and so do the daughters of other pack alphas.

The pack members also believed this union would make us stand out from other small packs. I wish it were that simple.

My father, a few pack elders, and I travelled to the Blood Moon Pack's territory. When we arrived, we were led to the pack throne room. Alpha Lucas sat on his throne, surrounded by naked sluts who were kissing on his thighs and lips. It was a disgusting sight to behold. He was laughing loudly, clearly drunk.

I felt a surge of anger and embarrassment. Was this the king we were supposed to form an alliance with?

He took notice of us and waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, the Nightshade Pack. How...amusing."

His tone was condescending, and I bit my tongue to keep quiet. My father stepped forward, trying to maintain diplomacy. "Alpha King Lucas, we're here to discuss the marriage alliance."

The king raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "Oh, yes. My little bride. I almost forgot."

His words stung, but I kept my composure. What kind of king was this? Was this really the man I was supposed to marry? He doesn't even look that handsome.

"I see you're a smart man, Alpha Startam. Your pack must be so precious," he said with hearty laughter.

I shut my eyes tightly at his demeaning words. If someone doesn't shut him up, I will!

"And so is my daughter, Your Majesty." My dad replied calmly.

The king doesn't seem to be impressed by my father's words.

"You should be glad your unworthy daughter is chosen to be my bride."

When Lucas spoke about me in such a downgrading way, my father's face turned red with anger. "My daughter is not for sale," he said firmly. "We're trying to form a logical alliance, not trade livestock!"

Lucas's expression darkened. "How dare you!" he growled, his voice dripping with menace. "What gives you the right to disrespect me?"

He raised his hand, and I saw the guards move forward quickly to drag my father away. The king's eyes gleamed with a ruthless light, I was engulfed in panic. I feared for my father's life. Everyone present in the room seemed to be as terrified as I was.

It was obvious that no one could stop the Alpha King's rage. What should I do? I can't watch my father slaughtered in front of me when he's only trying to protect me.

Just when I was thinking of what to do, someone stepped forward from the crowd and bowed his head. "Your Majesty, please reconsider."

His voice was deep and smooth, and it sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't see his face, but his broad shoulders and chiselled features made my heart skip a beat.

The king's furious beast instantly halted, its eyes fixed on the man. Seeing the king, whose anger was at a boiling point, instantly go so low to a freezing point was baffling and strange.

The man's presence was calming, and I felt my wolf stir, responding to something about him. I couldn't explain it, but I felt drawn to him.

"Release him," Lucas's voice came out steady, and immediately, my father was left unharmed. Instantly, I scampered towards my dad and hugged him tight, tears running down my cheeks, my heart beating fast.

After we had both calmed, I took my gaze back to the man whose face I still couldn't see clearly.

Who was this mysterious man, and why did he intervene on our behalf?