Tasting The Enemy

“Go on,” Nik said.

“What’s this about?” I asked and then stared at Dad’s office door.

I wasn’t allowed to walk in whenever I wanted.

Nik groaned and Blazer grunted.

“It’s about your plans after you’re done with high school. Now will you go inside or do I have to open the door for you?” Nik asked.

“Well, you could be a gentleman from time to time.”

My brother shot me daggers.

“I’m going!”

Dad sat behind his desk. He looked up and nodded at Nik behind me.

“Don’t go far,” he told them. “Close the door,” he ordered me.

I sat across from him. He scrutinized a map before swiping it off the table.

“Elaine,” he said.

“Dad.”

I wasn’t Daddy’s little girl. We barely spent time together. He demanded respect more than love. He danced with me once at a wolf awakening ceremony because it was the Father’s obligation to dance with their daughters. Soon after that, we found out about the blessing and the curse.

He folded his arms on the table and stared at me with his tense green eyes. They reminded me of Azaire’s hazel eyes. With his long blond hair and full beard, he reminded me of a Viking. I snapped out of it.

“Avena told me about your plans to travel for medical school.”

Avena was Dad’s right-hand witch and she ran the pack house since the pack had no Luna she took up most of the Luna’s responsibilities.

“Yes, I’ve applied to the best schools with really good scholarships. You don’t even need to do anything I’ve got everything mapped out-”

Dad’s smile caught me off guard. “The pack would love to see the Alpha’s daughter doing so well.”

My heart raced faster. I didn’t believe he brought me here to congratulate me or encourage me.

“I think I have a chance of getting a scholarship or two. My grades are good.”

“I know they are Elaine. You’ll make a great doctor but you have to put your plans on hold.”

My heart slammed forward. “On hold?”

“Because of your engagement.”

I stuck my nails into my thigh to prevent the outburst. Engagement! Dad didn’t do well with outbursts or being questioned but an engagement? Wasn’t I supposed to be in on something like this? Shouldn’t I know who I’m getting engaged to?Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“To Alpha Keegan’s son, Neel.”

“The guy who braids his beard?”

Dad grimaced. “That’s not relevant. This arrangement is beneficial to taking over the town. Keegan’s pack is our closest neighbour and we need to form an alliance before the Shaw bunch does something like annex their territory.”

“But an arranged marriage? Is that necessary? Isn’t there someone Nik can marry? He’s the one destined to be Alpha.”

“It wouldn’t be beneficial for us. You’re the Alpha’s daughter. Your duty is to the pack before anyone else.”

“I know that-”

“If you did then you wouldn’t be fighting this.”

“I have dreams!”

“That you can pursue later Elaine. You’re marrying Neel and that’s final.”

I stood abruptly. He couldn’t make me marry that drunk. He had a reputation for being a smelly, womanizing pig. My body vibrated with nerves just thinking about being mated to Neel. Dad stood too and slammed his fist on the table.

“I’m warning you, Elaine-”

“You didn’t even ask me!”

“Was I supposed to? He’s a good Alpha and this engagement will benefit all of us.”

He means it will benefit him.

“Elaine if you leave the pack without fulfilling this deal then you can forget about my help. Have you forgotten about your defective wolf? How difficult it is for you every full moon.”

I turned away. “Your brothers won’t help either. They’re loyal.”

“I’m trying to be loyal but you’re pushing me too far.”

“Fuck that!”

I flinched.

“You can try to run Elaine but I’ll have you hunted and brought back. I won’t ruin this deal because of you.”

I turned on my heels and stormed out. My brothers shot to their feet when I opened the door.

“You both knew!” I accused.

“He’s not that bad a guy,” Nik said.

“Then you marry him!” I stomped off.

Blazer snickered as I passed the stairs and walked out the front door. I couldn’t run this was the only home I’d ever known and the full moon was four days away. I needed their help to get me through the full moon. My curse made it agonizing to shift under the full moon. If it weren’t for my Dad, I believe I wouldn’t have made it through a full moon.

Couldn’t he have chosen someone bearable? Azaire Shaw came to mind.

I groaned. He’s the enemy.

Though the way he stopped Oliver from possibly hurting me played on a loop. The assertiveness in his tone and the deep husky tone could command an entire pack. It was like music to my ears.

I eradicated Azaire from my mind. I stood outside my home and stared at the four mountains that surrounded our pack. There was a world out there waiting for me. College was my one shot a freedom. Leaving the pain of being an unwanted illegitimate child. They always treated me like I was good for nothing. My hand trembled and my lip quivered but tears wouldn’t solve my problems.

Dad knew I couldn’t put my plans on hold. After getting married I’d be expected to have children. Three years after the first one I’d have to have another one. There would be no time for medical school. I saw my dreams slither down a drain. I can’t go through with this.

The front door burst open. Nik and Blazer followed by high-ranked wolves marched toward the parking lot.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“The pack council called an emergency meeting,” Nik grumbled a response.

“Is it serious?”

“Damn yeah, Elaine,” Blazer said.

“No, you can’t come. Get inside don’t make Dad madder than he already is,” Nik ordered

After what he told me I didn’t want to be around him but I did want to know what was going on in the meeting. It sounded like a welcome distraction. While the shifters piled into the cars I spun and darted into the house.