Chapter 10 Ten

The anticipation for the Red Blood Moon Ceremony was mounting, and Aiden was swamped with preparations. As the upcoming ceremony drew closer, he found himself with less and less free time. He longed to see Freya, but couldn't sneak out of the pack to do so. He knew how important this event was for their pack, and as a member of the royal family, he had a duty to uphold. The ceremony was a historic occasion for their pack, as it symbolized the unity and strength of their forefathers when they first came together to form the pack.

Despite the busyness of the preparations, Aiden's thoughts constantly drifted towards Freya and their baby. He hoped they were safe and well, and couldn't wait to see them once the ceremony was over. He had a nagging feeling that something was wrong, and he couldn't shake off the uneasiness that had been plaguing him since the incident with his father and the guards.

As the day of the ceremony approached, Aiden's schedule became even more hectic. He spent long hours in meetings with other pack leaders, discussing the logistics of the event and ensuring everything was in place. The ceremony was a grand affair, with feasts, dancing, and rituals that lasted for days. Aiden was a key participant in many of these events, and he found himself constantly surrounded by people.

Despite the festivities, Aiden couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He kept thinking about Freya and their baby, wondering if they were safe. He longed to sneak out and see them, but he knew that would be impossible given his responsibilities during the ceremony.

As the ceremony progressed, Aiden noticed that his father was absent from the crowd, and he wondered where he could be. He didn't have to wait too long to find out, as his father made a grand entrance onto the stage, dressed in a regal robe, with his guards flanking him on either side. Harlock's presence commanded the attention of everyone in the crowd, and they quieted down to hear what he had to say.

"My dear pack members, today we come together to celebrate the Red Blood Moon Ceremony," Harlock began. "This ceremony signifies the unity and strength of our pack, as we honor the bond that our forefathers created many years ago."

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, and Harlock waited for them to quiet down before he continued his speech. "But today is not just about our history, it's also about our future. As the leader of this pack, it is my responsibility to ensure that our pack continues to thrive for generations to come."

The crowd was now silent, and Aiden felt a sense of anticipation growing within him. He had no idea what his father was going to say next, but he knew it was going to be important.

"Which is why I am proud to announce that my son, Aiden, has found his mate," Harlock declared, and the crowd gasped in surprise. "And not just any mate, but one that I have carefully chosen for him. She is a she-wolf from a prestigious family in our pack, with a long lineage of strong and powerful werewolves. Her name is Asher."

Aiden was taken aback by his father's announcement, as he had not been consulted about this decision. He looked at his father in shock, wondering how he could have gone behind his back like this. He knew his father meant well, but he couldn't help feeling angry and frustrated at being forced into something he had not chosen for himself.

As the crowd cheered for Aiden and Asher, Harlock continued his speech. "I know some of you may be surprised by this announcement, but I assure you, it's for the good of our pack. Aiden has always been a bit of a wild card, but I believe that with Asher by his side, he will become the strong and responsible werewolf that we need him to be. Together, they will lead our pack to new heights of greatness."

Aiden didn't know what to say, he was still processing the news, but he knew that he had to be respectful to his father. "Thank you, father, for your kind words and for choosing Asher for me. I will do my best to honor your wishes."

Harlock nodded approvingly, and the crowd cheered again. The ceremony continued, but Aiden couldn't shake off the feeling that his life had taken a drastic turn, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.

The Red Blood Moon Ceremony was in full swing, and Aiden could hear the sounds of celebration and laughter from the other side of the door leading to his father's chamber. He was supposed to be mingling with the other werewolves and celebrating the unity of their pack, but he couldn't shake off the anger he felt towards his father for what he had done.

With a deep breath, Aiden opened the door and strode towards his father, who was sitting on his throne with a goblet of blood in his hand. Harlock raised his eyebrows in surprise at his son's sudden appearance, but didn't seem too bothered by it.

"Father, what in the name of the moon have you done?" Aiden asked, his voice seething with anger.

"What are you talking about, son?" Harlock asked, taking a sip from his goblet.

"You know what I'm talking about," Aiden said, gritting his teeth. "You just betrothed me to Asher without even consulting me first. I don't even know her."

Harlock let out a low chuckle. "You don't need to know her, Aiden. She comes from a prestigious family in our pack, and her ancestors were friends to the royal family. It's a perfect match for you."

"A perfect match for me?" Aiden echoed incredulously. "I don't want to marry someone just because of her bloodline. I want to marry someone I love."

Harlock's expression hardened. "Love is not important in matters of the pack, Aiden. You know that. We need to maintain the unity of our pack and make sure our bloodline continues. And Asher is the perfect candidate for that."

Aiden clenched his fists, feeling his anger boiling over. "I won't marry her, Father. I won't be forced into something I don't want."

Harlock stood up from his throne, towering over Aiden with his imposing figure. "You will do as I say, Aiden. You are the future alpha of our pack, and you have a responsibility to fulfill. If you can't see that, then maybe you're not ready for the role."

Aiden's eyes widened in shock at the threat in his father's voice. "You can't be serious."

"I am dead serious, Aiden," Harlock said, his tone final. "Now, go out there and celebrate with the rest of our pack. We can discuss this matter further when the ceremony is over."

Aiden stood there, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He wanted to stand up to his father and refuse to go along with his plans, but he knew the consequences of defying him could be dire. With a heavy sigh, Aiden turned and walked out of the chamber, his mind racing with thoughts of what he should do next.