My Enemy,.My Betrothed Mate

Ivy's Pov.

"Today, we gather to offer our final allegiance to the Night Walker pack for the continuity of peace and love," the eldest pack elder intoned, his voice a gravelly mix of reverence and finality. Around him, the crowd roared their agreement, their shouts ringing in my ears like a death knell.

I didn't join in. Instead, my eyes darted over the sea of faces, searching for Aiden. Dreading the possibility he'd come, yet selfishly hoping for one last glimpse of him.

The news of my betrothal had hit like a dagger to the chest, but how could I tell him? How could I face the boy who owned every inch of my heart and tell him it was over-not because I wanted it to be, but because I had no choice? My throat constricted at the thought of his shattered expression.

Don't look for him, Ivy. He deserves better than you.

I turned to the man I was to marry, his imposing figure all sharp edges and grim authority. His face was a mask of indifference, but I swore I could feel the disdain rolling off him. My stomach churned. The ache in my head from hours of crying hadn't lessened, and my swollen eyes burned with fresh tears threatening to spill.

This wasn't how my life was supposed to be. Forced into a union I didn't want, all for the sake of the pack's safety. My father's dream, my mother's insistence, the council's demands-it all merged into this moment. A moment I wanted no part of.

The Alpha called his second-in-command, his low voice barely audible over the buzz of the crowd. The beta, lean and efficient, disappeared and returned moments later carrying a calabash and a gleaming boline knife.

The elders from both packs assembled, ready to bind this union in blood.

I didn't flinch as the blade bit into my palm, warm blood pooling into the calabash. When it was the Alpha's turn, he extended his hand without hesitation, his stoic expression unchanging as the knife pierced his skin.

Of course, he didn't flinch. Brave, just like Mother said. Brave enough to ruin lives for the good of his pack.

Our palms met, blood mixing between us. His grip was firm, commanding-just like every other part of him. It sent a shiver down my spine, though not the good kind. The rest of the ritual passed in a blur, the chanting of the elders melding with the roaring in my ears.

It was done.

The Alpha's people divided the blood, sharing it between packs, sealing the alliance that would cost me everything. My home. My freedom. My love.

The crowd erupted in cheers, but I barely heard them. My gaze fell on my mother and sister, standing behind me with faces streaked in tears. They were mirrors of my own grief, yet their expressions were expectant as if I were supposed to march into this new life with grace and duty.

Instead, I crumbled.

"Mother," I choked, throwing myself into her arms. She caught me tightly, her embrace a fragile island of comfort amidst a storm of despair.

"My Princess," she murmured, her voice breaking. "Go and make your father proud. Show them he lives in you."

Proud? My stomach turned over. She'd known. She'd known all along that this was coming, yet she'd let me fall in love. Let me fall into bed with Aiden, spinning dreams of a future we'd never have.

The cruelest lie of all.

Tears blurred my vision as I whispered, "He wouldn't be proud of this." My voice was thick with rebellion, but I knew it didn't matter. Nothing I said would undo what had been done.

I clung to my sister, Elena, who kissed my forehead but said nothing. Her silence hurt worse than words.

"Ivy." A voice, deep and authoritative, called my name. One of the elders.

It was time.

I forced myself to let go, tearing away from my family like it might physically kill me. Every step toward the Alpha felt like a step toward my own execution.

When I reached him, he grasped my hand firmly, his touch impersonal and unyielding. His gaze flicked to the car parked nearby. "Get in," he ordered, voice clipped and businesslike. No warmth. No welcome.

The ride was worse.

The moment I slid into the car, his scent filled the space, sharp and earthy like sandalwood and oud. It suffocated me, clawing at my throat. His presence was a heavy, oppressive thing, and I couldn't stop the nausea rolling through me.

Beside me, he was silent, his face turned toward the window as the forest blurred past. Until his hand brushed mine.

A jolt of electricity shot through me. I jerked away, but he caught my hand in his, his grip unrelenting. Heat coursed up my arm, mingling with dread. He looked at me then, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"So, Ivy," he said, his tone unnervingly polite. "Tell me about yourself."

I swallowed hard, my voice faltering. "I... I like reading. And walks in the woods."

He hummed, low and thoughtful. "I prefer hunting. There's something about the chase. The thrill of catching your prey."

The implication wasn't lost on me, and a shiver ran down my spine.

The silence stretched after that, heavy and charged. But something shifted when I caught a scent-musky and earthy, but not his. It was sharper, laced with decay. Wrong.

My senses prickled, and I sat up straighter, eyes scanning the darkening woods. My ears picked up a distant rustle, the soft crunch of paws on the undergrowth.

"Alpha," the driver muttered, his voice tight with unease. "We're not alone."

The car slowed, and I spotted them-shadows moving between the trees, glowing eyes watching us from every angle. Wolves. Dozens of them.

My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage like a war drum. The driver gripped the wheel tighter, his knuckles white. "We're surrounded."

I turned to the Alpha, panic clawing at my throat, but I remembered who I was and the panic was replaced with a feeling of relief.

I glanced at the Alpha; his expression was calm and calculating, like he'd been expecting this.

"Stay close," he commanded.

Ivy's Pov.

I sat in the car with zero panic, wondering what he would do; of course, he is the Alpha, and it is his duty to protect his mate and men.

He looked back at the car carrying the council of elders behind us and saw that they were farther and safer. He quickly mind-linked one of them to remain in the spot they were, that danger was in front.

The wolves were getting closer and I could hear his heart racing. Usually, when rogues attacked, you don't fight; you run if you are disadvantaged, and at this point, we were not just disadvantaged; we were in serious, perilous danger.

The three of us can't possibly fight hundreds of wolves. We had to run, but how?

We were in their middle, they circled our car.

His driver, a gamma wolf, was already sweating profusely.

"Alpha, is this going to be our end?" he asked my mate, his voice cracking.

I chuckled at his question, and he stared back at me blankly.

I shifted my gaze to my mate, he was trying to act tough, but I could tell he was scared and had probably never had an encounter like this before.

He was about to open the door when I stopped him.

"Stop," I muttered, without looking at his direction.

"Slide down the windscreen," I said to his driver.

He gave me a blank look and swallowed hard.

He looked at me again as if asking if I knew what I was saying, and I simply nodded.

He did accordingly.

I sat upright and inhaled deeply, I looked out at the rogues, and quickly, I released a red poisonous smoke into the atmosphere, and it spread out slowly. The rogues began to die one after the other, and the ones who sensed the danger fast enough ran away.

"Slide up," I said to the driver and rested on my back, I could feel my strength giving out. I stretched out my hand as I panted heavily.

"Take your hands away," my mate said, in a dry and harsh voice.

My lips parted in disbelief as I rolled my eyes.

I was too weak to control the direction of my hand. The spell I just released took a lot of energy from me.

Was this jealousy?

Is he not supposed to be grateful? I actually saved his life and that of his kinsmen.

"You bad luck!" he cursed.

I couldn't bear the repelling body language and curses anymore, I had to speak up!

"I had no intention to bruise your ego, I only did what was required," I managed to say, despite being weak.

"Who fucking asked for your favour?!" he shouted angrily.

"How am I sure this is not a set-up from you and your poor kinsmen." he fired at me again.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, his eyes were deep red and blowing from anger.

I gulped.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," I said.

"Just shut the fuck up!"

"One more word from you, and I will throw you into the forest to go do what you know how to do best," he said angrily.

The car was gravely silent until we arrived at a big, mighty gate.

WELCOME TO THE NIGHT WALKER PACK was boldly written in a golden color on the mighty gate.

I clenched my throat, trying to hide my nervousness as I alighted.

"Take her to her room," Alpha ordered his driver.

I smiled inwardly, thanks to the moon, we weren't going to be sleeping in the same room.

"Let's go," Elias said, as he gestured me to follow.

We ascended a long staircase, and he stopped at the second door that had "Luna" boldly written on the top. He brought out the keys and opened the door to a wide room; the room was spacious and well-furnished.

It was painted white, just the way I love it. The air conditioner was on, and the room was cold. I sighted a large mirror at the edge of the bed, and my wolf grinned for joy.

"Relax, red," I whispered to my wolf.

"I have to go now, Luna, Alpha calls for me," the driver said, bowing his head.

"Please go, and thank you," I replied with a short smile.

I sat on the big master bed cleaning the wound I incurred while running away from the elder who caught me and Aiden having sex in my father's cave yesterday when my mind drifted to the promise I made to my father– my reason for being here.

*** FLASHBACK*****

Blood and chaos. There was so much bustling and noise; I saw every member of the pack running helter-skelter for their dear lives, and some brave ones stood back to fight our attackers.

The pack is scattered, decor and furniture are broken, mixed with blood from the wounded, and the corpses of almost half of the pack members lay lifeless on the floor.

My body was electrified when I heard a scream from a familiar voice; tracing the voice, I dashed to my parent's bedroom; the scene in front of me left me broken.

My beautiful mom, Amelia, was on the floor crying profusely with bruises and blisters all over her body. My sister, Elena, sat beside my mom crying out her eyes too. My gaze moved to the man standing above my dad, he had my dad between his widely spread legs with a gun pointed at him.

He pulled the trigger, and my mom screamed at the top of her lungs, not giving a thought to her fear; he shot my dad, the alpha of the native shadow pack, and dashed out of the room.

I watched my dad groan in severe pain as the bullet penetrated his stomach.

My mom rushed over to my dad, who was struggling to breathe.

"Please, my lord, Storm, stay with me, don't die," she begged, shaking his body vigorously.

My dad exhaled forcefully, and stretched his shaking hands toward me, which I grabbed immediately.

"Ivy, my Princess," he called slowly.

"Yes, Father," I replied, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"My princess," he called again, I could sense the admiration and seriousness in his fading voice.

"Promise me, you will do anything to protect your mom, and your sister and the pack," he said, his voice fading away.

"Yes, Father, I will," I answered almost immediately.

He squeezed my hand with the last strength he had, closing his eyes slowly, life left his body.

****FLASHBACK ENDS****

An aggressive knock on the door jerked me up from my deep thoughts.

Shayan's pov

I have two personal rooms in my mansion, one upstairs, and the other one downstairs. The one upstairs is more comfortable and relaxing as I have furnished it to my high taste. But I didn't want to go up because I didn't want to see or hear anything that would remind me of that arrogant brat, who does nothing but show off.

She disgraced me in the presence of my man, even though Elias was my closest buddy, and we shared a bond, I still felt embarrassed.

Displaying her gift to trivialize my works reduces me in the presence of my men.

I don't care if what I feel is insecurity, but she bruised my ego, and she must face my wrath.

I had ordered a maidservant to take food to her anyway, so she would stay alive to do what she was here for– use her gift for the benefit of my pack.

I dashed into the bathroom to take a cool bath.

I was in the bathroom when I heard someone unlock my door. The feminine scent hit my nostrils, and I knew it was Carla.

I chuckled.

Women seem to love toxic men, and toxicity will I give them.

I toweled my body and stepped out of the bathroom to see Carla sitting on my bed, seductively dressed.

"No pack member should see you like this," I cautioned her, stealing a glance at her pointed nipples.

I climbed the bed to give her what she came for, but her countenance changed and she switched.

"This hurts."

"It hurts a whole fucking lot," she began.

"There is nothing more heartbreaking than having to leave the man you are deeply in love with, because of some alliance that was made some donkey years ago," she said in a teary voice.

"You shouldn't have done this," she lamented.

"Take it easy, Carla," I answered softly, trying to keep my voice as quiet as I could.

"My betrothed mate is here, and it doesn't mean we would stop what we have going on between us," I said assuringly.

She smirked.

"No, Shayan, stop cooking up words, spill it as it is; you left me for another woman," she fired back, faking a teary voice.

"No, Carla," I answered softly.

"It was my father's death wish, I have to do as I promised," I continued,

"I didn't leave you for another woman, the time has come, and I have to do as my late father wills, for the pack, for his legacy, and a safe future," I said reassuringly.

"We can still be together, Shayan."

"I don't mind being your side piece," she said.

I chuckled again.

"Of course, my love, I don't want her either; it is you I love," I tweaked her nose, and she giggled.

"I just cannot stand the thought of losing you and watching you be with another woman in the pack," she lamented again.

"I told you, Carla, this day will come, you

should be prepared and not let it work you up like this," I said softly, caressing her hair.

"Send her out of the pack or kill her; nobody would know," she whispered.

"Listen, Carla, I can't do that, the council of elders is very much aware of everything.

This is what I will do,"

She widened her eyes and stared at me with great expectancy.

"I will not mark her, and she will not be inaugurated as my Luna, she will stay in the pack only to be used for our benefit," I said, smiling at her.

"No," she said, interrupting me.

"I want only you, Shayan, I want only us, me and you together, ruling the Night Walker pack,"

"Is this too much to ask for?" she asked, her voice soft and calm.

"Guard," I shouted.

"Are you calling the guards on me?" she asked in disbelief.

"I will leave, and I hope you don't regret it," she said as she walked out and slammed the door.

I had to call the guards because why in the moon's name did she suggest that I kill Ivy?

I love Carla, and I love Ivy too, but Ivy already turned my love for her to hate the moment she saved us from the rogues.

That wasn't her job to do, she only reduced me in the presence of my men, and I will make her pay.

*************

"I will miss you, Ashley," I heard a feminine voice say.

"Wait, Elias," I said, beckoning him to stop walking, so I could hear the voice audibly.

Elias and I usually take a walk in the pack every night to do some training and unwind when necessary.

"You don't have to leave the pack, you might get to meet your fated mate in the next ceremony," I heard another familiar feminine voice answer.

"No, Ashley, I can't stand seeing my Shayan in the arms of another woman, I would rather leave," the teary feminine voice replied.

Having heard my name in the conversation, I knew it was Carla trying to leave the pack.

"It is better to be heartbroken yet safe in the pack than become a rogue, and be prone to attacks," the other lady answered, with a tinge of concern in her voice.

"Yes, Carla, she is right," I said from behind.

The two women staggered in shock.

"Careful, please, the spot you are standing on is rocky," I said to them.

I knew this bush like the back of my palm, father and I used to train here years ago before his demise.

"Come, Carla," I said, spreading my arms.

She ran into my arms like a child.

"Please, give me some happiness," she whispered, tangling my hair with her fingers.

"Just one more night with you, my Alpha," she pleaded.

"Elias, take her bag back to the pack and make sure her friend is safe too," I said, dismissing them.

Immediately, Carla was sure they were gone; she began taking off her clothes and started caressing my manhood.

"Relax, Carla," I whispered.

"They are gone, and your mate is not here, let me feel you again," she pleaded, unbuckling my belt.

"Make love to me, Shayan,"

"one more time," she begged again.

I carried her, and off we went, to my cave in the bush.

She turned me on in a few seconds because she knew my body so well.

She grabbed my dick and rubbed her tongue around it, the warmth in her mouth exploded in the pleasure bomb in my head.

I groaned in pleasure.

"One more night, my Alpha," she whispered into my ear as she sat on my dick. Once her pussy gripped my dick, I groaned in pleasure, squeezing her breast hard.

She had me between her legs in the world of pleasure when I heard a feminine voice yelp from afar.