Unwanted mating Bond

TAMARA.

I was submerged in a deep sleep, the kind where the world fades away and your body becomes a canvas for dreams. I tossed and turned, limbs sprawled across the plush mattress, stretching my arms high above my head and yawning with the unrestrained enthusiasm of a hibernating bear just emerging from its winter slumber. Yes, I'm fully aware that I probably look quite unattractive while in the throes of such profound sleep, a tangled mess of limbs and hair, but honestly, who cares? When my nanny's insistent knocking echoed through the room, I instinctively burrowed deeper under the covers, choosing to ignore her summons as I typically did. It was far too early for any form of human interaction, especially since I had the glorious gift of a school-free day.

But, as was often the case, my nanny's persistence knew no bounds. She barged through the door, her footsteps heavy and resounding, like a miniature dinosaur on a rampage. With a swift, unceremonious yank, she ripped the blankets away, exposing my vulnerable, sleep-addled form to the shocking chill of the morning air. *Seriously? No school today, so what in the universe could possibly be so incredibly important that she felt the absolute necessity to drag me from the warm embrace of my bed?* I grumbled internally, gritting my teeth against the rising tide of annoyance. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, desperately clinging to the pretense of sleep, hoping she would take the hint and retreat.

With a frustrated huff, I finally succumbed to the inevitable, hopping out of bed with a theatrical groan. "What the hell? Can't you see I'm sleeping? I'm not a helpless pup anymore! I swear, I'll tell Mom about your incessant badgering!" I roared, the remnants of sleep clinging to my voice, making it sound even more childish than I intended. The threat, however, felt hollow even as I uttered it. *Mom, seriously? What good would complaining to her possibly do? She's perpetually engrossed in her own world, and if she even spared a moment to acknowledge my complaint, it would likely result in a lecture directed at me.*

My nanny merely shrugged, a knowing smirk playing on her lips, as if my outburst was nothing more than a predictable morning ritual, my words devoid of any real weight. Despite her intrusive methods, I truly adored her. My mother, a prominent figure in the werewolf community, was constantly consumed by her social circle, attending endless gatherings with other influential businesswomen and Alpha females. My father, the esteemed Alpha of our powerful pack, was a perpetually absent figure, either traveling abroad on business or immersed in the complex affairs of the pack and his various enterprises. My nanny was the sole constant in my life, the only one who genuinely cared for me, the one who had raised me, nurtured me, worried over me, and patiently listened to all my teenage woes and whispered secrets. A pang of guilt pierced through my irritation. I knew I shouldn't yell at her; she was, after all, the only one who truly listened, offering a comforting ear and unwavering support.

*But she's still incredibly annoying sometimes,* I mumbled under my breath, contorting my face into a pathetic puppy-dog expression, ashamed of my childish outburst. Thankfully, her heart was as vast as her patience, and she always forgave my transgressions, no matter how unreasonable.

"I'm so incredibly sorry, I'm just so irritable because-" I stammered, the apology catching in my throat. I felt genuinely awful for snapping at her, but the words seemed to evaporate before I could fully articulate them. Her warm, reassuring smile, as always, offered a glimmer of hope, a silent promise of forgiveness.

She closed the distance between us, her hand gently ruffling my hair, her eyes filled with a familiar affection. "It's perfectly okay, sweetheart. Just wake up. Your father and your mother are waiting for you downstairs." Her simple statement had the effect of a lightning bolt, rendering me speechless, utterly dumbfounded. A gathering? This early? With both my parents present? It was unheard of.

I mentally shook myself, attempting to dispel the lingering fog of sleep, clearing my throat and shaking my head slowly from side to side as if trying to physically dislodge the disbelief. "Huh? A gathering at this ungodly hour? That's truly extraordinary!" I gasped, my heart beginning to pound against my ribs, a nervous flutter erupting in my stomach. I strained my memory, searching for the last time we had all gathered for a meal, breakfast or dinner, but the memory eluded me. It had been so long. They were perpetually busy, their lives a whirlwind of meetings, engagements, and responsibilities. I often resorted to asking my nanny to join me for meals, simply to avoid the oppressive silence and the gnawing feeling of loneliness that crept in whenever I ate alone, a feeling akin to being an orphan in my own home. They seemed so utterly indifferent to my existence, their attention focused elsewhere. It was a strange, unsettling reality, but one I had reluctantly grown accustomed to over the eighteen years of my life.

She shrugged, her hand lightly tapping my head once more. "And your elder sister, Julia, is here as well. So, it would be in your best interest to hurry and put some clothes on. And I've told you repeatedly, don't sleep naked! You're a young woman now! Even if you are sleeping alone in your room, maintain some decorum! Be a decent young lady! You are not the daughter of a maid; you are the daughter of the Alpha and hail from one of the wealthiest, most respected royal werewolf families in the entire world!" she lectured, her gaze intense, her words a familiar refrain. She launched into her typical nagging, a well-worn path she often trod. *Oh, God, give me strength.*

"Okay, okay, I understand. I'll be down in just a second," I mumbled, nodding my head in acquiescence. I secretly hoped she would finally take her leave, allowing me to steal a few more precious moments of sleep, but luck, as usual, was not on my side. Her eyes remained fixed on me, sharp and unwavering, practically burning holes through my skin. Waves of barely suppressed anger radiated from her, her face flushed with a fiery hue.

"What? You're still here?" I questioned, my voice laced with incredulity. She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression one of disapproval. "I have explicit instructions to stay. Your father was crystal clear about that! He commanded me to personally ensure you got out of bed and drag you downstairs if necessary," she informed me, the sternness of her words slightly undermined by the small grin that tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Sometimes, I felt utterly lost when attempting to decipher the nuances of her facial expressions. It was genuinely challenging to discern whether she was genuinely angry or merely amused, her unique grin unlike that of any other wolf I knew. I had to admit, though, she was the only person in the world who could tease and provoke me with such effortless ease.

Yes, I was undeniably the unruly, rebellious member of the family, the one who consistently flouted the rules, constantly testing boundaries, and perpetually being punished for my transgressions. But it was a part of who I was, woven into the fabric of my being, and I highly doubted I would ever truly change.

"Okay, now I'm genuinely worried. What did I possibly do to warrant such a dramatic intervention?" I mumbled anxiously, my mind racing through a catalogue of recent misdemeanors. I hastily threw on a blouse and a pair of undeniably dirty jeans, forgoing the usual morning rituals of washing my face or brushing my teeth. I quickly gathered my unruly hair into a messy ponytail, securing it with a haphazardly chosen tie.

"You look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards! Your hair is an absolute disaster! You desperately need to shower!" my nanny exclaimed, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

I briefly glanced at my reflection in the mirror, grimacing at the sight that greeted me. "Jeez, I look like..." I muttered under my breath, trailing off, unable to find the words to adequately describe the disheveled mess staring back at me.

I turned back to my nanny, offering a sheepish grin. "It'll be fine for now. Let's just go." I smirked, pushing open the door and rushing down the grand staircase, my nanny hot on my heels.

As I descended, a sense of anticipation, almost giddiness, bubbled up inside me. I raised my arms in the air, a dramatic flourish accompanying my descent. "My father, my mother, and my insufferably annoying older sister, all assembled together! What a rare treat!" I chuckled aloud, a devilish smirk playing on my lips. It felt like a momentous occasion, a veritable feast for my neglected senses. When was the last time I had even seen their faces, let alone shared a meal with them? The memory was lost in the fog of time.

"Tamara! Watch your mouth!" my mother's sharp voice cut through the air, her words laced with reprimand. Her eyes narrowed into a familiar glare, promising retribution for my perceived insolence.

*Well, I certainly didn't expect her to jump straight into disciplinary mode so quickly.*

I scratched the back of my neck, feigning nonchalance. "Oh, I apologize, Mother. But honestly, this is all so incredibly unnatural. What's the real reason for this impromptu gathering?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, my tone laced with mock curiosity as I approached the assembled family members.

"Sit down, close your mouth, and do not interrupt me until I have finished speaking," my father commanded sternly, his voice brooking no argument. His expression was grim, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. He gestured curtly towards an empty chair, silently ordering me to take my seat.

*Okay, now I'm officially terrified. Something serious is definitely going on.* I pulled out the chair and sat down, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, trying to control the erratic beating of my heart. A sense of foreboding washed over me, a premonition of impending doom. I had a terrible feeling that something disastrous was about to unfold.

"You are acquainted with Alpha Smith, my business partner. You know that he has two sons. The elder is twenty-seven years of age, and the younger son, John, is nineteen, close to your own age. Alpha Smith and I have come to a mutual agreement, a decision that we believe will benefit both of our packs immensely. We have decided that you and his younger son, John, will be married in the near future. This union will serve to strengthen our alliance and ensure that our partnership continues to flourish and prosper in the right direction," my father stated, his tone matter-of-fact, as if he were discussing the weather or some other trivial matter.

I had been about to interject, to voice my vehement protest, but the words seemed to lodge in my throat, forming an impenetrable barrier. My jaw dropped open, my eyes widening in disbelief. I instinctively rubbed my eyes, convinced I must be hallucinating, that this bizarre pronouncement was nothing more than a figment of my sleep-deprived imagination. "What the-?!" I exclaimed, the words exploding from my mouth before I could contain them, my carefully constructed facade of composure crumbling into dust.

This couldn't be real. It had to be some sort of horrific nightmare. Me? Married? To someone I didn't even know? But I wanted to wait for my true mate, the one destined for me, the one my wolf longed for.

Tamara.

"WATCH YOUR MOUTH, TAMARA!" My father wailed, his voice booming with a sharp, disapproving edge that seemed to shake the walls of the room. His tone carried the weight of authority, escalating the tension to a breaking point, and I felt my own temper ignite like a wildfire. I completely lost control, momentarily forgetting the precarious power dynamic that stood between us. In that fleeting moment of unbridled anger, I forgot who I was even speaking to, forgot the consequences of my defiance.

My father-the alpha of our pack, for crying out loud! The authority figure, the leader, the one person I was supposed to revere, respect, and obey without question. But in that heated moment, respect felt like an impossible concept, a foreign language I couldn't comprehend. How could I respect someone who so casually dismantled my life, tossing me into chaos without a second thought?

"Watch it? Watch what? Are you even listening to the words spilling out of your own mouth?" I retorted, my voice rising to match his with an edge of defiance that I knew would only worsen the situation. "You drop this bombshell on me first thing in the morning, a life-altering decision that affects everything about my future, and suddenly it's just a done deal? What about me? Where do I fit into this twisted scenario you've concocted? What am I supposed to think, say, or do in response to this insanity?!" I rolled my eyes dramatically, each motion dripping with disbelief and frustration. The injustice of it all was suffocating, wrapping around me like a noose, and I felt as though I was seconds away from exploding.

"You're supposed to marry John. That's it. Simple as that." My elder sister, Julia, chimed in with a smirk that made my stomach churn. Her face lit up with a demonic glint, her eyes glimmering with a cruel amusement that sent a shiver down my spine. I snapped my head around, glaring at her with a roar of indignation, my voice trembling with anger as I spat, "And what, pray tell, are *you* supposed to do in this grand, wonderful scheme of yours?"

"Nothing! I'm the next-in-line female alpha! I will rule the pack and manage the business, continuing the work alongside our father!" Julia replied, her smirk spreading into a wide, self-satisfied grin that radiated smugness. She seemed to revel in my predicament, as if my misery was a source of personal amusement for her.

"No further words! The matter is settled. It's already done. The mating ceremony will be held soon," my father hollered, his booming voice slicing through the air like a blade, effectively ending the argument-or so he thought. His furrowed eyebrows and rigid posture emphasized his finality, a warning that any further protests would be futile. But I wasn't about to back down. Not yet. Not ever.

Desperation clawed at me as I turned to Julia, my emotions spilling over like a dam bursting. I grabbed her arm and shook her hands, my own trembling with a volatile mix of fear and anger. "You're my older sister! You're supposed to support me! Do something! Please! I can't be forced into mating with someone I don't even know, someone I don't even like! Besides, I already have a boyfriend!" I pleaded, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions, thick with unshed tears that threatened to spill over.

Julia blinked, her expression shifting to one of genuine surprise. "What? Since when? You were single as of last night!" she snorted, then quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing our parents were still within earshot. She exhaled sharply, a mixture of amusement and annoyance flickering in her eyes as she tried to process my revelation.

I hopped off my chair, the force of my movement causing it to slam against the floor with a loud bang. I hadn't meant to cause such a commotion, but the shock and anger coursing through my veins had translated into physical action. "Yes, I'm not ugly, okay? I found someone! This morning! Just an hour ago!" I crossed my arms over my chest, groaning in frustration as I glared at Julia, searching her face for some semblance of understanding, some flicker of support, but finding none.

I felt like I was being sold, like a commodity to be traded for the sake of some unknown benefit to the pack. A wave of doubt washed over me as I questioned everything. Could I even belong to this family? Was I truly born of this mother's womb, conceived by this father's seed? And Julia-this cold, indifferent woman-could she truly be my blood? We shared nothing. No connection. No familial bond. We were strangers wearing the fragile masks of kinship, and no amount of pretending could fix that.

Lost in thought, I zoned out, but when I snapped back to reality, my gaze landed on Julia. She was still there, still acting like a stranger in my life, still indifferent to my pain.

"Huh? Even so, what am I supposed to say to our father? You *know* how stubborn he is! Once he's made a decision, no one can change his mind," Julia whispered, her voice dripping with condescension as she ruffled my hair back behind my ear in a gesture so patronizing it made my blood boil. Was she joking? Was my life some kind of cruel, twisted joke to her?

"And you're going to be the Alpha!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief as I pouted at her. I tried to appeal to her sense of responsibility, to guilt her into helping me. She had to see reason. I would blackmail her if I had to. I needed someone-anyone-on my side.

"Exactly. And this marriage-your marriage to the son of our partner-is a business arrangement. Merging the two packs will make us stronger," Julia murmured, turning her head away to avoid my pleading gaze. She was a monster, pure and simple. How could she be so cold, so utterly heartless?

"What a cruel, heartless sister! I'm your younger sister! You're supposed to protect me!" I shrieked, my voice raw with emotion as I hit her chest with my clenched fist. She flinched, startled by the force of my outburst, her eyes widening in genuine shock. Did she really think I would meekly accept this fate? Did she truly believe I would just roll over and take it? I would rather die than be forced into a mating with someone I didn't love.

"Honey, give yourself a chance. Meet him first, and then we'll see," Julia sighed, her tone softening as she adopted a tender expression. But I wasn't fooled. I knew her too well. This was a performance, a mask she wore to manipulate me. She was capable of love, sure-but only when it didn't interfere with her ambition or her greed.

"Okay, then you have to come with me! Or I'll run away from the pack, from this house, and you'll never see me again-not until I'm dead!" I narrowed my eyes at Julia, forcing a bashful laugh before placing a soft kiss on her cheek, a calculated gesture meant to sway her decision.

She sighed heavily, exhaling as if carrying the weight of the world, then smiled in reluctant surrender. "Fine. Okay, okay. Calm down," Julia said, placing her hands firmly on my shoulders. I turned away, a small spark of hope igniting within me.

But deep down, I knew better. Julia was just like my father. To her, money and power mattered more than anything else-more than me, more than love. But for me? Love was everything. I would find my mate, even if he was a penniless, homeless omega. Love was worth more than all the riches in the world.

My father strolled by with my mother, casually waving in my direction. "By the way, you need to pack some clothes. You're going on vacation with John tonight-for a week. And after that, you'll be mated to him," he announced, his tone so nonchalant it made my blood boil. He spoke as though he was discussing the weather, not my future.

Was this a nightmare? Please, someone tell me this was a nightmare. I needed a pinch, a punch-something to wake me up from this horrifying reality. I was utterly, completely lost.

I rolled my eyes and hissed through clenched teeth, "What the hell!" Slowly, I turned my head to Julia, my face twisted into a mask of fury. "You're coming with me. End of discussion," I commanded, my voice firm and unwavering, a tone that made her shrink back slightly.

Yes, I could be a terrifying she-wolf when I was angry. And in that moment, I felt capable of murder. They were pushing me too far, forcing me into an unwanted union, and I would make them regret it. I hoped John felt the same way. I hoped he had someone else-a girlfriend, a boyfriend, anyone.

*PLEASE, GOD, HELP ME.* If John insisted on this mating, I would kill myself. No-scratch that. I was too beautiful to die so young. If he insisted, I would stab him right in the chest. Or maybe poison him? No, better yet-I would make him hate me. That seemed like the most reasonable course of action.

John.

I woke up early, much earlier than I wanted to, to the persistent, jarring sound of someone repeatedly knocking on the door of my room. Groaning, a deep, guttural sound escaping my throat, I reluctantly hopped, or rather, stumbled out of bed. My legs felt like lead, my head felt like it was filled with cotton, and my entire body ached. I hadn't slept a wink all night. I'd come home late, way too late, the hours blurring into one drunken haze, and I was still feeling the painful, lingering aftermath of it all. The remnants of the night clung to me like a second skin.

I was *so* incredibly intoxicated last night-so utterly, hopelessly drunk, in fact, that I could barely manage to move on my own two feet without swaying precariously. I'd spent the entire night, from dusk till dawn, drinking copious amounts of alcohol with my friends, laughing, joking, and generally making poor decisions. And now, the inevitable consequences were crashing down on me like a tidal wave. My head throbbed like a drum being hammered relentlessly, each pulse a sharp reminder of my overindulgence. Trying to reach the door, a simple task that normally required minimal effort, was a monumental struggle, and even managing to stand upright felt like a Herculean feat of strength.

Yeah, sure. That's right. What's a self-proclaimed "bad boy" like me supposed to do with his life, anyway? Nothing remotely productive, that's for damn sure. I wasn't one of those ambitious, smart-ass wolves who tirelessly chased power, prestige, or glory. Nope. Not me. My life, my entire existence, revolved around the pursuit of fleeting pleasures: girls, parties, and hanging out with my equally reckless, irresponsible friends. We were a pack of young, carefree wolves, living for the moment and ignoring the consequences.

At least, in the midst of all the chaos and recklessness, I was having some semblance of fun-unlike the rest of my serious, stoic family. They couldn't understand my lifestyle, my choices.

They were, every single one of them, completely and utterly obsessed with work, earning more and more money, and relentlessly expanding the pack's influence and territory. Their lives were consumed by ambition and duty. But me? I wasn't about that life, not even close. I couldn't comprehend their drive, their relentless pursuit of power. To be honest, though, despite my outward appearance of a careless playboy, I wasn't a complete and utter sleazebag. I wasn't the kind of callous, one-night-stand wolf who carelessly messed around with girls and then heartlessly left them behind like discarded trash.

No, I was fundamentally different. I was, in many ways, more human than wolf in that particular sense. I yearned for something real, something genuine, something deeply meaningful. I was patiently, hopefully waiting for *her*-my destined mate, the elusive love of my life, the one who would complete me. Sure, I hadn't met her yet, hadn't even caught a glimpse of her in the vast sea of faces, but I remained stubbornly hopeful. I'd just recently turned nineteen, and I had this persistent, nagging feeling that it had to happen soon, that our paths were destined to cross.

I wasn't a virgin, not by any stretch of the imagination, but I wasn't exactly a seasoned veteran, experienced in the complexities and nuances of love either. I was somewhere in between, treading water in the vast ocean of romantic possibilities, patiently waiting for the right one to appear, the one who would capture my heart and soul. I was waiting for the spark, the connection, the undeniable pull of fate.

But let's abruptly skip the overly sentimental, hopeful romantic talk, the wistful dreaming of a future love, because someone impatiently coughed and then unceremoniously barged into my room, rudely snapping me back to the harsh, unforgiving reality of my current situation. The intrusion shattered the fragile bubble of my thoughts, bringing me crashing back down to earth.

I froze, mid-stride, my hand still on the doorknob, as I reluctantly opened the door to find my father standing there, his imposing figure filling the doorway. His presence immediately sent a shiver of apprehension down my spine.

"Father? What?" I stammered nervously, my voice thick with sleep and residual alcohol, trying to straighten myself up and appear more presentable, less like the disheveled mess I actually was. My back was absolutely killing me from last night's escapades, a dull, throbbing ache that radiated through my entire body, and I couldn't even begin to remember what had actually happened. Did I sleep with someone? Engage in a drunken brawl and fight with someone? Or did I simply collapse on the hard, unforgiving floor in a drunken stupor and hurt my back in the process? The pain was almost unbearable, a constant, nagging reminder of my recklessness, and my memories of the night were a fragmented, blurry mess.

My father frowned, a deep crease forming between his thick, bushy eyebrows, as he stepped inside my room, his face a mask of disapproval. He surveyed the scene, his gaze lingering on my disheveled appearance, the lingering scent of alcohol clinging to me like a shroud. "Why? What? You reek! You absolutely stink! Are you drunk?" He leaned closer, his sharp nose sniffing the air around me, his expression darkening with each passing second. He was like a predator, sensing weakness in his prey.

I instinctively leaned back, attempting to create some distance between us, rolling my eyes and clearing my throat in a futile attempt to appear nonchalant. "F-Father, it's just..." I stammered pathetically, my mind racing to come up with a plausible excuse, a believable lie that would somehow explain my current state. But the words wouldn't come. I was busted. Completely and utterly busted.

Okay, fine. I conceded internally. He was the Alpha, the leader of the pack, and an experienced alcoholic himself. He could probably smell the lingering scent of alcohol on me from ten meters away-or more. I silently cursed myself for my stupidity, my lack of foresight, and I desperately avoided his piercing gaze, which felt like it could burn right through me, incinerating me with its intensity. It was a gaze that could strip away all pretense, all facades, leaving me exposed and vulnerable.

'Too harsh,' I thought to myself, wincing under his scrutiny. He wasn't *that* cruel of an Alpha, not compared to some of the horror stories I'd heard about other pack leaders. He wasn't tyrannical or abusive, but he wasn't exactly kind and compassionate either. He ruled with an iron fist, demanding respect and obedience. At least he was more tender, more understanding, than my older brother, who was a stickler for rules and traditions.

"Don't say anything! Just answer me directly. Are you drunk?" my father growled, his voice low and menacing, a rumble that vibrated through the very foundations of the room. He wasn't asking, he was demanding.

I sighed, a long, drawn-out sound of resignation and embarrassment, and nodded reluctantly. "Okay... I guess so." I couldn't deny the obvious, not with him standing there, his Alpha aura radiating power and authority. It was a losing battle.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his frown deepening. Great. Just great. Could anyone, anyone at all, in this entire dysfunctional family *not* make my life utterly miserable for once? Just one day, one single day, of peace and quiet, without the constant judgment, the constant expectations, the constant pressure to conform. Was that too much to ask?

I stumbled back, my legs still unsteady beneath me, crawling onto my bed and burying my face in the pillows, trying to create some physical distance between us, some semblance of a barrier. My father wouldn't physically kick my ass-probably not. But he was certainly capable of worse, much worse. He'd threatened before, on multiple occasions, to send me away, to exile me to another pack or to ship me off to some distant college if I continued to break his rules, to defy his authority.

And that, the thought of being separated from my friends, my pack, my life, was a nightmare I couldn't even begin to contemplate, a terrifying prospect that sent shivers down my spine. My friends were the only good thing, the only source of joy and comfort, in my life right now. Without them, without their camaraderie and support, I'd have absolutely nothing. They were my anchor, my lifeline, in the turbulent sea of my existence.

"Okay, then. Listen closely. You're not a helpless pup anymore. You're a freshman in college, a young man of nineteen years old. It's high time you started taking some responsibility for your actions, for your life." My father's tone shifted subtly, becoming sharper, more serious. "You need a Luna. A mate. That's it. That's the solution." His words hung in the air, heavy with finality.

He walked over to the window and with a swift, decisive movement, yanked the curtains open, flooding the room with blinding sunlight. I winced, shielding my eyes with my hands, the sudden brightness assaulting my senses. The light felt like a physical blow, amplifying the throbbing pain in my head.

"Luna?!" I muttered incredulously, completely stunned by his pronouncement. "What the hell did you just say?" The words barely escaped my lips, a strangled whisper of disbelief.

Surely, I thought, I must still be dreaming. This couldn't be real. There was absolutely no way he just said that, not seriously. Maybe I still had residual wax clogging my ears, distorting his words, or maybe this was just some bizarre, hangover-induced hallucination, a figment of my alcohol-addled brain.

I pinched my thigh hard, digging my nails into the flesh, to check-and yelped in pain. Nope. Definitely awake. This was real. This was happening.

My father turned back to face me, his expression dead serious, his eyes unwavering. "You're getting mated soon. Very soon. To Tamara." He stated it as a fact, not a suggestion, leaving no room for argument or negotiation.

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat, a sudden jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins. "What? Father, I don't understand a single word of what you're saying!" I huffed, still shielding my eyes from the intrusive sunlight, my mind struggling to process this unexpected, unwelcome news.

"My words were perfectly clear. Are you deaf or dumb? You're getting mated to Tamara," he repeated firmly, his voice brooking no opposition.

I stared at him, utterly confused, my mind reeling. Tamara? Who the hell was Tamara?! The name was completely unfamiliar, a blank space in my memory.

"She's the daughter of Alpha Clark," he added, raising an eyebrow as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, a simple fact that everyone should know.

"What? Your *partner's* daughter? Alpha Clark's daughter? I've never even met her! I don't even know her!" I exclaimed, my voice rising in protest, a surge of indignation coursing through me. This was absurd, preposterous!

But no, he wasn't joking. He wasn't one for jokes, especially not about something as serious and significant as mating. This was real. This was actually happening.

"So what? It doesn't matter. You're getting mated to her in one week. Both of you will spend the week together, getting to know each other, preparing for the inevitable. After that, we'll begin preparations for the wedding. Is that clear? Crystal clear? I have no time for childish nonsense-I'm busy with important meetings and pressing pack issues," my father said coldly, dismissing my concerns with a wave of his hand.

I stared at him in disbelief, my mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of his words. This couldn't be happening. Was this some kind of sick, twisted April Fool's joke, played on me by fate itself?

"I'm not a toy! I'm not a mindless pup! I'm a person, with my own thoughts and feelings! I *disagree!*" I snapped, shaking my head vehemently, my anger finally bubbling to the surface. This was my life, my future, and I wasn't going to let anyone dictate it, control it, manipulate it-not even my father, the Alpha of the pack.

"Who are you to agree or disagree?" my father growled, his tone turning dangerously stern, his eyes flashing with anger. "If you refuse, if you dare to defy me, I'll kick you out of the pack. I'll cut off your credit cards and leave you homeless on the streets! You'll be nothing! Do you understand?"

I rolled my eyes, biting back my anger, forcing myself to remain calm. Fine. I needed to play this smart, to strategize. I'd wait out the storm for now, bide my time, and figure out a way to escape this trap later, to regain control of my destiny.

'Okay,' I whispered to myself, taking a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm the turbulent emotions swirling within me. 'I need a plan. A good plan.' I had one week to change my fate, to avoid a future I didn't want, a future with a woman I didn't even know.