Tonight

"What?" I couldn't contain my surprise as a strange quivering feeling began to develop within me.

"Do not make this difficult, Hailey," Alpha Dean sighed frustratedly.

"Difficult?" I fought the urge to glare hard at him as my lips trembled. No, no, no. This couldn't be happening, I thought, my mind racing.

"The elders have requested an alliance to maintain peace. Alpha Killian leads the largest and most powerful pack in the eastern region. This is a perfect opportunity, and it seems he has taken a liking to you. He did not object to this proposal," my father explained, his voice holding a gentler tone.

"But... it's too sudden," I said, my gaze darting nervously across the room at Killian, who stood stoically with his hands behind his back. His expression remained distant, unreadable. I turned to my father, desperately trying to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes.

"What about Stephan?" I half-yelled at him, my voice filled with a mix of sadness and anger. "You know I love him. You promised we'd be mated."

"Pack wars are a thing of the past, Father. Humans are no longer aware that we even exist," I pleaded desperately, hoping to change my father's mind.

Dean's gaze softened at my words. He couldn't bear to watch the pained expression on my face, yet he pressed on, his words filled with a mix of frustration and affection, a cocktail of tough love.

"Packs coexist harmoniously because of the time-honored alliances we've fostered. These unions merge our strength and establish the utmost respect for our territories. Please understand, Hailey, the needs of the pack and the balance of our world come first before our selfish desires," he said, cupping my cheeks gently.

"But, Father..." I muttered, my voice filled with desperation.

"I know it is difficult. Your mother also went through the same turmoil, but she later grew to love me, just as you'll grow to love Killian," he tried to reassure me.

"I don't think I can," I cried out, tears streaming down my face. "I've heard rumors about him, how ruthless he is and his complete disregard for life," I added, my voice trembling with fear.

"We live in a cruel world, Hailey," Alpha Dean sighed, frustration evident in his voice.

"Moreover," he continued, his voice laden with the weight of our shared history, "the human threat persists. They may remain oblivious to our existence, but their relentlesse ncroachment on our lands is a constant battle. We must stand united, especially with a strong ally like Killian, to fortify ourselves against the temptation of selling our territories to developers."

The weight of the responsibility and the reality of our world bore down on me, and I had to come to terms with the sacrifices that were asked of me, even if my heart rebelled against it.

His stare silenced any further objections, sealing my lips and leaving my words unspoken. Protesting now would be futile, an act against the collective will of the Elders and the Alpha.

Disobeying would result in exile, a terrifying concept for someone who had only known the comforting embrace of the pack. Still, the notion of being bound to a stranger in matrimony was equally abhorrent.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I took a deep breath and finally managed to utter a single word, "When?"

"Tonight," my father replied firmly.

"What! So soon?" I gasped, feeling my heart race in my chest.

"There is no use in waiting. Killian and his council are here. A dinner is being prepared and the rest of the pack is being notified. We'll conduct the ceremony as the moon rises," he explained.

Tonight. The news hit me like a tidal wave as my father delivered the abrupt revelation. Three hours. That's all the time I had until a lifelong bond would be forged with a complete stranger. The weight of the situation was overwhelming, leaving my mind in a whirlwind of thoughts.

As I tried to gather myself, I realized that someone was speaking to me. Looking up, I saw Killian standing next to my father, his presence commanding.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Hailey," Killian's voice reverberated, its deep timbre cutting through the haze of my thoughts. His eyes held an unwavering gaze on mine, and I could sense the power radiating from him.

Trying to find my voice, I mustered a weak smile and replied, "Likewise, Alpha Killian." Deep down, I knew it was futile to resist. My fate had been decided, and now I had to face the unknown, with Kilian as my chosen mate.

The proximity revealed the true stature of Killian, making me wish for a few extra inches of height. At five foot six, I was of average size, but beside the new Alpha, I felt diminutive.

My father nudged me with his elbow, signaling me to respond. Killian had extended his hand towards me. Tentatively, I reached out and clasped it. The sensation of warmth radiated through my hand and traveled up my arm, causing a jolt of surprise to surge through me.

Curiosity prompted me to tilt my head back, meeting his gaze, and I caught a fleeting smile on his lips.

"You are even more beautiful than the rumors say, princess," he smirked, revealing his perfect set of white teeth. "I believe we will complement each other," he nodded towards my father before tightening his grip on my hands.

"I'll see you later at the ceremony." With a final appraisal of my appearance, Killian excused himself and made his way towards the council's gathering.

"See, it's like I told you, he's both charming and handsome. I'm sure you'll grow to love him," my father said, his voice filled with reassurance.

I couldn't deny that Killian was undeniably attractive, perhaps even more so than my previous love, Stephan. But there was more to a person than just looks.

"Hailey, I must attend to other matters before the ceremony," my father's voice broke my daydream, his kiss on my forehead a bittersweet reminder of familiarity.

He gently nudged me towards the door, signaling my dismissal. "Go and find Lily. She has been instructed to assist you in getting ready."

Lily, the beta's mate, had become my surrogate mother after I had lost my mother to Lycan hunters years ago. With a trembling body, I walked away in search of Lily.

Desperation clawed at my heart, tempting me to flee and hide from the impending union. But I knew deep down that escape was a futile fantasy. There was no place to shelter where I couldn't be tracked down. Even if I dared to steal a car and drive off, what then? I had no money, no safe haven to seek refuge in. There was no escaping my fate.

The hours that followed drifted by in a blur, with me attempting to express my fears and reservations to Lily.

Yet my words were silenced with a dismissive hush. It was all for the sake of the pack, they claimed. Being mated to an Alpha would elevate my status. He would provide for me, care for me. Their well-intentioned words swirled around me, failing to quell the storm that raged within.

Yearning to seek solace in Stephan's embrace one last time, I craved the comfort of his arms and the understanding in his eyes. But my longing was denied, deemed improper and untimely. Time slipped through my fingers, and with each passing moment, my hopes dissolved into the haze of uncertainty.