GAME RULES

ZADE

I am far ahead of all classes, a requirement I have been drilled into since I could walk and attend school.

That’s why I can afford to miss the normal classes and meet my grandfather.

I have always been close to him, but ever since I fell out with my father, we have been closer than before. I meet him in the country clubhouse outside Oakland.

“How is school?” the tall man whose strength I can feel even standing a few feet away asks me.

Our generation has always sired alphas and leaders. We have always been the king alphas, and I will continue the bloodline by making sure my children and the children of my children all follow in their footsteps.

“I have passed all the examinations. I am ahead of all classes by two lessons,” I respond as I hit the small ball with my stick feeling impressed.

“That is the bare minimum. How is your combat level? Are you keeping up with the training? Political classes that you are taking outside your normal school work?”

My smug smile fades as I nod. I was happy too soon.

“Yes sir. Everything is up to par. I know better than to slack off.”

“Good. All sons of our bloodline have gone to that school. You must uphold the legacy and our name. You are to be the future king alpha, just like I was, just like your father is.”

“I understand.”

“You still haven’t mended things with your father?” he turns around and looks at me.

I clench my jaw but fix my facial features. To show weakness or emotions in front of him is not allowed. “We still don’t see eye to eye on things. I would prefer to keep my distance.”

I still don’t know why he called me here today. We normally meet once a week, have lunch, and play golf before I have to go back to campus. But this time he called me two days earlier.

It can’t be that he wants to talk about my dad, could it? He knows I hate my father, I don’t hide that little fact even from him.

“He is still your father. I know you have your own beliefs and reasoning as to how he should have lived his life. But don’t you think it’s a childish move to not speak to him?”

“He betrayed my mother. It doesn’t have anything to do with my beliefs or my judgment of how things are supposed to be. He should have done the right thing.”

I try to keep my tone respectful even though I am burning inside.

My grandfather chuckles. “Aren't you doing the same thing to your girlfriend?”

Oh. That’s why I am here then.

“I rejected her.”

“And yet your bond is still alive and strong,” he looks at me like I amuse him.

“I hate her. I want nothing to do with her. The only person I want to be my mate is Olivia. You blessed our union, you know her family will be important to us. She is the right person to be mated to,” I insist stubbornly.

“You do sound childish. I am disappointed.”

I have nothing to say to that.

“To think all my teachings have all been discarded or you just didn’t listen,” he shakes his head looking away in distaste. “What a foolish young man.”

“I am sorry grandfather, but to be mated to someone I hate is beyond my abilities.”

“You two are so similar but I can see where you are coming from. At least you have the face to deny the truth with a thick skin,” he starts walking and I fall in step with him.

“He chose her. I don’t have quite the luxury.”

“Tell me what happened. Don’t leave out anything.”

And so I do. I hate how everything has been revolving around the one girl I can’t stand but here we are.

“If your wolf is disappearing when you reject her, then you have no other option but to stay mated. You cannot be a king if you lose a vital part of yourself that makes you worthy of the position. This is no longer about you.”

When has it ever been just about me?

“I don’t know anything about her. Her family is not a legacy,” I remind him. He is the one person who has always told me that partnerships are to be done with people of substance, not just anybody.

“Her mother is married and mated to your father.”

“I love Olivia. She is the one I want to be my Luna.”

“Do what you will. Just don’t compromise all that we have done up until now for the sake of love. Love fades, strength lives and reigns. Power talks and gets things done. I would be disappointed if you chose love over the throne.”

The rest of the morning flies as we play and talk. The little joy I had fades just as fast.

If there is one thing I have always promised myself is that I will be made to someone I love. Y parents were mated out of power and connections. They were both legacies. Sure, they kept up appearances when we were outside, but inside our home, it was cold.

They didn’t love each other, at least not the way I saw other kids' parents behave and act with each other.

Unless they too were pretending.

But then I started loving Olivia. I have loved her for a long time and I know that what we have is real. It’s not fiery or overly passionate. But it's real love, stable and safe.

I made a promise to mate the love of my life. To be in a union with someone I love and not do it for the sake of wealth, power, and a name.

My whole life, nothing has ever been mine. I do it all for the pack. I don’t hate my life, it’s how it is. You can’t hate something when it’s all you have ever known. But I know that nothing is ever mine.

But Olivia has been mine. She still is. Our love has been mine. Plus it made sense that way. It was safe and settled.

Now this too is being taken away from me and I have only one person to blame.

By the time I drive back to school, I am ready to relive all my stress and anger on her.