Mated To The Lycan King

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

RAINA'S POV

The tension in the air was thick as I sat beside his parents, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon me. It was obvious that they were blaming me. I also blame myself. The events of the past few moments had shaken me to my core, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of impending doom. I rubbed my arm to calm myself down.

'Think positively.’ I kept whispering in a low voice.

Ethel had to win. As I stared at the crowd, I knew that his respect as their leader was also at stake. Our union as mates was also at stake but that came secondary to his honor.

Ethel's determination to fight Alpha Declan was both admirable and terrifying. I knew he was doing it for me, to prove his worth and protect our bond, but the thought of him risking his life for me sent shivers down my spine.

As the crowd dispersed, murmuring amongst themselves, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Ethel's, his grip firm yet gentle. I turned to look at him, seeing the resolve in his eyes.

"I'll win this for us, Raina," He promised.

"Trust me.” He said, his voice firm with determination.

"I won't let anything happen to you. I won't let anyone take you away from me. I promise."

I nodded, trying to muster up a smile despite the fear gnawing at my insides.

He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

I would have felt butterflies in my tummy if I was in the right state of mind but with a heavy heart, I watched as he walked away, his figure disappearing into the crowd.

Alone once again, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation bearing down on me.

I made my way back to my room, the events of the day weighing heavily on my mind.

There was one thought that kept looming in my mind that I've been struggling hard to avoid. A part of me knew, a part of me knew deep down that Alpha Declan was right!

When he looked into my eyes, I felt it. I felt that bond between us.

But I really wasn't ready to accept that he's my mate. He can't be. I will be doomed if I end up with him.

I entered my room and closed the door behind me, sinking onto the edge of my bed with a heavy sigh. The prospect of the brawl tomorrow loomed over me like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over my every thought. As I lay down on my bed, I couldn't help but toss and turn, my mind racing with a million different thoughts and worries.

What if Alpha Ethel loses? What if I was forced to leave my pack and follow Alpha Declan?

****

The day ran faster than usual and the time for the brawl arrived earlier than expected.

The scene was set with an eerie calmness, the air thick with anticipation as the crowd gathered around the clearing. The fading light of the setting sun cast long shadows over the spectators, their murmurs blending into a low hum of excitement and tension.

I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched the two Alphas prepare to face off.

Alpha Ethel was at one end of the clearing, his stance resolute and determined. His eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of reassurance in his gaze.

The outcome of this fight would determine my fate, and the thought filled me with dread. I closed my eyes and made a silent prayer to the moon goddess. Ethel must win, he had to.

I stared at the increasing crowd and realized most of them were from other packs. They had come to witness the fight and I couldn't blame them. History was about to be made and they wanted to be in attendance. It was impossible as no Alpha had ever gone into a fight with the Lycan King. It was suicidal.

“Go Wolfy.” Alpha Declan said and the crowd fell silent knowing that the fight was about to start.

“Goodluck.” I whispered to Ethel when he turned to look at me, making him smile. I could feel his hot eyes on me but I couldn't dare to look at him.

“You will need more than a mere goodluck from my mate, Ethel.” Alpha Declan mocked.

“She is my mate!” Ethel screamed.

“Are you sure about that? Are you worthy to be her mate?” Alpha Declan grinned, enjoying the moment.

I knew exactly what he was doing. He was trying to anger Ethel so he would attack blindly and start off on a wrong foot.

I crossed my fingers and prayed that the moon goddess would keep Ethel calm. It was the only way he could come close to winning.

Ethel smiled. “You call her your mate but she has never claimed you. She looks terrified of the beast that you are.”

Alpha Declan clenched his fist and his face hardened. He was getting angry. I expected him to attack first but I was disappointed when he smirked.

“After today, she will no longer be scared of me because I will prove to her that nobody can harm her.”

They were moving in circles. “Does that help you sleep at night? Seeing yourself as some kind of protector rather than the bully you are.” Ethel chuckled.

“Alright then, baby wolfie. Let’s see what you got.”

Alpha Ethel's fur shimmered in the fading light, a sleek and powerful form that exuded strength and determination. Beside him, Alpha Declan's wolf was a massive and imposing figure, with fur as dark as the night itself.

With a low growl, the two wolves lunged at each other, teeth bared and claws extended. The sound of their snarls filled the air as they collided with bone-shattering force, each blow sending shockwaves through the clearing.

Alpha Ethel's agility was unmatched, his movements swift and calculated as he dodged Alpha Declan's powerful blows. But Alpha Declan was relentless, his strength seemingly endless as he pressed the attack, his jaws snapping dangerously close to Alpha Ethel's throat.

My stomach churned with anxiety as I watched the fight unfold, my unease growing with each passing moment. It was clear to me now – Alpha Declan was stronger than Alpha Ethel in every way. And as much as it pained me to admit it, I knew that my chances of escaping this ordeal unscathed were slim at best.

With a ferocious roar, Alpha Declan delivered a devastating blow that sent Alpha Ethel crashing to the ground, his form battered and bruised.

As the dust settled, Alpha Declan stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion as he surveyed the scene before him. Alpha Ethel lay defeated at his feet, his form trembling with exhaustion as he struggled to rise.

I stood there, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions as I watched Alpha Ethel fall into the ground in defeat.

The sight filled me with a sense of helplessness and despair.

Ethel turned to look at me and I could see the self disappointment in his eyes. His expression etched with so much remorse and it held a "I'm sorry for not keeping my promise."

With a triumphant howl, Alpha Declan turned to me, his gaze filled with determination and possessiveness. I felt a surge of fear and resistance.

He approached me with a possessive gleam in his eyes, a silent reminder of the bond that now tethered us together.

"It's time Mate. Let's go." He said, his voice filled with so much possession.

"No! I'm not your mate." I whispered, my voice barely audible above the noise of the crowd. "I won't go with you."

Alpha Declan's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening with resolve. "You have no choice, Raina," he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument.

But I stood my ground, my heart pounding in my chest as I resisted the pull of the bond that connected us.

“I won't abandon my pack," I insisted, my voice growing stronger with each word. "I won't abandon Alpha Ethel."

The crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on me in shock and disbelief.

Alpha Declan's gaze bore into mine, his expression a mixture of frustration and determination.

"You belong with me, Raina," he insisted, his voice low and commanding.

But I refused to back down, my resolve stronger than ever. "I belong where I choose to belong," I declared, my voice ringing out clear and defiant. "And right now, that's with my pack."

"I'm sorry Raina but you have to—"

I heard his voice say, the voice I've always longed for. The voice I always wanted to be with.

It was Alpha Ethel.

“Raina," he said softly, his voice tinged with sorrow. "You know you have no other choice. We made a pact, and we have to honor it, no matter how much it hurts."

I wanted to argue, to protest against the unfairness of it all, but deep down, I knew that he was right. The rules of our pack were clear, and there was no escaping them. With a heavy heart, I nodded slowly, my eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Alpha Ethel reached out to me, his touch gentle yet firm as he sought to offer me what little comfort he could.

"I know this isn't what you wanted, Raina," he murmured, his voice filled with remorse. "But we have to accept our fate, no matter how difficult it may be."

His words struck a chord deep within me, stirring up a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I wanted to resist, to cling to the hope that there was another way out of this mess. But in the end, I knew that I had no choice but to obey the rules of our pack, to follow Alpha Declan and accept my fate as his mate.

With a heavy sigh, I turned to Alpha Ethel, my heart heavy with sorrow and regret.

"I... I understand," My voice barely above a whisper. "I'll... I'll go with him."

Alpha Ethel's expression softened at my words, his eyes filled with sympathy and understanding.

"I'm sorry, Raina," He murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I wish things could have been different."

And as I turned to leave with Alpha Declan, my heart breaking with every step, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store for me.