Arranged Marriage to the Lycan King

ELARA’S POV “You can’t make me,” I said stubbornly, crossing my arms. My father, Robert Carter, pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Elara, please. I don’t have time for you to act like a child.” I stood there, staring at him in defiance, challenging him. “I’m not marrying one of them.” Sitting down on the edge of my bed, he placed his hands on his knees. For only 43 years old, he looked much older. If we were given the same resources as our neighboring village, Stonehaven, he would be in better condition now. But the man before me was not only aged beyond his years but also broken. He looked at me with pleading eyes. “You’re our only chance of survival. Humans won’t last much longer if we don’t ally with the Lycans.” I shook my head. “Get someone else to do it. I don’t understand why it has to be me.” “You are the daughter of the mayor of Bridgerow, and the Lycan King himself demanded someone of notable status for this marriage.” “I’m not even that notable. I’m just a farmer. Just like Betty and Mary. I don’t see them being forced into marriages with Lycans.” The word Lycan burned hot on my tongue and filled me with a silent rage. I detested them just as much as they hated us. Forcing us to live in squalor and act as if they were superior to us. And the Lycan King was to blame. It was under his rule that all of this went on. I’d heard plenty about Theron Blackwood, the playboy prince made into the playboy King by his father’s sudden death in battle with a rogue attack and soon followed by Theron’s mother recently. That’s a death I found more empathy for than his father, King Magnus. Not only due to losing my mother, Lyra Blackwood was known to visit Bridgerow often, bringing supplies and a kind word to those who spoke to her. I’d never met her, but all the rumors about her were starkly contrasting to her husband. And it’s a quality I’m sure Theron shared, as no changes had been made in the months since his father’s death. And to demand a wedding so soon after his mother’s death told me he must not have cared much for her, not taking time to mourn her and instead wanting to fill his bed with a human wife. “Elara. Are you listening to me?” my father said, now glaring at me. I looked away, ashamed I’d tuned him out to mull over my thoughts. “Sorry, Dad.” He sighed. “It’s okay. Even though I’m forcing your hand in this matter, I understand your side. I wish there were any other way to grant unity between us, but this is it. This is our last chance. If something does not change before next winter, I’m not sure Bridgerow will survive.” He was right. Crops were drying up. Resources were becoming scarce. And if we hoped Bridgerow would last for the winter months, something major needed to happen. And it just so happens that something major would be me marrying a Lycan. I looked at him in defeat. “I’ll do it.” Looking at me with surprise, his following words were mixed with confusion. “You will?” I nodded, making fists by my side. “It’s my duty. I’m not happy about it, but I'll do it if it’s what Bridgerow needs.” My father flung me from the bed, wrapping his arms around my shoulder. “Thank you, sweetheart.” I let him hug me, not returning the embrace. I know he only meant well, but it didn’t stop me from being angry with him. He could have requested a human council member’s daughter. Not his own. But as fate would have it, I guess I did hold the most status in our tiny village. My father pulled away, happiness shining through his eyes. “I’ll prepare the celebrations.” “The celebrations?” “You don’t think we’re going to shuttle you off to Stonehaven and not have a party, do you?” “Does Bridgerow have the resources for that?” My father waved a hand. “The Lycan King has already provided them.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why would he do that?” He looked at me nervously. “Because he’ll be there.” I stomped my foot. “So I have a sendoff party, and he’ll crash that? He can’t allow me to say goodbye to my friends one night?” My father laughed. “Friends?” I grimaced. “You don’t have to be so blunt. I have friends.” He tilted his head at me. “Name one.” “Betty and Mary.” He rolled his eyes. “Those are just two you work with. You’ve never brought them around the house. Never gone to visit them outside working hours.” He was right. I was short on friend supply; instead, I focused on work, read what books I could get my hands on, and daydreamed about how things must have been before Lycans appeared in human history. Dreaming that maybe they’d all be gone again one day, a whispered story in the dark around a lit campfire. Nothing but a distant memory and a child’s scary tale. ***** THERON’S POV “Are you certain you want to go through with this?” Rowan asked, rubbing his neck nervously. I glared at him in the mirror over my shoulder. “I don’t have a choice.” “Of course, you have a choice. Queen Lyra isn’t here to enforce anything, you know.” I continued glaring at him as I adjusted my belt. “It was her dying wish. For me to marry a human girl and start uniting humans and Lycans.” “Your mother was an amazing woman. But I don’t think she fully understood what she asked her son to do. We’re not even sure we can mate with humans. It’s never been done in history.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not concerned about an heir at the moment, only fulfilling my mother’s wish.” “Without an heir, once you’ve passed, all hell will break loose, and you know it. Packs vying to overtake Silverclaw’s authority and become king themselves.” “Let them fight.” Rowan rolled his eyes. “You can’t want that.” “Maybe we can mate with humans. It’s not like we’ve tried. Lycans stick to themselves in Stonehaven, and humans stay in Bridgerow, barely interacting.” Rowan clasped his hands together. “Have you ever even been to Bridgerow yourself?” I shook my head. “I never found it necessary.” “Of course you didn’t. Because you’re a logical Lycan. We do not need to go there, let alone marry one of them.” I sighed, turning around finally to face him. “I understand where you’re coming from, as my friend and Beta. But as my friend, you should also know there’s no convincing me to change my course.” Rowan reluctantly nodded. “You’re right about that. You’re as stubborn as your father.” The mention of my father had my nostrils flaring. As much as I loved my mother, I loathed my father. He was a cruel, distant father. Often preferring to force me into solitude as a form of punishment. In darkness and without food. Often for days. One time even lasted two whole weeks. A human would have perished much quicker, but we were built for hardships as Lycans. And despite feeling insane due to the lack of nutrients and water, I had survived and with only whispered conversations through the crack underneath the door with my best friend who stood before me now. If it hadn’t been for Rowan during those dark times, I’m not sure I would have survived them, and I am forever grateful for him. And it was due to this that he had been made my Beta, which would have further enraged my father. Rowan’s family lineage was servant Omegas to our family for generations. Having an Omega-turned-Beta was unheard of, but it was my first act as king when I ascended the throne. Rowan looked at me, worry evident on his face. “Just tell me you’ll be careful.” I scoffed. “I have nothing to worry about.” “You know the council is not happy with this arrangement. I can’t think of many Lycans who are. The only people you may be pleasing are the Bridgerow mayor and our human councilmember.” “The councilmember, maybe. But the mayor? I’m not so sure. He seemed hesitant when I demanded the hand of his only child.” Rowan arched an eyebrow. “Why did you choose his daughter?” I shrugged. “I’d never seen the girl but figured her status as the mayor’s daughter would help my plans for unity amongst our people.” Rowan shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re getting into.” I slapped his shoulder. “I do.” But even as I said it, I felt doubt lingering in the back of my mind, which I quickly pushed aside. I had one mission and one mission alone. Bring peace between humans and Lycans, as my mother begged me on her deathbed. Nothing would stand in my way.