My Enemy,.My Betrothed Mate

's

ace and love," the eldest pack elder intoned, his voice a gravelly mix of reverence and finality.

faces, searching for Aiden. Dreading the possibility he'

face the boy who owned every inch of my heart and tell him it was over-not because I wanted it to

m, Ivy. He deserv

sk of indifference, but I swore I could feel the disdain rolling off him. My stomach churned. The ache in my

l for the sake of the pack's safety. My father's dream, my mother's insistence, t

er the buzz of the crowd. The beta, lean and efficient, disappeared and

ks assembled, ready to b

e calabash. When it was the Alpha's turn, he extended his hand without he

ust like Mother said. Brave enough to

er part of him. It sent a shiver down my spine, though not the good kind. The rest of the

as d

between packs, sealing the alliance that would

anding behind me with faces streaked in tears. They were mirrors of my own grief, yet their ex

, I cru

rms. She caught me tightly, her embrace a frag

ce breaking. "Go and make your fathe

that this was coming, yet she'd let me fall in love. Let me fall

lest lie

d of this." My voice was thick with rebellion, but I knew it

ssed my forehead but said nothing.

authoritative, called my

as t

y like it might physically kill me. Every step toward

and unyielding. His gaze flicked to the car parked nearby. "Get in

de was

ke sandalwood and oud. It suffocated me, clawing at my throat. His presence was

ned toward the window as the forest bl

my hand in his, his grip unrelenting. Heat coursed up my arm, ming

tone unnervingly polite.

altering. "I... I like readi

r hunting. There's something about the

lost on me, and a shi

something shifted when I caught a scent-musky and earth

nning the darkening woods. My ears picked up a distan

red, his voice tight with

ving between the trees, glowing eyes watching

ke a war drum. The driver gripped the wheel ti

throat, but I remembered who I was and the

ession was calm and calculating,

se," he c