Chapter 2 Arranged Marriage

Kira POV

After dinner, I head upstairs early to get ready for the next day. When I get into my room, deciding to focus on the task of getting ready for the day, I push all my anxious thoughts to the side. Before I can step a foot into my walk-in closet, my cell chimes with a text. It's a notification in the group chat I share with my 3 best friends: Justice, Elijah, and Bella. We have been best friends since we were pups.

Bella: hey!! E has some meeting… can I catch a ride with u?

I wonder if Elijah's meeting has anything to do with what Dad wants to talk to me about. I shoot her a text back to let her know that I have to talk to Dad and maybe be late myself.

Me: I think I may be running late… the Alpha wants to see me.

Bella: You are such a dork! Stop calling him The Alpha lol. He's your dad!

Me: Well he sent Uncle Mason to tell me, like it was an official order… what else could it be?

Bella: You are going to be the next Alpha! Go in there with your head held high and whatever it is, WE GOT YOU!

Justice: yes, yes, yes, we got your back…BUT seriously shut up in this group chat! It's not even 6:30! Some of us still have beauty sleep to catch up on bitches! Love you bye!

I laugh out loud at the response we receive from Justice. Of course, he is still sleep! The man sleeps until at least noon on days we have nothing to do. Justice is one of our top warriors, and he is hoping to be recruited to our Elite squad. We met freshman year and have been inseparable since.

I place my phone back down and focus on getting ready. As I walk into my closet, I take Bella's advice to heart. I am the next Alpha! I need to walk into whatever this is feeling confident. So, I throw on a pair of black fitted trousers that hug every curve of my lower body. I am not the tallest she-wolf at 5'8", but my body speaks for me. I have enough thighs and ass to drive any man wild. My body is toned thanks to all the physical training I have had to do, and I am sporting a 36 DD. I go for a blue blouse with blue pumps.

I give myself a once over in the mirror and smile. I love the way pink looks on my caramel skin. I feel my nerves slowly trying to return. My anxiety is telling me that I am playing dress up to make myself feel better, but I refuse to listen! I tell myself that I can handle whatever this meeting is and head out the door.

As I make my way through the pack house, I greet everyone I see. I am met with several bowed heads as a sign of respect for their future Alpha, but to be honest I hate it. I don't feel like anyone should bow their head to me, though I consistently remind them they don't have to, they refuse to listen.

Upon arrival, I see Uncle Elliot, Uncle Mason, and Nathan, our Gamma, come out of Dad's office. They all stop to greet me and tell me that Dad is ready for me.

As I walk in, Dad is sitting behind his desk, looking like the authoritative leader he is, but his face breaks into a smile when he sees me. "Good morning, sweetheart! Did you sleep well?" Dad asks.

"I did until Uncle Mason showed up at my door with your official request. What's going on, Dad" I ask. Before Dad gets a chance to speak; however, his wife interrupts.

"Good morning to you, too, or did you not see me?" I try to keep from rolling my eyes before I turn to face Giselle.

"I did not see you. I was focused on Dad, but good morning Giselle." I turn back to face Dad, "Should I come back, after you are done with Giselle?"

"No, I asked Giselle to be here for this," Dad replies.

"Be here for what exactly?" I ask.

"Maybe you should sit down, sweetheart," Dad says solemnly. Dread fills my body as I take my seat. From behind, I hear Giselle shuffle. She takes the seat next to me and nods to my Dad to continue.

"Sweetheart, you know you turn 18 in a couple of months, and you will be of official age to take over as Alpha. You are more than ready to lead this pack. However, Giselle and I feel the need to take a few precautions." I look between Giselle and my Dad trying to gauge what these precautions could mean. However, Giselle's face remains neutral as she stares at my Dad, willing him to go on.

"I don't understand, what type of precautions? I have done my warrior training, and my Alpha training, and I am doing the Elite training next week. I am ready for this Dad, you know that." Dad nods his head, but his face remains stoic.

"I know that you are ready, but you and I both know you need more than that to lead a pack. That is why Giselle and I have arranged for your hand in marriage to Miles Austin of the Jade Stone Pack. He is of Alpha blood and completely suitable. Since he is not the oldest son, he will not inherit the Alpha title; therefore, you will run the pack with him."

There is no way I heard him correctly… What the actual fuck?

"Dad, you can't be serious!" I could feel the heaviness rise in my chest, as my father explained he has arranged for my hand in marriage.

"You know why this is a good idea. If the truth comes out, the pack would question your ability to lead; it is for the best." Dad explains as if it is the most natural and simplest solution.

I have already been trained to take over as Alpha since I could walk, but now, I don't even get a chance at love.

"Dad, I don't understand. Not once have you ever mentioned me needing to have a mate before taking over the Alpha role," I shout, as I jump out of the chair I was just sitting in. Dad's face remains impassive as he waits for me to sit back down. Taking the hint, I sit back in my seat and wait for Dad to continue.

"I understand that this may come as a shock to you, but Giselle and I only want what is best for you and the pack." Of course, Giselle has something to do with this! I should have known this cow had her hand in the mix somewhere. I turn to look at her, not surprised to find her already looking at me.

"Giselle, why do you have the constant need to interfere in my life?" I ask her. She smiles cooly at me, "Kira, your father and I are simply trying to ensure the safety and security of you and the pack." I snub at her response. "Bullshit!" I respond, before being interrupted by Dad.

"That's enough, Kira. I understand you are upset, but you will not disrespect your mother!" Just hearing Dad call her my mother makes my skin crawl.

"My stepmother," I chirp in. Trying to understand what the hell is happening, I take a deep breath before speaking.

"Dad, what do you mean I have to get married? What does that have to do with the security of the pack? None of this makes sense!" I say in exhaustion. I sit in silence for a few moments trying to make sense of the atomic bomb that my Dad and stepmonster just dropped on me.

"What about my fated mate?" I finally ask.

Giselle begins to speak, "That is of no impo-" She begins to speak, but is cut off by Dad.

"I have considered that. I will allow you the opportunity to attend this year's Mate Ball." Dad replies.

"Dear, that is not what we originally discussed!" Giselle chirps in again.

Dad levels her with a look, "I know what we discussed, but I have changed my mind, as is my right as Alpha. However, should you not meet your mate, you will marry Miles a week after the Mate Ball."

How in the hell could they decide this without me?