The Unwanted Engagement

Sienna POV

“What?” Ryker retorted instantly, standing up with a violent jerk that practically knocked his heavy chair back.

“What?” Gemma and Roxy echoed in unison, their voices pitched high with disbelief.

“Wh—what?” I rasped. My own eyes went wide in pure, unadulterated shock. Did I hear that right? They wanted me to marry Ryker? Hell, no.

“How can you do that, father?” Ryker seethed, his broad chest heaving with barely contained fury. “I won’t marry someone who isn’t my mate! Roxy is my mate and I will marry her!”

“My decision is final,” Alpha Conrad growled back. His dominant amber eyes flashed with a dangerous, unspoken Alpha warning that demanded immediate submission. “You will marry Sienna. You are both getting engaged in two days and will be fully married by the time the next full moon arrives.”

“This is ridiculous!” Ryker shouted, his large hands curling tightly into white-knuckled fists.

“Lower your fucking tone!” the Alpha menaced, his wolf rising to the surface, completely intolerant of anyone questioning his absolute authority. “I know this is in the best interest of the pack.”

Roxy immediately broke down. She began to cry loudly, sobbing dramatically as she stared at me with raw accusation burning in her eyes. My stepmother, Gemma, quickly pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing Roxy's face into her chest to comfort her.

My heart thundered frantically against my ribs. I knew deep in my soul that this forced marriage would be an absolute disaster. I would die slowly, loving Ryker every single day, knowing with absolute certainty that he would never love me back. Gathering every ounce of courage I had left, I pushed myself up from the sofa.

“Alpha Conrad,” I pleaded cautiously, my voice shaking despite my best efforts. “I can’t marry Ryker. He loves Roxy, and she loves him. Let Roxy marry him. They are mates. It would be a catastrophe if I take her place. Please, reconsider.”

The Alpha raised a dark eyebrow, silently daring me to challenge his absolute command. I withered instantly under his heavy gaze, but I couldn't just sit back. This trap was suffocating.

Luna Celine reached out and gently took my clammy hand. “Sit down, Sienna,” she said softly, her eyes full of resolve. “I know this is overwhelming right now, but this is your Alpha's decision. We have thought about this for a long time.”

“But Luna Celine, Roxy is his mate. It isn't fair,” I argued weakly, a storm of panic raging in my chest.

“She’s right!” Ryker shot a lethal glare at me before turning back to his parents. “Why did you hide this? You can’t expect me to marry someone I don’t love!”

Roxy let out another loud, dramatic wail. Gemma shot me a venomous look, clearly holding me responsible for this entire nightmare. “Let Ryker and Roxy be together,” Gemma insisted to the Luna.

Luna Celine ignored her and cupped my face warmly. “Sienna, I gave my word to your mother that you will marry my son. You both complete each other. There was a reason I insisted you be trained as a Luna.” She paused, dropping a devastating fact that sealed my fate. “We have even spoken to the Elders about this union, and they heavily support it.”

I blinked in pure astonishment. The Elders? My heart drummed like wild thunder. I shot a desperate glance at my father, silently begging for his intervention to save me from this nightmare. But he just sat there with absolute, unnerving calm. He offered a small, terrifying smile.

“Happy birthday, Sienna,” he said, completely ignoring my obvious distress.

My mouth dropped open to the floor.

Furious and feeling utterly betrayed, Ryker violently stomped out of the room. The heavy double doors slammed shut behind him, shaking the very walls of the manor.

“I want to go home,” Roxy demanded tearfully. “Take me home right now, mom.”

Gemma and Roxy abruptly stood, gave quick bows to the Alpha, and marched out of the living room. I rushed frantically after them, catching them right in the middle of the grand foyer.

“Roxy! I didn’t know—” I started, desperate to explain the ambush.

“Oh, cut the crap!” she hissed sharply. Her face contorted with ugly, raw anger. “How could you? You wanted Ryker to yourself so you could become the queen of this wealth and pack. You’re a disgusting, greedy little bitch! You usurped my rightful place with your sick shenanigans!”

I caught her hand gently, entirely devastated by her venomous accusations. “Roxy! What are you saying? I protested because I know Ryker is your mate.”

“You protested weakly!” she sneered viciously, forcefully jerking her hand away from my grasp. “You are such an ingrate. If you have any shame left, you will reject this marriage before coming home.”

Gemma shot me a hateful, lingering glare before they both stormed out the front doors. I stood completely stunned, the blood draining from my face. I couldn't comprehend how quickly the supposed sweetest people in my life had turned so incredibly bitter and cruel over something I had absolutely zero control over.

Returning to the main hall in a blurry daze, Brody immediately came over. He wrapped his arms around me, hugging me warmly. “Congratulations, humbug! Welcome to the fam!”

“This gotta be my worst nightmare,” I murmured against his shoulder.

Brody chuckled lightly, pulling back to look at me with absolute sincerity. “No, it isn't. And if Ryker ever fails you, I’m always here for you.”

I gave his arm a weak smack. He had always been the brother I never had, but right now, nothing could ease my mounting dread.

Luna Celine approached us then. “Don’t go back home just yet,” she instructed warmly. “We will be right there for your fast-approaching first shift.”

I agreed with a hollow nod. My heart sank a little deeper, painfully realizing that Ryker would likely spend the entirety of my shift nursing Roxy's wounded emotions instead of being by my side where he belonged. Tears burned the back of my eyes.

Glancing over, I saw my father deep in casual conversation with Alpha Conrad about the upcoming engagement logistics. I knew I had to act immediately before it was too late. I walked straight up to him.

“Father, can I speak with you?” I asked, silently praying that only he could convince the Alpha to take his iron-clad decision back.