Amara
“Father, I can’t agree to that!” There was no way I was going to agree to throw the Royal Tournament just to appease a man’s ego so he’ll marry me. “If a man is to marry me and become Alpha of the Aethelclaw Warriors Pack, then he will have to earn it! I will not hand over my birthright so easily!”
“Watch your tone, young lady!” Cassandra, my mother, shot me a warning look, but I wouldn’t back down. Not about this.
“Mother,” I began again, my tone a bit softer but just as serious. “We’re talking about the survival of the Pack and the next Alpha and King here!”
“I’m well aware, daughter.” Mother proudly lifted her chin. “And it’s time you choose a Mate.”
“Mother, why can’t I rule the Pack?”
“Enough!” My father, Alpha Kellem, King of the Aethelclaw Warriors Pack, slammed his fist down hard onto the armrest of his wooden throne, nearly breaking it. “It’s preposterous that a woman could one day rule the Aethelclaw Warriors Pack! We will not be like the Valkyrior Warriors Pack, where a woman is now the Alpha! Never! So get that out of your mind!” He leaned closer, nearly falling out of his throne, lowering his voice. “This is your twenty-first birthday. Now, you will choose a Mate, or I will choose one for you.”
“Father, you can’t—”
“Oh, I can… and I will.” Father bit his lower lip in an effort to calm himself. “So, choose a Mate soon or there will be serious consequences… consequences you may not like.”
I squared my shoulders, my eyes never leaving his. “Then the man I choose will have to best me in the Royal Tournament. But Goddess help anyone who does.” With that, I turned on my heel and headed toward the door, keeping my head held high.
“I’m not through with you yet, daughter!” my father yelled behind me, slamming his fist down on this throne chair again, the sound reverberating throughout the room.
“Now, dear,” mother cooed behind me, “you know Amara. She’ll get it out of her system and then she’ll choose. Give her a chance—”
“She’s had more than enough chances!” Father’s booming voice followed me into the hallway when I walked out of the throne room and headed outside.
Does he really think that anyone else will win the tournament? I scoffed, shaking my head. I’d won every year since the tournament’s inception. And each year, I spend my time training hard in order to ensure my victory the following year.
I ran out of the palace and into the woods, nearly knocking over a few guards in my haste. The wind blew across my face as the scent of pine filled my lungs. I was tempted to shift into my wolf, but I had duties to see to and a dinner to attend tonight. But I made a silent vow to go later.
Picking up speed, I easily darted through the ember, alder, oak, and pine trees on my way to who knew where. I just needed to run, stretch my legs, and forget my lot in life.
Three years ago, I had created the rules of the tournament at my father’s insistence that I find a suitable Mate and Alpha for the Pack. The winner takes my hand. But so far, now one has been able to best me.
“Why can’t I inherit the throne?” I asked the wind, picking up speed. But it wasn’t my fate. My fate was to be the Queen and Luna to the next Alpha… and it was up to me to find him.
Hot, angry tears coursed down my cheeks as his face appeared in my Mind’s Eye. He was the other reason why I hadn’t taken a Mate… Blaze.
Three years ago, Blaze had left the kingdom to study at Central Academy, at my father’s insistence. I guessed he suspected that there was more between Blaze and me than friendship.
And he would be right.
After Blaze was sent away, my parents sent me to every Pack in Lycandor for the sole purpose of finding a Mate. But it wasn’t going to happen. I had already found him.
Blaze and I had been childhood sweethearts. We were perfectly matched sparing partners and lovers. We would sneak away whenever we could and make love under the stars, dreaming of one day being able to claim each other officially as Mates.
Who knows? Maybe this will be the year that Blaze returns. It’s my twenty-first birthday, after all. Maybe he would come back, get down on one knee, and propose to me before my father and the entire Pack.
A smile lit my lips, brightening at the fantasy.
Knowing I didn’t have much time to get ready, I headed back, feeling much better than I did when left.