Chapter 4 Chapter 0004
•TRISTAN•
When the scout took me to see my father in the council hall, I instantly knew what he wanted to say. All the elders were already gathered, waiting to remind me of my duty to the pack.
"Son," my father said with joy when I walked in. "You're welcome. Please sit," he gestured to the chair next to him around the big table. "The Elders and I want to exchange a few words with you. Please don't be alarmed. This won't take your time."
My mother had already preached to me about marriage, and I knew that if I delayed in finding my mate, they would find someone for me.
"Am I here so you'd tell me about my duty to the pack?" I sighed as I sat down, leaning back in the chair.
"I will have to retire early as the Alpha, Tristan, and I can't leave the pack in anyone's hands but your own. You are my firstborn son and heir to the Alpha throne. But before the succession can happen, you will need to have a wife. You must show the pack that you are a dedicated and committed man to your affairs. They can't trust someone who knows nothing about sacrifice, loyalty, and commitment."
"I haven't met my mate," I said through clenched teeth. "You know this, Father. And I thought you would give me time to find her without rushing."
"The succession is planned to happen within two moons, Tristan," he reminded me. "If you don't have a mate by then, the Elders and I will be forced to choose someone for you. The Beta has four daughters you can choose from. It's not uncommon for an Alpha not to have a fated mate. What matters will be the bond you will form with your chosen mate, which would be almost equal to the fated mate."
"I have dedicated my time to learning everything about being an Alpha, so I don't understand why I should be rushed to make a decision that would determine the future of this pack and of my family." I tilted my head and looked at my father, leaning forward. "You and my mother, the Luna, are mates, Father. So, why am I expected to compromise on meeting my mate for the sake of the pack?"
"We are trying to help you make the right choice for your future, Tristan," Elder Joann replied. "We are not doing this to limit you from finding your mate."
"Not everyone has the privilege of meeting their fated mates," Elder Daniel chimed in. "I myself have never met my fated mate. My wife and I chose each other, and now we would be married for fifty-six years. The mating bond is as powerful as the one between fated mates."
"I am only twenty-six. Surely I will meet my mate soon. My father’s retirement can be postponed until I have exhausted every means to meet the woman destined for me."
My father and the elders looked at each other. They were sharing something through a mind link before they turned and looked at me.
Valen growled lowly inside me, hating the idea of mating with someone else when we knew our fated mate was out there, waiting for us and unclaimed.
"My retirement can't be postponed, Tristan," my father replied. "Your succession is already being prepared and nothing would stop it. If in two months you're not mated, you will choose from the Beta’s daughters to marry."
I clenched my fists under the table, realizing that they would never give me time to find my mate at my own pace.
Then, suddenly, someone appeared in my mind. Instead of choosing from the Beta’s daughters, I knew she'd be the right choice.
Nothing would bind me to her, and I would find my mate whenever the moon saw fit, and she would be free once that had been achieved.
So, I leaned forward in my chair and exhaled. "I have someone in my life, but the relationship is still new."
"Who is the girl?" My father asked, looking hopeful. "Is she from this pack?"
"Yes, Father, she is. Her mother was Maddie, the one who was married to late Gamma before she died as well two years ago."
My father glanced at the elders, and they all smiled.
"Bring her to the pack house," my father said, smiling. "Your mother and I would love to talk with her and see if she's prepared to lead the pack by your side."
I nodded at them, though I wasn't sure if they would approve of her.
Everyone knew Raven was an omega, while most people assumed she was human since Maddie came with her from the human territories when she was young.
But since there was no law against marriages to humans, I hoped my father wouldn't scold me and ruin my plans.
After the council meeting, I went straight to Raven’s house. When I walked into the living room, I found her sister dragging her on the floor while pulling her hair.
I quickly stopped her, and my scout pulled Raven to my side. She was trembling and crying when she hid behind.
"You will answer to the Elders about your abuse," I warned her. "But if you don't want that to escalate any further, kneel and apologize to Raven.”
Katerina frowned as she slowly knelt on the floor. Her nostrils flared before she apologized.
"Sorry, Raven. I hope you can forgive me."
"Do you feel better?" I asked as I turned and looked at Raven, and she nodded, still looking shaken by what was happening.
When we got outside her house, I pulled her toward the training grounds and sat her down on the staircase, hoping she'd agree to the proposal.
"Raven, my father is soon going to appoint me as the Alpha of the pack, and without a mate, I can't claim my succession. But I believe you can help me."
"You want my help to be the Alpha?" She muttered.
"If you agree to marry me and be my Luna, I will take care of you and preserve your place in this pack. And in five years, you will be free to leave or stay.”
