Rylan’s POV
What are you doing?” I growled at Rio angrily when we were back inside the packhouse and our father was out of earshot. He smirked at me. “Buying us some more time. Let's enjoy this ball tomorrow and keep our parents happy for now. We have a few days to develop something.” he explained.
I felt a surge of anger and frustration at Rio's words. "Buying us time?" I repeated, my voice low and even. "Is that all you're concerned about? We can't pretend to be happy and follow our father's plans. We have to take a stand."
Rio shrugged. "For now, it's the best we can do. We can't just up and leave the pack without a plan. We need to be smart about this."
I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. I had expected more from my brothers, especially Rio. "You're not taking this seriously, are you?" I accused, my voice rising.
Rio's smirk faltered, and he looked at me seriously. "Of course I am, Ry. But we have to be realistic. We're not going to change our father's mind overnight. We need to play the game for now."
I felt a pang of guilt at Rio's words. He was right, of course. We couldn't just up and leave the pack without a plan. But I couldn't help feeling like we were giving up too quickly.
"Fine," I said finally, my voice heavy with resignation. "Let's do it. But just for now. I won't pretend to be happy about this for long." I muttered as we entered the dining hall.
“I won't forgive you for what you did to me yesterday, Enzo, but seeing as Daniella asked me to, I will give you a second chance.” Tricia appeared at the table with her arms crossed over her chest and a stupid pout on her face. I covered my mouth and hid my sniggering as Enzo grunted something under his breath.
“What was that? Was that an apology?” Tricia said sarcastically as Daniella appeared with Janie by her side. I felt sick at the sight of her. She was so smug about being the future Luna. It was all she had ever wanted since we were kids, and now she believed she was finally getting what she wanted.
“Hello, my darling mates. I heard the good news. We are going to be together. I am so lucky.” Daniella smiled and winked at Rio.
Ed caught my eye, and we shared a knowing look. Daniella looked from me to Ed and shrugged her shoulders, a smile plastered on her face.
“I can't believe we are going to have our ceremony soon. I always knew we would be together. Me and my quadruplets.” she gushed whilst Tricia and Janie shrieked loudly with excitement.
“We have so much planning to do,” Janie said.
“Oh, Daddy, I'm so excited.” Daniella threw her arms around her father, who stood proudly and gave us a nod of acknowledgement.
“I know you boys will take good of my precious girl,” he said, kissing his daughter on the cheeks.
“I suppose we will,” Enzo said through clenched teeth, and our father nodded. "Yes, you will. You will make her happy, and she will be a good mate for you. She will be the perfect Luna for Creek.”
I felt a wave of rebellion wash over me. I couldn't believe that my father was forcing us to marry someone I didn't love or want. I looked around at my brothers, but they all looked away, not wanting to meet my gaze.
“Now, let's eat. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the King's ball.” my father declared as he wrapped his arms around our mother, who stood silent watching us. I wondered if she agreed with my father's silly decision. Not that she would have much say so in it.
But for now, we were forced to play along, to pretend to be happy and excited about our impending marriages. I knew I couldn't keep up this game of charades for long.
I pushed my chair back and stood, looking around the table at my brothers. "Let's get this over with," I said, my voice cold and detached.
The others nodded, and we all began to approach the food.
“She's crazy. Good luck with her.” Grayson laughed as he piled his plate with food before sauntering off.
“Shut up, you fool.” I let out a growl, but Enzo touched my shoulder.
“Don't get mad at him. He hasn't a clue what he's on about. We will deal with it. It will be ok.” he said quietly, and I hoped he was right.
"I'll be right back," I said quietly before turning and walking away from the table. I had lost my appetite and wanted fresh air to collect my thoughts.
I didn't know where I was going or what to do. But I knew I couldn't stay there, trapped in this fake happiness and pretending to be something I wasn't.
“Rylan, wait a minute.” my mother came rushing after me.
I slowed down but didn't turn around. I could hear my mother's footsteps behind me and her breath as she tried to catch up.
"What is it, Mother?" I asked, my voice cold and detached.
She stopped in front of me, her eyes filled with concern. "Rylan, what's wrong? Why are you leaving?"
I felt a surge of anger and frustration at her words. How could she be so blind? How could she not see that we were being forced into a life we didn't want?
"I hate this," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I hate being trapped in this life, in this pack. I hate being forced into something I don't want. How can you let him force us like that, Mother?”
My mother's expression turned hard, and she turned away from me. "I'm sorry, Rylan. You're just going to have to make the best of it. For the sake of your brothers. They can't be without you. You are a foursome. Your Wolf will be weak and useless without you. Do you want that for your brothers and this pack?”
But before I could respond, my father appeared, his eyes flashing with anger. "What's going on here?" he demanded to know.
I took a deep breath and stood tall, meeting my father's gaze. "You know the White Wolf is my true mate," I said, my voice firm.
My father's expression turned dark, and he growled at me. "You and your brothers will take Daniella as your mate and Luna of Creek. I will not hear another word of this white wolf rubbish."
I felt a ripple of defiance at his words, but I knew I had to tread carefully. For now, I would have to play along and pretend to be happy about our impending marriages. But I knew that I couldn't keep up this charade for long.
“Now, let's get back inside. Tomorrow, we have important things to deal with, such as making a good impression in front of the King. Other packs need to know we are strong and that Creek will have a strong leader with a strong Luna beside them.”