Chapter 1

-Trynnian-

I actually couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I kept my expression blank. “I’m sorry father, could you repeat that?”

Sighing, the older man clasped his hands together, laying them on the heavy mahogany desk in front of him. “You’re getting married.”

In all honesty, I knew this day would come eventually. I would never become king before my two older brothers, and that suited me perfectly. So, it was sort of obvious that I would be useful to the kingdom in other ways.

Like an arranged marriage for peace between two warring nations.

There’s only one teeny tiny problem with this, however. “Father, will I marry a werewolf?” The king nodded solemnly, and I felt defeat bubbling in my chest. I could never defy my parents, so if I had to marry a monster, so be it.

It’s not like I’ll ever love one of those brutes.

“Yes, Trynnian. In order to end this long war between humans and werewolves, you will be wed to the werewolf alpha’s second born. He refused to give us his first born daughter, as apparently she is already mated, or whatever those animals do.”

I groaned. Great. Just great. All of the alpha’s family are buff savages, even the damn women. I was hoping I’d at least get some vaguely attractive woman. Or man, I like both. But no, if they’re from the alpha’s family, they’re probably built like a truck.

“When is the wedding?” There was truly no point arguing - I owed my father my life, and I’d willingly do anything he told me, unless it was truly outrageous. “In a month. Your mother will fill you in on the details.”

Nodding, I left once my father dismissed me. Heading to my mother’s study, I knocked briefly before entering. “Mother? Can we talk about my...wedding?” A kind-looking woman placed her hands on my shoulders before guiding me over to the leather armchair opposite her own.

“I’m sorry Trynn, I know you wanted to fall in love naturally. But I promise this is a good thing! Both for the kingdom and for you personally. I heard that the alpha’s daughter is very beautiful, I’m sure she’s lovely.”

I tried to smile reassuringly and not think about how much I despised werewolves. “Mm yes I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I said, lying through my teeth. The queen smiled sympathetically; she always could read me like a book.

Leaning forward, she placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Listen sweetie, I’ll make sure you can at least meet her before the wedding, alright? And if you really hate her I can try and convince your father.”

I hurriedly shook my head, holding my mother’s hands gently. “No it’s alright, this is for the war to end. I can deal with it. I’d rather not meet her before, I’ll just kiss her on the day and then be over with it.”

She laughed, stroking my face lovingly before standing up. “Alright my sweet. Enjoy your last month as a single man until then!”

Oh, I was certainly going to enjoy myself. With other humans. Not monsters who would sooner kill me in my sleep than have a loving relationship with me. I was genuinely scared of having to share a room together.

One of us would most likely end up dead by the end of the first week wedded.

—————

Turns out, my thoughts were pretty accurate.

“You want me to kill my soon-to-be spouse?” I asked the king in disbelief. He nodded, threading his fingers together. “The mental blow to the werewolf alpha will make our next attack much more successful.”

I massaged my temples. I was still trying to comprehend that next week I’d be married. To werewolf royalty. And now it was all a hoax anyway? And I was supposed to kill this person?

The request was borderline outrageous, but since it was a werewolf we were talking about, I could probably do it. “I’ll try. How strong is she?” The king gave me a blank look. “Who?” He asked, and I fought to keep my eye-roll mental as my frustration boiled over.

“The werewolf I’m marrying and murdering.” My father chuckled, before looking me dead in the eye. “Your spouse is the alpha’s son, the strongest wolf in his army.”

I choked on my own surprise. “You’re fucking kidding me?!”

—————

Great. Just great. Everything’s going great. I’m about to get married to what I can already see is a 6ft werewolf standing in front of me. He looks scary, I can’t even lie. His expression is totally blank, his stare stony as he waits for me to say my vows.

Oh shit.

I’m actually about to marry this guy. This massive mountain-man - wolf, let me just remind myself real quick. He has this scar going across his right cheekbone and down onto his cheek in a sideways L sort of shape, and Jesus Christ he looks scary.

Somehow I manage to garble my way through the vows and Oh No now we’re married and he’s about to kiss me and I’m only just realising that I’m supposed to kill this guy.

How the actual fuck am I going to do that?! He looks like he could snap my neck by crushing my head in between his biceps, there’s literally no way I can take him down. His lips are suddenly on mine and...it’s not awful.

Alright: his lips are softer than expected and he’s rather gentle; I can’t help but wonder if he’s like that during se- shut up, Trynn.

Eventually he pulls back from the kiss, and I’m left staring into his forest green eyes which somehow have silver flecks in, which resemble twinkling stars. I knew werewolves had eyes different to ours, but I never imagined I’d be close enough to one to admire them up close.

The man in front of me - my husband, smiles, and it’s shy, and somehow totally adorable on this big macho werewolf. He’s actually- blushing a little?!

Suddenly, my arranged marriage with a werewolf doesn’t seem so bad.