Yes, Your Highness (18+)

05

Was being arranged to be someone's lover normal? Sasha was my brother's mate. And she acts like it's the most normal thing in the world. So I don't know what my deal is. Was it the fact that Riley had once been my friend? Is that why I don't want to marry him? Question after question. They often go unheard. I always felt like I was being ignored by others just so they could play their little game of seek. While I was the one who was hiding. All my life, I was treated differently by people. I never understood the reason as to why. From the moment I was born, I was told to do all these things that they were supposed to do themselves. They pushed it onto me like it was a sworn duty. I wasn't actually a princess. I was only a girl who wanted to live a normal life. But being normal wasn't an option. Now was it?

Coming home was the norm for me now. Going out was rare, as my friends needed permission now to take me out. I wasn't agreeing to the terms of the so-called alpha because he is a jackass. Time and time again. Counting snowflakes was all I could try to do as I waited for my time to come to turn eighteen and leave this hellhole. Life would be better if Riley stopped telling me that he wanted me to be his. It was arranged, and I was not having any more of it. I told him off several times now. It's been a week, and I am now hearing of our betrothal party on the night I returned home with Samara and Sasha. I don't know how my best friend got me to become acquainted with Samara. But it was a smart move by her. Samara, as I am well aware now. She was, in fact, a halfblood. Nothing too crazy. If you consider sworn enemies to only the ones you're supposed to fight, you would call me crazy.

Coming back was something I regretted. I didn't want to hold any more of those feelings. But I always feel like I am forced to hold onto even more grudges, even though I know that my family means me well. What could be wrong with me? Am I really thinking so poorly of my own pack? I was raised better than any normal girl would have been. There are mothers out there in the world who are far more socially normal than mine. I can't even make friends outside of my own pack. What is worse? I can't even go outside of my own home without an escort. I'm always being tailed. Like when a herd of gazelles is being chased and hunted down as prey by the lion. Only arguing with myself about how they made me think like I didn't know what I wanted. I do know. Resting my wrist on my cheek like I was thinking. I'm always thinking, though. Nothing will ever change the fact that I hated Riley. He was my friend all those years ago. Whatever he has done, his father has demanded it of him. Riley has had feelings for me for as long as two years.

"Child. Your father needs you in his presence." Amelia knocked on my door, peeking in at me. "Why?" I questioned, and she opened it further. "What'd you mean, why? He has asked for you, and you should obey his demand for you." She grouched. I rolled my eyes and stood up. "Fine. But only because I am choosing to go down." I responded. Ameila was in a grouchy mood. I understood why. She's always being the foul one. Unless I was thinking of myself that way. In the end, I was. Walking down the steps was becoming annoying at this point. Because right as I step down the last step. I spot Riley. My father, who was the second-in-command to the alpha. Stacie, my mother, who was my father's omega, and then there was the pack alpha, Hedrick.

"So glad you could join us, dear." Said Stacie. While I had been in complete curiosity as to what they wanted me down in their view for. "Stephanie. Are you aware of why we need you tonight?" Asked Noah. I already know why I was here. "No, why?" I asked, ignorantly. "You may want to sit down for this." Hedrick grinned at me and told me to walk over and sit by my so-called partner. I did as told and sat down. "You are to be wedded tonight before the clock chimes midnight." He announced. "What am I? A cursed princess?" I commented. "See it as true, you are the only daughter of Noah and Stacie. You are to be mated by the tradition of our village. Marry outside of the family, you will not. We need our heir to be of our pack. Am I clear?" Hedrick asked. I began pondering what I should do. Should I make him believe that I'll do as he says and be Riley's mate?