Mated To My Biggest Enemy

Riley's POV

"You are holding back again." Like a blade, Dad's voice sliced through the morning air. "A real Alpha does not be kind to her foes."

After wiping the perspiration from my face, I turned to face the training dummy that I had just destroyed. There were wood chips all over the floor, but I could tell by Dad's frown that it was not enough. It was never sufficient.

I flexed my aching fingers and said, "I was not holding back." "I hit it as hard as I could."

"Then you are not strong enough." With eyes as cold as winter ice, Dad took a step closer. "You are a woman, so the Red Canyon wolves will not be kind to you."

The thought of our adversaries roused my inner wolf. She desired blood and to demonstrate our ability to destroy any Steele who ventured to approach us. I allowed that rage to drive me to strike again.

The dummy burst into splinters this time. One nod from Dad was as near to commendation as I ever received from him. I did not care that my knuckles were bleeding.

"Better," he said. But keep in mind, Riley. You will only have one job once you are Alpha.

I concluded the lesson I had heard a thousand times: "Protect the pack."

"No." His tone became gravely serious. "Destroy our adversaries before they destroy us."

From the valley below us came a howl. It floated up from Red Canyon territory like a challenge, long and melancholy. My own howl tore from my throat as my wolf responded before I could stop her.

That morning, Dad smiled for the first time. "All right. Inform them of our presence.

The first howl came from the valley, followed by others. The Red Canyon Pack was getting up and beginning their own morning rituals. I pondered whether their Alpha of the future was also training, learning to despise us as much as we detested them.

Even though I knew the story by heart, I said, "Tell me again why we fight them."

Dad's expression hardened. "Because they are dishonest and thieves. Your great-great-grandfather was killed when he attempted to stop them from stealing our hunting grounds a century ago.

"And ever since, we have been at war."

"And until the last Steele is dead, we will be." Dad grabbed a fresh training dummy and placed it. "Again."

I threw everything I had at the dummy. Every blow was dedicated to all the Blackwoods who had perished. Every kick served as retribution for all the slights our family had endured. We had lost so much to the Red Canyon Pack.

The dummy was just sawdust when I was done. In fact, Dad looked proud, which filled my heart with joy. The few times I made him proud were the ones I lived for.

He stated, "Your Alpha trials are in two weeks." "Your strength, wisdom, and loyalty will be put to the test by the pack elders."

"I promise not to let you down."

"You would better not. The pack is depending on you to guide them to triumph. Dad's gaze drifted off into the valley. "Recently, the Steeles have been too silent. They have a plan.

The threat roused my wolf. "What kind of something?"

"I am not sure yet. However, you must be prepared when they move. Dad looked back at me. "A dead pack is a weak Alpha."

Our mountain training ground was covered in long shadows as the morning sun rose higher. Below us, I could make out our territory, which was made up of granite cliffs and silver pines that had been Blackwood land for many generations. It was wild and lovely, and it was mine to keep safe.

Another howl, distinct from the others, floated up from Red Canyon. Perhaps younger or more depressed. I felt a strange tightness in my chest.

Dad's head jerked in the direction of the noise. He scented the air, his nostrils flaring. "That is new."

"What do you mean?"

"That howl is unfamiliar to me. There may be a new wolf in the Steeles' pack. Dad's face became menacing. "We must ascertain who."

My wolf reacted without my consent when the odd howl resurfaced. She wanted to howl back and resisted my control. I bit my lip to remain silent, but Dad was already giving me a weird look.

"Riley?" There was a warning in his voice. "Why is that sound causing your wolf to react?"

I had no idea. Red Canyon howls had never before elicited a reaction from my wolf other than rage and hatred. This, however, felt different. It was like... recognition.

Sincerely, I said, "I do not know." "Perhaps she is just ready to fight."

Dad looked at my face for a long time. As he had taught me, I maintained a blank expression. Do not ever be weak. Never be doubtful.

At last, he stated, "Next week is the Harvest Moon Festival." "Every pack will congregate at the stone circle."

My heart leaped. Unmated wolves could find their destined partners at the festival, which served as a neutral ground. I had been anticipating it and dreading it at the same time.

"Will the Red Canyon Pack be present?" I inquired.

"Sadly, the answer is yes. All packs must attend according to the old laws. In disgust, Dad's lip curled. "Riley, you avoid them. Avoid even glancing in their direction.

"Obviously not."

However, I could not help but wonder about that odd howl as I was saying it. I wondered why my wolf had wanted to respond and who had made that sound. I was more frightened by the thought than by any enemy.

After gathering his training equipment, Dad made his way to the pack house. "Practice until the sun sets. And keep in mind my advice to be merciful.

I vowed, "I will not show mercy to our enemies."

"Good girl."

I turned back toward the valley after watching him leave. It was a lonely, low howl, and it came again. When she wanted to answer, I did not fight my wolf this time.

My scream carried farther than it should have over the mountains. The valley became utterly quiet as the sound subsided. The birds even ceased their singing.

That quiet was like the prelude to a lightning strike. As if a monumental shift was about to occur. I simply had no idea what it was.

A scent I had never smelled before was carried by the shifting wind. It caused my inner wolf to pace uneasily because it was warm and wild. Red Canyon territory was the source of the scent.

From the direction of that strange, sad howl.

My hands started shaking, and I didn't know why.