Killed For His Rogue Mate, I Choose My Enemy

Shock filled the entire hall. When I looked up, the shock on the faces of Alphas, Lunas and Pack members alike was evident.

The look on Daniel’s face was the most comical. The smug look he wore moments before was gone, replaced with disbelief and incredulousness. I barely glanced at him before turning to the Elders.

“Is there any problem?” I asked,

I kept my gaze firm, keeping an unbothered facade despite how my heart raced. I expected an uproar or even confusion, but they remained staring.

Why?

My brows furrowed in confusion. I turned to the man I was holding and froze.

The man I chose was none other than Rowan Nightingale, the current Alpha of the Nightingale Pack and my longtime childhood enemy.

In the past, the Nightingale and Starlet pack, being neighbouring packs, were close and our parents were friends, leading to constant visits. But since childhood, Rowan and I couldn't stand each other.

Despite being three years older, he constantly teased and tormented me, calling me a pampered princess, incapable of leading. When I was old enough, I would retaliate, leading to a neverending feud. After my parents death however, the relationship between both packs became strained and I never saw him, only hearing from afar that his parents retired and he took their place as pack Alpha. He'd made a name for himself as a powerful ruler. The few times we met, during regional pack meetings, he remained the same, causing me to constantly avoid him at all costs.

I never realised back then, that he was also in this Choosing Ceremony. Even though he, like other packs, was invited, I never saw him in the past life and assumed that he chose to avoid me, just like I did.

But he was here, and of all the people, I chose him.

What had I done?

His cold aloof expression contrasted with his intense gaze penetrating me. Were it any other situation I would have been irritated and confronted him but now I fought the urge to shrink back.

I inwardly scolded myself for being impulsive but there was nothing I could do now. I'd chosen him openly. Taking it back would mean further humiliation. Better to go with the flow.

Forcing my gaze back to the crowd, I lifted my chin defiantly.

“My choice is clear. Rowan Nightingale will be my mate and the future Alpha of the Starlet Pack.”

“Luna Raena,” Elder Vane, one of the pack Elders, came forward, looking anxious, “Are you sure of this? Everyone knows—”

“I'm sure Elder Vane,” I rushed out, stopping him from speaking about my bond with Daniel or enmity with Rowan. My gloved grip on Rowan's hand instinctively tightened but I didn't dare face him, focusing on the Elder.

“The Starlet and Nightingale pack have been neighbours and allies for decades. Our parents were friends. Rowan and I, despite our... difficulties over the years, have come to an understanding." I fought the urge to cringe at my lie and continued, "An alliance between our packs will be good for both of us.”

The silence that came after was deafening. The Elder's gaze shifted.

“Is this true Alpha Rowan? Do you agree with this match?”

My heart sank. My hands felt shaky underneath my glove. I couldn't forget that I'd caught Rowan off guard too. If he said anything contrary, I was doomed—

“Yes.”

My breath hitched. The hand I'd gripped so tightly had shifted, interlacing with my own. My heart skipped a beat involuntarily as I turned to look at his deep sea eyes, a vast contrast to Daniel's constant cold Dark ones.

“Very well,” Elder Vane nodded, still looking at us unsurely, “Luna Raena had chosen her match. The Choosing ceremony is complete.”

Claps and cheers filled the room but I barely processed it. My mind was racing, itching to leave the suffocating hall. Now that things were done I wasn't going to waste time mellowing.

Meeting Rowan's blank stare, I pleaded with him with my eyes.

'Trust me this once'

“If you'll excuse us honourable Elders, Respected Alphas and Lunas and my fellow pack," I announced, "I need to speak to my fiancé alone.”

Daniel who was silent the entire time stepped forward, his face a storm.

“Raena—”

I completely ignored him, dragging Rowan by our linked hands out of the hall. To my surprise and relief, he was compliant.

When we were finally alone outside the pack hall, I released his hand in relief.

“I’m sorry.” I rushed out before he could speak. Meeting his dark gaze a strange feeling swept through me but I ignored it.

“I hadn't intended to choose you. Not exactly. I wasn't thinking properly and acted impulsively. I just wanted to choose anyone but Daniel.” I confessed, “I can't explain the details, but now that things are like this, we both have no choice but to follow through with it. You don't have to feel burdened to stay around me given our past relationship but for now, let's just pretend we like each other. We just have to be engaged in name only, as a temporary measure.”

His gaze made me nervous as I spoke. Once I was done, I looked up, half expecting him to laugh in my face or mock me. Yet when I met his gaze, his eyes were dark and unreadable, creating an ambiguous air.

What was he thinking? Before I could ask, his voice cut through.

“Are you doing this to get back at Daniel for something?”

I recoiled in shock.

“What? No.” I frowned, anger and disgust churning in me. To use someone out of spite? Whether in the past or now I would never think about doing such a revolting thing. Was this what he thought of me?

“I don't care what you think Rowan but this has nothing to do with Daniel. I want nothing to do with him either.” I said, “If you're trying to annoy me into taking back this proposal, you can just refuse directly. You don't have to—”

“Who said I was going to refuse?”

I blinked, taken aback.

“What?”

The cold expression he wore shifted into an arrogant look I recognised, his lips lifting to a smirk.

“I accept your proposal Luna Raena.” He leaned in with amusement, "it's quite flattering that you chose me though but completely understandable. Who else could keep up with your sharp tongue and violent tendencies 'princess'?”

This bastard. Heat rushed to my cheeks, irritation flickering through.

“You-”

He pulled away before I could continue.

“Careful. You can't attack or play pranks on me like when we were kids. After all, we're engaged now and have to pretend to like each other. Your words exactly. Else what would people think if they see their Luna cursing her poor fiancé out?” his grin grew wider with every word, assured that I could do anything about it.

He was right.

I watched him walk away, speechless and irritated. I already regretted this, but now I had no other choice.

What's done was done. I sighed helplessly.

The rest of the party was perfunctory, so there was no use in staying longer. I returned to the pack hall to bid everyone farewell before moving towards the Alpha's House, the home reserved for the pack leader and my family's home that was now mine.

As soon as I entered, waves of memories filled me. My mind was racing. I was so lost deep in my thoughts that I didn't realise that there was someone behind me.

Suddenly I was dragged from behind, spun around. When I came to, I met the blazing brown eyes of Daniel.