18 Betrothed To A Stranger?

Kenneth's POV

I headed to my father's chambers. I was dying to see my mother. A Fearless and fierce Lioness from Nigeria. My mom and dad are fated mates. Dad met her when he went to an African summit of Werelions. Every five years there is a summit held at a certain country, where the Leo's and Rexes come together to share ideas on how to run their affairs and how to keep their identities away from humans and issues of security and many others.

Dad had been alone and waiting for his mate. He had already turned 21 and graduated. But he told his father to hold on before he could handover the reign to him thinking he would meet his mate soon.

His father told him he wanted to retire and travel around the world with his wife. He had no choice but to finally take his position at 23. He ended up going, against his will to this summit which turned out for his good when he met his fated mate. He was always grateful to the goddess for it. As is the case with fated mates, asked if she will be with her fated mate or will reject him and take a chosen mate, mom chose dad without even batting an eye.

She is a great woman with a beautiful heart. I wanted to tell her of the strange pull I had towards Lucy and ask her what it meant. I mind linked one of the omegas in the kitchen to take some food to Lucy emphasizing that she was my girlfriend. I reached to knock but the door was yanked open before I could. "Nkem! I missed you my handsome baby!" mom pulled me into a heartwarming hug. "I missed you too my dear mother. Where were you when I arrived? Why didn't you come to welcome me. Or have you forgotten your eldest son now, you are only giving all your love to your youngest?" I said pouting, and she chuckled.

"Oh please, come off it my love. You will always be equally my babies. I was taking a nap and didn't hear the announcement because I had blocked my link. Blame your father here who rushed off leaving me behind." She said pointing at my dad with her thumb. I giggled. "I knew you would have wanted him all to yourself just like you are doing now so I thought I should steal the moment and for once have him to myself." My father said cheekily. "Traitor!" my mom hissed. I laughed. I loved this playfulness about them, same thing I felt with Lucy. The reason I want her as my chosen mate if she isn't my fated one even after my 21st birthday. Which will actually be in a week.

"Where's Deven?" I asked. "Your brother has gone to the Blue River Pride. They had rogue problems. We sent him there to go and find out what the matter was and also to teach him a thing or two. He is 19, the good time to start learning since he refused to go to college. Besides, he will be your right hand man and he better start acting the part." My father roared. I nodded approvingly. They asked about college life, when I suddenly remembered about Lucy. "Mommy!" I said flashing her my last number smile. "There's someone I want you to meet." Her face fell and that pricked my heart. 'I guess dad told her about Lucy but why do I get these looks when it's about Lucy?' I guess she saw how that hurt me because she channeled her love to me. I know she loves me but I hate the look she gave me. Why aren't they excited for me? "Why mommy? Why are you guys looking so disappointed? Is it because she is a human?" I asked them. "Goddess, no son, that's not the case although it is hard to take in but I promise that I'll go meet her and welcome her. It's just that it involves the announcement we told you about. Your father and I are nervous about it." My mother clarified. Now I really wanted to know what this glorified announcement was about. "Son, we are supposed to tell you about it on your graduation day. You are supposed to find out about it like everybody else." Dad said.

"I respect your positions and decisions but I am very nervous and can't think straight. Please I'm begging you as my parents, understand what I'm going through. Please just tell me what this is about?" I literally begged my parents. Mom's face drained of color. As fierce and fearless as she can be with everybody else, she becomes so gentle with her family. "It's about your chosen mate." Mom spat out. "Liza!" dad screamed at her. "What, Kenneth Senior? He is our son. We can't keep him in the dark." Mom shot back. Dad sighed defeated.

"What about my chosen mate?" I finally asked wondering if this was about Lucy. But how would they have known about her when I never mentioned her? Could it be that they talked to Thomas? "It's about the chosen mate you are betrothed to. A Royal decree that my parents agreed on and signed 30 years ago. A Royal Treaty with the Northern kingdom, that their daughters will be betrothed to our sons, and their sons betrothed to our daughters. I couldn't fulfill it because they had no daughters then.

The whole family of the former King got massacred and replaced by the challenger's family. Unfortunately, they have a daughter who you have to marry or else we face war which can be the only way to annul this treaty. But war is what we should avoid by all means, we would loose our members and we can't be selfish choosing our desires over the lives." My father explained but my ears were ringing. What nonsense is this? Were my grandparents under some duress when making this? The Northern Kingdom? Are they referring to that witch? No ways! Never! I would rather die than marry that snake.

"No! Never!" I said as my claws began to extend. Zeus had taken over and I was in a verge of shifting. I can't shift here. What if Lucy sees me by chance? I bolted out still screaming No. Mom tried calling me out but she knew better than stopping Zeus. He was animalistic when angered. I bolted through the main door and sprinted, tearing off my clothes as I began shifting. Zeus wanted nothing but to run into the woods but he caught her sweet scent wafting towards us, he ran toward her direction and came face to face with Lucy crying. She looked at us and became frozen. 'Oh no! How did she get here?' I sighed. "I think it's time for her to know about me." Zeus said.