Kenneth's POV
I made my way down the long corridor toward my father's chambers, my chest tight with anticipation. More than anything, I wanted to see my mother. To most, she was a queen—respected, regal, untouchable. But to me, she was simply Mama: the fierce lioness from Nigeria with the kindest smile I had ever known.
Mom and Dad were fated mates. Their love story had become something of a legend in our pride. Dad had gone to the African Werelion Summit decades ago, a gathering held every five years where Leos and Rexes from around the world shared counsel. Those summits weren't just political; they were vital. There, leaders discussed how to govern our kind, how to maintain secrecy from humans, and how to defend ourselves against rogues and other supernatural threats.
At the time, Dad had already reached twenty-one—graduated, trained, and ready to lead. His father, my grandfather, was eager to retire and travel the world with his beloved mate. But Dad had stubbornly held out, hoping the Moon Goddess would soon reveal his fated partner. At last, pressured by duty, he'd taken the throne at twenty-three. When he reluctantly attended that summit, he hadn't expected to find her—but fate rarely warns before striking.
The moment he laid eyes on my mother, he knew. She was fire and elegance wrapped in one, with a strength that commanded respect even before her title did. And when the goddess bound them together, she didn't hesitate. She could have chosen otherwise—many do—but she embraced her destiny, choosing Dad without so much as a second thought. To this day, he still thanked the goddess for that blessing.
As I walked, I thought of Lucy. I couldn't ignore the strange pull I felt toward her, a magnetism stronger than any passing attraction. I needed to speak to Mother about it, to ask what it meant. Did this tether in my chest mean she was my fated mate? Or was it something else entirely?
I mind-linked one of the omegas in the kitchens, instructing them to bring food to Lucy's quarters. Make it clear she's my girlfriend, I emphasized, my voice sharp even in my mind. I wanted no misunderstandings.
I raised my hand to knock, but before I could, the door swung open and warmth enveloped me.
"Nkem! I missed you, my handsome baby!" Mother pulled me into a fierce hug that smelled of jasmine and home.
"I missed you too, Mama." I squeezed her tightly before pulling back with mock offense. "But why weren't you there when I arrived? Have you forgotten me already? Or are you saving all your love for your youngest now?" I pouted, knowing full well what her answer would be.
She chuckled, brushing my cheek with her thumb. "Oh, please. You'll always be my baby—both of you. I was napping when you arrived, and I had blocked the mind link, so I didn't hear the announcement. Blame your father, who dashed off and left me behind." She tilted her head toward him, her eyes narrowing in playful reproach.
"I knew you'd want him all to yourself," Father said with a cheeky grin, "so I thought I'd steal a moment alone with him before you came to claim him."
"Traitor," she hissed, swatting his arm.
I laughed at their banter, warmth spreading through me. Their playful love reminded me so much of what I felt when I was with Lucy. That easy joy, that lightness. The thought only strengthened my resolve. Whether or not Lucy turned out to be my fated one after my twenty-first birthday—only a week away—I wanted her. She was mine.
"Where's Deven?" I asked, looking around.
"Your brother went to the Blue River Pride," Father said, his tone shifting into authority. "They've had trouble with rogues. We sent him to investigate, to give him experience. He's nineteen—old enough to start taking on responsibility. Since he refused college, he needs to learn in the field. He'll be your right-hand one day, so he'd better start acting like it."
I nodded in approval. It was true—Deven needed to grow into his role.
They asked about my studies, and I shared a few stories from college, until Lucy flashed across my mind again. My heart gave a sudden lurch.
"Mommy," I said, turning on the charm with my most disarming smile, the one that had always made her melt. "There's someone I want you to meet."
Her expression faltered—just slightly, but enough to slice through me. I saw the sadness cloud her gaze, the disappointment she tried to mask. My chest tightened. Dad must have told her about Lucy. But why did their faces always fall at her name? Why couldn't they be happy for me?
"Why, Mama? Why do you look disappointed?" My voice cracked despite myself. "Is it because she's human?"
Her eyes softened immediately. "Oh, goddess, no, son. That's not the reason, though it's… difficult to accept. I promise, I'll meet her and welcome her. It's just… the announcement. The one we mentioned before. That's why we're anxious."
The announcement. Again. The mysterious shadow they dangled over me without explanation. My patience snapped.
"Please, just tell me what it is," I begged. "I know you wanted to wait until graduation, but I can't take it anymore. I can't think straight. Whatever it is, please—tell me."
Mother's face drained of color, the fearless lioness suddenly tender and fragile.
"It's about your chosen mate," she whispered.
"Liza!" Father's voice thundered, his roar shaking the chamber.
"What, Kenneth Senior? He's our son. We can't keep him in the dark," she snapped back, fire sparking in her eyes.
Father exhaled, shoulders slumping in defeat.
My blood turned to ice. "What about my chosen mate?" I asked, though my mind screamed Lucy's name.
"It's the betrothal," Father said at last. His voice was heavy, like stone grinding over stone. "A royal treaty, signed thirty years ago by your grandparents and the rulers of the Northern Kingdom. Their daughters betrothed to our sons, their sons to our daughters. I couldn't fulfill it then because they had no daughters. But now… now they do. And you must marry her. Otherwise, the treaty can only be annulled by war—and war would cost us dearly."
His words rang in my ears, sharp as blades.
The Northern Kingdom.
That viper's nest.
That witch.
Never.
"No." The denial tore out of me, raw and primal. My claws shot out, my chest heaving as Zeus surged forward inside me. Rage thundered through me like a storm. "No. I will never marry her!"
My control slipped. I bolted from the chamber, my roar shaking the walls, claws shredding at my clothes as Zeus forced the shift. All I could think of was Lucy.
Run, Zeus growled, muscles burning as we sprinted toward the woods.
But then her scent hit us—sweet, intoxicating, impossible to ignore. My paws faltered. And there she was, standing ahead of us, tears streaking her face.
Lucy.
She froze, staring at the fully-shifted monster before her.
'Oh no. How did she get here?' My mind reeled.
"It's time she knows," Zeus said, his voice steady inside me.