Every time my father, the alpha, paced from one side of the room to another, he took a glance at himself in the mirror. It was like watching the most conceited ballerina on the planet.

“Dad, could you please stop? You’re making me nervous and frankly driving me bat— Just crazy.”

He tossed a look over his shoulder telling me not only would he not stop, but that I’d better shut up about it as well. I learned that look at an early age.

“We have to make this work, Harrison. The people—the lesser ones—they are making it hard on us. They reject our decisions. They resist. We have to earn their trust again, or our dynasty is in jeopardy. I’m not sure you’re taking this seriously enough.”

What my father didn’t understand was that I didn’t give a fuck if the dynasty fell down around us and burned to the ground. The only thing I had my sights set on was waiting out the end of my father’s reign. Whether it be by death or the frailty of old age, he would have to give up on his tyranny one day, and even if he did offer me the position of alpha, which he would not, I would not accept. I was content to allow Dolrich to take my place as his shadow, hoping that my father would favor him in place of me. Dolrich would be our new alpha, even if my father didn’t quite grasp it yet.

Not that he really favored me all that much in the first place.

A knock at the door finally stopped my father from pacing and made me immediately stand at attention. This was it. It was time for me to be married to someone I didn’t know.

Ridiculous. All of it.

“It’s just me. Stand down.” Dolrich opened the door and closed it behind him quickly. He was wearing a similar tux to mine, except my tie and handkerchief were gold, signifying my rank as in line for alpha. His was purple, which showed he was royalty.

I knew that my new mate would be wearing a gold garter underneath her pristine white dress.

Hey, I had to get happy about something in this disastrous day.

“Dolrich, you scared the f— You scared me.”

The alpha didn’t appreciate vulgar language in his presence. Too bad fuck was my favorite word. The last time I said damn in front of him, he reached over and covered my mother’s ears. She didn’t even blink an eye. Mother’s favorite word was ass.

Dolrich bared his neck a little for the intrusion. “Sorry. I came to wish you luck. I’ve heard she’s a looker. They are almost ready for you.”

A looker. Sometimes looks were just not enough.

My dad bowed up. It seemed he took offense at everything anyone said lately, and my cousin wasn’t immune to his defensiveness. “You think I would choose anything less for the next alpha? His queen must be honorable and beautiful.”

One of Dolrich’s eyebrows raised at me. Dad was insane. Plus, I gave zero fucks about being the next alpha. Any other eligible male could have it. Hell, any of them could have this female I was supposed to be joined to in the next hour. It would be a stiff and cold coupling, just like anyone else’s in this family.

Royals didn’t marry for love. They married for position, or in my case, for political leverage. My father’s attitude and general orders that oppressed the lesser bears of our species had been earning him some backlash in the last decade or so. He thought marrying me off to one of them would be a balm to their wounds.

He might have been right.

He might have been off his fucking rocker.

“Of course not, Alpha. I was simply trying to ease my cousin’s nerves a little. He’s practically shaking,” Dolrich replied.

Was not.

My dad crossed his arms over his chest. “There’s nothing for him to be nervous about. Alphas don’t get nervous. We stand up and get things done. This isn’t emotional. It’s his duty.”

Another knock came at the door. This time all three of us squared our shoulders for the event to come. I knew it was one of the servants before he even spoke.

“It’s time, Alpha.”

My father nodded once. Thad, my father’s private butler, shut the door with a bow.

“Dolrich, do you mind if I have a word with my son before the ceremony? It will be quick. Please tell everyone that we will be there shortly.”

Dolrich bowed a little. “Of course, Alpha. Good luck, Harrison.”

The bastard winked at me.

I rolled my eyes at him.

As soon as the door was shut, the alpha was in front of me in the body that used to be my father. He was stiff again. His voice grew cold. His eyes emptied. His jaw clenched.

“This is the day you begin your role as the future alpha. Taking this female is your promise to keep those other bears in line. It is a sacrifice, I know, but it has to be done. We can’t have an uprising on our hands. There will be time to mate with her, but the blood rites must be done tonight. You understand? I won’t be embarrassed by an unmarked daughter-in-law. Is that clear? I mean it this time, Harrison. I realize you don’t have the strength or the gumption to become the alpha I am, but at least you could put on the façade of one. I shouldn’t even have to tell you this. You are my son. This should come to you like breathing.”

Though everything in me wanted to buck against his system, I bared my neck in respect. “Yes, Alpha. I understand my duty.”

“Well, blind obedience will do in the absence of true loyalty for the meantime. You need to make a decision while you are up there securing a future for yourself with this marriage. Dolrich is tough and commanding, unlike you. If not for me, he would’ve challenged you to a fight for the future seat as alpha already. I was giving you a chance to become what you were born to be. While you are taking this—” he flicked his hand in the air “—mate today, think about who it is that will take my place when I am gone. Think very hard if you want to give up on your legacy—the legacy of your family.”

There was nothing to think about. The choice was already made.