Tamed By The Lycan Prince

FOREIGN WEREWOLF

CHAPTER SIX- 2

-THORIN-

That night, I found myself in unfamiliar grandeur, donned in clothes far more luxurious than anything I'd ever worn. The shirt was of a fine, white silk that shimmered subtly with every movement, and the breeches were made of a soft leather, dyed a deep burgundy. I felt out of place, yet oddly comforting. The clothes fit as if they were made for me, hugging my form in all the right places.

The party was unlike anything I had ever seen. Lycan nobility from all around gathered to celebrate Rashida's 23rd birthday. There was a grand banquet with tables laden with the most exotic and tantalizing foods, from succulent roasted meats to pastries filled with sweet cream, fruits, and nuts. A troupe of musicians played lively tunes that filled my heart with warmth and made my feet itch to join the rhythm.

"Thorin," Rashida's voice called my name, her hand gently grasping my arm. She looked ethereal in her gown of midnight blue, adorned with sparkling gemstones that mirrored the night sky.

Rashida took a good look at me. "Thorin," she breathed out my name, her eyes scanning me from top to bottom. "You look... striking." A faint blush crept up her cheeks, rendering her more beautiful under the chandeliers' warm glow.

"Gracias, Rashida. I feel like an impostor among your guests though," I confessed. A twinge of self-consciousness crept into my voice as I glanced around the room. These were high-ranking nobility, dressed in finery that would have cost me a lifetime's wages in my life in Croicia. They moved with a grace and assuredness I was unaccustomed to, their laughter a melodious chorus that echoed through the grand hall. The sheer scale of the gala was overwhelming, a spectacle of wealth and power.

"An impostor?" Rashida's laughter rang out, silvery and infectious. "I beg to differ, Thorin. You fit in more than you think." She led me through the crowd to a woman who resembled an older version of herself.

"Mother," Rashida extended her hand to the regal woman. "I'd like you to meet Thorin Dawn, a werewolf from Croicia who is currently exploring the world."

The older woman turned her gaze upon me, a pair of sharp, assessing eyes that belied the gentleness of her smile, hidden partially beneath a veil of silver hair. The resemblance between her and Rashida was striking. They shared the same high cheekbones, the same small, distinct nose and the same emerald eyes that held a captivating depth within.

"Charmed," the older woman extended her hand, her voice a gentle lilt that was reminiscent of Rashida's own. "I am Baroness Savina."

"Baroness," I bowed over her hand, gently kissing the back of it in the manner I had observed other gentlemen do. Her skin was cool to the touch, a stark contrast to the warm laughter that danced in her eyes. "Placer de conocerte," I added.

The sudden switch to speaking fluent Spanish seemed to not only surprise Baroness Savina, but also the other members of the noble court around her. All eyes were now focused on me. The Baroness smile widened, revealing a set of pearly white teeth that stood in stark contrast against her ebony skin tone. "Rashida had mentioned your accent and speaking style, but it's not quite what I expected from her description."

"Si," I smiled, trying to match her smooth cadence. "Spanish is my native language, as I was born and raised in Croicia. English is my second language."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The Baroness' eyebrows arched in pleasant surprise. "A multilingual werewolf? You don't see that everyday. Rashida, you do have an eye for uniqueness." The sound of her laughter was like the tinkling of delicate wind chimes, a reflection of her radiant demeanor.

"Indeed, Mother," replied Rashida.

"How exotic," she mused, her voice a lilting melody that danced through the air. "It's been ages since we've had someone from Croicia amongst us. Do you speak any other languages, Sir Dawn?"

The sudden attention felt both overwhelming and exhilarating as I looked at the eager faces around me. "Yes, Baroness Savina. I also speak French and Italian."

Once again, murmurs filled the whispering void around us. The Baroness' green eyes glowed with fascination. "That's truly fascinating! But what brings you to the Lycan Empire, Sir Dawn?"

Rashida's mother's question hung heavy in the air, her gaze full of curiosity. Her fingers tapped lightly against the goblet in her hand, the only sign that she was awaiting my answer with bated breath.

"Well, Baroness Savina," I started, my voice steady despite the growing anticipation in the room. "My papá longed to explore the world, but he was never able to make this dream a reality. He passed away when I was just nine years old. Since then, it has been my personal mission to visit the places he could not. His passion for learning new languages was inherited by me, and so as soon as I graduated, I set out on my travels."

The sincerity in my voice seemed to touch the court, and a thoughtful silence fell over them. The loud chatter that had filled the room now quieted to a mere whisper. Even the Baroness appeared moved by my words, her eyes softened with empathy.

"That's a noble pursuit, Sir Dawn," she finally responded. "Do you have any other family in Croicia?"

"I used to have a home in Croicia, but not anymore. After my papá passed, my mamá was desconsolada, heartbroken, and we moved to the Gravemaw Houds territory."

There was a poignant pause before she replied, her voice softer now. "The Gravemaw Hounds have a… fierce reputation. It must have been hard for you and your mother."

I inclined my head, acknowledging the truth in her words. "It was, Baroness Savina. But my mamá is a survivor, and with hard work she became the Head Chef in the Gravemaw Mansion."

Baroness Savina's eyes, which had initially ranged from a mild curiosity to a full-on interest, widened in incredulity at my revelation. "A werewolf woman as the Head Chef among the Gravemaw Hounds? Simply extraordinary!"

I smiled sheepishly at her excitement. "Yes, Baroness Savina, it is."

The whispers returned, buzzing like bees amongst the courtiers. Rashida looked at me with new interest. The room shifted as a dozen conversations sparked to life, everyone wanting to know more about the fascinating foreigner with an exceptional story.

"It was truly lovely to meet you, Sir Dawn," Baroness Savina grinned.

"The pleasure is all mine, Baroness Savina," I replied with a respectful bow of my head. The stories that had been shared tonight seemed to have created a bond, however fleeting, between us.