Tamed By The Lycan Prince

DISRESPECT PT.1

CHAPTER SIX- 7

-THORIN-

A month had passed since my return to the Gravemaw Hounds, and most of my days were spent at the hospital with mamá or fulfilling my duties as the Delta. Despite her failing health, mamá had kept her promise. She fought with all the strength she could muster, surprising even the doctors who attended to her. Yet, everything felt heavy; the colors of the world were drained and replaced with shades of gray. My dreams were filled with memories of my mamá singing lullabies when I was a child, her soft voice lulling me to sleep. I found myself craving those simpler times, aching for the warmth and security she provided.

The Sentinels were both my solace and my support. Their fellowship provided me a distraction from the inevitable fate that awaited my mamá. I trained with them every morning, the grueling drills and the sharp burn of exertion giving me a form of release. They engaged me in light-hearted banter, their jokes and laughter a welcome respite from the somber atmosphere of the hospital.

But amidst the camaraderie and shared laughter, there was an unspoken understanding. They knew of my struggle, my heartache. They respected it, provided silent comfort when words failed. Their quiet strength became my crutch, their unwavering faith a beacon of hope during this storm.

That afternoon, I had been at the hospital with mamá as usual. Her condition had worsened in the past few days, and she had been mostly asleep. The room was quiet but for the steady beep of the heart monitor and her labored breathing. I stayed by her side, holding her frail hand in mine, whispering soothing words and tales of my adventures with the Sentinels.

I spent several hours with her before finally making my way back to the Gravemaw Mansion to complete some necessary paperwork. As I entered the mansion, the housekeepers were bustling about, as always, diligently maintaining the cleanliness of the estate. I greeted them with warm smiles, and headed straight for my office. The sounds of shouting echoed down the hallway as I made my way up the grand staircase. Curiosity getting the best of me, I veered off course to investigate.

The shouting ceased as I neared the entrance to the conference room. Upon opening the door, I was met with the scene of Boris clutching the wrists of an oddly familiar woman, who looked to be around my age. She was crying softly. The former Delta, Matus and his wife Parella, were both on the floor with Sentinels surrounding them. Seated at the conference table was the Luna Mother and Elder Greymane.

Their faces were grave, their eyes reflecting an unspoken turmoil. The meeting had evidently taken a turn for the worse. Everyone's gaze fell on me as I entered. Matus and Parella looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Help us," Parella's voice was barely a whisper. My eyes met hers, filled with a desperation that chilled me to the bone.

"Can someone tell me what's going on?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion as I took a step into the room.

"This has nothing to do with Thorin," Boris warned me, his gaze locked on the trembling woman. His voice was stern, a note of authority to it that made me halt in my tracks. The woman's cries were silenced, and she looked down, avoiding his gaze. "So leave. Now."

But the plea in Parella's eyes held me in place, her despair fingering my heartstrings. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that was sure to come. "No, Boris," I responded, my voice steady despite the uncertainty churning within me. "Now, explain to me why your hands are on that woman."

Boris turned to me, his grip still tight on the woman's wrists. His eyes were as cold as the arctic tundra, a stark contrast to the searing heat of his anger. "How dare you defy me? I am the Alpha." he said.

The woman flinched in pain, still trapped in his grasp.

"Yes, you are the Alpha," I said, my voice resonating with strength and authority. "But that does not give you the right to inflict pain on others, especially those who are weaker than you."

The room fell silent; the only sound was the whimper from the woman as she tried to wriggle free from Boris's grip. Boris steadied his glare on me, his jaw set in defiance.

"Are you challenging my authority, Thorin?" He shot me a warning glance, his voice laced with an icy undertone as cold as the one in his eyes.

I took a step closer, feeling the tension in the room heighten with each heartbeat. "Not your authority, Boris," I replied evenly, "just your actions."

His nostrils flared, a clear indication of his growing rage, but he didn't release the cowering woman. Instead, his grip seemed to tighten. I moved closer, my eyes never leaving his.

"Let her go, Boris," I warned quietly.

"Never." He spat back, his fingers digging deeper into the woman's flesh. "She belongs to me."

"Belongs to you? No one belongs to anyone." I spat back, my temper flaring to match his. "She is not property, not an object for you to claim."

Boris laughed, the sound echoing off the walls. It was a sound devoid of humor, full of malice and scorn. "Property?" Boris's sneer chilled the room further. "She's not my property, she's my second wife. She willingly agreed to be my partner."

Matus stood up, his anger evident. "You threatened her!"

I felt anger boiling inside me. "You threatened her?" I asked, seething with rage. This level of rage was new to me, and I struggled to keep it in check.

Boris merely smirked, his eyes cold. "I did what was necessary."

The rage gave way to clarity, like a thunderhead parting to reveal an undisturbed sky. I moved towards him, my very core pulsating with the promise of retribution. "Release her, Boris," I commanded sternly, my voice echoing around the room.

But Boris was far from relenting. His grip on the trembling woman only tightened, his dark eyes shining with defiance and malice. His smirk widened just enough to reveal a menacing set of perfectly white teeth, the sight of which sent chills down my spine.

"Or what, Thorin?" He taunted.

The tension in the room was palpable, a storm brewing beneath the surface that threatened to explode with devastating force. The woman's terror-stricken eyes met mine once more, her plea silent but resounding. I could tell she knew what was coming next.

"Or I'll make you," I vowed.

I harshly pushed Boris away from the woman. The woman slipped out of his grip. Gasps erupted throughout the room. I quickly moved the woman behind me to shield her from harm. Boris stumbled, grunting in surprise. His eyes were widening momentarily before they hardened into narrowed points of fury. He straightened up, hands clenching into tight fists.

"How dare you disrespect your Alpha?" The Luna Mother rose from her seat. Her eyes were filled with simmering anger.

Elder Greymane's voice boomed with anger. "This is an act of treason!" he bellowed. "You cannot show such blatant disrespect to your Alpha!"