Tamed By The Lycan Prince

PROPOSAL

CHAPTER TWO - 3

-WILHELMINA-

The growl that rumbled from my chest was loud and clear this time. Weldon cleared his throat. "Mina, maybe you should rest. You were only discharged from the hospital today, and your doctor emphasized the importance of resting."

With an almost imperceptible nod, I acknowledged Weldon's suggestion, my gaze remaining locked on Boris. The shadows danced across his smug face, mocking me. Grudgingly, I broke eye contact, "Just because you won the title doesn't mean you've earned it."

My words hung in the air, a final punch leaving Boris's smirk faltering for a moment. I turned on my heels and strode into the house through the backdoor. Inside, the warmth of the home enveloped me, but the chill of the confrontation lingered in my bones. I moved through rooms filled with the chatter and laughter of my parents and our guests, the sound now grating on my frayed nerves. I headed up to my room, a place that always felt like an oasis amidst the chaos of pack life.

Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath – allowing the cool stillness of my room to wash over me like a calming wave. My heart pounded in my chest as the events of the evening replayed in my mind.

I moved to the window, parting the heavy curtains and peering into the darkness outside. From this vantage point, I could see them still gathered on the porch. Boris was casually chatting with Weldon and Dermon, completely ignoring our heated confrontation from just moments ago. His nonchalant attitude only fueled my anger. As I went to close the curtains, Boris looked directly at me, catching me off guard. I couldn't help but flinch under his intense gaze.

Boris chuckled at my response before returning his attention to Weldon and Dermon, exchanging words with them. He then got up from his seat and made his way inside the house. His confident gait, that distinctive swaggering stride – it was maddening. I clenched my hands into fists, anger bubbling within me like a simmering cauldron. My eyes narrowed on his retreating form until he disappeared into the house.

The unsettling feeling of his presence invaded my sanctuary, and I found myself pacing restlessly, my thoughts running rampant. I could still feel the echo of Boris' gaze on me. The audacious spark in his eyes made my blood boil. The man had won the Alpha title from me, but he didn't deserve it. He did not possess an ounce of the leadership and strength it took to rule.

There was a sudden knock at the door. I halted my pacing, my heart pounding in my chest. I moved towards the door, "Who is it?" I asked, my voice steady despite the uncertainty simmering within me.

"Boris," came the response, laced with that same smug confidence I had come to despise. My hands trembled slightly on the doorknob as I reluctantly opened the door.

He stood there, under the soft glow of the hallway's lights; his dark eyes sparkling with that same audacious glint, his smirk even wider than before. He leaned casually against the doorway, arms folded across his broad chest. His expression was one of satisfaction, as if he had already won whatever game he was playing.

"Boris," I seethed, my hostility evident in my tone.

He chuckled, leaning in closer. "You seem to be having a hard time accepting defeat," he said, his voice smooth as silk.

"You cheated," I retaliated, forcing myself to hold his gaze. I wouldn't let him see me falter. Not again.

"Is that so?" he drawled, his smirk deepening. The audacity of the man was making my skin crawl. "And where's your evidence?"

I felt my knuckles whiten as I gripped the doorknob tighter. "You poisoned me with Wolf's Bane. I remember everything clearly, you filthy cheater."

His laugh echoed in the silent hallway, a predatory sound that sent chilled shivers down my spine. "Ah, so you remember. I honestly didn't think you would." His eyes glowed with an eerie satisfaction. He then took a step away from the door, his hands up in mock surrender. "But it doesn't matter, does it?" he continued, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Even if you remember everything, it's your word against mine." He shrugged nonchalantly, as if the weight of my accusation meant as little to him as a stray leaf in the wind.

"I'll bring you down, Boris," I threatened, trying to inject as much authority into my voice as I could muster.

His chuckle this time was low and dangerous. "You're welcome to try," he replied. Then his smile widened, bearing an almost predatory look. "But last time I checked you weren't the Alpha, so good luck trying to convince everyone in the pack that I supposedly cheated."

My fists clenched with pent-up rage as I stared at him, feeling a surge of defiance rise within me. I would not be belittled. Not by him.

"Oh, believe me, Boris," I retorted with a snarl twisting my lips into a bitter grimace. "I won't need to rely on the Alpha's authority to prove my point."

"You're sounding confident," he drawled. "I know that there is nothing for you to find, so instead of wasting time with this meaningless charade, you should listen to the proposal that could be advantageous for both of us."

My eyes narrowed suspiciously at his words. "And what proposal might that be, Boris?"

"Ah, now you're showing interest," he said, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. His smirk disappeared, replaced by a thoughtful expression. Stepping into my room, he closed the door behind him. The click of the latch echoed like a death knell throughout the room. I backed away instinctively, my heart pounding in my chest as a feeling of unease washed over me. His attention was no longer playful but serious, his eyes holding a certain kind of determination that I hadn't seen before.

His posture straightened, and he stood tall, creating an imposing figure. His shirt, fitting snugly to his broad shoulders, accentuated his athletic build. He took a few steps towards me, stopping short of invading my personal space. "I am Alpha now," he said calmly, as if stating a well-known fact, "and as such, it's my duty to ensure the safety and prosperity of our pack."

"You forget that I am the Delta, so I have the same duty to ensure the safety and prosperity of the pack too." I replied defiantly.

He nodded, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "True, you are the Delta, but together we could be so much more." He said thoughtfully. Boris paused, watching me closely probably to gauge my reaction. My heartbeat quickened in anticipation of what he would say next.

"Be my Luna," he offered, his voice barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air between us, heavy and filled with implications. His dark eyes bore into mine, searching for something I wasn't sure I could give.

A cold laugh escaped my lips, reverberating off the four walls of the room. The audacity of his proposal was a new low even for Boris. "Your Luna?" I spat, incredulity lacing my tone. "You must be joking."

Silence hung between us as I watched him, waiting for him to break into his usual wicked grin, to make some crude joke and dismiss the absurdity he had just suggested. But Boris was silent; his features remained serious.

The request wasn't too much of a surprise, seeing as he had asked me this question several times before. However, this was the first time he had asked with such a serious demeanor, and it sent a shiver crawling down my spine. "I am not joking, Mina," he responded finally, his voice steady and full of conviction.

"I want you to be my Luna because I love you. Because I trust you, I respect your strength, your intelligence, your loyalty to the pack, your defiance," he said, the words flowing out of him like a river. Each utterance was clear, precise, delivering an impact that made me struggle to keep my defenses. His gaze was unyielding, but there was a softening around his attentive eyes that hinted at tenderness.

"Your defiance," he repeated, his voice resonating with admiration. A fleeting smile tugged at the corners of his mouth before vanishing as quickly as it had arrived. "Your spirit is admirable, Mina."

"And because of this, I want you. No, not just want, but need you by my side. But I don't just want you as a Luna, as the Alpha's mate - no. I want you as Mina. The fiery, stubborn, breathtakingly strong woman that you are." His words filled the room, bathing us both in their sincerity and unexpected affection.

"And most importantly," he continued, his voice barely audible, his breath hitching with every word, "I...I desire you, Mina." His eyes were locked onto mine.

"Desire?" I questioned, my eyebrows knitting together.

"Yes, Mina." He confirmed in a barely audible whisper. He inched closer to me, his gaze fixed on mine. "I have desired you for some time now, and you know that," Boris confessed.

"I...," He swallowed hard, looking nervous yet determined. "I want to show you, Mina." He raised his hand slowly towards my face. My instincts took over, and without hesitation, I slapped his hand away from me.

"No." My voice was cool, firm, and echoed throughout the room with an irrefutable finality. The sound of my flat rejection seemed to rip through the air between us, severing the tension with a harsh clarity that left no room for misinterpretation.

Boris froze, his hand still hanging in the air where it had been so abruptly swatted away. His face clouded over with a bewilderment that was swiftly replaced by a flash of indignation. Slowly, he lowered his hand, curling it into a tight fist at his side.

"You’re rejecting me... again?" His voice was low and dangerous, laced with an anger that simmered just beneath the surface. His dark eyes hardened, becoming icy shards of moonlit charcoal.

"Yes, I am," I said calmly. "The mere thought of being with someone as cold and manipulative as you sends shivers of revulsion down my spine. The idea of being bound to you, of all people, is enough to make me wish for death instead." The venom in my words stung the air between us, but I remained resolute. Boris' eyes narrowed, but he did not flinch. There was a long pause before he spoke again.

"You don't mean that," he sneered, but the confidence in his voice had wavered, ever so slightly.

"I do." My reply was swift and absolute. "I'd rather face a thousand battles alone than be your Luna."

A muscle twitched in his jaw as he clenched his teeth, anger flaring in his gaze. I could almost hear the wheels turning in his mind as he absorbed my blunt refusal. His nostrils flared, and his chest rose and fell with each heavy breath.

"Such harsh words," he growled, the softness gone from his voice, replaced by a harsh coldness that echoed through the room. "But I wonder if you'll keep this same tune when you have no other options."

His words held a menacing undertone. I could tell he was hiding something. "And what does that mean?" I asked, my voice steady but with an underlying note of concern.

He just smirked, a cruel, lopsided stretch of his lips that did nothing to ease the dread that had started to seep into my bones. "You'll see soon enough," was all he said.

I watched him as he turned around and strode toward the door. His broad shoulders were amassed with tension, and his steps were heavy with anger and frustration. Before he reached the door, however, he paused and turned back to me, a dark glint in his eyes. "Remember this, Mina. You can resist me all you want. But one day, you will be mine." The arrogance and certainty in his voice was chilling.

With that, he opened the door and left the room, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts. My heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears, drowning out the quiet stillness of the room.

I sank down onto the plush bed, my legs suddenly weak. I drew a shaky breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. My heart pounded furiously against my ribcage, and my thoughts whirred with the intensity of a tempest. His words echoed in my mind, his ominous promise seeping into the corners of my consciousness.

Emotionally drained, I let out a heavy sigh. The tension that had gripped me was slowly ebbing away, leaving behind a sense of unease that hung heavily in the air. His words were undeniably threatening, yet unsurprising. It was just like Boris to try to manipulate situations in his favor.