Tamed By The Lycan Prince

TWO FIANCÉS

CHAPTER SEVEN- 4

-KINNSION-

The flight to the Gravemaw Hounds' territory was uneventful, with the exception of Alina's constant chatter about her new boyfriend, Ronan Dukes.

"He is the most divine person I've ever met!" Alina gushed. "His eyes are the color of the moonlit sky and his smile could light up even the darkest room. And that's not even mentioning his sense of humor!"

"Alina," I smiled tiredly. "That's all very lovely, but I'd really like to take a nap before we arrive. I haven't slept since yesterday night."

"Okay, okay," she relented, rolling her eyes and settling back into her seat. "You must be exhausted, Kinnsion."

I nodded in reply as I shifted in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position. Draping an arm over my eyes to block out the light, I let out a sigh. The rhythmic hum of our private aircraft lulled me into a shallow sleep filled with images of werewolves and endless disputes. I could hear Alina's muffled giggles in the background, probably texting Ronan. I hoped for her sake that he was not another insufferable noble.

I awoke with a slight start as we landed. Alina was eagerly looking out the window at the terrain. As I unbuckled my seatbelt, I caught sight of two werewolves waiting outside the plane. One appeared to be in his early twenties, possibly the same age as Antonio, while the other was an aged gentleman, perhaps the same age as grandmother.

"Who are those men?" Alina asked in a whisper, pointing towards the werewolves.

"If I remember correctly from Grandmother's descriptions," I muttered, squinting at the pair, "the younger one must be Boris Gravemaw, the Alpha. The older gentleman is Isaac Greymane, the Elder."

Alina raised a brow. "I was unaware that the Elder acted as the Luna in greeting visitors from other countries."

I glanced at her. "Grandmother said the Gravemaw Hounds were having some issues regarding their Luna, so we may not even see her."

Alina frowned. "Is the Luna sick?" she asked.

"I can't say for certain, Alina," I answered. "But I'll share some details with you later."

Alina nodded, and we descended from the aircraft. I shifted my gaze to Alpha Boris and Elder Greymane, locking eyes with each of them. As the two individuals neared Alina and me, I couldn't help but notice that Alpha Boris had a surprisingly tall stature for a werewolf. He stood at least two heads taller than his elder companion, with a muscular build that made his presence all the more imposing. His hair was a long and dark mane which mirrored the inky black of his eyes. Elder Greymane, on the other hand, was lean and weather, his face lined with deep wrinkles and scars, each telling a tale of battles won and lost. His silver hair was brushed back neatly.

"Prince Kinnsion," Boris greeted me, extending his hand towards me.

"Alpha Boris," I returned, shaking his hand with a firm grip. His presence was undoubtedly strong, but it paled in comparison to that of a Lycan, especially one of royal blood like myself.

"It's an honor," he smiled, revealing pearly-white teeth.

He turned to Alina and his eyes softened. "You must be Princess Alina," he said, taking her hand and bowing slightly. Alina gave a small smile, looking both charmed and wary.

"Yes, I am," Alina replied, offering a polite smile and accepting his hand with a graceful nod. She continued, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Boris."

"Your highness," Elder Greymane addressed me in his gravelly voice, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. He offered a slight bow of his head, then extended a gnarled hand to Alina. "Princess Alina," he acknowledged with a courteous nod.

Alina extended her own hand, grasping his gently. "Elder Greymane," she greeted, her voice soft but firm, maintaining the respectful tone we were both adopting.

"Welcome to the Gravemaw Hounds territory," Boris declared after our greetings had been exchanged.

"Thank you for having us," I responded.

Alpha Boris gestured for us to follow him, leading us to a limousine. The sleek, black vehicle was of an impressive make, obviously the product of the finest human craftsmanship. The driver, a stern-looking man in a crisp uniform, held the door open for us as we approached. Alpha Boris and Elder Greymane settled into the plush leather seats first, followed by Alina and me.

The interior of the limo was nigh-on luxurious, with a refined ambiance that was hard to ignore. A small bar to one side held an assortment of beverages, including what I guessed were bottles of the best human alcohol. Boris poured himself a glass, offering one to each of us.

"I'm afraid we must decline," I responded, my gaze shifting to Alina. She nodded in agreement, her face composed. Boris shrugged then started to explain the customs of the Gravemaw Hounds.

"Our pack, the Gravemaw Hounds, adheres strictly to our ancient traditions and customs," Boris began, his voice steady and serious. "For centuries, we have believed in strength and unity as our core values. Each Hound is a warrior, trained to protect the pack and respect our allies."

Alina and I listened attentively.

"We pride ourselves on strength and loyalty above all else," he said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before taking a sip. "For generations, my family has held the reins of power in this territory. We built it with our own hands, through hard work, sacrifice, and determination."

He leaned back into the leather seat, his gaze steady on us. "As you can see, we are a proud pack." he said. The stern lines on his face softened a bit as he recalled their past glory.

"Indeed," Alina nodded.

Elder Greymane's voice was laced with reverence as he spoke, "We hold the full moon in highest regard. Once every year," he continued, "during the full moon, we gather for the Moon Goddess' Ball. But this year, our recently chosen Alpha and Luna are getting married, and the ceremony will be held during the full moon."

Boris' eyes seemed to glimmer at the mention of the upcoming ceremony, filling with a certain warmth. "The Moon Goddess' Ball is a grand event," he said. His eyes moved to Alina and me. "But this year... this year will be different. It's not just a banquet, it's my wedding."

He paused for a moment, chuckling to himself before his eyes met mine. "You know, it's funny. I never saw it fit that an Alpha such as myself should be tied down in a marriage." His voice was laced with a combination of humor and a hint of mischief. "But when I met my fiancé, I was captivated by her stunning beauty and unwavering determination. I knew from that moment on, she had to be my wife."

Even if you had to force her into a marriage, I thought. I wanted to scoff at his comment, but I maintained a serious expression.

Boris's smile widened as he spoke. "Even the most skilled fighters can be caught off guard by life's surprises," he said. "I recently reconnected with an ex, and now we're engaged to be married."

"You have two fiancés?" Alin asked, her brows lifting in surprise.

"Yes," Boris responded with a hearty laugh. "The more the merrier, as they say. Both women are amazing in their own ways, but my initial fiancé is set to be Luna while my second is more like a prized possession."

"Prized possession?" I echoed, not sure if I heard correctly. There was a bitterness in my voice. Boris' smile wavered as he gazed at me, as though my question had somehow disturbed or upset him.

"Yes," he said, his voice firm and steady. "My Luna is one of the most formidable females in our pack and the oldest daughter of our previous Beta. My fiancé, who I see as a prize, also happens to be the daughter of our previous Delta."

His words hung heavy in the air, leaving a bitter taste. The difference in status between his two fiancés was clear. His Luna was respected, a force within their society, while his second partner seemed to be relegated to a secondary role, more akin to an object than a person.

"Isn't that unfair?" Alina challenged, her voice holding an edge. "To see one of your partners as a prize, an object, rather than a person with her own thoughts and desires? It seems to me more like ownership than partnership."

Boris only laughed again, a deep, sardonic laugh that echoed around the room. "Each serves their role," he said, his eyes twinkling with arrogance. "But in the end, they will learn to love me. They don't have much of a choice, especially once they are married to me."

His arrogance was unsettling. It made my stomach churn and for a moment, I felt a surge of anger at his words and almost challenged him. But I held my tongue, knowing that confrontation would serve no purpose. Boris was set in his ways – a stubborn, immovable force.

"I disagree," Alina interjected. "Women always have a choice, Alpha Boris. Love isn't forced or controlled."

"Princess Alina," Elder Greymane cleared his throat, his gaze now icy. "I am aware that in the Lycan Empire, women may have more freedom, but here we adhere to traditional practices and beliefs. The women in our territory are expected to comply with their predetermined roles. Both of Boris's fiancés are aware of their societal duties and will come to accept them, whether they like it or not."

"Even if their place is as a possession?" Alina asked, her blue eyes flashing with an unfamiliar intensity.

"Just like a prized sword or a decorated shield, they are treasured," Boris responded, unfazed by her rising defiance. "They are loved and cherished."