Tamed By The Lycan Prince

THE PARK

CHAPTER THREE - 2

-WILHELMINA-

Severa and I ventured further, the subtle perfume of flowers filling my senses as we entered our local park. A cobblestone path wound its way through fields of vibrant green, meticulously maintained beds of flowers, and towering trees that provided a comforting canopy overhead. The park was a world away from the gloomy confines of my room, bathed in the gentle glow of the evening sun.

Families were scattered about, children played games while their parents watched fondly from benches. A slight breeze stirred the leaves and ruffled my dress, bringing with it a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in a long time. For the first time in what seemed like forever, I found myself smiling, a small but genuine smile that warmed my cheeks.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Severa's voice broke the silence between us as she gestured towards the array of colors courtesy of the blooming flowers.

I nodded, captivated by the beauty that I hadn't taken the time to appreciate in so long. As we walked further into the park, a soft melody filled the air — a musician playing a violin somewhere nearby. Its melancholic tune added a layer of depth to this otherwise ordinary evening.

We continued our stroll, the melodies of life surrounding us becoming welcoming friends. Birds chirping cheerfully from their perches in the trees reminded me of mornings filled with warm sunlight and gentle breezes. The scent of freshly-cut grass mixed with the delicate aroma of blooming flowers, filling the air with a sense of tranquility that seemed to wash over my troubled thoughts.

"Let's sit by the lake," Severa proposed, her eyes drawn to the sunlit water that shimmered like a crystal mirror.

The thought was agreeable, and so we veered off our path towards the lake. The cobblestones underfoot gave way to emerald grass, a soft carpet under our heels. Our steps were slow and unhurried, matching the serene rhythm of the park around us. The violin’s melody echoed in the distance, punctuated by the occasional laughter of children, their joy a soothing balm for my wounded spirit.

We arrived at what seemed the perfect spot by the water's edge. The grass there was a luxurious carpet of jade, and a grand willow draped its drooping boughs, casting a gentle shade on the ground beneath it. The lake itself was a breathtaking spectacle, vast and serene. Its surface shimmered with reflections of the setting sun, turning the water into a canvas painted with vibrant hues of orange and purple. Small ripples danced across the surface, creating intricate patterns that sparkled like diamonds in the fading light.

Severa and I settled down on the grass, side by side. I could feel the coolness of the earth beneath me, a subtle contrast to the warmth of the evening sun still lingering on my skin. A brief lull fell over the park, the evening's chorus hushed momentarily as if granting us a private moment.

"There is magic in simple things," Severa muses aloud, her eyes locked onto the sun dipping lower into the horizon, casting elongated shadows that merged with the darkness creeping from the forest edges. "We often forget to notice."

"Oh, I never forget anything." The voice called out arrogantly. My heart dropped as recognition washed over me, and I turned to see Boris making his way towards us. His tall and imposing figure was a stark contrast to the tranquil scenery. He had a sly grin on his face, his chuckling dark eyes were alight with mischief as they met mine. The air seemed to grow colder despite the lingering warmth of the sun.

"Boris," I acknowledged, my tone cold. Severa shifted subtly next to me, her brows creasing as she fixed an uneasy gaze on him. The wind rustled through the willow tree above us, adding a melodramatic backdrop to our sudden encounter.

"My dear Wilhelmina," Boris said in a mockingly sweet tone as he came closer. His footsteps made no sound on the soft grass, and he moved with an eerie grace that was as unsettling as his unexpected presence.

"I didn't expect to see you here," he continued, a mockery of surprise in his eyes as he took a seat beside me, uninvited. His gaze lingered on Severa. "Severa, it's so good to see you again. I have missed you."

Severa's response was a hard stare, her eyes cool as ice. She did not favor him with a smile, nor did she offer any polite words in return. Her silence was more cutting than any words could have been.

Boris merely laughed at her wordless response, a low, chilling sound that echoed across the quiet lake. "Now, now, is that any way to greet your Alpha?"

His words were needles, prickling at the calm bubble that had encased our evening. Severa's icy gaze never wavered. "We have nothing further to say to you, Boris," she replied calmly. Her words held an unspoken challenge, and I could feel the tension stretch between them like a taut wire.

Boris' laughter echoed once more across the lake, sending shivers down my spine. "Oh, Severa," he drawled out mockingly. "Always so defiant, always so...spirited."

His gaze drifted back to me, and I could feel the weight of his stare. "And you, Wilhelmina, are looking…quite beautiful in that dress. You should wear nice things more often."

My lips thinned into a line as I watched him, trying to decipher his intentions. The setting sun lit up his face with an orange glow, making the cruel lines of his features look almost soft. Almost.

"And what brings you here, Boris?" I asked.

"Ah, must I have a reason to enjoy the splendors of this park?" Boris replied, gesturing expansively towards the lake. The fading light of sunset caught in his outspread hands, casting strange and gigantic shadows across the landscape. I watched as his shadow swallowed the soft reflection of the setting sun on the water.

"No ulterior motives this time," he promised, though his cunning smile suggested otherwise. "Although, I do have some news about our upcoming wedding."

My heart pounded, and not with anticipation. The sound of the distant violin and children’s laughter seemed to be drowned out by the pounding of my heart. I glanced at Severa, her countenance stoic but her eyes filled with concern.

"Wedding?" I echoed, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"Yes, our wedding," he repeated, enunciating each word clearly as if to imprint it on our minds. The arrogance that dripped from his grin was almost tangible. "You may try your best to forget, but we shall be wed soon. On this month's full moon."

My breath hitched within my chest at his words, a feeling of finality washing over me. The full moon, only a fortnight away. A bitter taste rose in my mouth. His mother had been spreading the word about the wedding happening soon, and I knew it, but I didn't expect it to be this soon.

Boris seemed to relish the silence his words had caused. He leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the velvety darkening sky as the last rays of sun disappeared behind the horizon. "It will be a grand celebration," he finally spoke again, his voice laced with a grim satisfaction.

Severa questioned, "Why would you choose to have your wedding on the night of the full moon, when it's known as the most significant night of the year for the Moonlight Ball?" I could feel Severa's hand gently graze mine as she spoke.

Boris turned his gaze to her, the twinkling stars above reflected in his eyes. "Why not? I am the Alpha, so I can do as I please," he replied, a triumphant smile unfurling on his face. "Are you jealous of my relationship with Wilhelmina?" His words hung in the air, heavy with the audacity of his vision.

"Boris, this is not about jealousy," Severa retorted, her voice taking on a steely edge. "You know that the Moonlight Ball is a sacred tradition in our pack. You're deliberately exploiting it for your own amusement."

Boris shrugged dismissively, his smile never fading. "Oh Severa," he chided, his voice a mockery. "You shouldn't feel jealous. As the Alpha, it is within my rights to have multiple wives. If you'd like, I would be honored to make you my second wife."

The audacity of his proposition landed in the space between us like a poisoned arrow. Severa's face did not twitch nor did her stance waver, but I could feel her stiffen next to me.

Boris reveled in this new tension, an amused chuckle rumbling from his broad chest. "My love for you never faded, not even after all this time since our break-up. So, I must ask: will you do me the honor of becoming my second wife?" he prodded, eyeing Severa expectantly.

Severa's response came instantly, her voice as cold and sharp as a midwinter wind. "Your romantic delusions are on par with your arrogance, Boris," she declared, her icy eyes locked unwaveringly onto Boris. Her words were like a snarl in the otherwise peaceful evening, stirring the surface of the lake with their ferocity.

Boris' smile faltered for just a moment before he regained his composure. His laughter scarce suppressed the venomous undertone. "Oh, Severa," he chided, "I have always admired your fiery spirit, but I wonder if you would react the same way if you were put in a difficult situation like Wilhelmina."

I couldn't believe what he was saying. He wouldn't dare do the same thing to Severa that he had done to me. He had publicly asked me to be his Luna, in front of all the high-ranking leaders? And to make matters worse, he used the Alpha's Order on me, leaving me with no choice in the matter.

"But of course," he said smoothly, his gaze drifting back to me. "You have not experienced the Alpha's Order yet, have you, Severa?" He held her gaze, a gloating triumph shimmering in his eyes.

Severa turned cold eyes to Boris, her voice steady despite the anger that must have been churning within her. "I am not afraid of you, Boris."

Boris barked out a harsh laugh. "You should be," he spat back.

A silence hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

The silence was finally broken by the breaking of a twig under Boris's boot as he stood up from where he was lounging on the grass. "You will see, Severa," he sneered, his voice echoing eerily in the sudden quiet. "Your fierce determination cannot withstand the power of an Alpha's command. Look at how my dear Wilhelmina has turned out."

"Well then," he brushed off invisible dust from his trousers. His gaze moved between Severa and me, lingering on our intertwined hands before landing on my engagement ring. "I will be seeing you both soon. And remember, Severa, my offer still stands." His lips curled into a patronizing smile as he took his leave.

As we watched Boris saunter away, the silence seeping into every crevasse of the now darkening landscape, something shifted within me. I felt Severa's grip on my hand tighten. The echo of Boris's voice lingered in my ears, an intrusive reminder of the looming threat.

"What did he mean by that?" she asked, her voice filled with nervousness. Her trembling hand tightened around mine, the nails digging slightly into my skin. "Is he going to force me to marry him?"

I turned to look at her, her face pale in the moonlight. I saw fear etched into her features, the same fear I had felt when Boris used the Alpha's Order on me. "I don't know, Severa," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper in the stillness.

"But he cannot do that, can he?" she pressed on, her voice betraying her worry. "He cannot force anyone to marry him."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips before I could contain it. "That's what I thought too," I replied, my gaze dropping to our intertwined hands. "Until he used the Alpha's Order on me."

"And... and you're expected to obey?" Severa croaked out, trying to comprehend the weight of what I was saying.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. The words hung in the air, harsh and unyielding. The gravity of the situation seemed to settle down on her, and she fell into a troubled silence. Her eyes, reflecting the faint moonlight, were distant - as if she wasn't just looking at me but seeing through a portal into a future that was bleak and terrifying.