Tamed By The Lycan Prince

SUMMONED

CHAPTER SEVEN- 8

-ERIS-

Mother, with a stern expression, commanded that Hiro and I head to our rooms, while Zenesha was told to leave as we had some private matters to attend to. Father attempted to intervene, but Mother brushed him off, leading Prince Kinnison and Princess Alina to their respective chambers. The atmosphere in the manor was tense with unspoken tension as the family dispersed.

As Hiro and I retreated to our separate rooms, I noticed a growing unease in his eyes, a mirror to my own apprehensions.

"Hiro," I ventured as we reached the fork leading to our respective rooms, "Do you think…do you think mother is truly angry with Boris? Because of his behavior?"

Hiro paused, his eyes thoughtful. "He's the golden child. She can never be truly angry with him," he replied, his voice a somber echo in the empty hallway.

"Yet, the waves of her rage reached us," I added, my brows furrowing in deep thought.

He nodded. "We're the ones who always end up in the storm's path while Boris remains untouched."

An ominous silence descended upon us, emphasizing the gravity of our discussion. We lingered in the corridor, our hearts heavy with our shared understanding.

"Someday, Boris will have to face the consequences of his actions," I murmured. Hiro glanced at me, a mixture of hope and uncertainty in his eyes.

"But until then," Hiro said, his voice a soft sigh, "we must bear the weight of his mistakes."

I nodded, my heart heavy yet determined. We parted with solemn expressions, each retreating to the safety of our own rooms.

Boris could never comprehend the recklessness of his actions. His unyielding pride and blind arrogance were his only constants, and every misstep he made was like a ripple in a pond. It affected everyone around him, leaving chaos and turbulence in his wake.

In my quarters, I found solace in the quiet solitude. The walls, though adorned with lavish tapestries and expensive paintings, held a comforting familiarity that eased the heavy thoughts burdening my mind. I sank into a plush chair, my gaze lingering on the embers of the dying fire in the room's hearth as I lost myself in contemplation.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I glanced towards the door, startled by the intrusion. "Come in," I called out, my voice a mere whisper compared to the roaring silence. The door creaked open and a servant stepped into the room.

"The Luna Mother requests your presence in her office, Young Mistress," she murmured, her gaze glued to the floor. An unexpected summons provoked a sense of dread within me.

"Thank you," I said, my voice steady. The servant bobbed a quick curtsey and departed, leaving me alone once more.

Slowly, I rose from the chair, smoothing out my skirts and mentally preparing myself for whatever confrontation lay ahead. Mother's summons were rarely without purpose, and given the recent tensions in the household, I couldn't help but anticipate another storm on the horizon.

Stepping out into the hallway, I couldn't help but feel an oppressive weight pushing down on my shoulders. The servants, always alert and attentive, looked at me with sympathetic eyes as I passed.

The corridor was hushed, the only sound the muffled thump of my footsteps on the plush carpet. The air seemed to hang heavy and cold around me as I made my way towards Mother's office, each step echoing with an unspoken warning.

Hiro stood outside her door, his nerves seemingly more frayed than mine. His eyes met mine, a mixture of concern and empathy sketched in their dark depths.

"You were summoned too," he murmured.

"Yes," I replied curtly, a sudden unease seeping into my words. "Do you know why?"

Hiro shook his head, running a hand through his dark hair. "No idea, but it can't be anything good." His words hung in the air between us as an ominous omen.

"No, it certainly can't," I responded. His gaze lingered on me for a moment but I turned away, focusing my attention on the looming door in front of us.

Hiro knocked twice, his knuckles drumming against the heavy oak, creating a ripple of sound that echoed down the empty corridor.

"Enter," came the stern voice from within. Hiro pushed the door open and I followed him in, my heart pounding against my ribs as if trying to break free from its cage.

Mother sat behind her elegant mahogany desk, her expression unreadable. She seemed calm and composed, but I could tell she was struggling to contain a storm of emotions. A glass of wine rested in her hand, adding to the sense of tension in the room.

"Sit," she commanded, her gaze flickering between Hiro and me. With a nod, I found my place in one of the high-backed chairs directly in front of her desk, Hiro following suit.

Mother took a sip of her wine before placing it gently on the desk, her crimson painted fingernails catching the soft amber glow of the lamp upon her desk. Her eyes, hard as slate and just as cold, met ours. "There is a matter that requires your attention," she began, her words carefully measured.

With another sip from her glass, Mother set the stage for the conversation that was to follow. Hiro shifted uneasily beside me, the uncomfortable silence in the room drawing out as Mother placed her wine glass gently on the desk with a soft chime.

"As you know," Mother began, her voice echoing through the cavernous office, "Prince Kinnsion and Princess Alina are staying with us until the wedding in two days." Her yellow eyes danced between Hiro and me.

"And as you should also be aware, neither the Prince or Princess have serious lovers. We can use this as an opportunity to form an alliance with the Lycan Empire." she continued, her voice dropping to a somber tone that unsettled me further.

Mother's words hung heavily in the air, her proposition not a suggestion but an instruction. Hiro and I exchanged a barely perceptible glance.

"You want us to…?" I began, but Mother interrupted.

"I want both of you to attempt to win their hearts," she said evenly, her gaze unwavering.

Her words came as a shock to us, unexpected and unpalatable. Hiro looked at me, his eyes mirroring my own disbelief. I looked at Mother, hoping to see some sign of jest in her cold eyes, a hint that she was not serious. But her face was an unreadable mask.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. Hiro shifted uncomfortably in the chair next to me once again. "Mother, we..." he began, but she cut him off with a raise of her hand.

"There is no room for discussion on this matter," she said, her voice as cold and immutable as ice. From the drawer of her desk, she retrieved a small bottle filled with a bright pink liquid.

"This," she said, holding up the bottle to the lamp light, causing it to shimmer intensely, "is a Potion of Charm, the strongest kind. It will make the Prince and Princess believe they have found their destined mate."

She placed the bottle on the desk with startling gentleness. Her gaze landed on Hiro and me once again. "The servants," she continued, "will discreetly add a few drops of this potion to the drinks of the Prince and Princess at our dinner this evening."

"Both of you have to be at your best. Play the part, make them fall for you. The fate of our pack lies in your hands." Her voice was stern but underneath lay a hint of desperation.

Hiro and I exchanged a knowing glance filled with silent questions we weren't allowed to ask. As our eyes met, we saw not two siblings but pawns in a dangerous game of power and deceit. The weight of our mother's words sank in, chilling us to our core.

"That's...deception, Mother," Hiro finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mother's eyes hardened as she addressed him. "You both understand that your brother is the Alpha, correct?" Her words cut through the room.

"Yes, Mother," I answered meekly.

"And you also understand that your brother lacks intelligence? He is rash, careless, and full of himself. This pack will not survive with him as the only leader." Mother's eyes darkened dangerously.

It was unexpected to witness our Mother berate the golden child. Hiro looked down, biting his lip, unable to deny the truth in her words. Our brother, our Alpha, was undoubtedly strong and bold, but lacked the wisdom and shrewdness required to lead.

"We understand, Mother," Hiro murmured, his eyes never leaving the floor. He was clearly uncomfortable with this conversation and I didn't blame him.

"Good," Mother said nodding, "because it is your duty to ensure the survival of this pack. If either of you were to win the hearts of the prince or princess, our pack would be set for life regardless of your brother's reckless choices."

In the deafening silence of the room, I could hear my own heart pounding within my chest, its rhythm echoing the gravity of our task. I swallowed past the tight knot in my throat, trying to muster any words to respond, but found myself speechless.

"Prepare yourselves. The servants will serve dinner in two hours." Mother instructed sternly. "You may leave now."

As if released by invisible chains, Hiro and I rose from our seats, bowed our heads in deference, and made our way out of the room. Side by side, we walked down the winding corridors, each entangled in our own whirlpool of thoughts. There were no words between us - we both understood the weight of our mission.