Two Princes and a Princess

What is a princess to do? I ask myself that while looking at my reflection in the mirror.  Everyday is the same thing.  I get waited on from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed.  I wonder what it will feel like to wait on someone else. I snuck out the palace in the wee hours of the morning dressed as one of the maids.  I didn’t know where I was going; I just knew I had to get away.  My parents had arranged for me to marry Alpha Prince Collin of the Windsor Family.  Two weeks earlier my mother Queen Una informed me that my father and her made a decision to find me a mate.   “Lisa, it is time for you to marry.  Your father and I have found the perfect mate for you.  Alpha Prince Collin.  He is in line to be king of the throne. You marrying him will unite our kingdoms and our packs.  This union will make us the strongest against our enemies.” My mother explained. “What does this Prince Collin look like?  I don’t want to marry him. I want to find my fated mate. Why can’t I fall in love like you did with father”. I ask. “Prince Collin is a fine young man. He is tall with blond hair.  A strong jawline, broad shoulders, and baby blue eyes.  We have arranged for you two to meet this evening.” “What! Mom I can’t do this.” “You can and you will.” I went to my room and just cried.  I don’t want to marry this man.  I don’t know anything about him.  This is my father wanting to unite kingdoms and willing to use me to do it.  I heard a soft knock at the door.  My brother slowly opened the door and peeked his head in.  His hair was still wet from swimming in our indoor heated pool.  “May I come in?'' he asked, running his fingers through his curly brown hair. I wiped my eyes and nodded my head.  Lance walked in, closing the door behind him. I watched him looking around the room admiring everything. He finally sat down on the bed facing me.  “I heard that mother and father have arranged your marriage.” He stated.  I started to cry all over again. “I can’t, I can’t marry him” I sobbed.  My brother pulled me into his arms to comfort me.   “It’s going to be alright, Lisa. This could be a good thing.” said Lance. I pulled away looking at him like he just lost his mind.  He put on a crooked smile to ease the tension.  Of course he would say this because he isn’t the one getting married.   “How can this be a good thing? I don’t love this man.” “Well, you have tonight to get to know him, since mom has him coming over.” I feel the tears welling up in my eyes again, but I don’t let them fall.  I grabbed a tissue and dabbed at my eyes.  I’m a princess and I will act like it.  My brother and I continue to talk until Athena ,my maid, knocks on the door to inform me that she was sent to help me get ready for this evening. Lance let’s her in as he exits my room.  My heart is not into wanting to meet this man. “My Lady, let’s get you ready,” Athena states. She goes to my walk in closet to find me a dress befitting for the evening.  She comes out with a pink off the shoulder dress that comes just above the knees.  She begins to fix my hair in an updo with a few curls hanging down. Then she applies a little makeup to my face. First, mascara to make my hazel eyes stand out and lip gloss to make my lips shimmer in the light.  My parents really want to make sure I make a good impression and not embarrass them. Collin POV An arranged marriage.  We are not living in the dark ages. We don’t have to do arranged marriages.  I continue to look at the picture my father, King Vlad, just gave me.  Lisa has long, wavy, brown hair flowing down her back.  Her eyes are hazel with specks of gold. My eyes slowly moved down to her pink lips curved into a smile showing perfectly straight teeth. Her body wasn’t as curvy as I like but it would do. My mistress will fill that void. “So father I am to meet this Lisa today, you say.” Lance said, getting clarity. “Yes, King Odin and I have made all the arrangements.  This union will unite our kingdoms and make our packs the strongest between Aberdeen and Edinburgh.”  “But I don’t love this woman.” “You will grow to love her.” “Why must I marry her? Why can’t Luke?” I asked exhaustedly. “Because you are the eldest and next in line for the throne. So let us make haste. It is an hour drive.”  I continue to look at Lisa’s picture.  This is not my fated mate. I want to find my fated mate just as my father did and every king before me.  I follow my father and mother to the car awaiting us.  We all climbed into the back seat.  I was facing my parents.  They seemed very happy and pleased with the decision that they made for me.  I, on the other hand, was not pleased to be forced to marry someone I didn’t even know.  The drive from Aberdeen  to Edinburgh  was uneventful. All my parents did was talk about uniting the Windsor and Cambridge families and how our packs would be strengthened. We finally arrived at the Cambridge palace.  From the window, I could see that the palace was spacious. They had stone statues of wolves in the sitting position at the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the door. We exited the car and walked up to the door.  King Odin and Queen Una were standing at the top of the stairs awaiting our arrival.  I looked around searching for Lisa as my parents greeted the King and Queen.   “And this is our son Prince Collin.” I hear my mother say as I give King Odin my attention.  He gives a head nod and we all walk into the palace.  The foyer is massive with four corridors that lead in different directions.  King Odin walks to the second corridor to the left leading the way, and we all follow and walk down a long hallway.  We come to the last door on the right and he opens it.  Lisa is sitting on the sofa.  She is more beautiful in person than her picture.  We all enter taking seats on the sofas in the room.  Her parents are sitting on both sides of her, and my parents and I are sitting together on another sofa. King Odin is the first to begin speaking. “I take you had safe travels here?” King Odin says. “Yes,” my father states. King Odin makes the introductions of his daughter. My mother is grinning from ear to ear.  Lisa doesn’t look happy to be doing this either. Our fathers are discussing the plans to unite our kingdoms and the mothers are discussing the wedding plans.  Lisa and I are staring at each with looks of discomfort. “Lisa, why don’t you give Collin a tour of the palace as we continue to discuss,” Queen Una says.  “I really don’t…” Queen Una cuts Lisa off in mid sentence with a look of death. Lisa closed her mouth and stood up.  I get up and follow behind her.  We walk down the long corridor that leads back to the foyer. She walks toward another hallway leading us in another direction. “You have a lot of hallways. Do they all lead to different places in the palace?” I ask. “Yes, she replied. The corridor that we just left is where the sitting area is, game room, and indoor pool. The first corridor leads to my fathers office and meeting rooms.” She explains.  We took the third corridor which led to other hallways.  We took several turns.  You could get lost in this place.  She showed me the theater, the dining area, and another sitting area. We walked to the pack house. The whole time we walked in silence. “Where does the fourth corridor lead to?” “It leads to the sleeping quarters.” I nod and continue to follow her.