010
1205 Words
•~Fiona~•
Leonardo takes my hands in his as he leads me through the door. The Royal chambers were as big as an entire village.
Leonardo had informed me earlier that his family had organized a dinner to meet his new bride, which happens to be me.
A few men stand at attention, turning only when Leonardo and I pass to offer their salute.
The dining hall is grand with Leonardo's family scattered across the table.
Leonardo pulls out a chair for me beside him. My heart races as I take a seat, my fingers twitching nervously in my lap. Across from me sits an older man with silver grey streaks in his hair and piercing blue eyes.
“This is my father, Lannister,” Leonardo introduces. “The former Alpha.”
Lannister nods in acknowledgment but says nothing, his eyes sweeping over me.
To his left sits a woman. “My mother, Anastasia,” Leonardo adds.
“Call me Stassie, dear.” she says but there’s a chill beneath her tone that I can’t ignore.
Next to her is a man with a jovial demeanor and a quick smile. “This is my cousin, Jeff, and his wife, Lana.”
At the far end of the table, a young girl–Liiora—our eyes meet, but her excitement is short-lived as her mother, Lana, gently tells her to behave.
“And my niece, Liora.” Leonardo's smile lingers at a moment too long before he finally looks at me and then back to his family.
“This is Fiona, my new bride.”
They all look at me with an intense gaze as if judging me and I lower my head to the table. If only they knew I didn't want this.
The meal begins, and though the dishes on the table are exquisite, my appetite is nowhere to be found.
“So, Fiona,” It’s Anastasia who breaks the silence. “I hear you’re from the White Fox tribe.”
The table falls silent. I feel every eye on me as I look up again.
“Yes,” I reply.
Her eyes narrow slightly. “Interesting. As you know, our tribes don’t exactly... mingle.”
She chuckles softly, but the sound is hollow. It feels more like a mockery than humor.
“For years, we’ve clashed on the battlefield,” she continues, “I don’t recall us losing any of those battles. It’s fascinating to see my son bringing home someone from a tribe we’ve always... overcome.”
Her words land like a blow, and I struggle to find a response. Before I can respond, the older man—Lannister—speaks.
“Tell me, girl, what kind of wolf are you? An omega? A hybrid?”
The question hangs in the air, the bluntness of it making my throat tighten. I open my mouth to answer, but before I can speak, Leonardo cuts in.
My mind race for an answer as their eyes, didn't Leonardo already tell them or did they just want to hear it from my own mouth.
“I-I am–”
“Her wolf is none of your concern,” Leonardo cuts in “We’re here to welcome her, not interrogate her.”
“I think we deserve to know if this foreigner is good enough to be our Luna!” Lannister counters.
Leonardo doesn't speak but I see his face twist and jaw tighten.
“You can't expect us to accept this woman with little to no details. Your choice of Luna is very much our concern.” He continues.
“Whoever I choose to be my Luna is my choice,” Leonardo says through clenched teeths.
The room falls silent. Anastasia stiffens, her lips pressed into a thin line. Jeff and Lana exchange a glance, but neither speaks.
Breaking the silence, Lana reaches out to touch her daughter’s arm. “Liora,” she says with a saccharine smile, “why don’t you show Fiona around the house. I'm sure she'd love to see it.”
Liora’s eyes light up with excitement. “Yes! I’ll show her!”
Before I can say a word, Lana stands gracefully. “I’ll come with you, of course. The house is quite big and easy to miss a turn, I wouldn’t want you getting lost.”
Glancing at Leonardo, who gives her a slight nod of reassurance. I stand following Liora while Lana walks behind us.
“Come on!” Liora skips ahead.
“How are you finding the place so far?” Lana finally asks once the dining hall disappears
I hesitate, unsure of how to answer. “It’s... fine,”
Lana’s lips curve into a polite smile. “And Leonardo? How are you finding him?”
Caught off guard, I blink. “He’s very kind.”
Her brows lift ever so slightly. “I hope you’re starting to love it here. Our kingdom is nothing like your home in the South, after all.”
I swallow hard, searching for something to say. “It’s... different. But the flowers—they’re lovely. They’re the first thing I noticed.”
“The flowers?” Lana repeats.
“Every part of the kingdom has its own scent, you know! Like the palace—it smells completely different from everywhere else.” Liora comments. “Like…”
“Jasmine,” I finish, the word slipping out instinctively.
Liora halts abruptly, turning to me with wide eyes. “How did you know?”
I blink, feeling a sudden wave of nerves. “I… I smelt it.”
Lana’s brows rise, and her lips curve into a faint smile. “You must have an extraordinary sense of smell. It takes most visitors weeks, even months, to recognize the palace’s distinct scent.”
“Are you a hybrid, Fiona? Is that why your senses are so sharp?” She inquires.
I hesitate, unsure of how to answer. My mind races, but before I can find the words, Liora claps her hands together.
“Come on! Let's show her around!” she exclaims, darting ahead again.
Lana doesn’t press further, though her thoughtful gaze lingers on me for a moment before she follows her daughter. I exhale, though my heart still pounds in my chest.
I never knew my senses were so sharp but coming to think of it, I could always easily smell things from miles away.
Liora leads the way to a room “This is one of my favorite rooms in the entire palace!”
Inside, the room is lined with intricate tapestries that depict scenes of battles, celebrations, and serene landscapes.
“This is the gallery room,” Liora explains, spinning around with her arms wide. “It’s where we keep treasures from past generations. Some of these tapestries are hundreds of years old!”
“It’s... incredible,”
“Our Kingdom prides itself on preserving history. What about your kingdom, Fiona? How are things done there?”
I open my mouth to speak, but before I can answer, a familiar voice cuts through the air.
Leonardo is standing by the door, you could tell his mood is off by just one look at his face.
“We’re leaving. Now!”
- Writer
