My Snow Princess

Tradition and Duty

Aniu. 12 years old

I walk down the long hallway that leads to my father's study and I can't help but feel nervous. I try to focus on the plush runner under my feet and the ornate sconces on the walls to try to ground myself. This is my home but all of a sudden I feel like a stranger.

I've been called to my father's office before, but this time it was scheduled, which was new. A guard came to my room to pick me up and escort me, as if I would get lost or decide to skip the meeting.

We make it to the door and suddenly, I'm not sure what to do. Normally, I would knock then enter, but this time, I turn to his secretary and say, "I'm here to see Alpha Sharp."

She nods and notifies him. I'm made to wait five minutes before the guard opens the door to let me in. I always knew I would serve Stone one day. I've always known that daughters and sons weren't equal in the Alpha's family, but this was the first time I'd ever felt so far below him.

While my mother was the Luna and not given as much respect as my father and my brother, Stone, she was still worlds above me in terms of status. While I mostly served my father and Stone, when there was an important event coming up, I would be expected to help my mother with the preparations. I was basically an assistant/servant that they shared.

I enter my father's office to find my mother and Stone already there. They were chatting and joking merrily. I had been waiting outside for five minutes while my family was hanging out. They were subtly letting me know that they were a family and I was not part of it. I already knew that, but it hurt nonetheless.

They were all sitting in the chairs around the desk, so I stayed standing. "Hello father," I say as I bowed my head in submission.

I keep my head down until he speaks. He always waits a moment to remind me of my place, as if I could forget. "We brought you here to discuss an important topic. As you are aware, you will one day serve Stone when he takes up his position of Alpha. While you have been learning your duties, there is still something very important that we have not yet discussed," he explains.

I look at him, unsure what he wants me to say in response. "I look forward to serving my brother. I will do whatever is expected of me," I say generically, not wanting to upset anyone.

"Good," my father says. I passed the first test. There's always a trick or a test. "As you know, being Stone's servant will require your full dedication. As it stands, you currently take all the same lessons with him, you serve him all his meals and you are responsible for cleaning his rooms and laundry. The Alpha's of the past designed things this way to ensure the safety of the Alpha. You see, with a pack as cut throat as ours, it's hard to ensure the loyalty of each person. This way Stone will be able to preforms his duties as Alpha without worrying about being betrayed in his own home."

My father pauses again and looks at me for a response, so I say, "It is my honor to serve in this capacity for my brother, the future Alpha. I endevour to perform my duties with honour like all the Alpha's daughters of the past."

My father puffs up his chest and I can see that my answer pleases him. To him, my compliance is a sign of his good parenting.

"Well then, it is time to for you to learn of the biggest sacrifice you will need to make in order to serve your pack and future Alpha to the best of your ability," he says. He motions to the door as it opens and says, "Your aunt Saimat is here to explain this in further detail."

My aunt walks into the room with her head bowed down. She was name for her calm nature. She has served my father quietly from the sidelines for a long time and has been more like a mother to me than my own.

She sits on the couch away from my father's desk and my family. She pats the spot beside her and I go over to sit with her. My parents and brother stike up a conversation, clearly not interested in this part of the meeting.

"Hello, aunt Saimat. I was not expecting you at this meeting today," I say relived.

She takes one of my hands in hers and looks up at me with sadness in her eyes. "This is a moment I have been dreading for a long time, my dear," she says so quietly that I'm sure my parents can't hear. "Please do your best to remain calm. Let me explain eerything I must and save any questions for another time," she warns.

I nod and say, "Of course."

My aunt takes a steadying breath before starting her explanation. "You've asked me many times why I don't have a mate, and today you learn why."

My interest is peaked and I sit up straighter ready to listen as she explains, "The reason you will never travel outside of the pack borders with or without Stone is so that you will not meet your mate. Since you are an Alpha's daughter, your mate is most likely an Alpha, which means you will never meet him."

She can see the shocked and sad look on my face, but continues on, saying, "This is a small mercy. There have been a few instances of Alpha's daughter being mated to the pack Beta or a top warrior and those situation are much more complicated."

"But wouldn't it be good if I was mated to someone in the pack, expecially the Beta. Then I could serve Stone and still have my mate," I ask, confused.

"Unfortunately, that is not our way. Serving the Alpha requires complete devotion and loyalty. Having a mate could divide your attention. If you meet your mate, best case scenario, if he was a warrior or of lower rank, he would be sent far away and he would have to agree to take a chosen mate and mark them for everyone to see."

I gasp at the barbaric nature of the tradition. There are kinder ways to keep mates apart. It would be easier on me if my destined mate marked another far away. The distance would make it less painful. Watching it and being in close proximity would make it excrutiating. I would probably have to spend time in the hospital, if I survived at all. Basically, they would rather I died then had any hope of being with my mate.

Aunt Saimat gives me a warning look when she sees the look in my eyes. She knows how my temper can sometimes take over at the unfairness of things. I school my features and nod to let her know I'm ready for more.

"If your mate was the Beta, or a high ranking pack member, he would be killed. Same if he was lower ranking but insisted on being with you or refusing to take another. That kind of bond is too strong and would not be allowed to exist for the threat it would pose. You may decide to support your mate in a coup," she explains.

I nod, a little overwhelmed with the information. The one bright spot in my future, that made the thought of having to serve my brother forever bearable, was the idea of having a mate who could support me. Someone who would love me above all else.

My aunt patted my hand as the reality of my situation sank in. I was numb and I used that feeling to be able to face my father. I stood up and went to stand in front of my father's desk.

I bowed my head and said, "I understand father."

From that day forward, I prayed I would never meet my mate.