The Palace Summons.
950 Words
Vaelra’s pov
Thyra hurried down the stairs, following the knock at the door. I was standing close to the entrance when she approached me with slightly disheveled hair as a result of sleep. The guards were waiting outside.
One of them reiterated their message.
He said, “The Alpha has ordered for Thyra Nyxen to be brought to the palace immediately.”
Thyra stared at me as soon as she heard that. At the same time, her face was confused and worried.
“Why should the palace call me,” she asked.
The guard did not respond to her question. He just waited.
Thyra turned to me and grabbed my hand.
“Come, Vaelra, come with me please.” she said.
I hesitated.
I replied, “It may not concern me, they merely requested you.”
“No, no,” said Thyra.
“I am not going alone, please,” she said.
I knew she was afraid, although she may have been attempting to hide it. I could not abandon her after all we had been through.
I nodded slowly.
I said, “Alright. I will come.”
We were both soon ready and walked out after the guards. The carriage was there waiting. The ride to the palace was silent. We were not talkative. Thyra continued to stare out of the window, and I continued to think about the mark on my neck, and what had happened in the forest.
When we came the gates of the palace were already open.
We were immediately led in.
I did not find the palace like the last time I was here. It was no longer a play, all was more serious and controlled. There was a guard in every corner.
We were led into a big hall where a number of nobles were already seated. The Alpha was at the centre.
He stared at Thyra.
He smiled and spoke. “Thyra Nyxen.”
Thyra moved forward a little.
“Yes, Your Grace,” she said.
The Alpha looked composedly firm.
“You were not present at the mating ceremony,” he said.
Thyra bowed her head a little.
“Yes. I wasnt,” she said.
He asked, “Why?”
Thyra hesitated for a moment. I could sense her tension by the side of her.
“I was not present because I thought I should ever have a mate. I have been here before. and nothing came. I lost hope.” Thyra said, at last.
A moment of silence prevailed in the room.
The Alpha gazed at her a moment, and again spoke.
“You can not lose hope so easily,” he said. “Let’s go to the dining hall.”
With surprise Thyra looked up.
Then the Alpha lifted up his hand a little, and bade the servants.
Saying this, he ordered the dining hall to be prepared and we ate together.
Thyra blinked.
“I do not understand.” She said, “Your Grace.” She added.
The Alpha nodded a little.
“The moon goddess have blessed you with a mate,” he said. We will show him to-night.
I jumped a notch when I heard that.
Thyra froze.
“A mate?” she whispered.
The guards softly led us to the dining hall before we could pose more questions.
I was walking behind her, but my thoughts were troubled. There was something peculiar about this situation, which I could not tell why.
When we got into the dining hall everything was ready. Long table, royal seating, servants standing quietly.
And then I saw him.
One of the men who was already at table.
He looked familiar.
Too familiar.
I took my steps more slowly without realizing it.His presence. his face.
His face… his presence…
It was the man of the woods.
The one of that night I so endeavored to forget.
My fingers closed a little at my hips.
I forced myself to breathe normally.
The Alpha walked up and pointed at the man.
He replied, “this is my son, Zorath Vaelor. He has just come out of the school of training in the future Alphas.”
Zorath stood up slowly.
His eyes wandered over the room.
Then they came ashore to Thyra.
My stomach plummmeted a little.
The Alpha went on, “he is your mate, Thyra Nyxen.”
Thyra looked full at him, with a frozen face.
I remained quite motionless.
I did not speak.
I did not move.
Silently dinner went by. I had just a slight bite of food. It seemed my head was in a rut, re-running all that I saw and recalled.
Thyra was then taken to a special room to get ready to the ritual, after the meal. I followed her blindly. I could not abandon her to herself just now.
Maids soon arrived, and assisted her in getting changed to ceremonial clothes. She glanced anxious, though she made no opposition.
I was standing close to the door and was observing all silently.
When she was prepared we were taken to the ceremonial grounds outside the palace.
There was the whole pack packed up.
Zorath was there in the middle, waiting.
Thyra moved slowly towards him, and I remained a few steps behind.
The ritual began. The elders spoke. The pack watched.
Then Zorath came forward and took Thyra as his mate before them all.
The bond was proved.
The pack cheered as the ceremony ended.
But I heard none of it distinctly.
I was fixated on something.
I made a little backward movement, and my voice was scarcely out, as I muttered in horror,
My one night stand will be the future alpha and my sisters mate?!
- Writer
