Tamed by the Lycan Prince

6- HOME

CHAPTER TWO

-WILHELMINA-

It had taken approximately seven days since I'd woken up in the hospital, recovering from being poisoned by Wolf's Bane. Today, at last, I was being released. According to the doctor, all traces of the poison had been eliminated from my body and it would no longer have any effect on me.

Feeling the fresh air on my face as I stepped out of the stifling infirmary was like being reborn. The hospital room had started to feel like a prison cell, and the mere sight of the towering pines and lush greenery of our territory made my heart flutter in relief.

Weldon had arrived early that morning to take me home. He watched me with a protective gaze, always ready to leap to my side if I showed any sign of faltering. But I was a wolf. We were built tough and we healed fast. "I'm okay, Weldon," I reassured him as we walked to his SUV.

He gave me a sidelong glance, his fingers tightened on the steering wheel. The raw concern in his gaze reminded me of how much he cared for his family. For me. But, it was time to assure him that I wasn't going to break.

"I'm tougher than you think," I said, managing a small smile.

His lips twitched in response, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I know," he replied quietly. "But that doesn't mean I worry any less."

Our ride home was filled with comfortable silence.

Once we arrived home, I was met with an overwhelming welcome. My family had been waiting anxiously on the front porch of our cozy family home. My mother, Cordea Growler, immediately threw her arms around me, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed into my shoulder. My father, Theo Growler, stood a few steps back, his eyes glistening with relief and something that looked like pride. My younger siblings, Raina and Aries, remained on the porch with Dermon.

"I'm okay, Mama," I whispered into her ear, hugging her tight.

"I was so scared, Mina," she managed between sobs. "I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

"I love you, Mama," I murmured, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Mina," my father's voice was gruff, filled with emotion as he approached us. He clasped my shoulder tightly, his gaze brimming with unshed tears. "You're stronger than I ever imagined. You'll have a fine Delta,"

"Thank you, Papa," I said quietly, "For everything."

With that, he pulled me into a tight, bear-like hug. It was a rare display of affection from him, and I cherished it. After the emotional reunion with my parents, I turned to my siblings who awaited their own greetings. Aries was the first to reach me, his small body colliding with mine as he wrapped his arms around my tightly.

"Mimi," he whimpered in relief. I rubbed his back soothingly, knowing the stress that my situation mut have caused him.

"Hey, little bud," I whispered, ruffling his hair lightly. His red eyes, so similar to our father's, looked up at me with a mix of relief and worry. "I'm okay, I promise. You don't have to worry about me."

Aries simply nodded, sniffling against my shoulder. Raina was next, her slim body rushing forward and throwing her arms around me in a fierce squeeze. Although she was five years younger than me, she often acted more mature than her age demanded.

"Mina," she breathed, her voice trembling with the weight of her relief. "Don't ever scare us like that again."

"I'll try not to," I promised, my throat tightening as my gaze swept over their worried faces.

Dermon, my twin and constant companion since birth, held back his own reunion until last. He moved from the porch with slow, measured steps, his face an unreadable mask. His silence throughout the family reunion had been noticeable, but not unexpected.

"Dermon," I greeted him softly. We shared a look, our connection unwavering even after days of separation.

"Mina," he echoed, reaching out and pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. His arms, strong and familiar, wrapped around me as if he was afraid I would vanish if he let go.

"We're supposed to share everything, Mina," he murmured into my hair, his voice thick with unspoken emotion. "Not near-death experiences." His attempt at humor fell flat, the severity of our situation hanging over us.

"I'm sorry," was all I could muster in return, gripping him tighter as if to promise I would never let go again.

In that moment, surrounded by the love of my family and the beauty of our land, everything felt right. I was home. However, I still had to prove to everyone that their new Alpha was not as exceptional as they thought.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange, pink and purple, we all retreated indoors. The evening was a flurry of activity as my family prepared a welcome home feast. It was a typical Growler gathering, filled with laughter and warmth, a whirlwind of love that wrapped me like a cocoon.

Just as the last traces of golden sunlight faded into the indigo expanse of night, and the stars began to puncture the veil of darkness with their twinkling allure, there was a knock at the front door.

It was the steady, rhythmic note of knuckles drumming against sturdy oak, a simple sound that echoed throughout the hallways of our family home. We all turned towards the unexpected interruption, my father rising from his seat at the head of the dining table and moving with a sense of gravitas towards the door.

As he pulled open the heavy oak entrance, he was greeted by familiar faces illuminated by the flickering lantern in his hand. There stood Parella Greymane, our neighbor and a mother to five dappled children cascading in age and size behind her.

Parella was a tall, robust woman with a thick mane of black hair that tumbled down her back in a wild cascade of curls. She had the kind of presence that filled any room she walked into, her laughter deep and contagious, her eyes luminous with life.

Her children were a diverse range from the eldest, Zenesha, who towered over her siblings at 25, to little Ariston who was but five. Then there were the twins, Rae and Bellatrix, full of mirth with their hair tied up in neat ponytails. Lastly, there was Severa, the second eldest, with her solemn eyes and grace that belied her 23 years. They had grown up alongside us, meadows and streams our shared playground.

"Ah, it's the Greymanes," my father said, a welcoming smile spreading across his face as he stepped aside to let them in. "We were just sitting down for supper."

"We wouldn't dream of interrupting," Parella said, her voice as warm as fresh baked bread. "We merely came to welcome Wilhelmina back home."

At these words, all eyes swiveled to me, but it was Severa's gaze I sought out. Her blue eyes met mine across the room, framed by chestnut hair that fell in loose waves over her shoulders. A soft smile played on her lips, one that had the power to ease the heaviest of hearts.

"Mina," she greeted me warmly, her voice honey sweet and smooth as silk. I felt the edges of my own lips twitch upwards in response.

"Severa!" I exclaimed, rushing towards her with hands outstretched. She met me halfway, wrapping me in a tight embrace that I felt deep in my bones. We stood there, locked in our reunion, oblivious to the others around us.

As we pulled apart, there was a moment of shared understanding between us, a silent acknowledgement of everything we had been to each other. Severa was more than just a neighbour, she had been my confidante, my closest friend through the tumultuous storms of life.

The Greymanes stayed for supper after all, their boisterous energy and hearty laughter adding a vibrant charm to our family occasion. We feasted on roasted venison and summer vegetables, savored the sweet crunch of caramelized apple tarts, and washed it all down with cups of elderberry wine that left warmth blooming in our stomachs.