Tamed by the Lycan Prince

11- WIFE

CHAPTER TWO

-WILHELMINA-

As the cheers and howls resonated through the grand hall, I stood beside Boris, my gaze fixed on the crowd. His arm snaked around my waist possessively, his grip tightening with each cheer. Fear and dread pooled in my stomach, but I forced a serene mask onto my face. I was Luna now, an Alpha female of the pack, whether I liked it or not.

My gaze fell upon my father, his expression filled with worry and concern. Though the mirthful cheers echoed around him, he remained stoic, his eyes locked on mine, echoing my turmoil. Leon sat beside him, trying to maintain a façade of confidence while his eyes, too, mirrored anxiety.

I tried to offer a reassuring smile, but it fell flat.

Once the applause subsided, Boris leaned into me—a chilling reminder of my new status—and whispered in my ear. His warm breath fanned against my neck, making my stomach churn with unease. "You have made the right choice, Wilhelmina," his voice coated with a smooth confidence that did nothing to soothe my anxiety.

"Like I had a choice," I mumbled.

He chuckled, a low sound that echoed in my ear. "There's always a choice, Luna. You chose wisely."

Trisha's hand gently touched my arm, pulling my focus away from Boris. "Wilhelmina," she said. "You have chosen wisely. Out of all the females in the pack, you are the most suitable candidate to join the Gravemaw family as our new Luna."

I nodded, acknowledging her words even if I didn't fully believe them. "Thank you, Trisha." My words sounded hollow even to me.

Trisha spoke in a firm but gentle tone, "From now on, you can call me mother. Soon enough, my son will make you his wife and you will officially become part of our family as Luna."

The word hit me like a punch: wife. My breath hitched in my throat, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. I was going to be Boris's wife, the Alpha female to his Alpha male. A part of me wanted to scream 'no' and run away from it all, but I knew better.

"I understand, mother," I agreed, managing to keep my voice steady. But the look in my eyes must have given me away because Trisha squeezed my arm reassuringly.

"We'll start your Luna training right away. Though you may already have some familiarity from your high school lessons with me, this time we'll delve much deeper. And don't think you can skip any of the material this time." Trisha smiled mischievously.

In high school, Trisha had selected a group of suitable females within the pack to be considered as potential Lunas for Boris. She took it upon herself to educate us on the responsibilities and duties that came with being a Luna. Severa and I were in this list of potential candidates, but I had no desire to take on such a role, so I skipped most of the lessons. Ironic, I thought, how life has a way of steering you against your will.

Boris nodded in agreement and removed his hand from my waist. "That's a great idea, mother," he said. "I'll leave you two to your lessons."

Trisha gently took my hand and led me towards the door, urging me to follow her.

"Are we actually leaving?" I asked. "I thought we were supposed to stay for the meeting. Isn't a Luna expected to attend?"

Trisha's laughter rings out, sharp and bitter. "A Luna has no room in her schedule for these gatherings. They are a waste of our valuable time compared to the important duties we must attend to."

"But-,"

"No buts, we are already behind schedule."

With one last glance over my shoulder towards the gathering, I allowed Trisha to guide me away. My father watched in dismay, Leon's gaze was one of sorrow and concern, and Weldon had risen from his seat, watching us leave with a gaze that was both inquisitive and resigned. The smile on Elder Greymane's face was so wide it seemed to stretch from one ear to the other, much like the rest of the Elders in the room. Boris's gaze held an overwhelming sense of pride that seemed to emanate from his very being. Not only had he secured the role of Alpha, but he had also claimed the long-desired prize - me.

Trisha slammed the door shut behind us as she led me down the grand hallway, the voices from the meeting fading into a soft hum. My heart felt heavy as I realized my dream of becoming one of the leaders in our pack was slipping away from me. All I had ever wanted was to hold a position typically reserved for men, to lead our pack with pride and strength. But just as I achieved this status, it was snatched away, and I was forced into the traditional role designated for women.

"And while you process this change," Trisha continued as we descended a winding staircase, her voice echoing eerily in the austere, stone corridor, "you must also start to understand the great responsibility that comes with being the Alpha's wife."

I nodded mechanically. As much as I resisted this unwanted reality, I knew better than to express my dissent. It would serve no purpose and might even make things worse.

"You will be his confidante, his advisor," Trisha explained as we reached the end of the staircase. "You will have to comfort him when he is down and rejoice with him when he triumphs. You will bear his children, continue his lineage, and raise them to be leaders. You will stand by his side, his equal in all things save for title. The position of Luna is no less important than that of the Alpha. It is just as demanding and just as rewarding."

Her words felt like a heavy chain around my neck, the weight of my impending responsibilities nearly suffocating me. I tried to swallow down the lump in my throat, but it persisted, a constant reminder of the life I hadn't chosen.

"I... I understand," I finally found my voice.

We passed through a grand door which led into an elaborately decorated room. "This will be your study," Trisha announced, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Here you will learn everything necessary to fulfill your role as Luna. Every detail, every secret, every tradition our pack has ever known."

The room was vast, filled with rows of books so tall they seemed to touch the ceiling. Maps were scattered across a large table in the center, depicting different territories and pack boundaries. There was a small fireplace at one end of the room, providing soft, warm light that danced playfully on the mahogany desk next to it.

"Now, let's begin your first in-depth lesson."