Tamed by the Lycan Prince

12- FAMILY

CHAPTER TWO

-WILHELMINA-

Hours later, the sun had set, and I finally made it back to my house. Trisha's lessons had been grueling. She spoke at length about diplomacy, patience, and leadership. About strength without arrogance, about compassion without weakness. Her words echoed in my mind as I opened the front door.

The living room was occupied by my father, mother, Weldon, Dermon, and Raina. They all had concerned expressions on their faces, filled with worry and anxiety.

"Wilhelmina," my mother's voice quivered as she rose from the chair, her eyes scouring me for possible signs of distress.

I forced a smile, one that would hopefully mask the turmoil swirling inside me. "I'm fine," My voice echoed throughout the quiet room, bouncing off the wooden walls and heavy curtains. For a moment they didn't respond, their eyes so deeply engrained with worry that my return seemed to make no difference.

Dermon hastily rose from his seat, "You aren't fine. The look in your eyes and the tone of your voice is dead giveaway."

Raina nodded in agreement, "We all know you hated the idea of being Luna, especially to Boris-."

She was cut off by a sharp intake of breath from me. Boris was the one who forced me into this position. He has been responsible for everything happening to me now. My eyes welled up. My strength had finally betrayed me, and in front of my family, I broke down into a torrent of tears.

"I didn't want this," I admitted in a sob, the room falling into heavy silence. My voice was barely audible, but they heard it. They always did.

My mother moved first, arms encircling me as I crumbled against her. Her hands ran soothingly over my back, murmuring sweet reassurances to me. But even her tender words couldn't suppress the tears that streamed down my face.

"I'm sorry," I whispered amidst the sobs, each word more choked than the last.

"Oh, Mina..." My father stood, his voice gruff with emotion as he crossed the room to us. He pulled us both into a tight hug, his strong arms a protective barrier around his wife and daughter.

His voice was heavy, warm like a blanket, echoing around the room as he murmured, "It's not your fault. None of this is."

The room was filled with the sound of my sobs and the crackling of the fire in the hearth as everyone fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Raina and Dermon joined us, their arms wrapping around the family huddle. Their presence was comforting, a silent declaration of their unwavering support.

Standing off to the side, Weldon's usual stoic demeanor was now replaced with one of anger. His fists clenched and unclenched, his jaw locked in a tight grimace. It was a rare sight to see Weldon displaying his emotions so openly. His red eyes held a storm within them, the usually calm and composed man gone, replaced by a person fuelled with rage and despair.

"I won't let this stand." He finally spoke, his voice sounding like dangerous thunder. He took a step forward, his broad figure casting a looming shadow throughout the room. "Boris cannot get away with this." His gaze was steely when he looked at me, full of determination and resilience.

"Weldon," Our father started. "You know, it's impossible to challenge the Alpha's Order. There is, unfortunately, nothing we can do."

Weldon's gaze didn't waver. "I cannot stand by and watch as my little sister is forced into a life she never wanted." His voice was ragged, torn at the edges by an anger none of us had ever heard before.

Dermon sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "We have always followed the laws of our pack, respected its hierarchy," he said in hushed tones. "But, Boris has crossed a line this time."

Father removed himself from our embrace, his eyes shifting from Weldon and Dermon. "And what do you two intend to do? Challenge Boris in combat?"

A heavy silence settled over the room, everyone waiting for a response. The only sound was the crackling of the fire and my uncontrollable sobs.

"Perhaps," Weldon replied grimly.

Weldon continued, his voice filled with conviction. "I have always respected the laws of our pack and the sanctity of Alpha's order, but this is not just. If it takes a challenge to protect you, Wilhelmina, then so be it."

"But Weldon, the risks," Raina began, her voice barely a whisper. Her hands were clasped together nervously, her normally bright eyes filled with fear.

"Wilhelmina is our sister!" Dermon said resolutely, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "We can't just watch her get carried away by that monster."

"No," Mother interjected, her voice calm but stern. "We will not sacrifice one child to save another." She looked at Weldon and Dermon with determination in her eyes.

Father sighed deeply, the lines on his face appearing more prominent than ever before. He turned his gaze towards Weldon's resolute expression, then to Dermon's stubborn defiance, and finally to me. In my tear-streaked face he found a powerful amalgam of desperation and hope. His eyes softened.

A silence descended upon the room as everyone contemplated her words. I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine at the thought of my brothers challenging Boris. The idea was ludicrous, dangerous even.

"Our mother is right," I said finally, pulling away from the comfort of her hold. "I won't allow any of you to put your lives at risk for me." The last thing I wanted was to be responsible for more harm to my family.

"But Wilhelmina-," Dermon began, but I cut him off.

"No, this is my burden to bear. I won't let it cost any of you your lives," I retorted, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. The room fell silent once again, the tension almost tangible.

"It's not just your burden, Wilhelmina," Weldon retorted, his voice filled with grim determination. "It's ours too. We are a family. We share our joys and our burdens."

"But not at the cost of your lives," I insisted desperately, my eyes welling up again. "I can't...I won't...let Boris harm any of you." I was shaking now, fear and desperation mingling in my voice.