Tamed by the Lycan Prince

13- OSSOBUCO

CHAPTER THREE

-WILHELMINA-

Nearly a week had passed since the disastrous meeting. I spent my days alone in my room, trying to heal my wounded ego. The image of Boris' cruel and mocking expression, replaying the humiliating defeat over and over again. Trisha, my future mother-in-law, had been busy telling everyone that I was Boris' Luna and that our wedding was to be arranged in the near future. Just the thought of spending the rest of my life with Boris made me feel sick.

I had never felt so trapped in my life. The suffocating pressure of what was being planned for me, the chains of obligation and expectation, began to weigh heavily on my shoulders. In the quiet solitude of my room, I found bitterness creeping into the hollow spaces left by defeat. My heart felt heavy.

Trapped in the maelstrom of my thoughts, I felt a sense of despair wash over me. My dreams of becoming the Alpha were slipping right through my fingers, and all my determination seemed futile. All those years of relentless training, pushing beyond my limits, was it all for nothing?

Suddenly, a soft knock echoed through the silence of the room. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing the weary face of my mother.

"Hi sweetie, Severa wants to check on you," she said quietly.

I turned towards her, pulling myself into a sitting position. "I'm fine, Mother." My voice was hollow and devoid of any emotion. Out of nowhere, Severa appeared in the room. Her worried gaze was filled with love and concern.

"You're not okay," she said, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

I noticed her holding a tray, laden with food. The enticing aroma filled the room, but the thought of eating made my stomach churn.

"Your mom mentioned that you haven't been eating, so my mom cooked up some of her famous ossobuco just for you. She knows how much you enjoy it," she explained softly as she set the tray down on the side table.

"But I'm not hungry, Severa," I replied, leaning back against the headboard. Her gaze softened, and she reached out to hold my hand.

"We're all worried about you, Wilhelmina," she whispered, her voice filled with compassion. "You need to take care of yourself."

Her words hung in the air like a poignant melody. The well-intentioned concern in the room was growing heavy. I managed a faint smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. The truth was gnawing at me - the fear of being trapped in a life I didn't want, married to a man I despised. The reality was harder to digest than any ossobuco, however delicious it might be.

"I'm trying Severa," I murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face. Knowing their diligent efforts were aimed at brightening my spirits, I felt a pang of guilt. "I just... don't have the appetite. But tell your mother that I appreciate her kindness."

"No, Wilhelmina," Severa said sternly. "You won't get through this by starving yourself. You need to eat, regain your strength. We are not giving up, and neither should you."

I felt my resolve wavering at her stern words. The look in her eyes spoke volumes of the determination burning within her. But it wasn't just about me – for the first time, I saw how my situation was affecting those around me. From my brothers' grim faces to Severa's unyielding resolve, and the worry etched on my mother's face. They were all fighting their own battles, standing strong for me.

A sudden surge of guilt washed over me. They were taking on my burden, a responsibility that was supposed to be mine, and here I was wallowing in self-pity. I swallowed hard, trying to push the lump down my throat. "Okay," I said, my voice barely audible. "I'll eat."

Severa broke into a relieved smile and handed me a fork. I accepted it reluctantly and poked at the meat - tender and glistening under the dim light in my room. My first bite was hesitant, but I had to admit, the flavors were comforting.One taste led to another, and before I knew it, I had finished the plate. A small victory, it seemed, a spark of strength in the thick fog of my despair. Severa beamed at me, her satisfaction radiating through the room.

I leaned back against the headboard again, my body weary but slightly more energized. The room was silent for a moment, a thin veil of understanding hanging in the air. I was not alone in this battle. I had allies even in these darkest of times.

"I'm not sure what to do, Severa," I admitted softly. It was the first time I had voiced my doubts aloud since this whole ordeal began. "I feel... lost."

She paused, her eyes thoughtful. "No one expects you to have all the answers, Wilhelmina," she replied, leaning against the foot of my bed. "And it's okay to be afraid, it's okay to feel overwhelmed. But remember that you're not alone in this. We're here for you."

Those words echoed in my ears. I was not alone. I wasn't sure if it was the ossobuco or her words that filled me with a newfound sense of strength and determination. Maybe it was both.

"Thank you, Severa," I said, my voice steady for the first time in days.

"Isn't that what best friends are for?" she suggested, her eyes shining with kindness. "Why don't we take a stroll or try something? I'm guessing you haven't ventured beyond the walls of your house in some time."

I nodded slowly, the thought of leaving my own brooding haven both daunting and refreshing. A small, fragile flame of hope began to flicker within me. "A stroll sounds nice," I finally conceded, making Severa's face light up.

She rushed me out of bed and hastily chose an outfit for me to wear. A simple day dress in the softest shade of lavender that had been languishing in my wardrobe for months. She helped me tie a pair of matching laces around my waist, fastening it into a loose bow.

"There," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "You look beautiful."

She ushered me towards the mirror. A face with the shape of a heart, framed by delicate white curls that seemed to resemble the color of pearls, looked back at me from the mirror. The person in the reflection felt like a stranger - someone who still had some glimmer of hope left in their vivid ruby eyes.

Severa took my arm, and we slowly made our way out of the room, down the grand oak staircase, and out of the house. I winced a bit at the light of the setting sun, unaccustomed to the outside world after so many dark days spent in my room. But with Severa by my side, I found myself more at ease.

N/A: For those who don't know what ossobuco is. It is a specialty of Lombard cuisine of cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth.