Tamed by the Lycan Prince

35- TWINS

CHAPTER FIVE

-DERMON-

We, Wilhelmina and I, came into this world together, our bond unbreakable from the start. We shared everything - matching outfits as children, the same classes in school, and even a circle of friends. Mina has always been more than just my twin sister; she is my other half, my closest companion. But even with our similarities, there were noticeable differences between us.

I bore a striking resemblance to our father, while Mina took after our mother's graceful beauty. She effortlessly captivated everyone she spoke it, charming them with her easy grace and quick wit, while I struggled to keep up with socializing in general.

But there is one aspect of our relationship that remains a mystery to everyone - our twin bond. It goes beyond simple sibling connection; we share a unique link that allows us to feel each other's emotions no matter the distance between us. Whether it be pain or joy, we experience it together as if we were one person. As we grew older, this bond only strengthened, becoming an integral part of who we are.

And now, lying on Mina's bed with her sleeping form beside me, I am reminded of just how strong that bond truly is. My hand gently strokes her hair in a soothing rhythm, keeping us both grounded in the midst of chaos. Her breaths are shallow and weak from the trauma she endured days ago. An air of exhausted tranquility settles over us, a stark contrast to the turmoil still coursing through me.

I can still vividly recall that fateful day when Boris nearly forced himself upon Mina in an attempt to claim her as his mate. The intense fear and distress emanating from my twin sent me into an immediate state of panic. Without hesitation, my body sprang into action fueled by a surge of adrenaline before my mind could even catch up.

My mind registered her distress and transformed it into a blinding fury. And when I burst into Boris' office, the sight of his smug face only intensified the flames burning inside me, a rage unlike anything I had ever felt before.

A soft knock at the door broke through my drowsy state. I slid out of bed, taking delicate steps to avoid disturbing my twin. I cracked open the door just enough to see who had interrupted our rest. It was our mother, her eyes swollen from crying. A wave of concern washed over me as I took in her disheveled appearance.

"Mama, are you alright?" I opened the door fully.

She pressed a handkerchief to her eyes, looking at me with a hopefully expression. "Parella is coming over this afternoon. We think she can help us with getting Mina out of her marriage to Boris."

"How?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

"Parella comes from a long time of oracles and possesses the power of foresight. She has successful led countless individuals to their fated mates. Your father, Weldon, and I asked for her assistance this morning."

The news brought a ray of hope to my heart, a glimmer of light in the midst of darkness. But then my mind started to race with questions. "But Boris has already announced Mina as his fiancé and the Luna? How could finding her mate help?"

A flicker of determination sparked in our mother's eyes. "Her mate could be strong, darling. If he truly loves her then he would fight to be with her."

I felt a surge of hope, a powerful realisation blooming within me. The thought of a stranger battling for Mina's rights was daunting yet exciting. Perhaps this stranger could be the change we needed, perhaps he could be the one to save Mina from her impending doom.

"We can only hope that her mate is capable," I stated, glancing back to my twin. Her face, usually so full of strength and life, was unnaturally pale in the sunlight that spilled across the room. "But for now, Mina needs to rest. Let me know when Mrs. Parella arrives."

She nodded, her grasp tightening on the handkerchief. "Mina must be present for the foresight reading."

"I will make sure she is prepared," I said decidedly, closing the door gently behind me. I turned to look at Mina, her face serene in sleep. Gently, I brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

"Mina," I whispered tenderly, "I may not be able to protect you, but someone can and do so much better than I ever could." She stirred, but didn't wake. I sighed, a soft puff of breath that seemed to carry all my fears and hopes with it.

That afternoon, I carefully woke my twin from her restless slumber.

"Mina," I murmured, taking her hand. "You need to wake up."

She stirred slightly, her eyelids flickering open. Her gaze was groggy, and she blinked a few times before focusing on me. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice a tired croak.

"Mrs. Parella is coming," I said softly, my hand still gripping hers.

"I do not want to talk with anyone." Mina murmured, still half asleep.

"She's going to help us find your mate."

Her eyelashes fluttered in surprise, her eyes widening as the meaning of my words slowly sunk in. "My...my mate?" she stammered out, confusion mingling with the fear in her eyes.

"Yes," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Your mate—whoever he may be—could save you from your marriage to Boris."

Mina blinked, processing the information. "Save me... from Boris?" she repeated, her brow furrowed as she contemplated the foreign concept.

"Yes," I affirmed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She was silent, her gaze distant. "Mina," I began. "I, we, our family, can't protect you without more help. Your mate will fight for you, Mina. That's what mates do. He'll be strong enough to challenge Boris, and with our help...he could win."

Mina's eyes met mine, a spark of hope flickering within them. Those soft red orbs held a universe of emotions: fear, surprise, suspicion, but most importantly...hope. "You...you really think that is possible?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded firmly, gripping her hand tighter, "Mrs. Parella is gifted with foresight. She has the ability to locate one's destined mate, and with any luck, we can find him before the wedding."

Mina sat up slowly, her eyes wide and full of question. "But...what of Boris?" she asked, the edges of her voice trembling. "What if he finds out?"

"He won't," I promised. "Weldon and I will make sure of that."

She nodded slowly, absorbing my words. I released her hand and moved to the foot of her bed, picking up the neatly folded set of clothes I had prepared for her. "Get dressed," I encouraged, offering her a tentative smile. "And try to keep an open mind."

I left the room, shutting the door softly behind me. From the hallway, I heard her soft sigh, a nervous exhalation that mirrored my own unease. Yet, I knew we had to move forward. I crossed the hallway, entering my room, and changed into more suitable attire. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. What if Mina's mate refuses to help us? Challenging the Alpha of the Gravemaw Hounds could lead to a deadly battle. Would he be willing to risk his life for her? How deep would their bond as mates be? Is it strong enough for one to lay down their life for the other, I thought.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"Dermon." It was Mina.

"Come in," I called, buttoning up my shirt.

The door creaked open and Mina stepped across the threshold, looking far less small and fragile in the simple tunic and trousers I had prepared for her. Her white hair tied back in a loose braid. Her eyes, now filled with renewed determination, met mine.

"Ready?" I asked.

"I'm ready," she stated. Her voice was calm and confident, contrasting the fear that still lingered beneath her brave exterior.

"Good," I replied, nodding approvingly.