Tamed by the Lycan Prince

42- LEAVING

CHAPTER FIVE

-WELDON-

An hour had passed since Wilhelmina and I were welcomed into the Arnest's farmhouse. Maximus and Elina were eager to get to know us better. I sat beside Wilhelmina, with my mate Maria on my other side. We all sat around the large oak dining table, the wood scratched and worn from decades of use. An open fireplace crackled merrily, filling the room with a warm, comforting glow. As the conversation flowed around us, my gaze never strayed far from Maria. Our eyes often met and we couldn't help but smile at each other. We both knew our mate bond was strong.

Maximus and Elina shared many things about Maria's childhood. Stories of Maria's first steps, her first words, and her amusing attempts at trying to climb every tree in their property. They spoke fondly of her resilience and the quick wit she displayed from a young age. As they reminisced about Maria's younger years, I couldn't help but fall even more in love with her. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder about Maria's parents and why she was raised by her grandparents.

"What was your childhood like?" Elina asked Wilhelmina and I.

"Well-," Just as I was about to tell them about my childhood, my phone rang. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, finding my father calling me. What would father be calling me for, I thought. The idea that Boris or Trisha had found out the truth about our plan, but I dismissed that quickly. There was no way either of them could have known. Only a select few were aware of our plan to find Wilhelmina's mate.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said, rising from the table. Maria's eyes met mine with a slight frown creasing her forehead, but I gave her a reassuring smile. She nodded, settling back in her chair.

Out of earshot, I answered the call. "Father."

"Weldon," my father's voice rumbled, a hint of urgency and concern tinging in his tone. "We have a problem."

"Problem? What do you mean?" I asked, my heart pounding against my chest as a sudden wave of anxiety washed over me.

"Matus, Parella, and Severa were called on by Trisha," he said, his voice steady despite the alarming news.

"What?" I blurted out, disbelief coursing through me. What could Boris want with them? They haven't done anything wrong-, I thought but remembered something that Wilhelmina had asked me not long ago. She asked me to protect Severa from Boris, as she feared he would try to force her into marriage.

I felt my blood run cold at the thought. "And...what was the outcome of this meeting, Father?"

"I'm not sure. Matus had mentioned Boris's interest in marrying Severa and that she would not be attending the meeting with them," my father explained. The thought of Boris forcing himself on Severa like he had done to Wilhelmina put a knot in my stomach.

"Go to her, Father," I urged. "Don't let her out of your sight."

"Do you think Boris would try something?" he asked.

"Certainly," I replied. "I'm heading to the Gravemaw Mansion now."

"Be careful, Weldon," my father cautioned and with that, the call ended. I put my phone back in my pocket, digesting the news.

Returning to the table, everyone looked up at me. The look on my face must have given away that something was amiss, as Wilhelmina arched her brows in concern. "Is something the matter?" she asked.

I hesitated, trying to find the right words. Maria's gaze was sharpening, her delicate features hardened with worry. "Something has come up, and we need to leave," I replied, not wishing to burden everyone with worry.

"You are leaving?" Maria's voice was fraught with alarm.

"Yes, Maria. I'm sorry but it's urgent," I assured her, attempting to soften the blow with a consoling touch on her arm. A wave of affection washed over me as she gazed back at me with sadness etched on her face.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, my heart aching at the sight of her despair. "But I promise I'll be back soon."

"I know," she whispered, giving me a small nod. Her gaze met mine and for a moment, time seemed to stop. All I could see was her, all I could hear was the pounding of my heart in my chest.

"I'll be waiting," she said, her voice a soft whisper against the deafening silence of the room.

"Let's get going," I said, turning to the others at the table. There was a sense of urgency in the air as Wilhelmina rose from her seat. We said our goodbyes to everyone before hurried leaving. Once we were outside, she turned to me and asked urgently, "Weldon, what happened?"

I knew I couldn't keep them in the dark for long, she would have to know sooner or later. "It's Severa," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "Boris called for her."

Wilhelmina's face paled as she absorbed the news. "Boris?" she questioned, her voice but a mere breath escaping her lips. The name seemed to drop like a stone between us, the weight of its implications sinking into the silence that followed.

"Yes," I confirmed, my gaze steady on hers.

The shadows of the evening angelically framed her features; her eyes held a glint of danger, like a fire about to roar. "We need to save her," was all she said, her voice steady.

"Do you think you can handle seeing Boris?" I asked.

She hesitated then nodded, her determination returned in her gaze. "I have to, for Severa." The vulnerability in her voice seemed to disappear. A fierce resolve was setting into her features, a cold flame that threatened to consume everything in its path.

Without another word, we got into the car, the heavy silence hanging like a dark cloud in the small space. The ride was tense and silent, each of us locked in our own world of worry and calculation. The city lights streaked past like ghostly serenities, the glow reflecting off Wilhelmina's face, casting a spectral aura around her. Her gaze was fixed on the view outside, lost in a sea of thoughts.

The journey seemed to take a lifetime as we wove our way through the labyrinthine city streets, each turn taking us closer and closer to Gravemaw Mansion. Finally, the imposing silhouette of the mansion emerged.

We pulled up to the sprawling estate, and I watched as Wilhelmina's body stiffened. I reached out, placing my hand over hers in a gesture of comfort.

"Are you alright?" I asked, my gaze deeply connected with hers. For a moment, she looked back at me, her face a complex array of emotions. Her eyes shimmered with fear, with resolution, but most of all with the undying spirit of a woman who'd been through the fire and emerged, not burnt, but forged anew.

"I will catch up," she replied, her voice softer than before, trembling ever so slightly. I nodded and stepped out of the car. She watched me as I closed the door behind me, her eyes never straying from my form. I sensed her fear and anticipation, mirrored in my own heart. Swiftly, I entered the mansion. The mansion was as busy as ever, with servants scurrying about to complete their tasks.

"Where is Boris?" I asked.

The servants glanced at me, noticing the urgency in my expression before exchanging unsure glances with each other. It was clear no one knew where he was. I caught a whiff of the Alpha's scent and hurried up the stairs to the meeting room. Bursting through the heavy double doors, I stumbled upon a heated exchange. Boris was in a heated dispute with Thorin, while Matus and Elder Greymane were locked in their own disagreement. Parella and Trisha were also deep in argument. Severa stood against the wall, tears streaming down her face.