Chapter 2: A Meeting
1197 Words
-Lara-
I turned off my motorcycle, removed my helmet, and hung it on one of the handles, but I stayed seated, staring at the massive castle in front of me. I hadn’t been here since I was looking for my sister… who I hadn’t seen since she returned. Had I really let nine months slip by? It was already May.
The weather was warming up, but inside, I felt cold. No, not cold—just closed off. I swung my leg over the bike and stood beside it, debating whether I should go through with this. But I had to. This was my best chance to speak to the king.
Steeling myself, I walked toward the grand staircase leading to the castle entrance. I stopped at the massive doors and knocked. After a moment, one of them opened.
“Lara!” my sister exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.
She must have seen me arriving. The thought made me smile a little. It was nice to know she’d been waiting for me.
“Okay, you’re starting to suffocate me,” I said, patting her back lightly.
She pulled back slightly, resting her hands on my shoulders.
“Well, what did you expect?” she teased. “I haven’t seen my sister in nine months. I’ll be hugging you all night!”
“I can’t wait,” I laughed as I stepped inside.
She closed the door behind me and stood beside me. “Come on, let’s go to the living room and talk.”
I followed her, and soon we reached a large, elegant room. We sat down, just the two of us. Selene settled on one of the couches in a relaxed manner, gesturing for me to sit beside her.
“Sit!”
I walked over and sat down, though I felt… uncomfortable. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I felt about seeing her again. She had certainly changed. Her voice and posture were more confident.
She wasn’t using that polished tone or sitting perfectly straight with her hands folded in her lap. Instead, she leaned back against the couch and rested her chin on her hand.
“So tell me everything,” she said with a smile.
“Everything?” I echoed, feeling a little unsure.
She nodded enthusiastically.
“Well, the pack is doing good,” I replied.
“Yeah, I’ve heard. But how are you doing?” she pressed.
“Good.”
“Good?” she echoed, clearly not satisfied with my simple answer.
I nodded, a bit confused by the hint of disappointment in her voice. “Yes.”
“Is that all I get? I haven’t heard from you in months, and when I ask how you’ve been, all you say is ‘good?’” she asked, her tone incredulous.
I nodded again.
“Lara…”
“What?”
“Come on!” she said, giving my knee a gentle push. “Tell me! How’s it been living in the house by yourself?”
I looked away for a moment. Selene didn’t know that I rarely spent my nights at the house. When I wasn’t working, there was nothing to distract me from the bad memories… and the loneliness.
“It’s fine,” I replied.
“‘It’s fine?’” she repeated, clearly unimpressed.
I nodded, meeting her gaze again. She rolled her eyes, leaning her head back for a moment before looking at me once more.
“Well, have you met someone?”
“Met someone?” I asked, confused.
“Yes, like a man.”
“Are you asking if I’ve been dating?”
“Yes! Why not?” she asked with a grin. “I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time being the perfect little female, mating with only one alpha. I should’ve lived my life more. I’m definitely going to let my daughter date when she’s older.”
Was this really the same sister I grew up with? I stared at her, my mouth half open in shock. She laughed, amused by my reaction.
“You should see yourself!” she giggled. “You didn’t expect me to say that, did you?”
I shook my head, still processing.
“I’ve changed,” she said after calming down a bit.
I smiled and nodded slightly. “You certainly have.”
She returned my smile, but just then, the door to the living room opened, and in walked…
“Rider?” Selene inquired.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt, beautiful. Just checking if your sister had arrived,” he said, walking over to kiss Selene before turning to me. “Hey, I’m Rider.”
He extended his hand, and I shook it, nodding in acknowledgment. It was strange that I hadn’t met him sooner. Everyone knew who Rider was, of course, but we hadn’t officially met.
“I know,” I replied.
Rider looked a bit puzzled that I hadn’t introduced myself properly, but I figured he already knew who I was—I was his mate’s sister, after all.
“That’s my sister Lara,” Selene said with a small smile, shaking her head a little.
She was used to me being rather cold. I had always been that way. Or, well… not always. Under my father’s rule, I had been quiet and weak, never daring to step out of line.
“So, I hear you just had a birthday,” Rider said.
I nodded.
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.” I wasn’t much for small talk, especially when it was pointless.
“I can’t wait for you to see what I’ve ordered for dinner—and I have a present for you, too!” my sister said excitedly.
“Wait… a present?”
“It’s your birthday!”
“No, was my birthday. And you know I don’t celebrate it,” I said.
“That’s because Father would always forget it. But he’s not here anymore! Now we can actually celebrate.”
I sighed, shaking my head as I stood up from the couch. “Selene, I didn’t come here to celebrate.”
Both she and Rider looked at me, appearing confused.
“I came here to talk to the king,” I explained.
“What? Why?” she asked, her concern growing. “Is something wrong? Is it Father? Has he done something?”
I shook my head. “No, he hasn’t done anything. I just want a meeting with the king.”
“But it’s your birthday,” she repeated.
“No, was my birthday,” I repeated.” Today is Friday, and I need to speak to the king.”
“Then why not just request a meeting?” Rider asked.
“Because it could take weeks, even months, before I get an audience. I need to see him now.”
“You’re Selene’s sister. I’m sure he would’ve prioritized you,” he said.
“I don’t want special treatment. I handle my own issues, and right now, that means having a meeting with the king.”
“And why exactly do you want to speak to my mate?”
I froze. Oh, hell. That was the queen!
- Writer
