Their Forbidden Bonds

Chapter 6

Nuru's Pov

The first thing I did after arriving at the palace was to be summoned by my parents to the dining room, where they were both having breakfast.

“Welcome home, honey.” My mother’s sweet voice floated across the room as she lightly hugged me, careful not to ruin her makeup. I could still feel her makeup rubbing off on my cheek, but I didn’t say anything.

For the first time in a long time, I could smell the faint scent of roses on her skin.

“Father,” I addressed my father as I politely bowed before him.

My mother was right behind me, still fawning over my arrival.

“What were they feeding you girls over there? You’ve gained so much weight, honey. This will not look good on camera,” she whined, and I was tempted to roll my eyes.

I took my seat right next to her while my father watched us with interest. Our server, who had been patiently waiting for all the pleasantries to pass, began to fill my plate, only to be stopped by my mother.

“Serve her the fresh juice and salad. She needs to get back in shape,” she said.

I sighed. I knew my mother was only trying to help.

“I’ll try,” I replied.

With a worried glance, the server nodded and quickly removed the plate of food in front of me. I felt a pang of hunger, but I knew it was no use arguing with my mother.

I knew my mother’s obsession with my weight was rooted in her own insecurities, but it still stung. She was the last royal omega to have been presented, and people had not been kind to her. With me next in line, she was aiming for perfection, like she saw herself in me.

I tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on enjoying the fresh juice and salad, but the nagging feeling of not being good enough lingered. I glanced up at my mother and saw that she was still staring at me. Her eyes narrowed in disapproval.

“So, how was it?” she asked, suddenly beaming, and I felt like it was the first time she had been genuinely curious about me.

I forced a smile. “Amazing. I think I am ready,” I replied.

“I hope you are, because the last thing I want is you mating anyone but a Pandia Alpha,” my father said.

“Yes, dad,” I replied. I knew that my father’s expectations were high, but I was determined to prove myself worthy.

We finished breakfast in silence. As I stood up to leave, my mother stopped me. “I have one more thing to say,” she said. “I know you’re worried about Lily, but you need to focus on yourself right now. You have a big presentation coming up, and you can’t afford to let anything distract you.”

I nodded.

“I know,” I replied.

Excusing myself from the table, I headed to my room, needing some time to process everything that had happened. I closed the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I did not miss being home, recalling how peaceful the last six months had been.

I opened my eyes a few minutes later and reached for my phone, which had been plugged in right next to my bed, and powered it on. I had only one new message from Anna and some spam messages from subscriptions I had.

Anna: Got home safe. My parents are taking me on vacation :)

Me: So jealous!! Have fun xx

I replied, bitterness and jealousy rearing their ugly heads. Anna had the kind of family I wanted. Parents who loved her, and the freedom I had never experienced.

I scrolled through the internet, running into articles that spoke of my presentation. I clicked away from some headlines before I got hurt. Not everyone shared the excitement that some did.

For a twenty-two-year-old, my social life and social media presence were nonexistent, all waiting for my presentation. That was how I found myself on my secret Lupinegram account, stalking celebrities and most of all, Cedric.

He had seven new posts, which I enthusiastically clicked on the red paw below them to share my appreciation with twenty million others.

Like every curious person, I checked who had liked them, and right there were Anna, Phoebe, and literally all the omegas I had been with at the training center.

All of them drooling over my alpha.

My stalking was cut short when Emma, my scheduler, entered my room.

My surprise must have registered on my face as she apologized.

“I knocked twice.”

“Sorry,” I replied, standing up to straighten my rumpled clothes.

“It’s good to have you back, Princess,” she continued, and I smiled. I was not going to say that it was great to be back.

“For starters, my condolences for Lily,” she started. The first person to acknowledge it.

“Thank you,” I replied, wanting the pitiful look in her eyes to disappear.

“So, we are about to have very busy weeks ahead,” she continued as I walked towards my window and looked outside.

I felt uneasy when Lily was mentioned. I hadn’t allowed myself any time to miss her or grieve her, so the reminder knocked me off balance.

“ You have the palace doctor coming in to check on you tomorrow.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if my mother was so disturbed by my weight that she needed to call him in.

“Isn’t that a bit much?” I asked, still not looking at Emma.

“I think I am mistaken. But he is here to start getting you off your suppressants,” she added cautiously.

Good news at last! My wolf, Lyra, howled.

It had been days since the suppressants seemed to have stopped working on completely blocking her off.

“Alright. I had forgotten about that,” I replied. My father’s grand scheme was now unraveling piece by piece. I had expected to come off the drugs at some point.

“Then we have to choose a designer for your presentation gown. We have so many designers interested, but you get to choose who you like. Then an interview with Galore Magazine. You will be on their exclusive schedule next month,” she said excitedly.

“Perfect!” I grinned, hoping it wasn’t all just teeth, as I didn't share in her excitement either.

“To more exciting matters, the wolf council is attending your presentation,” she added. They were a big deal. The last time they visited our kingdom was during my father’s coronation. Their presence explained my parents’ nit-picking.

They had set me up to be this otherworldly omega. The thought of the disappointment that would befall everyone if I didn’t measure up was gut-wrenching.

“ Also, I am hoping you have been informed. The interviews for your new male Musaeus helper will be at the end of the week,” she added. Lily’s replacement, in short. Something that my parents had informed me of through a meager letter.

“Emma, did you send a card to Lily’s family?” I asked, wanting to take a break from all that she had told me.

“I didn’t. Do you want me to?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, I can do that. I’ll take care of it right away.”

“Thank you,” I said. I took a deep breath and turned to face Emma.

“So, what else do I have to do?” I asked, getting my composure back.

“Well,” Emma sighed, “you’ll have a lot of fittings and rehearsals coming up. And of course, you’ll need to start learning your presentation speech.”

“F*ck,” I cursed. Out of everything, the speech remained the most daunting.

“I’m not looking forward to that.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great,” Emma replied, taking it all in stride, excusing my cursing, which was out of character. That was something that happened between Lily and me.

“You’re going to charm them all.”

I smiled weakly. “Thanks, Emma.”

“Of course,” Emma said. “Now, I should probably let you get some rest. You have a very busy week ahead.”

“Okay. Thanks for everything, Emma.”

“You’re welcome, Princess,” Emma replied before she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Letting out the breath I had been holding, I slumped on my bed and screamed into the pillow, releasing all the pent-up frustration and anxiety that I had been feeling.

I was starting to feel overwhelmed.

I knew that I had to pull myself together, but it was hard. I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions.

I walked over to my vanity and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My usually confident gaze was replaced with uncertainty and doubt. The palace doctor coming in to take me off my suppressants added another layer of anxiety. What if I couldn’t control my wolf’s instincts? What if I embarrassed myself in front of the entire kingdom?

I took a few deep breaths and tried to calm down. I knew that I couldn’t afford to fall apart now. I had to be strong.