"Dinner is ready," my mum's voice said softly through the mind link.
"Okay mum, be down in a minute," I said and I felt her close the mind link. I stretched out lazily and stood up from my bed, I quickly put my hair in a bun and left the room, nodding in approval at my reflection in the mirror that is clothed in Mickey mouse pajamas.
"Good evening mum and Dad" I greeted my parents who were already seated at the dining table; Dad sat at the head chair of the table while mum sat on his right, both of them wearing a pleasant look on their faces
Dad turned towards me and nodded his head in response "Good evening princess" I raised an eyebrow at the tightness of his voice but shook it off and took a seat on his left, a tight-lipped smile graced his face while mum just nodded her head at me.
"Umm" I started when I couldn't stand the thick tension in the room anymore "Is everything okay?"
"Of course princess, the day has just been stressful" my Dad replied way too fast, increasing my suspicions but I chose to nod my head, even tho I felt like he was lying.
"Food is ready" Julia; the head servant, announced as she appeared from the kitchen, the omegas, lined up behind her each carrying a tray of food in their hand. Without wasting time, they placed the dishes on the table and Julia dished out the food for us, while the omegas stood by the side with their heads bowed; a sign of respect to the royal family. After Julia was done serving us, my dad nodded dismissively at them and they all disappeared back into the kitchen as quickly as they appeared.
"Let's dig in," he said, taking a bite of his food. Mum followed suit and soon enough three of us were eating.
"How did it go with Derick today?" Mum asked out of nowhere and a small smile appeared on my face.
"It went great mum" I replied honestly, the memory of the date earlier today flashing through my mind. He is perfect; with him, I'll be able to lead the pack to greater heights and that's all I care about.
"So do you like him?" She asked again and I choked on my food; coughing hysterically as I reached for the water.
"Sorry about that, but yes I do like him." I said and realized what my answer must have implied "No, not a crush but he'll make the perfect match for ruling this pack. Love was and is never my priority." I explained and my mum nodded with a small smile. I returned the smile and went back to eating my food
I noticed my parents' gaze on me but ignored it, but after a while of suffering their non-wavering gaze, I looked up and asked "what's wrong? You both keep looking at me" my Dad's hold on his knife immediately tightened while mum released a deep sigh.
"He wants to cancel the marriage, " My mother said quietly, looking at me with sad eyes.
I paused for a while then dropped my spoon on the plate and looked up at her with a blank look on my face.
Marriage has been an important tradition among the werewolves most especially the Alpha families, and because of its importance, Alphas tend to get their daughters married to Alphas and sons of Alphas, to form strong alliances, and to try to give birth to Truebloods, which hasn't been possible for years. This union is hardly canceled and when it's canceled, it's very humiliating for the whole royal family, especially the Annha; daughter of the Alpha.
"Why?" I asked in a calm voice, she passed a glance at my father who still has a death grip on his knife while cutting his steak into many pieces, his face devoid of any emotion.
"He said he is in love with someone else" my mum explained and I nodded my head, trying to appear calm but on the inside, I was raging. She looked at me for a while before she continued " he tried to clean up his mess by presenting his Beta as his replacement" my eyes widened and I clenched my fists tightly by my side when my mum said that; he is proposing I get married to Beta Drystan? The Beta Drystan? A small smile tugged on my lips as a thought popped into my head, but the clanking of my father's chair dragged me out of my thoughts.
He stood up and left the dining room without saying a word, the moment my mum broke the news to me, I stared at his retreating figure till he was out of sight.
"You don't have to worry Selene, there are other Alphas out there requesting for your hand," she said in an attempt to console me and herself; I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me getting married to a Beta, no matter how popular and feared he is, but little did she know that it would all be for our good.
I smiled at her and stood up from my chair
"Proceed with the arrangements, I'll marry his Beta"