Chapter 2 Weight of Expectations

Chapter 2

The sound of footsteps echoed from behind, waking me out of my thoughts. I spun around, my heart beating a little faster. Who could be coming? Then I came face to face with Prince Jayden.

As I saw Prince Jayden, my thoughts couldn't help but drift to the evening of the day of celebration. I had sat in front of a mirror, elegantly dressed in a silk gown, my fingers idly playing with the diamond necklace around my neck. The soft, golden light emanated from the lamp on the bedside table, cast a warm, inviting glow over the room, making the dark-colored designs and plush mattresses seem almost ethereal. I gazed into the mirror, my eyes unfocused, as I was lost in thought.

Growing up, my parents were uncaring, leaving my feelings unheard and unseen. Important decisions regarding my education, friendships, and future were made without my opinion, as if my thoughts and feelings were invisible. Their expectations weighed heavily on me, suffocating my own desires and leaving me struggling to find my voice.

"Have always told you that you should stop caring about them. They did not care about us" Selena said with a dismissive scoff, her voice echoing in my mind. "And you know I'd always be here for you, no matter what. So stop thinking about them," Selena said gently, sensing my distress. "Thank you, Selena," I said softly, my voice laced with sincerity.

But it was quickly overshadowed as my mother, Elena, burst into the room, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Are you ready for the party, darling?" Her voice tingled with a hint of impatience as she asked, her gaze sweeping over my outfit with critical eyes. I nodded, adjusting my dress, the silk fabric rustling softly against my skin. "Yes, Mom" I said steadily, though my heart felt heavy, weighed down by the familiar pressure of my mother's expectations.

As I prepared to follow mother out, she added, "Davina, remember to smile and be charming" I forced a smile, my lips curling mockingly, but my eyes betrayed my true feelings. A spark of rebellion flashed through my mind, but I quickly suppressed it. I felt like a puppet on strings, bound by my mother's expectations.

As we walked into the cozy living room, where my father, Bryson, was waiting, sitting on the edge of the sofa with an air of anticipation that seemed to crackle with tension. The soft glow of the lamps highlighted the sharp lines of his face, and his eyes gleamed with a calculating intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

"You look stunning, Davina," he said, his expression a mix of impatience and excitement. "Tonight is the turning point of our plan to take down the royal family, who have ruled the Werewolf Kingdom with wisdom and justice, alongside the Elder Council. But I've always believed that it's time for a change, for a stronger, more ruthless leadership. You need to be selected as the prince's chosen mate, it will give us the leverage we need to seize power. The royal family's leniency and fairness have made them weak, and it's time someone with real vision took the throne."

His words were a command, not a question, and I felt a familiar knot in my stomach, like a thread being pulled tight. I knew my father's ambition knew no bounds, and he was just making excuses to overthrow the royal family. The thought of the bloodshed and chaos that might follow was unsettling.

I nodded, adjusting my dress "I understand, Father," I said reassuringly, my voice steady, though my heart felt like it was trapped in a cage. "I will be the chosen one" My father's eyes narrowed slightly, as if searching for any hint of doubt, and I forced a confident smile, masking the turmoil brewing inside me. "Let's go, or else we'll be late for the party," he said gruffly, his voice tinged with urgency.

We nodded in agreement, the silence between us thick with unspoken expectations. As we made our way out the door, the brisk evening air wrapped around us like a shroud, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves. The sound of our footsteps echoed through the stillness, and we slid into the car, the leather seats creaking softly as we set off for the venue.

When we arrived at the bustling venue, I observed as my parents, expertly concealing their emotions, walked closely together, their hands intertwined in a carefully crafted display of affection. But I knew the truth: they weren't a loving couple, merely two power-hungry individuals who had mated with each other to further their own ambitions. To the outside world, they presented a united front, a devoted and affectionate couple, but in reality, their relationship was built on mutual benefit, not love.

"To hell with them," Selena's thoughts echoed in my mind. "Anyone watching them acting lovely together would think they're deeply in love, but it's all a ruse" "Don't say that, no matter what they are still our parents" I scolded Selena gently. "How I wish they weren't" Selena replied, with a hint of bitterness lacing her words, the sentiment echoing through their mental bond like a mournful sigh. I chose to ignore her, knowing that nothing could change the fact they were my biological parents, and that their actions were driven by a hunger for power that neither of them could fully comprehend.

I walked gracefully behind them, my head held high, exuding an aura of confidence that commanded attention. Elegance was evident in every step, from the way the heels clicked on the floor. The soft rustle of my silk gown and subtle sparkle of the jewelry added to my regal presence, with an effortless charm that belied my inner turmoil, I stood out as a prime candidate for the royal prince's mate, perfectly embodying what it meant to belong to the noble lineage.

"I honestly don't know how you do it," Selena's voice whispered in my mind, her thoughts laced with a mix of admiration and concern. "You put on this impressive facade of a strong and outgoing person for everyone to see." My smile faltered for a moment before I regained my composure, the practiced smile firmly back in place. "Please, just stop," I said, my voice tinged with fatigue yet firm in conviction. "You know I feel trapped in this role, like I don't have any choice, so just let me navigate through it in my own way.

We soon arrived inside the bustling hall, the vibrant decorations seemed to pulse with energy, the sound of laughter and music mingling with the scent of champagne creating an intoxicating atmosphere. My parents exchanged warm greetings with familiar faces, their laughter ringing out amidst the lively chatter. Before drifting away into the crowd, they reminded me to mind my manners, leaving me to enjoy the vibrant party on my own.

I scanned the room filled with twinkling lights and colorful decorations, my eyes landed on my best friend, Amelia, standing on the other side of the hall. With her radiant smile and enthusiastic wave cutting through the sea of people, Amelia seemed like a beacon of warmth. Energized, she eagerly made her way over. "Hey, how are you? Amelia asked. "I am good," I replied. "Are you ready for today's chosen ceremony? But you know you still have a chance" she said. "Yes I know" my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside.

Amelia was perhaps the only person who truly understood the depths of my struggles.

"It's okay, everything will be fine," Amelia said reassuringly, her voice a gentle balm to my unsettled nerves. "Talk to Jayden about how you feel about being his mate. This is your last chance to open up?" I nodded thoughtfully. "I'll try to talk to him, but I'm not sure he'll agree." Amelia's expression turned hopeful, her eyes shining with encouragement. "Okay, I pray he'll listen. Just try to reason with him. You're both reasonable people, I'm sure you can work something out" I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. "Okay I'll try, I owe it to myself"

After having a conversation with Amelia, we roamed around the venue, eating and chatting with familiar people. Overwhelmed by the swirling emotions of the evening, I yearned for a breath of fresh air. I wandered aimlessly through the corridor of the royal estate, my heart heavy with unspoken worries. The sound of distant laughter faded as I stepped into the secluded balcony. The cool night air enveloped me, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves. The velvet sky above was dotted with shimmering stars, and the luminous crescent moon cast a gentle glow over the expensive garden below. I felt an immediate sense of peace wash over me, as if the weight of my worries had been lifted by the soothing presence of nature.

I closed my eyes, allowing the enchanting allure of the night to wash over me. The whisper of the breeze carried the distant chirping of crickets, and the soft hooting of owls in the distance. In that bewitching moment, all my worries dissolved into the night, leaving me wrapped in a cocoon of tranquility. The moon had always been my silent companion, a beacon of comfort with its otherworldly presence. Whenever I lost myself in its embrace, Selena respected my space, understanding that this was where I could feel peace and satisfaction.

Lost in the enchanting scene, I was interrupted by a deep, warm voice that resonated gently through the air, pulling me back to reality.

"Hi, Davina. I hope you're enjoying the view," the voice said, smooth and inviting. Startled, I spun around, my heart racing, only to find myself face-to-face with Alpha Prince Jayden. The moonlight cast an ethereal glow on his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. "Good evening, Prince Jayden" I said, instinctively bowing with respect. He stood there, dressed in a perfectly fitted black Armani suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and sculpted physique.

"There's no need for such formality" he said, his voice low and soothing. "Why are you not at the party? Don't you find it enjoyable?" he inquired, his tone engaging yet laced with curiosity. I hesitated unsure of how to respond. I didn't want to admit that I had been overwhelmed by the crowds and noise, and was seeking solace in the peacefulness of the night. "I just wanted a breath of fresh air," I said in a low voice. A flicker of doubt crept in as I pondered whether to share my inner turmoil with him.

"Tell him, Davina; he will understand," urged Selena, her encouraging words ringing in my mind. "I was on my way to the party, but I saw someone here and decided to investigate," Jayden said. "Oh! I would like to discuss something important with you,"