ch. 7 Meeting the Parents

.**Aminda**

As our helicopter approached the ground, a sleek black Mercedes awaited us on the helipad, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight. My eyes drank in the surroundings, wide with excitement and wonder. Kian watched me with an amused smile, surely entertained by my childlike enthusiasm. The scene was energetic, darting through the trees; werewolves engaged in dynamic sparring matches. It was a vibrant community nestled within the embrace of the forest.

The houses surrounding us stood in neat rows, each two stories high, featuring charming porches and meticulously manicured lawns. However, the mansion truly captured my attention—a breathtaking structure reminiscent of a fairy tale. If my homebred was a dark, brooding Dracula’s castle, this one was the epitome of a Disney castle, with its turrets and enchanting allure. The garden was a masterpiece of color; roses bloomed in every hue, surrounding a grand fountain that danced and sparkled in the light. In her distinct style, Aunt Marilla restricted our gardener from planting only black roses imported from Turkey.

Turning to my left, I caught Kian gazing at me intently, a soft smile playing on his lips.

“Do you like it?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“I love it! My place is so much more gothic,” I laughed, feeling a warm flush in my cheeks.

“We’re going to meet my parents now,” Kian said, the gravity of his words leading me to a momentary pang of uncertainty. What was I thinking? He could never truly be mine.

“Alpha King Korin and Queen Luna Annabel?” I ventured, and Kian nodded, visibly pleased that I had familiarized myself with his lineage.

The car stopped at the castle's entrance, its grand façade glimmering in the sunlight. River excused himself, disappearing into the opulence of the estate. Kian clasped my hand in a gesture, reassuring me that I didn’t need it. Years spent with Aunt Marilla and Alister had fortified my spirit, making me feel indomitable.

With confidence, I walked beside him, our hands intertwined. The sharp click of my Louboutin heels echoed through the grand marble hallways of the castle. Inside, the decor surpassed even my wildest imagination. Elegantly framed paintings adorned the walls, each piece a treasure worth a fortune. Magnificent sculptures graced various corners, adding a touch of classical beauty to the atmosphere. Meanwhile, Aunt Marilla adorned our own entrance with two grim gargoyles, a stark contrast to this enchanting space.

We halted before a door I only recognized as the King’s office. Kian leaned in to kiss me, sending delightful shivers through my body. He knocked gently before entering, revealing the King seated at a grand desk, dressed in a suit that seemed just for him. He appeared youthful and fit, and his light brown hair was styled like Kian’s. Beside him stood a striking blonde woman, undoubtedly Annabel, whose classic Chanel suit and pearls exuded elegance and sophistication.

Kian pressed kissed, compelling me to lean closer to him. Before we arrived, he requested that I reveal my mark to his family, wishing they could see our undeniable bond. I complied, even though some of me felt I should remain hidden. It was only a matter of time before the truth caught up with me; I could never ascend to the role of Queen Luna. As he gazed at me with adoration, Kian turned to his parents.

“Alpha King, Queen Luna, this is my mate, Aminda Bettencourt.” Both of his parents recoiled slightly at my name. The Queen's expression twisted with dismay, reminiscent of the haughty witches from the Council.

“A witch, Kian,” Queen Luna said, her voice shaky and breathy. “Kian, you deserve someone like yourself—a ranked she-wolf with whom you can share—”

“What makes me unworthy to be Queen Luna?” I interjected, my voice steady despite the simmering turmoil within me. Although I had no intention of accepting the role, I couldn't help but feel offended. Kian’s hands found my shoulders, pulling me closer to him as if to shield me from his mother's disdain.

“Mom, I didn’t bring her here for you to insult her. I came to introduce her to you. If you can't accept her, you will also lose me.” Annabel gasped, visibly hurt, while King Korin’s displeasure darkened the atmosphere.

“That is enough, Kian!” he bellowed. “I’m relieved you brought her; you both will see why you can’t be together now.” He dropped an ancient tome onto the desk, clouds of dust clouds into the air. “Oh my,” the Queen sighed, her face paling. The King turned to a specific page, revealing centuries-old ink and illustrations.

“Here! Do you think you’re the first royal witch and royal werewolf to be bound? Many have tried over the centuries, but every attempt ended in tragedy due to a curse. The children of Goddess Hecate are not meant to intertwine with those of Goddess Selene.”

I leaned in closer, peering over the pages he flipped through, the contempt evident in his gestures.

“Tell us about that curse, King Korin,” I requested softly. He sighed, gesturing for us to take our seats. We complied, an air of anticipation thickening the atmosphere. He rubbed his face, exhaling deeply before continuing.

“Centuries ago, witches and werewolves lived in harmony, never crossing the line into romance; the werewolves always found their fated mates among the she-wolves.” He turned another page, his gaze flitting between me and Kian, realization dawning in his eyes.

“The curse began with these two.” He pointed to an illustration depicting a woman with silver-blond hair and violet eyes—strikingly similar to mine—and a man whose features echoed Kian. King Korin continued, “She was a princess among the witches, renowned for her beauty. Few men could resist her charms, and her fellow witches, consumed by envy, dared her to achieve the impossible…"

"They told her she could never ensnare a werewolf with her charms. Yet, growing vain, she accepted the challenge with a spark of defiance in her eyes.

Kian tightened his grip on my hand, grounding me as his father wove the tale further.

“She donned her most exquisite dress, its fabric shimmering like moonlight, and ventured into the heart of the forest beneath the luminous full moon. During these enchanting nights, young werewolves gathered, their eyes gleaming with hunger for their fated mates. One such young wolf was captivated by her, and soon, they found themselves lost in a passionate embrace by the riverbank, the water reflecting the moon's silver light.

However, a young she-wolf, who had arrived late to the gathering, caught a whiff of her fated mate’s scent. Drawn like a moth to a flame, she followed the intoxicating aroma and stumbled upon the sight of the beautiful witch with her mate. At that moment, her heart shattered, and she let out a desperate, anguished howl of rejection.

A wave of sympathy washed over me, my heart heavy for all three of them.

“The prince, blinded by confusion and passion, laid the blame squarely on the witch’s shoulders, accusing her of casting a spell over him. His mate, wounded and devastated, could not forgive him, yet she was compelled by the Wolf King to take him back. The witch bore the brunt of the consequences, punished by her mother—the formidable Queen Supreme—for daring to lie with a werewolf. In a cruel twist of fate, she was forced to marry an ancient warlock, and her dreams of love were dashed against the rocks of duty.”

“That’s so outrageously unfair! The prince essentially got a mere slap on the wrist!” I huffed in indignation, my cheeks flushed with frustration.

“Indeed, but therein lies the tragedy. The young she-wolf never found it in her heart to forgive him. Day after day, she withered away, consumed by despair and shame that her mate had surrendered to a witch instead of waiting faithfully for her. Meanwhile, the wolf prince and the witch princess secretly sought solace in each other’s arms. Yet, every day, the young she-wolf writhed in agony, unaware of the true cause of her torment. Betrayal among werewolves was an unheard-of curse.

One fateful day, she decided enough was enough. Following her instincts, she discovered the prince and the witch wrapped in a fervent embrace. She cursed them both in a moment of raw desperation—proclaiming that they would always find each other in every life, but their love would never bring them joy. Instead, they would sow discord and war among their people.”

Kian abruptly stood, the tension in the air palpable.

“Surely, you can’t believe this nonsense, Dad! Even if it were true, it happened centuries ago!”

The king’s gaze fixed on me, piercing and knowing. “Why don’t you ask your aunt why she never married? Her hair is now as dark as the night sky due to all the dark magic she has wielded, but once, it gleamed like spun silver—much like yours.”

“What became of the Wolf King from three centuries ago?” I inquired, my curiosity piqued. That was the era when my aunt ascended to the throne. The king flipped through the pages of his tome until he found the relevant passage.

“Three centuries past, Wolf King Killian never discovered his fated mate. Eventually, he passed the mantle to his nephew, King Korey—my grandfather. He often recounts murmurings that hinted he had found his mate, a witch. The tragedy, they said, was that he was rejected brutally, cast aside with scorn as she declared he would never be worthy of her love.” Annabel gasped, a shiver trailing down her spine. That story sounded all too familiar, echoing the fate of Aunt Marilla.

“Is there any hope of breaking this curse?” Kian asked, his voice laced with a glimmer of belief.

“If such a way exists, there are no records of it. You must come to terms with it,” the king replied solemnly.

My heart ached with a profound sense of loss. Deep down, I understood that Kian and I were not destined to be, but it still stung. Kian’s gaze lingered on me, filled with a tumult of emotions that were hard to decipher.

“It’s alright, Kian. This is how it must be. Our duties to our people come first. I can not abandon mine. Those who could take my place cannot be trusted with power.”

Kian turned to me, his hands gently cupping my face, his thumb tracing the mark on my neck with a tenderness that sent shivers through me.

“Are you truly not going to fight for us? Aminda, please. Don’t give up on us without trying.”

His face, handsome and fierce, reflected his frustration. To be with him, I had to rid myself of Alister first. Alister would not hesitate to harm him at the first opportunity. I needed to solidify my role as Queen Supreme to shield him from danger.

“Have you even been listening, Kian? Son, sometimes, things aren’t meant to be! I can not allow you to ascend to the throne if you plan to present this witch as your Luna!” King Korin’s voice echoed with finality, sealing my resolve. I’m sorry, Kian, maybe in another life. With my heart splintering into pieces, I stepped back and banished him from my presence.