The sentence circled around in my mind a couple of times while they started bickering over my head. Information circled went through and came back for a new round. All the while I stood there, like I was rebooting, and finally, it hit me; why this sounded wrong, what I didn't understand. Not bothering with addressing Seb's and my father's angry word feud, I cut them both right off,
"Brothers? What do you mean brothers?"
They both shut up and looked at me like they suddenly realized I was still there.
However, nobody said a word, just stared at it. My father with an open mouth and an expression I could not read. Seb at least had the audacity to look away, not sure why but right now it didn't really matter. I held my father's gaze and repeated,
"What do you mean her brothers? And family? "
In the corner of my eyes, I saw Lydia moving behind my father, barely registering the smile on her face. But for what? How could she have brothers and family here? I thought I had been the first female born here in a very long time.
"Isn't she human?"
Lydia made a snorting sound, and even if it was rude, it also seemed to snap my father out of it, and he gently nudged her side making her roll her eyes and take a step back.
"Of course, she is a human, you know females can't be or haven't been born here for several decades."
My father started; his voice was soft but the vibrating tension behind it didn't go unnoticed. So, I didn't let his gentle approach affect me and kept staring back. Waiting for an answer, an explanation. Anything really because no matter how my brain bent this information around, it didn't seem right. Could they go back and forth through the portal as they wanted? Was that once every fifth year just a lie? Or was she born here? I don't need to be the only one alive and female born here, I am fine with that, but then, why keep that a secret? Or, did they kidnap them all three? Taking her brothers with her? But that would not explain the family part, I don't think.
"Well?"
There was no need for me to clarify what I meant, they all knew what I was waiting for and for them, or him, to drag this out made me even more suspicious. I squinted my eyes and glared at Lydia when she pushed past my father with an irritated huff. Curled one of the loose strands of hair around her finger and looked down at me. Yes, really looked down on me like I was dog shit on her shoes and still demanded to know why she stomped on me.
"I know it is hard to believe for you, especially since obviously believed you were something special all on your own."
She paused a little, and bit down her wicked smile before she continued,
"Sorry, what I meant to say was, my story is as unique as yours! And for a long time, I was seen as the closest they could come to giving birth to a female on this planet. My mother was brought here to attend the mate hunt, like most females here. The only difference was that she was six months pregnant. This way, I was born here, even carried in her stomach as she lived here as my father's mate. He accepted me as his daughter, as he, of course, should, later they had twin boys. My brothers. So, I know all about the rush of power and entitlement you have been feeling. But let me tell you this, no matter how much people value you for something you did nothing to earn, it is not worth anything. You should start making a name for yourself and try to find out if you have some useful skills. Being "special" doesn't guarantee you a good mate."
"Like, real love I mean of course!"
She plastered on a beaming smile and reached out to curl her arm around his. Clinging to him little a malicious cat cuddled up to her prey, leaning her head on his shoulder. I had no problem seeing it now, how she had wrapped him around her fingers. If it's a bad thing or a good thing, I must admit I don't know. Do I feel like she is using him? Yes, but does it matter if it is just his status she is after but still treats him well and he is happy?
"Then how did you end up here?"
Seb's voice boomed through my mind. Her story makes sense, as strange as it sounds, it sounds possible. Before Seb started speaking, I hadn't even come to the point where I felt I needed to defend myself from her not-so-subtle stab directed at me and my skills. Like I was a little furry gold digger relying on all men drooling over me to get what I wanted. I snapped my mouth shut and sent her a quick stare before my eyes again found Seb and to be honest, he had a point. How did she end up here, did she get raised in a wolf pack?
"She mated with one of my best friends. Love at first sight!"
My father's voice made my heart ache. Even if he talked with so much pride, there was hurt and shame there. He suddenly remembered that she used to love someone he cared for. This alone made me doubt my vision of Lydia. I've already learned that stories have so many views, and so many different angles, how am I to say she did what I think she did? It was clear they had worked through so much pain together, been through hell and back, side by side, was it really up to me to judge at all? I threw away my doubt the moment I saw her grin, nope. Can't help it, this woman gives me the creeps.
Her sickly-sweet voice continued where my father left,
"Yes, he came to my village to discuss a business deal. Swooped me off my feet the moment he walked through the old wooden doors in my family's meeting hall. I didn't even know who he was at the beginning, you know. But, long story short, I followed him back here two days after he arrived. Mated and happy."
I watched as my father's massive hand gently patted hers and gave her a sad smile.
"Yes, I remember that day. How proud he was coming home with you by his side. Faith is strange, I was supposed to go on that trip myself, but something came up. To think, you might never have met him, and I would have never seen you like I see you today if it wasn't for such a trivial matter."
"Yes... Faith... But Eir, come with me! I will show you your room, your father will show Seb the royal suite. They kept it the same as when he first visited with his father."
Lydia suddenly changed demeanor, jumping towards me like an excited teen and grabbing my hand.
"We also need to make you a ceremonial dress, and a family attire for the greeting!"
She squealed as she dragged me away. I sent Seb a pleading stare, practically begging for his help, but he was too busy staring daggers back at my father. Great. I accepted my new destiny and realized if I survived this and both Seb and Dad came out alive after spending time alone together, I should thank some gods or something.
"I am not wearing that!"
I tossed it back, and Lydia grabbed it before it hit the floor. Turning her back to me, neatly folded it and put it on one of the shelves.
"Stop sulking and whining like a child! Of course, you are! This is a family tradition, and you will wear it. You would look way more stupid breaking that tradition!"
She scolded me like a child, without even looking in my direction.
"I know you are unhappy with staying here, it is not that hard to see. But try to understand what the rest of us see and think just a little about your father's reputation! You are both unmated, and he obviously has no intentions of choosing you. So, stop laying at his feet offering him every inch of yourself! Try to have some self-control and claw back some pieces of your integrity! "
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!?"
My cheeks flared and heated up, if it was embarrassment or anger, I don't know. But I do know I wanted to rip her hair off her head. But it hit me harder than I thought it would.
"Oh sweet child, you do see it, don't you? You are not that naïve? The king is following you out of duty. Helping you and guiding you only because he is the one left in charge of your safety. He can't just leave you anywhere, he would lose his integrity and respect. He has to make sure you are left in a place where you are safe. I see the way you look at him, the way you long for him. But hear my words, you best forget about him before you get more involved. He is a player, a royal player bound by duty and expectations."
"You don't know what you are talking about..."
"Of course, you don't. He doesn't look at you the same way you know. Your eyes are filled with passion and admiration, his are filled with pity and sadness. While you see a potential mate, he sees a poor little kitten in need."
I gave her a stiff smile, and she gave me a stiff smile back before she walked out. It shouldn't hurt, but it did, and it also made me feel bad. I didn't want to believe a word she said however I could not deny it made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn't want to be a pitiful kitten in his eyes, but she was right. He was helping me, guiding me while I fumble around here blind and trying to find my way. But I didn't see him like she said, I never did. Yes, he is nice and helpful. Yes, he is nice to look at, but there is something deep inside of me whispering this is wrong. Whispering this isn't real, but that can be that lingering mate bond.. Right?
My feet felt cold against the wooden floor, and I could feel the grimace as I stared at the little piece of clothing. I eventually fell asleep and only woke up because a young boy knocked on my door with some breakfast.
He reminded me I needed to eat and get ready, and that someone would come by later to braid my hair the right way. The reality began to seep in, there was much tradition tied to this meeting and I would have to wear that tiny piece of leather Lydia gave me last night. Not only that, I needed to have my hair braided in a special way, my face painted in a special color, and so on.
"Are you pure?"
"Excuse me?"
I stared at the old lady braiding my hair,
"Are you pure? It is important I have my information right when I paint you. The family color will be used, but the signs depend on you."
"Why?"
She shook her head like this was something I should know,
"Because it will hurt our pack and your father if they discover that we lied."