Caged Between The Lycan Twins!

Tallula and her Dad sat at the dining table. He sat at the head while she sat adjacent to him. His eyes beamed with excitement as he raised his eyes to meet hers.

"Dad, I... " she started, wanting to voice out something she'd kept hidden for a while now.

"Tallula, dear," her Dad interrupted her, leaning forward with a one-sided smile. "I've got some good and important news for you. I've made a decision that I'm sure you'll love, you see."

She froze, her words melting on her lips.

"A decision?" she asked, curious.

"Yes, my dear," he continued, his voice sounding enthusiastic. "I've chosen a husband for you. You'll be getting married soon."

Her heart temporarily forgot how to beat upon hearing the news. "Married?" The word came out as a whisper, but audible.

"Yes, isn't it nice?" He smiled at her as he forked his pea on his plate, oblivious to the shock she was experiencing that second.

She sat there, paralyzed, her mind racing on different tracks. How could he do this without even consulting her?

"Dad, you can't be serious," she said, brows furrowed.

"Of course I am! You're going to love him, my dear. He's a charming and intelligent man, oh, and yes, he's a Lycan!" he replied without even looking at her.

Tallula felt the room closing in on her. Her thoughts immediately shifted toward Jake Axton, her boyfriend, and their plans to be together. Tears had already gathered in her eyes. "Dad, I don't even know this man. How can I marry someone I don't know or love?"

"Nonsense," he said dismissively. "Love will come in time. I've made sure you'll have everything you ever wanted with him. Right now, it's important that you secure our future. Trust me, this is for the best, Talulla,"

His words went through her like a hot knife through butter. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could he think he had the right to make such a decision for her behind her back?

She felt a sense of anger rising in her chest, but all it did was set free the tears in her eyes she had been struggling to hold, and they came flowing hot and uncontrollably like a broken dam.

"No, Dad," she said, standing up so quickly that her chair scraped loudly against the polished floor. "You can't decide this for me. I won't do it!" The tears kept flowing like a waterfall.

Her Dad then looked at her, stunned by her defiance. "Tallula, sit down. You're overreacting," he said with a frown, picking up the little towel by his side and wiping his hands.

"No, I'm not!" she shouted, her voice breaking with sobs. "I have someone I love, and I was going to tell you about him tonight. I'm not marrying a stranger just because you think it's a good idea, Dad!" she protested.

Tallula didn't wait for his response. With tears blurring her vision, she turned and stormed out of the dining room, the sound of him calling after her echoing in her ears. She ran up the stairs and straight to her room, her heart beating hard. She burst into the room and slammed the door behind her.

Inside, she immediately collapsed on her bed, her sobs vibrating her whole body.

'How could everything go so wrong in just an instant?' She questioned herself.

Just this morning, she had been excited about her birthday and about sharing her new relationship with her dad, but now, it felt like her world was falling apart.

She lay there for what felt like hours, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. The thought of being forced into a marriage with someone she didn't know or love just felt unbearable. And the idea of losing Jake too, of never having the chance to be with him, was even worse.

<>

The morning of her birthday had started out cosily well. The sun was just beginning to rise, and its light had shone through her bedroom window and woken her up. She'd stretched on her bed, feeling the anticipation building inside her. It was her birthday, and for the first time in a long while, she felt truly happy.

She couldn't wait to share the day with everyone she loved. But as she thought about it, her excitement was heightened with a little anxiety. She had to tell her father about Jake today. Jake Axton, her secret boyfriend for the past month now. They had met at a musical event, and immediately upon starting to talk, she knew he was special.

Tallula had rolled out of bed that morning and glanced at her phone. A text from Jake lit up the screen, "Happy Birthday, beautiful! Can't wait to see you tonight! Loves!"

She had smiled, feeling confident. He always knew how to make her smile. She then took a deep breath, deciding to face the day ahead.

Today was going to be great, no matter what... So she had thought.

<< End of Flashback>>

Eventually, Tallula sat up, wiping her tear-soaked face and brushing off the memory of that sweet morning. She knew she couldn't let this happen.

She didn't want to know who the Lycan was. Whether he was royalty or not, she didn't care. All she knew was that she had to leave, and she had to leave tonight. Her heart and mind were set on Jake, and nothing was going to change that.

As soon as she composed herself, she called for Juliet, her most trusted maid.

"Juliet," she whispered urgently when the latter entered the room, closing the door behind her. "I need your help. It's a matter of urgency."

Juliet nodded. "Of course, miss. What do you need?" the maid asked, concerned.

Tallula handed her a written letter, her hands trembling. "T-take this to Jake. Make sure he gets it immediately. Tell him it's urgent, and that we have to meet at our spot tonight."

Juliet didn't hesitate. "I'll deliver it right away, miss." She then took the letter and hurried out of the room, leaving Tallula to continue pacing around nervously.

She tried to calm her thoughts, to focus on the plan. Jake would understand. He loved her, and they had talked about running away before, though never this suddenly.

He would come for her, she knew it, and they would leave this place behind, free to start their own lives together. As she continued to pace, she heard voices coming from the hallway. Her stepsister, Gwenne, was talking to her maid there. Quietly, she moved closer to the door, her curiosity active.

"You wouldn't believe how sweet it's been with Jake," Gwenne was saying. "Jake Axton is completely taken with me."

Tallula's heart stopped. Jake? Her Jake Axton? Taken with Gwenne?

"I can't wait to carry his child and make him mine forever," Gwenne continued, laughing softly. "My innocent sister has no idea. She thinks she's so special to him, but Jake and I have been seeing each other secretly for months now."

Tallula felt like the floor had been pulled out from under her. Her hands shook as she clutched the door frame for support.

How could this be true? Jake loved her. They had plans and dreams.

But Gwenne's words kept replaying in her mind.