The Rejection

"Leo," Her mothers piercing, uncompromising voice cut through the quiet Palace hall." We need to have a conversation."

The command in her mothers voice made Leo stop dead in her tracks her heart sinking. This was the moment she had expected. The weight of the royal crown which was not yet hers was pressing down on her and she could feel it-the air was heavy with inevitable.

The conversations about what lay ahead had already started even though her fathers body was still cold in the mortuary. Leo had never desired the future.

She looked at Queen Aurelia, the woman who had always controlled the Packs power but she didnt answer. Once tender and full of love the queens face now appeared hard and nearly unrecognizable-framed by something other than grief of course.

Leo's mother didnt wait for her to speak. With her gaze fixed on her daughters face she took a step closer.

"Leo, the kingdom is in disarray. We are in a difficult situation because of your fathers passing. This is something you are aware of. You alone are capable of leading us now that your brother is too young to assume the throne. Charles must be your spouse."

When Charles was mentioned, Leo's chest constricted. She yelled," I will not marry him" in spite of the raging emotional storm inside of her. "I know what he wants you know. Power is at issue here not love."

For a brief moment, Queen Aurelias face wavered. She was a mother second and a queen first and Leo knew her well enough to know that she had already made up her mind.

Despite the underlying tension, her mothers voice remained steady as she said "You dont have a choice Leo. Stability is necessary for the kingdom. And only Charles is able to supply that. We will be able to survive thanks to his wealth and influence. The throne will be safeguarded."

As she experienced a surge of rage and powerlessness, Leo's breath caught in her throat. She had always thought she could continue her fathers legacy of just and gracious rule.

She was being choked by her mothers insistence on Charles though. Knowing his true intentions she was unable to accept him as her husband.

Leo spat out," I will not be used as a pawn her words piercing their relationship. You cannot make me wed someone I hate."

Prior to her mothers reply, the chambers doors flew open further upending Leo's world. Charless tall commanding presence filled the doorway as he stood there.

Even though Jude Charles constant advisor was hardly visible behind him, Leo could sense the icy calculating aura that both men exuded. Charles grinned as his pointed teeth gleamed in the dim light.

His voice was as smooth as silk as he said,"Good evening, Princess"... but beneath it was a dark avaricious undertone. We seem to be having a family conversation.

Leo's instincts were telling her to get out of there before things got worse and her heart was pounding. Her feet however were cemented to the ground.

"Leo," her mother said her tone a little softer now but with a hint of annoyance." Now is not the moment to act disobediently. A decision cannot be delayed any longer by the kingdom. For years Charles has been your fathers ally. We cant risk losing him right now."

She felt her spine tingle as Charles's intense gaze fixed itself on Leo. He advanced slowly while maintaining a commanding stance.

" Your Highness," he remarked his tone lightly mocking," Not only your mother thinks we ought to get married. It is the kingdoms best course of action. Together Leo we can rule. All of your desires can be fulfilled by me."

At her sides, Leos fingers balled into fists."What you have to offer is not something I want. For me wealth and power are irrelevant. Charles I'll never wed you. You dont want my heart you want the throne and the oil well."

Although a smile formed on Charless lips, it was cold and dark and lacked charm. He said in a threatening tone," You think this is about your heart Leo?. It has to do with surviving. Your kingdoms survival. Your dad has an oil well. Your future. You will either lose everything if you dont marry me."

In her throat Leos breath caught. Each of his words reverberated in her mind twisting in her chest like a dagger. Although she was aware of Charless greed it was a whole new level of clarity to hear it expressed.

He only cared about what he could get out of her she wasnt important to him. Leo shot back,"You dont know anything about survival" her voice steady even as she felt a wave of panic rise within her. "The kingdom will be destroyed if you marry despite your belief that it will be saved. You are only concerned with what you can steal from us. The throne must be taken from my lifeless icy hands if you wish to keep it Charles."

Leo and Charles were separated by Queen Aurelia whose face contorted into an unreadable expression. For a brief moment, Leo could see the fatigue behind her mothers eyes as her voice broke