**3rd Person POV**
“Charlotte is going to Dome? Oh my! It's been over a year since we have seen each other. Aunt Alison you must allow me to go to Dome,” Harlin could barely contain his excitement at the prospect of seeing Charlotte. Alison shook her head. Children were always excited. If only they knew about their history. Alison still had a nagging feeling that Emily had something to do with her sister's disappearance but she had kept her feelings to herself just to keep the peace.
She was happy to see that the twins had remained friends with Harlin even till now and that Emily had done her part as Harlin's godmother. She feared that Harlin favoured Emily more than he liked her. But there was a part of her that suspected that Charlotte going to Dome might be because she was going to see how their prisoner was faring abroad. She just could not shake off the feeling that Irvette was being held prisoner there and Emily was aware of it. It was why she was going to send someone to Dome so they could gather intel there. If Irvette was still alive, then she wanted to do everything in her power to bring her sister back home.
“So you will go to Dome because of Charlotte?” quipped Alison.
“Of course not. I will go to Dome to build a diplomatic relationship…”
“Save it, Harlin. You will not be going to Dome. I intend to send Nathan. He is the best fit for such an adventure,” replied Alison.
Nathan had been the one to reveal the truth about his friend. When Alison had visited the town to look at the place herself, he had approached her himself. He had been twelve at the time but he had made such a passionate case about doing his best to find the man who had eaten his friend. Alison had been moved so she had taken him with her to the palace and he had proven himself useful. At the moment, he belonged to the committee that was helping to locate Irvette.
“I can follow…”
“You cannot. You will be announced Alpha in a few days. I need you here, Harlin.”
Harlin knew there was no talking Aunt Alison out of this. Once she had made up her mind about something it was near impossible to change it. He only hoped something would happen that would change her mind.
“Although, I think you'll be pleased to hear that Charlotte will be visiting her father. You can travel up if you choose to,” said Alison.
“That'll be great but knowing Charlotte, she would come to visit me,” said Harlin who had already begun making plans. He hoped that Reginald would come to visit. He loved it when the two were around. He was like the younger brother they never had and so they spoiled him silly at every chance they got. It did not matter that they had a niece of their own which they had not liked as much as Harlin and they had always been obvious about it.
****
Harlin waltzed into the mansion with a sour face. He hated everything about this place. The Lowells had built this place with only one thing in mind: to outdo the palace. The entire place dropped with such luxury that it made the place ring with soullessness. He had told Aunty Alison several times that Lowell and his family members used their extravagant mansion to tell the world that they were the true powerhouse in the pack. It was unfortunate that Aunt Alison was blind to it and she inadvertently allowed them to run the affairs of the pack. He promised to ensure that he changed that when he became the Alpha.
However, he would have to smile and shake hands that he would rather burn.
“If I may, Prince Harlin, Her Highness would appreciate it if you would have a more receptive candour,” said Nathan. Harlin rolled his eyes. He knew Aunt Alison had sent Nathan with him so he could be on his best behaviour.
“Do you do anything besides being her mouthpiece? Like, do you have any independent thoughts?” quipped Harlin. He did not bother to hide the sarcasm in his tone.
Nathan allowed a little smile to spread on his lips. He was used to the Prince's cutting remarks. If only the Prince would face his aunt directly and not him. He envied the prince for his privilege but he also knew that he would make a fine ruler. He loved the Prince's progressive thinking.
“Prince Harlin, Noble Minister Lowell is approaching,” Nathan whispered into his ear.
Harlin forced a smile on his face and said, “Beautiful ceremony.”
“It is already and it is yet to begin. Allow me to walk you to your seat,” responded Lowell. Harlin followed Lowell and stared blankly at the centre of the front aisle. Only the Lowells would opt to have a wedding in their mansion. To Harlin, it was as though they were saying that the temples were not enough in prestige for them but Harlin did his best not to allow his disgust show on his face.
The wedding ceremony was boring. Harlin had always found it so… he hated how everything was so predictable and had to be done a certain way. He was convinced he would have slept through the entire thing had it not been for Nathan's constant prodding that jolted him awake every other second.
“Would it be rude if I left now?” asked Harlin when the rites were over. The formal ceremony had now broken up into a party that to Harlin was a show of wealth.
“It would be,” returned Nathan.
“Great! Because that's exactly what I would be doing,” came Harlin’s response.
Before Nathan could stop Harlin, he had slunk away into the shadows. He did not want to be burdened by handshakes and fake smiles. He just wanted to retire to his bed. He was struck by beauty, however.