3; Princess in training.

Camilla Castello.

“Take care, Kiddo.” Alex was the only one in my family who bid me farewell, and I could still remember how warm his smile felt. It was the only thing that kept me together. “If anything goes wrong or you feel like you can’t handle it, give me a call, and I’ll come through for you.”

I could only nod, then offer him a hug that I had to pull back from, against my will. “I will.” I whispered, knowing Alex is the only one in my family I can count on.

The others were nowhere to be seen, as if they couldn’t care less that I’m being sent halfway across the country to marry a useless, playboy of a Prince.

“You better get going.” Alex gestured to the awaiting car. “Give me a call when you get there, so I can know you’ve reached there safely.”

I couldn’t reply, knowing I would breakdown if I do so I got into the car, and offered him a small wave. I was taken to the airport, where I took a flight to Granada, where the Royal Werewolf Pack is.

With its low population, it was the perfect place for the most powerful werewolf Pack to reside.

There was already a car waiting for me when I landed, which I got in and sat through the two-hour worth of drive deeper into the woods. If I wasn’t sure of the driver and the royal guard that tagged along, I would’ve believed I was being kidnapped or something.

But two hours later, we came into sight of the huge castle, with other pack houses scattered around giving the impression of the place being a damn city of its own in the woods.

Wolves walked around in their human forms, kids played around, and the businesses were ran. We drove directly to the palace, and upon arriving, we were welcomed by the sight of two wolves standing at the grand stairs.

Upon stepping out, one of the two, a young wolf no more of 25 years I’m certain was the first to speak, his tone strong, and bare of any emotions. “Welcome, Lady Camilla.” He greeted, with a slight curt of his head. “I’m Caleb, the Prince’s right hand and I’m here to welcome you.”

I hummed, disinterested the minute the Prince’s name came. I remember getting told the Prince would welcome me, and since the young wolf standing there isn’t him, I’m certain the older man beside him isn’t.

Is he though? I can’t remember being told the Prince looks a decade old with wrinkles and all.

As if knowing the thoughts running through my mind, the older man’s voice came. “I’m the Royal Vizier, Klaus.”

I shifted my gaze to him, then realized where my mistake came from the minute my hazel eyes met his red ones. A vampire. He’s not a werewolf.

“Pleasure to meet you, Klaus.” Vampires and wolves live in peace, compared to us and Faes and Witches, we’re mortal enemies with them to say the least.

Klaus was the one who showed me around, even taking me to where my room is while the other guy disappeared. Once certain I’ve settled in, he left me alone.

And I’ve been like that for about a week after, alone—and forced to go through shitty training in the name of being shaped to become a Princess—as if I asked for it. I haven’t gotten a glimpse of the Prince, but I have heard rumors of him.

“He’s a manwhore.” Some whispered under their breaths.

“He’s arrogant as hell and rude as fuck.” Others claim.

There are way too many stories really that I eventually learned to tune them out.

It wasn’t until during the second week, when I took a walk at night in the gardens, seeking an escape from the claustrophobic walls of my room that I heard the unfamiliar voice that I somehow put a tag to without seeing his face. My room felt hot, way too hot and no matter what I do, the heat only intensified.

I was hoping some fresh air would lessen the heat. It didn’t.

“It’s the full moon tonight.” His voice came, deep, and sultry.

I whipped my head around, making his figure in the dark. I couldn’t see his face, but for some reason I wasn’t scared.

“You are?” My stomach was in knots.

“Your supposed husband.” He breathed out, his tone lack of any interest.

I snorted, unable to help myself. “And the runaway Prince finally shows up.” I bemused. There was no humor in my tone though. “Are you done playing hide and seek now?” I know he’s been avoiding me, I’m not stupid.

I could swear I heard him chuckle, the sound deep. And I’m ashamed to admit just the mere sound of the throaty chuckle made me pool down the below.

What the fuck is happening to me? I’m not like this.

I swallowed thickly, crossing my arms over my torso as I felt my body heat spike up a notch, it was starting to become unbearable. “Why are you here?” I decided to ask, when I didn’t get a response from him.

“Same reason you’re out here.” His tone was sultry, as if he was drunk but he doesn’t sound like one. “It’s the full moon,” He repeated.

“And?” Why the hell is he repeating the same thing.

He was quiet for a while, as if weighing his options on whether to answer me or not. “You’re in heat.” He stated instead, his voice low, an octave lower actually.

Shit. I’ve forgotten about that.

I’ve been mated to Garett for the past three years that I’ve forgotten about heat and stuff since I never had to worry about it. It’s my first full moon without him though, and fucking hell is the heat unbearable.

“I can help you.” Though I couldn’t see his face, as he was still standing in the dark, I’m certain he’s spotting a smug look. The asshole. “I’m the only one who can.”

I shrugged, pressing my lips together despite my head starting to pound from the pain. “Not really,” My lips slanted into a small smile. “There are plenty wolves around, there will be a lot more than willing to help.”

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t that throaty chuckle of his that stood stark in the silent night that held a promise of never-ending pain for me. It went on for about a minute, before it suddenly ceased.

Then, he stepped into the light, taking predatory steps in my direction.

I could swear my breath nearly hitched. To say he’s handsome will be an understatement.

He stands around six feet three, a bit taller than me. His skin was beautiful, and flawless especially under the moonlight that somehow only seemed to intensify his beauty. His dirty blonde hair is long, pulled into a ponytail though a few strands rested on the side of his face. His muscles…fuck they were visible under the button up that hugged his skin, leaving nothing to one’s imagination.

And when he came to stand in front of me, the color of his eyes had my breath hitching. They were a beautiful pair of emerald green, a stark contrast to his other appearance. They darkened though, holding the impression of an obsidian color.

His hand instantly went around my slip waist, pulling me to his chest with a tug. The spot where his hand touched left warmth in its awake, the good kind though. I couldn’t push him away even if I wanted to. His warm hand on my lower back, and his thumb rubbing invincible drawings there made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

His eyes held mine, no trace of joke whatsoever in his tone. “Let me make something clear, Princess.” He gritted out, the seriousness in his tone hard to miss. “You’re my bride. Meaning, you’re mine to hold, mine to touch, and mine to make love to.”

My stomach was in knots with every word that flew past his lips, for it reverberated across my being. I held a breath.

His eyes dropped to my lips, giving me a onceover before his eyes met mine again. “I don’t care what you think, but I’m a possessive wolf. If you so much as let another wolf touch you, I promise, I would rip him apart and feed him to the rogues. You are mine, you get that?”

Despite my heat jumbled up brain, I still managed to think coherently. “It doesn’t work that way, Prince.” I mustered a small, daring smile. “You don’t get to walk in after avoiding me for weeks and claim ownership of me. I belong to no one.”

“Oh, Princess.” He chuckled, his chest vibrating, I could feel it and like hell did it make me pool even more. When he spoke again, his voice was the lowest I’ve heard. “You became mine the minute you stepped into the palace as my bride.” He pulled me even closer if possible, my breaths mingled and faces bare inches apart. “I apologize for hurting your feelings. I didn’t think you’d care.”

His eyes lingered on my lips, and I could see him swallow visibly.

Then, they met mine again, this time, his eyes were black as charcoal. “And tonight, under the moonlight, I would make you mine, thoroughly.” Then, his lips landed on mine, taking my breath away.