#Chapter 5 - Princess

Ruby

I’m not sure exactly what time it is when I wake up, but when I finally come out of my dreams and open my eyes, there is sun shining through the large window to Atwood’s chambers.

I yawn and roll over to shield my eyes from the bright sun and stretch, extending my arms above my head and flexing my feet.

As my half-open eyes scan the room looking for a clock, I finally find one sitting on the mantle and jump up when I see that it’s already three o’clock.

How did I sleep for so long?

I throw the covers off of myself and swing my legs over the side of the bed, jumping up. I’m not sure why I feel the need to rush myself out of bed, but truth be told, I feel great

There is a soft, purple velvet housecoat laid across the chaise waiting for me. I slip it on over my nightgown -- not taking a moment to consider how Atwood or whoever else had been able to even put me in a nightgown when I was passed out -- and take a second to relish in the feeling of the luxurious fabric on my skin.

I look into the large standing mirror in front of me and press my hands to my mouth in surprise.

I look… beautiful.

My hair is still a jagged mess after my shoddy haircut I gave myself in the abandoned house, but the velvet housecoat makes up for it.

Tamara and I had been so poor after our parents died, with only myself being able to work odd jobs here and there to make ends meet, that new clothes were an extremely rare occurrence.

I hope that Tamara also has the luxury of being given new clothes while she is here.

When I emerge from the chamber, the hallways are bustling with servants.

“Good afternoon, princess,” one of them says sweetly as she passes by with a curtsy. I don’t know how to react, because I’ve never been called “princess” before -- in fact, I’ve spent my entire life practically being ignored by everyone except for the closest members of my clan.

I simply stare in awe at the sunlit castle and all of the busy servants.

Something in me wants to run. I feel full of energy, and I can’t control it.

I start to run barefoot through the marble corridors of the castle, weaving around huge stone columns and dodging confused servants as I hold my skirt up around my bare knees. For the first time in weeks, a smile spreads across my face as I run around.

I really do feel like a princess.

At some point during my frolicking, I look over my shoulder as I am running; then, smack!

I hit something solid and nearly fall to the floor, but am caught by a strong arm.

It’s Atwood.

He pulls me back up to my feet and stares at me incredulously, holding me by both shoulders and gazing at me with those glowing orange eyes. I can’t help but tremble in his grip, partially from fear for being caught running through the castle but also partially from arousal.

Atwood looks like he finally got some rest, and it shows.

The dark circles under his eyes are gone, and his hair is pulled back into a bun at the nape of his neck. He’s changed into a white shirt with a red silk vest and a pair of black trousers. The top buttons of his shirt are undone to reveal a little bit of hair on his chest. My cheeks flush hot at his appearance.

“How the hell are you running like that?” he says in a low voice, ushering me off into a little alcove where servants can’t see. He yanks aside my dressing gown and gasps, just as I did when I discovered it.

“How did you… you healed?” he says. I know he’s trying to hide it, but a smile tugs at the corners of his full lips.

“I don’t know,” I answer quietly with a shrug. “I just woke up like this. I have so much energy.”

Atwood grabs my arm roughly and practically drags me off to another room. He opens the door to a large room with huge windows overlooking the castle grounds. There are tall bookcases that reach to the ceiling around the whole room, a massive fireplace, and a mahogany desk sitting in the middle of the room.

He slams the door shut behind us and causes me to jump. Instinctively I bolt to the other side of the room, cowering from him. With a sigh, he sinks down into an armchair and gestures for me to come.

“I would never hurt you,” he says. I nervously make my way over to him and stand in front of him with my hands clasped in front of me, waiting to be reprimanded for my recklessness.

“We’ll have the doctor come and remove those stitches,” he says softly. He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it. “As for your rate of healing, I’m sure the doctor will have an answer for that as well. Hybrids often have unexpected breakthrough abilities, as I’m sure you know.”

He pulls me closer to sit on his lap, and when I do, he looks up at me and gently brushes a strand of hair out of my eyes.

“On a more important note… I hope you’re ready to begin your senior year of school.”

I gasp.

“You’re… letting me go back to school?” I say excitedly. I can barely contain my excitement.

Atwood nods. “Yes,” he says, “but you can’t go back to your old school. You have to go to the private Lycan school.”

“But I-”

“No protests. You’re a princess now. You have to go to school with the other highborns, so that you may receive the proper education for a princess.”

I look down at my feet and bite my lip, thinking for several long moments.

“What about my sister?” I ask.  “What will she do when I’m at school all day?”

“She’ll stay in the palace,” Atwood answers. He pauses before he speaks again. “When she’s ready, I’ll send her to the Lycan school as well.”

I jump up from Atwood’s lap, practically bouncing with excitement.

“You’re going to let Tamara go to school, even though she’s more human than wolf?”

Atwood stands and paces to the window, looking out at the grounds below. I can only stare incredulously at his back, unsure as to whether this is all some giant, sick joke.

He clears his throat.

“I want to be more fair to hybrids from now on,” Atwood says, not turning back to look at me. “Your sister will be the first of many to benefit from these changes.”

I feel as though I could weep from happiness. To think that my sweet little sister will be able to attend a real school after not being accepted by any for her entire life due to her hybridism… It’s surreal.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” I say softly as a tear rolls down my cheek.

And I am going to school, like a real princess!