“Have you heard?”
“The Prince? Can’t believe it.”
Jaxson rolled his eyes as he made his way to the training grounds. Same shit different day with the twittering gossip.
“Julie over heard her talking to the Queen.”
“I heard it was Amber.”
“Oh whatever.”
“What happened?” Another voice came into the conversation. Jaxson slyly stopped, pretending to look in the butchers, something about it seemed a little… off to the normal rumour.
“No way you haven’t heard! Anyway, do you remember Laura?”
Chris’ feet pounded the cobbles. When his brother had bolted out of the room with the single word of ‘Jaxson’ he knew he had to follow. He wound his way through the streets. Not really sure where he was. Marc had sprinted off before he’d really managed to think to ask where. “Jax?” he linked. Hoping he’d answer.No answer.As he neared the centre he could hear commotion. He followed his ears before he saw a crowd. He surged forward. “Out of the way!” he demanded, the crowd parting as soon as they saw who had demanded.He hurried through. Guards were keeping citizens back. He could see someone lying on the floor, doctors over him. A guard saw him and le
Someone cleared their throat behind him. Chris turned his big raven head to see a female, he didn’t care, he turned back around, nuzzling his chin back into Jaxson’s warm fur. He hadn’t woken up yet.“Is that how you greet your mate? I can’t believe you’re guarding him. You know he’s lied to you.”Chris narrowed his golden eyes. He looked back around looking at her properly. Lauren. He huffed at her, unable to link without her in wolf form. He slid off the bed, scooping his clothes up in his mouth he went to the other side, hiding himself a little from view. Not that furless forms were exactly something to hide. They changed so often there was no embarrassment. But he didn’t really want Lauren to watch him. There was something about being a royal meaning you needed to be more decent. He shoved hi
“I can walk!” Jaxson grumbled as Chris helped him through the palace the next day.“Maybe, but you’re still sore.”“I spend my life sore!” he protested.“You always this grumpy after being injured?”A growl rumbled in Jaxson’s chest.“Take that as a yes,” Chris teased.“Christopher!” his father shouted from behind. Chris flinched slightly at the harsh tone.“Yes?”“Where are you going with that guard?”&
Chris awoke to the feel of arms over him, dragging him. His eyes shot open, instantly trying to work out the commotion in the gloom. “Intru-” he instantly began linking but was cut off with a pinch to his neck and the burning of molten gold poured into his veins.Wolfsbane.He finished the link, knowing the second half of his alarm wouldn’t be heard. Wolfsbane was instant. He felt his burning limbs grow weak and heavy, his struggles while to him felt violent and all consuming, he was barely moving an inch at a time. The assailants had made no sound. He had no idea who they were, with his body being poisoned, he couldn’t comprehend their scent.
“My Prince!”Chris frowned to himself. He was quite happy asleep, who was shouting?“My Prince, where have you been?”A shard of agnosing flame ripped through his skull, he groaned. He wasn’t in pain while he was asleep. He much preferred sleep.“Are you OK?” the female voice had got much closer. He heaved himself onto all fours, feeling warm soil beneath his fingers.Why was he outside?His splitting headache had caused a fog, he couldn’t remember anything. His chest was burning, his limbs felt heavy but not too bad. A strange taste in his mouth. He tried to take stock if he were injured but couldn’t fe
“We have to find him.” Chris shoved the healer from her inspection of his fingernails.“I agree, but you are staying right here.”Chris let out a laugh of disbelief as he heaved himself to his feet, ignoring the protest of the healer.Wade continued before Chris could speak, “My main priority is to keep you safe. Someone has clearly harmed you. We have to get to the bottom of that and find Jaxson.”“I need to help.” He wanted to say his wolf had returned. State he could be helpful by scenting his mate and searching through the link, he wanted to say he felt fine. But he couldn’t. It was like a block, when he tried to say it he said something else. “I want to find Jaxson.”
Jaxson’s shoulders were burning. That was the first thing he realised. That dull burning ache that screams at you to move. He tried to shift, alleviate the pain. Nothing. He couldn’t move. He thought he was bound until the next sensation hit him. While his shoulders were aching, his whole body was sizzling. He knew he was healing from the beating, but this was as if he had been beaten all over again. Wolfsbane. Wolfsbane was in his system. It was part of training to be injected with wolfsbane to know how it feels. To understand the effects. Well… that meant right now, he knew he was baned up to his eyeballs.Explained why he couldn’t move. Not even a muscle.He was a big male, he couldn’t deny that, while the dose that was standard in training knocked many for six, he had felt the effect but not a lot else. Now? Oh it
“Hello?”Jaxson’s eyes snapped open at the voice, the sun blinding him momentarily.“Err… are you OK?” A male was peering up at him from a safe distance, confusion marring his features.“Get me down,” he croaked.“Right… going to need to phone the fire brigade I-” He was in human land...“No. Ladder. Just… ladder.”“Are you sure? You… you look like you need a hospital.”“Please, just… just get a ladder.” He could not be sent to a human hospital. While they
Boots thudded against paving slabs, his strides quick… yet confident. He smiled politely at the wolves he passed, receiving warm greetings and smiles in return, “Good morning, My Prince.” A female waved at him. “Morning.” He nodded, continuing on his way. He reached the bakers, collecting the bread he’d placed on order, before heading to the butchers. The repeats of ‘good mornings’ and ‘hellos’ following him around. It wasn’t something that he minded anymore. It was actually quite refreshing being spoken to rather than everyone shying away from him, or looking away. Or whispering. That didn’t happen anymore. It had taken a few months for the pack to settle down, get used to the idea of same-sex mateships. Now, a year later, other’s didn’t even bat an eye. He’d he
Almost two weeks later, their lives had grown into a routine that would soon change. This was the last day before Jaxson went back to work, back to training. Chris would miss him but knew Jaxson was itching to get back to his job. Not that he had to work, but he wanted to. It seemed Jaxson didn’t do too well inside.Chris stretched in their position on the much larger sofa; Chris had mentioned to Klara that his sofa was too small, low and behold, two days later, this comfortable four seater had arrived. It was much more suited to Jaxson’s size and Chris’ height. “Want some chocolate?” Jaxson mumbled, sliding from behind him to stand.“Nah, I’m good.”But he did want some… he blinked as Jaxson disappeared. He wanted chocolate and he said no…He sat up, forearms on his knees as his mate walked bac
“I’m sorry,” Jaxson mumbled as they made their way back to the palace. “I don’t know what came over me.” “It’s OK. We thought we were safe. I guess Laura lied.” Chris looked to his bare feet as he walked. He had been certain Laura was behind it all. Guilt barrelled into Chris, and he knew it wasn’t his own. “I should have been more aware… I shouldn’t have offered to be your guard… I wasn’t paying attention. I-” “Jaxson,” Chris barked looking to the other male. “It is not your fault.” He stepped into his way, blocking his path and clasped his hand between Chris’ two palms before reaching up and swiping his thumbs gently over Jaxson’s cheekbones. “There is no reason for your guilt. The more guilty you feel, the more I feel it.” He rested his forehead against the other male. “I want to get back, please?” The urge to complete the process was burning throug
Jaxson snarled. Two against one wasn’t a particularly fair fight, but nothing he couldn’t cope with. He was a little more preoccupied with the three on Chris. He’d pushed as much confidence and courage into him, knowing he wasn’t a fighter. He lunged at the tan wolf who had first appeared from the trees in skin form. A clear wound oozing from his jaw. Jaxson wasn’t without injury. He was ignoring a burn in his ribs and a hind leg that wouldn’t straighten.It would be really nice for his body not to hurt for just one day.He pushed forward, forcing the lighter wolf towards the trees, a pain slammed through his front leg and he found himself on his back, he snarled, he needed to focus but the scene to his left was one he couldn’t ignore. His uncle bearing down on Chris. Bearing down on what’s his.The disappointment and hurt was grinding into him like a pestle agains
Chris tugged Jaxson’s maroon t-shirt down, beyond the muscle bulging from his neck and shoulders. The same was happening to him, Jaxson’s fingertips brushed his skin gently, tingles of pleasurable electricity zapped from his fingers. A shiver worked its way down his spine. He nestled his teeth against Jaxson’s skin, a spot that would half be visible on most of his t-shirts. Chris’ movements were mimicked, sharp canines scraped his skin working a moan from deep in his chest.“Together.” Jaxson’s link came through, without any indication, they bit deep into each other’s flesh at exactly the same moment.Groans of pleasure rumbled around the small clearing. It hurt, but it was like no pain he’d felt before. It was blissful. He shivered as Jaxson r
The next morning, Chris fussed over Jaxson but noticed he seemed much more himself. His wolf still wasn’t with him as far as he knew, but he was ready to be out of bed, still keeping Chris close by… he still seemed to have a fear Chris would spontaneously disappear. Understandable in his eyes. “Mark.” Chris’ wolf was being quite insistent after breakfast. He could only promise his wolf, that soon, soon they would mark. He nuzzled Jaxson’s hair while the larger male laid over Chris like a weighted blanket. He never felt being crushed would be a form of security… but with Jaxson it was different. He was glad to be pressed so far into the hard sofa that he could feel the frame below the cushions. “Need a bigger sofa,” Jaxson mumbled, wriggling his feet that were hanging over the arm to make a point. “I’ll see what we can get,” Chris promised, “A two-seater isn’t really ideal.” “You sure I’m alright staying here?” “What do you mean? Do you not want to-” “Course. I just… not sure. I
Boots thudded against paving slabs, his strides quick… yet confident. He smiled politely at the wolves he passed, receiving warm greetings and smiles in return, “Good morning, My Prince.” A female waved at him.“Morning.” He nodded, continuing on his way. He reached the bakers, collecting the bread he’d placed on order, before heading to the butchers. The repeats of ‘good mornings’ and ‘hellos’ following him around.It wasn’t something that he minded anymore.It was actually quite refreshing being spoken to rather than everyone shying away from him, or looking away.Or whispering.That didn’t happen anymore. It had taken a few months for the pack to settle down, get used to the idea of same-sex mateship
Almost two weeks later, their lives had grown into a routine that would soon change. This was the last day before Jaxson went back to work, back to training. Chris would miss him but knew Jaxson was itching to get back to his job. Not that he had to work, but he wanted to. It seemed Jaxson didn’t do too well inside.Chris stretched in their position on the much larger sofa; Chris had mentioned to Klara that his sofa was too small, low and behold, two days later, this comfortable four seater had arrived. It was much more suited to Jaxson’s size and Chris’ height. “Want some chocolate?” Jaxson mumbled, sliding from behind him to stand.“Nah, I’m good.”But he did want some… he blinked as Jaxson disappeared. He wanted chocolate and he said no…He sat up, forearms on his knees as his mate walked bac
“I’m sorry,” Jaxson mumbled as they made their way back to the palace. “I don’t know what came over me.”“It’s OK. We thought we were safe. I guess Laura lied.” Chris looked to his bare feet as he walked. He had been certain Laura was behind it all. Guilt barrelled into Chris, and he knew it wasn’t his own.“I should have been more aware… I shouldn’t have offered to be your guard… I wasn’t paying attention. I-”“Jaxson,” Chris barked looking to the other male. “It is not your fault.” He stepped into his way, blocking his path and clasped his hand between Chris’ two palms before reaching up and swiping his thumbs gently over Jaxson’s cheekbones. “There is no reason for your guilt. The more guilty you feel, the more I feel it.” He rested