Chapter 7

Alyssa's POV

Before he could strike at me again, a wolf’s loud and vengeful howl erupted from outside of the store and the door crumbled as a pure golden wolf broke through, growling viciously at Taylor.

I was stunned to see such a magnificent creature and then my heart swelled. Only royal wolves had a golden coat, was this Alexander coming to save me?

Taylor tried to cover his terrified expression with rage as he roared and threw a fireball towards the golden wolf.

“No!” I shouted, knowing how badly magic from the Fire Bone Pack could burn.

However, as the ball of flame landed on the golden wolf’s fur, it sizzled into nothingness, no singing on the wolf and no smell of burning. He was completely unharmed.

It was the wolf’s turn to retaliate as it leapt forward, clawing through the arm Taylor had just used to cast his magic, tearing it clean off.

“Stay away from my mate!” The wolf growled, taking another threatening step towards Taylor who flinched and cowered.

I watched the blood trail from Taylor’s stump and knew there was no way he'd be able to get that healed properly. I flinched as the wolf walked towards me.

“You don’t have to be afraid of me, Alyssa. I am your mate.” He spoke softly before nudging my hand with his nose, offering a comforting lick too.

“Alexander?” I asked, wondering if I’d been right all this time that he had come for me.

The wolf whimpered, afraid to hurt me as he said, “Unfortunately not. I’m Caspian, that bastard’s wolf.”

“But, how?” I asked, kneeling down to stroke at Caspian’s fur, grateful for his rescue.

“It’s a royal family thing,” He said as he lowered himself for me to get on his back, “We’re independent creatures from our humans. That’s all for now, be quiet and hold tight, you’re hurt.”

I did as he told and tightened my grip on his fur as he began to run.

I looked back briefly, seeing Taylor still cowering as he held onto his arm tightly, looking like he was going to be sick or die. Someone rushed over to help him and I had a sinking feeling in my gut. Have I been responsible for a possible murder after all this time trying to convince people I wasn’t? Caspian came to protect me, if Taylor died it was my fault.

We got lots of looks from outsiders who had witnessed the carnage through the broken wall, but seeing the golden wolf in their midsts, no one dared to try to stop us.

“Where are we going?” I asked quietly, feeling the pain from my injuries more.

“I’m taking you to my bastard of a human so he can take that fucking bracelet off your wrist. Your wolf isn’t healing you right now is she?”

“No, please don’t! I don’t want to see him. Can’t you just take it off?”

“I would if I could, but no, it has to be Alex.”

The second prince wouldn’t help me. He’d rejected me and if my stepmother had already gotten her claws in him he would be closer to hating me than ever. He’d probably enjoy my pain along with Vivian and Freya.

“If you’re Alexander’s wolf, why are you here?”

“Just because I’m his wolf doesn’t mean I support his decision,” Capian said softly as he ran, “I was angry and wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I rested my head on the back of Caspian’s neck, feeling grateful for the honesty and gentleness of him. I hadn’t received much of it in the past few years.

“Please don’t make me see him, Caspian,” I asked, not wanting my heart to be broken a second time.

Caspian only grunted in response, showing no sign of slowing down.

"Caspian!" I stated, it wasn’t begging anymore, I was ordering, “Take me back home, my father can get rid of it.”

He didn’t listen, just ran faster and faster until we finally arrived at the royal city. Lights cast a golden warmth over the city with a castle lying on the highest point, the city trickling like a river to the sea under it.

I tried to protest again as Caspian led me into the palace and I felt my face flush with embarrassment. I was visiting the Royal Palace for the first time looking like this and on the back of their second prince’s wolf. What did that say about me? I tried not to cry.

“He won’t leave you in pain,” Caspian promised, but I barely listened.

Just as the words left his mouth, another huge golden wolf emerged from a corner and stood in front of us, growling in warning. Next to the wolf stood a tall, blond, blue-eyed man looking at me with a preying curiosity.

Caspian arched his back and let out a low growl.

He felt threatened.

I recognised him immediately, those piercing blue eyes were difficult to forget. The illegitimate first prince of the kingdom, Kai. He couldn’t have looked more different to his brother if he tried, golden hair, blue eyes, tall and broad shoulders, the only imperfection was the deep, jagged scar running down the side of his face, almost clipping his eye.

“Move,” Caspian growled, trying to stand tall to show his authority.

Kai’s wolf just growled back, taking a threatening step forward and snapping his jaws in a challenge.

“What’s wrong Cas?” Prince Kai asked mockingly as he looked at me with interest, “I’m just being friendly.”

“I know what your version of ‘friendly’ means,” Caspian took a step backwards as if he’d run away with me on his back.

“Relax pup, I need a favour from the beautiful lady on your back.”

I tried to ignore that comment as I slid off of Caspian’s back and fumbled into a clumsy curtsey, knowing I didn’t look the part of an alpha’s daughter in the palace.

“Alyssa,” Caspian whimpered nervously, his eyes darting between myself and the prince.

“Your Royal Highness,” I formally greeted before standing back up straight. I didn’t want to insult him, especially when I was alone.

Prince Kai moved around me like a vulture, looking me up and down and surveying me like I was an object to buy, “Long time no see Lyss,” He knew I hated that nickname, “I was worried five years of imprisonment would break you. It’s not often I’m glad I’m wrong.

I tried to stay strong, but my injuries from earlier hadn’t started to heal and were getting worse by the second. I spluttered, trying to hide a cough and blood splattered near the prince’s feet.

“Oops, spoke too soon.”

I staggered and felt my knees buckle, sending me to the floor.

Caspian called my name, moving to try to catch me but he was too slow. Instead, I felt large, warm arms wrap around my waist as Prince Kai caught me. There was no pity in his eyes, more curiosity as he picked me up in his arms, hooking an arm around my legs to lift me bridal style before sitting on his wolf.

“Where are you taking her, you bastard!” Caspian growled, looking like he was two seconds away from lunging forward to fight for me.

Prince Kai’s wolf growled back and the two stared at each other in a fight for dominance.

“Call me that again, pup, and I’ll make sure you never see her again,” Prince Kai threatened, his eyes glaring dangerously.”

“She’s got nothing to do with this.” Caspian protested, less aggressive now after Prince Kai’s threat.

“She’s everything to do with this,” Prince Kai countered before tightening his grip on me, “Tell my brother I’ll look after his mate from now on.”

Before Caspian could react, the prince’s wolf set off into a sprint, running through the palace like a golden blur. I didn’t stay awake too long to see the beautiful castle as my head lolled and my vision went black.

***

I groaned as my eyes cracked open, a gentle breeze flowing over my body.

You okay?

Carys! You’re here? How?

Look down.

I sat up from where I had been lying, a large flat stone in a forest. I looked down at my wrist, the weight of the iron bracelet now gone. I touched the smooth skin where the bracelet had been and let out a shaky breath to know Carys wasn’t taken away from me anymore.

“You’re welcome,” Prince Kai said, leaning against a tree not too far away from me, his wolf beside him as he twirled the iron bracelet around his finger.

As I spotted it, he smirked at me before putting the bracelet in his palm and crushing it. He opened his palm and blew the dust away.

It shocked me how easily he was able to take the bracelet off and how he’d crushed it with a single tightened grip.

“Thank you,” I remembered my manners, standing up and offering a small head nod.

Prince Kai humphed his approval, “I just reward loyalty. Things would’ve been a lot harder if you called for Caspian’s help. No way that bastard would’ve let me take you without a fight.”

“But why did you want me?” I asked out of curiosity and distrust. The last time we had met it hadn’t been too pleasant.

“I need a favour and you’re the perfect girl for the job.”

I didn’t know what he expected from me, I had just been released from the prison camp and my father had arranged a marriage for me. I was useless and helpless.

“Why me? I can’t-”

“You can and you will,” His eyes flashed with impatience.

I frowned at him, more confused than intimidated.

Prince Kai sighed and moved to sit on the stone, tapping it for me to sit down close to him. I obliged but he moved closer until our hips were touching.

I tried to move away but he gripped my face and I whimpered, he wouldn’t finish what Taylor started would he?

“Relax would you? I’m not going to hurt you or force you. Look at the scar.”

I did as he was told and couldn’t contain my shock. Werewolves could heal almost any wound in a matter of days. My broken ribs and cuts that Taylor had given me were already beginning to heal now that Carys was free again. The scars on my back would take longer to heal because of the repetitive nature of the beatings but they would get better gradually.

But Prince Kai was a royal wolf, he should’ve had no problem healing a scar. The scar on his face was deep and jagged, looking fresh

Prince Kai let go of my chin and I moved closer to him, still examining the scar with curiosity.

“You can feel it.”

My hand was already close to his face so I cupped his cheek and ran my thumb over the line staining his face. A tingle raced through my thumb and I pulled back before pressing it again, feeling the same sensation.

“What happened?” I asked softly.

But that was the wrong question to ask.

Prince Kai caught my wrist, yanking it away from his face and squeezing it tightly, “That is none of your concern.” He hissed.

“Then why am I here?”

“When someone gave me this scar, there was poison coating the weapon. Royal healers can do nothing for it and the poison is spreading to the rest of my body.”

I opened my mouth to give him an apology or some pity, but the glare in his eyes showed he didn’t need or want it.

“I’m not a healer.”

“I think you should stop asking questions,” He grumbled as he moved closer, whispering something in my ear as he still held my wrist, “I remember when you took a little vacation from your prison sentence.”

My heart almost stopped beating and I moved my face to glare at him, only I didn’t realise how close we were and if either of us moved an inch we’d be kissing.

He smirked at my shocked expression.

But before anything else could happen, a roaring, “Don’t touch her” came from the distance as branches were torn and bushes were trampled.

Alexander rode Caspian into the field with murder in his eyes.