Chapter 3 Dealing With A Cocky Dire Prince

Sasha's pov

Leaving my brother Zaika's bedroom my heart was pounding in my chest. I was fearful he would inquire about my injury again. I'd been lucky that he hadn't caught my lie the first time he asked. Prince Gallum had intercepted me in the hall and he had also tried forcing himself on me. When I fought back he punched me and left me unconscious on the hallway floor. When I woke up, my blouse had been torn exposing my small breasts. Shivering at the memory I went down the servant stairs to avoid the prick. Entering the kitchen I went straight to Hazel, the head of the kitchen staff to ask what I could help with. Our father thought we should help with household duties to gain character and an understanding of all the work that was involved. It had been exciting in my youth but as I grew older it became more tedious to both Zaika and I.

"You should go to your room and clean up, dear. Your father told us you would be entertaining his majesty this evening. You better get some makeup to cover that shiner," Hazel said firmly. She began shaking her head as her eyes scanned my face.

"I don't understand you, clumsy youngsters," she muttered, shaking her aged head. Sighing, I went back up the way I had come down. Walking swiftly down the hall toward my room I failed to pause before the corner and ran straight into Gallum. His arms circled my waist as he pulled me closer.

"See, I knew you would fall into my embrace little flower," he growled low. The sound of his voice vibrated into my chest as I struggled against his hold.

"Let me go you leech, you sicken me," I protested, only to cause him to laugh directly in my face. His breath was repelling and caused me to grimace.

"I will have you at some point, sweet flower, and will pluck each petal of your innocence away one by one," he sneered as he released me. With a swift kick to his shin, I grinned smugly seeing the prince falter and wince.

"You are much too soft for a female Dire Wolf like me," I spat and ran toward my room. Slamming the door behind myself I began regretting not telling Zaika the truth of what had happened. I was certain my adopted brother would end his friendship with Gallum and perhaps that would finish his constant unannounced visits to our family home. Running to my balcony, I opened the glass-paneled doors and stepped outside. Glancing over to Zaika's balcony I wasn't surprised when he waved over at me. He was lounging with his arms folded across his chest. I debated if I should tell him about the prince but knew it would anger my father to start a rift between the pair. Watching my brother get distracted by movement below I glanced the way he was and covered the gasp of my mouth. The guards were carrying a naked male dead child to the field. Gallum was carrying a shovel and laughing with the other guard.

"At least he is limping," my wolf chortled.

"I would prefer if his balls shriveled and his cock fell off, Aspen," I replied to my Dire wolf. She howled in laughter then added, "I will rip them from his body if he pulls that crap again." Shaking my head I told her I didn't want that part of him anywhere near my mouth. Wolf or otherwise. Gallum noticing me on my balcony waved up at me. Both my father and Zaika had noticed his action but only one of them was frowning. I ignored the prince and turned my head toward the narrowed blue eyes staring at me. I tilted my head and shook it indicating no very pointedly. Zaika waved me over to join him and I nodded my head in response. I hurried through my bedroom and ran to his room. Opening the door just as I stepped before it, Zaika was grinning at me.

"Come in and tell me about this Vossler guy again," he said softly. Narrowing my eyes at his jest I exhaled in frustration.

"I have explained this many times. Vossler is one of the original Dire Wolf kings and the last one still alive of the throuple between Madeline and the vampire Greyson. Our father is one of his descendants," I stated in exasperation. Laughing lightly, Zaika put his arm around my shoulders and led me to his balcony.

"What is going on with you and not so prince charming?" He asked, causing me to swallow nervously. Shaking my head, I explained that there wasn't anything. Pointing down at my father standing with Gallum, Zaika looked angry suddenly.

"I'm going to guess that father finds him more than an ideal match for his daughter," he growled through gritted teeth. Panic filled my chest as my eyes went between all three of them. I wanted my true mate, not someone my father chose for me. Turning away from Zaika's intense gaze I looked out at the forest where I had discovered him as a little boy.

"Do you ever wonder about your real parents?" I asked in hopes to change the subject.

He frowned as he shook his head.

"No, Sasha, you and Ivan are my real family. I only wish that I was worthy to make you mine instead of you getting forced to wed a stranger or at least allow you time so that you can find your real mate. Our father is a hypocrite, he isn't an Alpha of a pack and is just an Earl," he said solemnly as he cupped my cheek. My lips touched his briefly as my heartbeat quickened. Our moment was interrupted by my father shouting up at us to go to our separate rooms. My cheeks reddened at getting caught. Looking down, I felt ashamed.

"I better return to my room," I mumbled sullenly.

Zaika followed after me and pulled on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. I looked up and could see the intent-mindedness of his features.

"Become mine Sasha, we can leave here and travel. We can be free of this trap together," he said in all sincerity. I swallowed the lump in my throat as tears welled in my eyes.

"I cannot do that to my father, it would kill him," I answered. His eyes fell as he released me.

"Fine, I will dwell on it no longer," he growled firmly and headed back out onto his balcony. I watched him walk away and felt devastated.

"I love you bunny!" I shouted out and watched him lift his arm dismissively.

"You have hurt him badly," Aspen whimpered in my subconscious. Exhaling deeply I left his suite and shuffled slowly down the hall back to my room to prepare for the king. I knew Zaika loved me and I loved him too but my father's wishes came first because I had given my word to my mother before her death that I would do what he wished. Opening my bedroom door I was taken back by the servants Ruby and Ella.

"We are here to prepare you for your king's performance so hurry and shower," Ruby muttered.

"Are you doing the snow maiden ballet?" Ella questioned curiously. I nodded in irritation. The two servants clapped their hands excitedly while I groaned internally.

"I'm certain that the prince and king will be impressed," Ruby chuckled.

"I certainly hope not," I huffed before heading to my ensuite to shower. Feeling disgusted that I'd have to perform for Gallum and not Zaika just made me sick inside. I knew that I wanted to make my father proud because he was stuck with a daughter instead of the son he had wanted. I toughened my resolve and washed quickly. I would make my father proud then maybe he would listen to me when I told him I wanted to find my wolf's, actual mate. Although finding another Dire wolf would be next to impossible, I didn't want to lose hope. The announcement of the king entering the forest from Ruby caused my heart to drop.

"I will be out shortly," I announced while shutting off the water.