Chapter 19IrisIt felt like a bucket of cold water was emptied on our bodies as I slowly regained my senses. "Get on my back," He ordered with a note of urgency in his tone and I hopped on, knowing that I was to be blamed for our predicament. "The ride is going to be rough because I can sense some of our attackers coming closer, and I'll have to shift so hold me tight for your safety.""Yes, Prince Gradel," I replied and wrapped my arms around his neck.I should have been scared that we were ambushed, but being on his back was quite relaxing and it felt good to know that he cared about me against all odds.The work of the mating bond, I guess.He moved stealthily, his pace fluid and steady while he carefully evaded the guards who were drawing close to us.From afar, I saw one of their sentinels on the tower with a quiver on his back, stretching forth an arrow against us, towards him. Blood rushed to my pulse and I patted Prince Gradel's back aggressively."Look!" I urged him, pointi
Chapter 20IrisStanding by the doorway with my attention trained on the unconscious prince, I felt my strength failing me. No one had said anything to me yet, but I knew that there was going to be a series of backlash against me once they finished attending to Prince Gradel.Heavy footsteps traipsed towards the Prince's room, my knees weakening in fear. I quickly hid behind the hallway adjacent to his room where I could hear their conversation without taking the heat directly."How is my son doing?" He barked and I nearly jumped out of my skin.I wasn't sure I would survive it if the Alpha yelled at me in such a manner, after all, he already wanted me to disappear and now I was the reason for his son's injury. "He's not doing so well, Alpha," The healer confessed with little confidence in his voice, I could sense his fear from where I stood. "The wolfsbane is doing so much harm in his system and the only thing preventing him from going to the great beyond is his nature. He has stron
Chapter 21IrisSince I wasn't keen on getting intimate with him, I took a stool and decided to follow my heart. They could do whatever they wanted to me, but I won't go that route, at least, not without Prince Gradel's permission."Hi, Gradel. I'll call you by your first name because we are mates and I have something to ask of you," I took in a deep breath."You've never liked me. Your hatred for me has always been evident just like the sun in the sky, but today, you did something that no one has ever done for me, not even the people I expected it from. While I was away in the Red Sea pack, I thought of how I might never see your handsome face and that scared me to death. My feelings are conflicted right now so it will be unsafe to admit anything, but one thing I'm sure of is that I'll always have you in my heart." I sobbed.My eyes darted to his thumb which jerked and slowly I reached for his hands. This was the only advantage of his unconsciousness. Being able to talk to him and po
Chapter 22GradelHer jaw dropped and she stared at me wide-eyed. Shock masked her beautiful face and her eyes simmered with sympathy for me.Strangely, I liked that she felt my pain, which was weird because I didn't enjoy having other people throw a pity party for my sake, but hers felt different. It felt proper."Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear that, "She gushed. "How were you able to cope?" She asked, pushing closer to me."I didn't try to cope, I just lived with it. There's nothing that can make me forget that night, sometimes the memories hide in the darkest part of my heart only to resurface whenever I think of her." My voice cracked.She sniffed and when I glanced at her, I realized that she was crying. "I'm sorry," She whispered, "I can't help the tears." She said, drying her eyes.I nodded curtly and drifted into the memory lane. "It all started one fateful evening. I'd just returned from the woods where I engaged in a running session with some of the sentinels that were assigned
Chapter 23IrisMy heart ached for him and I began to understand why he despised me so much from the first time he saw me. It was because I reminded him of his pain.The fact that he was telling me his story showed that his resentment for me had been assuaged, but I wasn't sure that it had gone completely so I took what he could give."According to her, the necklace should be given to my brother, and the bracelet to me. She knew that I had eyes on the bracelet, but I didn't know that I'd be getting it from her that soon." He croaked. I didn't know how to console him any more than I'd already done, but I was sure that my presence was making it easier for him to grieve. My heart bled for him when I imagined how long he had to bear the cross alone. "Do you know the worst part?" I shook my head. "He was never there in all of this. My father acted like my mother didn't matter to him and I began to wonder if she was truly his mate. It was so bad that I asked some of the elders and then
Chapter 24IrisI spun around, pursing my lips in surprise."You aren't allowed to leave without my permission, Iris," He said with a bossy tone that reminded me of his rank, but my mind wasn't solely fixated on it, rather, I was distracted by how my name sounded on his lips and how my body warmed up inside.Feeling flustered, I inclined my head to stop him from noticing the blush that had crept to my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Gradel. I thought we were done with the conversation.""No, we're not. My father would want my presence in the court, seeing that I've recovered quite swiftly so that he can scold me for going against his orders, and though I'm not scared of him, I don't think I have the energy to argue with him today." He confessed.Waves of disappointment hit me hard, knowing that he was just using me to escape boredom as he usually did."That's not a bad idea, but can I ask why you wanted me to stay back?" I asked politely, though I wanted to be anything but courteous.Then he requ
Chapter 25IrisOn hearing that, my mind drifted, pondering on how my life would be once he left the pack. I was already swooning, getting excited that he would protect me from the hatred of the pack, but then it occurred to me that I might not survive it if he left.I ran my tongue over my chapped lips and cleared my throat. I was in no position to make demands, but I'd decided that whatever happened at the Red Sea Pack wouldn't repeat itself."Agreed, but I have a request to make," I said nervously.He lowered his lashes, squinting his eyes in confusion. "Don't push your luck, you have no say in this." He replied harshly.Maybe I should have kept my lips shut that moment, but my mouth was quite faster than my brain and the words fell out before I could stop myself. "I want you to teach me how to fight."His aloof expression cracked, and then a smile broke through which slowly extended into full-blown laughter.His act of mockery should have made me embarrassed but it didn't, rather,
Chapter 26GradelIt took all the self-control I had to walk away from her without tearing her dress into shreds and claiming her, but I succeeded after conquering the innate desires of my wolf to take her right there in the garden. I feared a relapse as my body was getting weaker by the minute. I didn't know whether to blame it on Iris's absence or the poison, but getting dependent on her wasn't a part of the plan so I agreed that it was the poison. Those bastards. They thought that they could get rid of me by poisoning me, what they didn't know that I had a strong immune, capable of fighting off poisons. I might have had a death scare, but heaven knows that I'd rather fight it with all my strength than give in. After all, the Red Sea pack still had to pay for what they did to me and my mate—no, Iris. As I descended into the hallway leading to my room, my eyes caught the sight of a shadow lurking around. Angst and animosity worked its way through me when I discovered who it was.