He retraced his steps, going down the four flights before he finally opened the front door. He slipped out, relishing the cool night air. “My Prince,” a voice made him jump.
“Adam, what are you doing?”
“Gamma Trey asked me to be on guard tonight.”
Chris growled, the noise rumbling in his chest. “You mean that he asked you to ensure I don’t run off.”
“Didn’t say that, My Prince.”
“I’m going to the cells. I’m not leaving packland, I’m not running off, I’m going there then going to bed.”
“I didn’t ask, My Prince.”
“Shut up.”
“Of course, M
Chris snuggled deeper into the warmth surrounding him, he’d never felt so blissful in years, never slept so soundly and uninterrupted. He stretched, finding he couldn’t. He frowned, still half asleep. He didn’t feel ready for his eyes to open, but his nose instinctively nuzzled, the addictive sweet and smokey smell alerted him to why he felt so secure.Security. That hadn’t been something he’d felt for a long time. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this safe, this relaxed. He hadn’t even noticed he was lying on a hard dirt floor. Hadn’t noticed the chill in the air. The body next to him was wrapping him in so much heat, so much relief.His eyes shot open. He was still in the cell. He wrestled out of Jaxson’s hold, looking wildly around to see if anyone was watching
He knew Marc was too busy to see him. He had two young pups, a pup on the way and a whole Kingdom to run. He didn’t need Chris’ issues to deal with too. With the angle of the sun he had known he was probably going to have missed breakfast, but he made his way to the communal kitchen anyway.“Ah, we thought we would have missed you!” his mother exclaimed as he entered.“Sorry, I overslept.”“Not a problem, darling, so did we! Come, sit, Chef made some wonderful mushroom omelettes.”“They’re not in season.” He frowned, they never had mushrooms this early.“It has been awfully wet, I think they merely got a little
Jaxson rested against the edge of the cot, his backside numbing against the cold floor. He didn’t know how long it had been since Chris left. He wasn’t sure how they’d fallen asleep, apart from it felt right… so right.He scrubbed a hand down his face, the surprise of seeing one of the Royal Gammas on the other side of the bars had been a bit of a wake up call. He couldn’t let his guard down. But the idea of being stuck, locked away, alone, held little appeal.Would the alternative be any better?Would there be any extra leniency?If there weren’t, he’d place them both in danger and he’d still be thrown in the cells and stripped of his rank. He’d wor
‘Marc, can I speak to you?’ Chris linked with his mother in front of him, holding his hand.‘I’ll be free in an hour or so. Office?’ Chris broke the link for a moment, worrying on his lip. He wasn’t sure he could admit what he needed to in such a formal setting.“What’s he said?” Elsbeth whispered.“He’s not free for another hour and wants to meet-”“Nothing he can be doing is less important than seeing you. What’s he doing?” she asked fiercely.
Gamma Jesse gestured to a crate in the small storage room before he sat on another. “You can admit it, you know,” Gamma Jesse announced.“Admit what?” Jaxson replied, a little too sharply.The Royal Gamma sighed, running a hand through his sandy hair. “Who do I live with, Jax?”Jaxson frowned, looking at his superior. As far as he knew, he lived alone.“I… I’ll admit, I don’t know.”“I could live in the castle, I don’t. I live on the outskirts, far from prying eyes. Why?”Why was he asking him all these questions? It wasn’t something he’d ever thou
Chris sat on the sofa in a state of mild shock. His brother had hightailed out of there as soon as he’d told him. ‘Mate,’ his wolf whined. Chris nodded to himself. Mate. He stood and left the room, heading back the way he had come. Marc had clearly not listened… or couldn’t be in the same room as him. Which didn’t bode well for Jaxson. He had to be brave, he had to be strong. He had to fight his fear. It was his wolf who had surged, while he was in control, he could feel more power running through his veins, could feel the human anxiety receding, somewhat. His own determination supporting his wolf. He burst throug
Chris let himself be led through the corridors, wanting to turn back and argue the case more. “He’s still a prisoner.” Why? He didn’t need to be a prisoner!Chris glanced back as if he were going to backtrack, seeing one of the guards, Pete, behind them. “We’ve said what we could,” Jaxson stated, subtly tugging his hand.“We should have said more. There was more to-”“Chris, we made our point. It’s in your brother’s hands.”“You don’t think it worked… do you?”“There’s no point thinking until we know the outco
Chris nestled himself, half between awake and asleep, although this time, he knew who he was pinned to. A smile crept over his face with the fact.He was still jammed in between Jaxson and the sofa. It was just so safe. Nothing could get him, nothing could harm him. There were no cells. No chains.Jaxson groaned next to him, shuffling as he put his hand to his head. “King wants to see me,” he mumbled sleepily. He swung his legs from the sofa, tearing himself from Chris.“I’m coming,” Chris announced, stumbling his way off the deep squidgy sofa.“The King ordered I come alone.”“Tough.”“Chris, please. We