Chapter 29 – Grace Frozen in terror, I watch as the sharp teeth from the lake monster draws near. Alsir is no match for it as he disappears into its mouth, the monster diving down into the depth of the lake. I use this chance to start swimming again as the water where Alsir once was soon grows red with his blood. The cold water laps against my fur, weighing me down and I realize if I want to get away faster, I will need to shift. Diving under the water, I allow my body to make the painful shift to human before surfacing, using this chance to see if I can spot the monster. Sadly, I can see nothing before I surface, gasping for air before quickly resuming my escape from this monster. "Do not be afraid." A whimsical voice fills my ears, the gentle tone of the words slowing me down as I wonder where this voice comes from. Turning around, I look back to where Alsir once was, questioning if I imagined the voice. Turning back, my body freezes as I come face t
Chapter 30 – Caden I watch as the Faeries work on Grace, covering her body in healing lotions. Sunny had led us through the forest for an hour, the path taking us closer towards the lodge before we came to a cave hidden by vines. After another twenty minutes of walking, we were soon greeted by the Faerie Princess Airia. He pointed ears and moon white skin stood out amongst the growing flowers and colourful crystals deep in the cave. When she saw the injured Grace in my arms, her first instinct was to rush Grace and I into a room where maids had us bathe before a silk robe was donned on me and Grace was whisked away to be treated. I nearly went crazy when I realized Grace was missing again and would have caused a war if Sunny hadn’t appeared when she did, telling me to follow her to see Grace. Now I sit in a soft chair, my eyes never leaving her face. Her silver hair has been washed clean; the strands braided out of the way. Her maids are making sure to keep their movem
Chapter 31 – Grace Warmth, that's what surrounded me. The feel of a solid body against mine as I lay on a comfortable surface that smells like sunlight on a summer day. I smile, snuggling closer to the warm body, happy to not feel any pain or exhaustion. "Is she up yet?” Some one whispers, their lyrical voice reaching my ears. “Not yet. But I think she will be soon.” Caden’s voice answers, fingers lighting running down my back. His scent wraps around me, relaxing my mind and body and making me feel safer then I have in days. With a sigh, I decide to see exactly where we are and slowly open my eyes to see a well defined collar bone, one I want to sink my teeth into and claim as mine. “Good morning Lady Silver.” Caden chuckles out, his fingers grazing my cheek softly. “G…good morning.” I mumble back sheepishly, looking up to see Caden gazing at me, a soft and gentle smile on his lips. “Good m
Chapter 32 – Caden Watching Grace say good bye to the Fae has a smile growing on my face. Apparently Princess Airia and her are close, closer than I thought initially, and seeing how the Fae Princess kept my secret safe has me rethinking on when I should tell Grace the truth. Waiting with Amelia and Sunny who sits on Amelia’s head, I think about what I need to do when I make it to the lodge. Zander has already gathered wolves that support me, I will need to be fast as well if it means stopping Felix from being named Heir. But most importantly, I will need to keep the two she-wolves I have traveled with safe from my father and cousin. “Sorry about that.” Grace sheepishly apologizes as she makes her way towards me, a backpack fixed to her back. Her dirty clothes have been changed into a slick pair of black leggings and a black fitted hoodie; her silver hair tied back into a braid. We all felt better with the baths from last night, the hospitality shown to
Chapter 33 – Grace I watch as Caden shifts, his fur receding into his body as the bones realign themselves. Guilt is present in his posture as he stands before me in his human form, his emerald-green eyes not meeting my gaze. I had seen the tattoo on the wolf that called him Alpha, a tattoo only belonging to the wolves that guard the Alpha King. "Caden who was that?" I ask, my arms hugging my body as I try to keep the hurt I feel from showing. Caden is someone from the Royal pack, a pack that caused this Goddess forsaken event hundreds of years ago. “A pack mate of mine.” He answers, honesty radiating from his body. I stiffen, realizing the hidden meaning from his words. If that wolf was Caden’s pack mate, then that means. “Who are you?” I ask in a whisper, my eyes closing as I try to calm my frantic heart. “I can’t tell you. It’s the one thing that I have to keep from you to protect you.” He counters frantically, his words sounding like a plea for me to understand. "Who a
Chapter 34 – Caden My mind is racing as my paws carry me closer to the Lodge, it won’t be long till Grace wins the bet and I can claim what is mine. I know she will demand answers from me as soon as we are safe and I am terrified that Grace will come to resent me once she knows the truth. But she also deserves the truth if she is going to decide whether she is still willing to date me or not. I sigh, still conscious of her clinging to me as I refuse to let her run while still injured and slow my pace. We have been running for hours now and will need to rest soon. Suddenly, I feel the weight of Grace's body shift on top of me and come to a stop afraid she will fall off and hurt herself further. Her even breathing settles what little panic has risen inside me and I smile. She has fallen asleep on top of me and I couldn’t be any happier. She still trusts me enough to let down her guard and fall asleep. Amelia comes to a stop beside me, letting out a yawn
Chapter 35 – Grace The scent of forest in winter surrounds me once more, making my slowly waking body want nothing more than to fall back asleep wrapped in this scent. Strong arms that I know to be Caden’s keep me snuggled tight against him and although I am mad at him for keeping things from me, I don’t fight to get free. The steady beating of his heart under my head reminds me that other than to win the bet, I have something else to look forward to. Opening my eyes, I turn my head to look up at Caden, his right arm covering his eyes as he sleeps peacefully. I can see the dark circles peeking out from under, knowing that all of us have been through so much in the days we have been here. Today will be our last day to make it to the Lodge and from there we can get all the rest we will need. Carefully sliding out of Caden’s hold, I climb off the mattress and stretch while checking to see if my body is good enough to run again. I want to finish this bet w
Chapter 36 – Caden I growl as a wolf gets to close to Grace on my right, the dirty brown wolf facing the blunt of the power coursing through my blood. He whimpers, instantly lowering himself to the ground in submission indicating he understands that I can rip him to shreds in an instant. We have been running for two hours now since leaving the cave and in that two hours we have cross paths with numerous wolves either rushing to claim a mate or rushing to the Lodge for their freedom. I watch as Grace dodges a wolf trying to sweep her paws out from under her, watch as she whips around and bites on his jugular and growls menacingly at him. He submits to her, showing his neck and slowly lowering his body to the ground. Satisfied, Grace lets him go before running and returning to my side. Pride swells inside me at the strength Grace has knowing that I have found my perfect match. We nod to one another, a mutual understanding that as we race through the last