CHAPTER FOURTEEN #2
Winter was the prince, but he wasn’t the king.
There was already interference once, and to have entered the enclosure a second time to save Red Riding Hood …
well, it would create dissent. Maybe even rebellion from his pack.
And while his father still breathed, he needed his pack’s respect, not have them turn on him and side with the king now that he was awake.
“Understood,” Sterling said and held her hands up for him. The bow and arrows he’d given her were slung over her back.
Winter hesitated a moment, knowing full well he should’ve ended her life long ago, but he couldn’t—not yet…
He hoisted her out of the pit, the walls far too slick for her to escape without help, and stumbled backward from the force of her body falling against him.
Winter tripped over the slumbering wolf’s legs and, with his grip still around Sterling’s wrists, took her down with him.
Her chest landed on his, their faces only an inch apart, and every curve of their bodies molded together.
Winter froze as memories of her on top of him, naked, kissing him, filled his mind.
All rational thoughts fled him in that moment and his wolf perked up at her closeness, no matter that blood and dirt covered her.
His gaze lingered on her face, taking in her features.
The smoothness of her skin, the jagged edges of her scar, how plump her lips were …
and how delicious she’d tasted when her tongue fucked his.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
If they weren’t in the middle of an enclosure with wolves desperate to kill her, he would lick up her cunt, see if it tasted of apples too.
Sterling cried out as she was ripped off Winter and thrown backward. Micah stared down at the prince, malice and betrayal burning in his gaze. Winter lazily stood and dusted himself off.
“You disobeyed my instructions,” the prince said silkily. “Go inside the manor now.”
“Your father will hear of this. You’re helping the fucking enemy!
” Micah lunged at Winter. One fist collided with Winter’s jaw, a loud crack reverberating, and the prince’s wolf roared to life.
His claws slipped out from his fingertips, but before he slammed his clawed hand through Micah’s chest, the shifter collapsed to his knees with an anguished grunt.
An arrow protruded from the back of his shoulder.
Winter’s wide gaze snapped to Sterling where she stood with her bow raised, a second arrow nocked against the string and aimed at Micah.
“No,” he ordered. “The traitor is mine.” His wolf clawed at his insides, desperate to finish him.
“What the fuck, Winter?” Micah growled, shakily pushing himself up. “What the actual fuck?”
The prince held his packmate’s stare. “I could ask the same of you. You shouldn’t have disobeyed your alpha.
” He took Micah’s head between his hands and snapped his neck, the crack pleasure to Winter’s ears as it always was with a traitor.
Despite having known him since childhood, Winter felt no remorse when the body crumpled to the ground.
As his gaze met Sterling’s, his inner voice whispered, Hypocrite.
“I saved your life,” Sterling said. “We’re even now.”
“Saved me?” He chuckled darkly. “You interfered.”
She lowered the bow and ripped her arrow free from Micah’s back. “He was going to gut you from the side before you touched him.”
“You’re not a very good liar,” Winter drawled and kicked Micah’s limp body into the pit. “This never happened. You’re on your own from here, Red Riding Hood.”
“You supplied me with two arrows,” she said.
Winter shrugged and sauntered away from her, doubting that very decision as he left the enclosure.
He returned to the manor knowing that if he lingered there, he would be tempted to go back into the game and kill every last wolf to ensure Sterling would win.
Instead, he changed his clothing and paced his room.
Back and forth. Back and forth. His claws slipping in and out.
Waiting and waiting until a knock interrupted his torturous thoughts.
“Yes?” he asked as he flung the door open.
“I thought you’d like to know Red Riding Hood and her teammate won the game,” Amalli informed him. Then, “The king is waiting for you.”
Relief washed through him that Sterling was still alive, but trepidation quickly took its place.
“Prepare her a bath then,” Winter said and brushed past her.
He didn’t miss the small smile curling her lips.
Amalli had done well, always obeyed him.
Now that Micah was dead, he needed someone to replace him, and he would give her a chance.
He didn’t knock on his father’s door—this was his home, after all. “You wanted to see me?” Winter asked, then stilled.
The king sat on the edge of the bed, shoulders squared, spine straight. Even the color had returned to his face. Damn it.
“Your games are as weak as you are,” the king taunted. Years of verbal abuse left him feeling completely unbothered by the jab.
“I believe the dead wolves would say otherwise.” Winter tsked.
“You continue to be a failure,” the king spat. “Micah was found dead in the enclosure. And there are whispers that someone saw your mate sneak in on the last game.”
“Talia isn’t my mate.” He shrugged. “She’s yours to fuck whenever you wish.”
“I’ve tired of her.” The king gave a mirthless laugh. “Forget about her for now. Tomorrow night we’re hosting a mating ceremony for two of my wolves. You’ll attend with the human so I will formally meet the infamous Red Riding Hood.”
“Of course.” Winter kept his expression masked, even though his father was up to something. Not once had a human ever attended a mating ceremony.