Chapter 10 #2
When the first round was done, and there were only three pairs left to spar, a brief intermission allowed me to get up and make the rounds, greeting members of my own pack as well as of the others.
Despite what people thought about me, I did care about my pack.
I quietly enjoyed meeting wolves from other territories, and on the off chance I was able to have private dinners with those visiting the Kingdom, I liked to pick their brains.
Find out what the traditions in their specific packs were, what worried them, what they flourished at.
Back before my father’s death, I had dreamed of traveling beyond the borders of my city. As an Alpha, the son of the ultimate Alpha, I would have been able to. That was before I was consumed with the need to distract myself with sex and debauchery. Before I lost my father.
But today was a day of high tensions, the first real challenge of the Hunt. The dinner and dance and other small gatherings were niceties, not the most interesting of the events, not what people came for.
I felt my own excitement rise as I thought of the nights that were coming: the transformations. The chance to see my potential mates in their most true forms.
“Will I see you this evening?” I murmured to Iris, the princess of the Yule Pack. She had lost the challenge almost immediately, and pitifully, with only an arm twisted behind her back.
Her beauty was ruined by the sour disappointment on her face, but she was trying to be polite, and I was trying to charm her. It was almost working—until that servant of Princess Sophia’s slipped by behind the small group of betas discussing the game so far.
I excused myself quickly and followed her path, disappearing behind an outbuilding. It was impressive that she’d gotten out of everyone’s gaze so fast and effectively. No one would think to look back here for a princess’s servant, and certainly not for the King.
She was heading toward an open door that led to the kitchens, and I knew I had to catch her before we were seen by anyone there.
I didn’t know why but I needed to talk to her again. To taunt her. My insides were burning with the desire to watch her squirm somewhere between obeying and defying me.
With a few quick steps, I had her by the arm, and she twisted, still in a defensive mode from her sparring with Sophia.
The servant gripped my upper arm and wrapped the other around my neck, pulling me down, her knee in my stomach.
I grunted before ducking out of the hold and spinning her so that her back was pressed against my chest, wrists held tightly between them in one large hand.
She was breathing fast and hard, and I could feel her excitement and anxiety. It was contagious, and only spiked the lust I felt. I fought the urge to bite the junction where her neck and shoulder met, and settled instead for breathing in the scent of her. Like fresh air, dirt, and spices.
***
Valarie
I realized who I had in a hold only when my knee pressed into his abdomen. Horror overwhelmed me and then disappeared just as quickly as I was spun and secured.
Facing the door I’d been heading toward, I prayed no one would come out. I didn’t know what the punishment would be for assaulting the King, but I imagined his pack wouldn’t hold back.
The Alpha’s body was hot, pressed against my shoulder blades. I tried to slow my breathing. I was still on edge from tussling with Sophia and watching the fights, the wolf in me wanting to get involved, but holding back.
Even now, I shivered with the desire to wrestle. I briefly imagined turning, pouncing on the Alpha, taking him to the ground with me, the two of us pawing at each other, whining and growling.
But I was beneath him. Figuratively.
Too bad I’m not literally beneath him, I thought, closing my eyes, and trying to calm the stirring I felt when his pelvis grazed my ass.
“What’s your name?” he murmured.
My eyes shot open in surprise.
“My name?”
I felt his grip on my wrists tighten briefly before he spun me around to face him. His light eyes searched my face, and I held my breath.
The night before, we’d been this close, but in darkness. It was easy then to ignore the fact that this was the King.
Now—in broad daylight—it was impossible.
He was perfectly put together, even after our small struggle. His blonde hair was combed back perfectly, his upper lip bowed beautifully. My mouth parted as I took in his features.
I shouldn’t be looking at him like this, I thought, dropping my gaze.
Gabriel’s head ducked down slightly, and he tilted my chin to the side with one finger.
“Your name,” he asked again, this time with an edge of authority.
I quivered, the wolf in me begging to submit.
“Valarie,” I said quietly. “My name is Valarie.”
“And you are Princess Sophia’s maid?”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I didn’t want him to hear submission in my voice almost as much as I didn’t want him to hear the slight defiance I felt.
Gabriel’s eyes traveled down my body, and he thumbed my bare thigh, just beneath the hem of my shorts.
“No leather today, Valarie?” he asked, voice dark.
I shook my head, still not meeting his eyes.
The sound of pots clanging together jarred us both, and Gabriel stepped back, straightening, immediately the imposing figure of King and Alpha.
I kept my head down and shoulders rounded.
“What did you think of the sparring?” he asked just a little too loudly.
I glanced toward the doorway and saw two servants outside, busying themselves with something and glancing surreptitiously our way.
“I thought the princesses were all rather impressive, my King,” I answered.
Only I heard the King’s snort of derision.
“Even Iris?” he asked wryly, and I frowned, trying to remember which one Iris was.
Oh—the Yule princess. She had gone down quickly, but gracefully.
I told him this and glanced up to see him surveying me, fighting a frown.
“Give Sophia my regards,” he said shortly, before turning and heading back toward the ring and the crowds. I stared after him, confused.
The sound of shuffling roused me, and I turned to look at the two kitchen servants. One was Ana, the maid I’d met at the dinner. The other was a thin man I didn’t recognize who shot me an obviously disapproving look.
I collected myself and started back toward the match, unsure what else to do. I didn’t look for Gabriel, instead focusing on Sophia, who stood talking to the other princesses and betas.