Chapter 13: Trouble

Fluke bounced as our legs galloped towards the Queen’s Point.  As much as I wanted to scold her for her loud howling that could raise half of the dead Black Wolves we left behind by the road, I could barely let out a word out of my mouth.

My head was in a mess, and Kieran’s voice kept on echoing in my mind, reminding me that the stranger should not be trusted.

I shifted back into my human form as my feet touched the grass of Queen’s Point.   The cold seaside winds played with my hair.   I shivered when the winds kissed my exposed back.

The ravine was steep, and I couldn't help but feel nauseous peeking down. My eyes could barely make out the waves crashing on the jagged rocks below.

Yet, despite almost memorizing everything around me, there was no sign of the stranger.  Not even the tip of his cloak.

I cussed under my breath as I crumpled his note, leaving it on the floor.  I shouldn't have gone through lengths to get here.  He could be rolling over the ground right now, laughing at me.

I turned on my heel and began to step away from that place when I sensed a pair of eyes watching from the dark bushes opposite the cliff’s edge.

“Who’s there?”  My voice was picked up by the wind.  Soft rustling of the leaves answered my question.  My shoulders eased up a bit.

Nothing.  I really should return to—

“Leaving so soon, trouble?”

My back straightened up as soon as I felt his presence close to me.  His hot breath kissed the nape of my neck.  I wasn’t even aware of how he managed to appear behind me.

“I thought you were playing a prank on me,” I replied, my body turning to look back at him.  However, his hand immediately stopped me, while the other gently rested on my waist.

“When did I ever play with your heart?” he teased.

I scoffed.  “You speak as if we’ve known each other for so long.”

He let out a soft, warm chuckle that tickled the back of my ear.  “Why, don’t we go way back?  I saved you from death.”

“And I thank you for that,”  I firmly said, before turning around to meet his eyes.  “That’s all there was to that.”

“And I saved you again tonight,”  he mumbled as his golden eyes fell on my lips.  “I believe I deserve more than a simple thank you, Your Majesty.”

My eyebrow arched as I took two steps away from him.  The heat from his body has become dangerously infectious, so that despite the cold winds, I could feel my cheek and ears burning.  “All I can offer is a simple thanks,  mister.”

His lips twitched in amusement as he took two steps closer to me.  I wondered if he cast his Red magic, because even though my mind was screaming for me to walk away, my feet remained in place, waiting for him to cross the line.

“I believe I informed you about my certain…urges.”  The stranger’s finger brushed against the tips of my hair, twirling them between his fingers.  His eyes moved up until they settled once again on my lips, watching every movement they made.

“And I believe I refused to become your bedwarmer, mister,”  I adamantly replied before trying to step on his foot.  However, before I could even move my leg, I felt his resting in between mine, locking me in position.

“I don’t fall for the same trick twice, my darling trouble.”  He smirked.  “Well, unless you’re the one to fool me.”

I felt his hands search for my waist.  Once they settled, he pulled me closer, until our chests were against each other, and I could almost feel the beating of his own heart.  His fingers grazed against my cheek, then on my lips…

The stranger leaned down, as if to claim his most-awaited prize…

But before he crossed the remaining distance between us, he paused.  The stranger peered up at me, his lips painted with a wicked smile.  “I brought you a gift, Your Majesty.”

I let out a deep sigh as he stepped away and walked back to the bushes.  When he returned, he was carrying a military-grade utility box and a small pouch in his hands.  He tossed the pouch at me, which felt heavy.  They jangled in my hand as I shook the pouch.

“Keys?” I asked, looking back at him in confusion.  “For what?”

“Houses for you to pick on,” he casually replied as he unlocked the box.  “There are some cars too.  I saw your accommodation, and I don’t think that place is fit for a Queen.  The security’s quite lax.”

I scoffed before returning the pouch.  “No, I can’t accept this—”

“Hestia.”  He stopped my hands.  “You need this.”

“I’m not going to accept any help from a Red!  Do you want us both to get tried for treason?”

“Then we’ll say these are gifts from your mate,”  he insisted, his tone laced with irritation.  I watched as his throat bobbed, as if he was restraining himself from saying—or doing—anything.

The corner of my lips lifted.  “You knew…”

He scoffed. “How could I not? I can hear your wolf from a mile away.”

He can hear Fluke? But… how?

Only Lycans and their mates could hear their wolves.  And never had I ever heard of a Red being capable of having a mate bond, let alone hear a Lycan’s wolf’s mating call.

I watched as his amber eyes darted to my lips, before looking away.  He wet his lips with his tongue before letting out a deep sigh.  “Just take all of it, okay?  I also brought a few high-grade military tech.  You could use them in the meantime to protect yourself.  Alpha Heron would come back with more surprises.  It’s better if you’re prepared—”

“Why are you helping me?”  I asked.  “Won’t you benefit more if this kingdom burns to the ground?  Why are you risking your head for me?”

He closed his eyes as he rubbed his temple.  “My trouble, I know you’re smart, but sometimes I feel as if I’m talking to a five-year-old pup.  Isn’t it clear enough to you?  I’m your mate, and this is how I court you.  So, are you taking these, or am I going to toss them into the ocean?”

Before I could even answer, I sensed two wolves coming our way.  I placed my hand over the stranger’s mouth, shushing him.

“Hestia! Where are you?”