Chapter 18
Iris
I felt lonely again, worse this time because I didn't know what my fate would be. Back in the pack, I knew that I'd be sentenced if the bracelet wasn't found, but here, I didn't know what would be done to me.
The door to my room was pushed open and Zera came in with a tray in her hands. Her expression was warmer than it was yesterday which gave me some glints of hope to hold onto.
"Good afternoon, Zera," I yawned and stretched my limbs.
I climbed out of bed to collect the tray from her as I'd been sleeping all day. Thankfully, my hands and legs weren't chained so I could move about freely, except leaving the room.
"How do you feel?" She asked, sitting beside me.
"Better, I guess." I uncovered the plate and my mouth watered immediately.
The aroma of the chicken soup wafted to my nostrils, causing my stomach to grumble with hunger. The sound was quite embarrassing but I shoved aside the feeling and dug into the food.
I was only halfway into the meal when I realized that Zera was still in the room watching me curiously. Overwhelmed with the fear that came from not knowing whether the food was poisoned or not, I shrank backward.
She smirked and patted my shoulder. "I know what you're thinking, but mind you, poisoning your food is one dishonorable way to kill someone who didn't offend us." She assured me and my chest which had tightened out of fear relaxed.
"If you're telling the truth then why am I still held captive in your pack? Why can't you tell your Alpha to let me go?"
The warm expression on her face disappeared and was replaced with a cold mask. She stood up with her protective armor back on.
"We don't have an Alpha," She admitted in a low tone and headed to the door almost immediately.
A gasp tore out from my lips in sheer surprise and I could tell that the information had slipped, but that only piqued my curiosity.
"What do you mean by that? If I remember correctly, you captured me here on your Alpha's orders."
She huffed and spun around to face me, her gaze averted from my eyes. "The things you want to hear are not meant for your ears. You should only pray that your mate comes to us and give us what he wants, else, you will take his place and receive his punishment."
My heart skipped a beat and my hand hit the bowl of soup which turned and fell to the ground. She scoffed and then walked away, leaving me to clean my mess.
********
The owls hooted in the night, spurring my inability to sleep. My eyes which had refused to allow me some moments of rest, stared at the half-moon as its rays illuminated my small room.
In restlessness, I stirred then stayed, still wishing for sleep to claim me until I heard light footsteps and my eyes captured a hand seeking balance on the windowsill.
Panic gripped me as I clutched onto my duvet and folded myself into a ball, hoping that whoever was there wouldn't be the end of me. I should have locked the window before lying on the bed.
Then the window opened and a familiar huge figure let himself in with gentle strides until he got to my bed.
"Prince Gradel?" My body became giddy with excitement and my hands reached for his face. "You're really here," I whispered, suppressing the urge to wrap my arms around his neck.
He placed his index finger over my lips and hushed me, and then leaned closer to my ear. "Follow my lead and don't make any noise. We don't want to get caught and cause an uproar," He muttered.
I nodded with understanding and wondered how possible it was to escape without being noticed, but my thoughts were disrupted when he stopped and swept me off my feet, lifting me in a bridal style.
My head swooned in amazement while my body tingled with pleasure. At that moment, all the pain I went through from the kidnap was forgotten while I reveled in the knowledge that Prince Gradel who had always resented me, had me in his arms.
His hands were capable, filled with assurance of my protection, and his masculine scent warmed me up, causing flames of desire to be ignited within me.
Was it wrong to want a man whom I was supposed to hate while trying to escape?
He hoisted me through the narrowly parted window and thrust me downwards. Thankfully, my room was on the first floor so I wasn't scared of getting injured when I landed on the damp grass.
He joined me and held my hands and then started running in the opposite direction.
"Aren't we supposed to be heading towards the gate?"
He spared me an irritated glance and crouched to the ground while I did the same. "Look, Iris, we are on the verge of being caught. I'm sure by now their guards would have sensed that you aren't in the room anymore so stop asking questions and just follow my lead." He scolded me.
"I'm sorry, I was just scared. That's all," I explained.
"Well, you don't have to be. I'm more than capable of protecting you provided you stop distracting me with your throbbing arousal." He growled as I caught my breath in surprise. "Don't be surprised, I can smell your desire for me and it's messing with my mind so if you don't want me to fuck you silly and risk us getting caught you will focus on our escape." He shut his eyes and inhaled deeply.
I crawled towards him, partly relieved that the long grasses were shielding us from the view of the guards stationed at every corner of the pack house.
"And do you want me the way I want you? Do you feel something for me as well?"
His lips parted as he stared at me with glints of lust that couldn't be mistaken for anything else. His breaths became shaky as my hand trailed along his chest, his silence encouraging me to continue with my subtle ministration.
My courage was alarming as I never believed that I could talk to the prince in such an intimate manner, but here I was, longing for his touch and his ferocious kiss that would leave me breathless.
"Stop, Iris!" He groaned and bit his lower lips but his rejection wasn't convincing enough so I took the bull by the horns, damning the consequences.
"If you wanted me to stop, you'd have stopped me a long time ago so I'll go ahead and kiss you right now. You still have the chance to stop me if you want,"
I advanced towards him, closing the little distance that had earlier been between us and touched his lips. They felt so soft for a strong man like him.
Then I pushed closer, forgetting our predicament. He snaked his arm around my neck and the moment our lips touched, a loud whistle resonated in the yard.
We were done for.