Chapter 27: WOLVES

27 – WOLVES

Meridian Water

As the carriage rolled along, my thoughts refused to settle. The recent events replayed over and over in my mind. I was on high alert, and two things were throwing me off balance. We had been under constant attacks lately—why? But that wasn’t the main thing. First, there was the almost-kiss with the prince. Ever since that moment, my thoughts had been consumed by his scent, his hands on my waist, the feeling that danced over me like shadows. Then there was that strange memory of the wolf. What was it trying to tell me? Why did it seem to recognize me? Why didn’t it attack me in the forest? Everything felt tangled.

“You know you’re staring at me, right?” the prince said, breaking into my thoughts.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m miles away from you right now,” I snapped, irritation creeping into my voice as my words came out harsher than intended.

“Thinking about the kiss you wish we’d finished, or someplace else?” He raised an eyebrow, his amusement evident in his tone, which only irritated me more.

“I’m thinking about the constant attacks we’ve been under, without any answers,” I said, shooting him an annoyed smile.

“Much less interesting.” He sighed this time, and I couldn’t help but let a small, involuntary smile slip through.

The rest of the journey was quiet until the carriage came to an abrupt stop. When we stepped out into a village, it was devastated. Bodies lay scattered, flames licked at what was left of the structures, and destruction was everywhere. The prince stayed a step behind me, watching, his expression unreadable, as if studying my reaction.

“What happened here?” I asked one of the soldiers who had just returned to stand at attention.

“A brutal attack,” he said, his gaze flicking from the Prince to me for a brief moment—just enough to make me sense something unsaid in the air.

“Wolves?” The prince’s voice cut through, calm yet commanding.

“Yes.” The soldier nodded, turning back to me. “They burned and looted everything. Word is, they’re planning to take our territory, burning their way through every inch until they reach us.”

“And we’re the demons…” I muttered, the irony lacing my voice. Yet something inside me stirred at his words. A vibration. The image of blue eyes flashed in my mind—not filled with rage or a killer’s instinct. There was something else, something almost... human.

“What do you think?” the prince asked, watching my face carefully.

I surveyed the destruction for a moment, the scene searing into my memory. It didn’t look like the typical wolf attack, but I’d heard plenty about the pack—this was an unfinished war.

“That we’ll reinforce your security and let them come,” I sighed. “Let’s end this war once and for all.”

The prince only nodded, but something in his eyes changed as he took in the scene. He seemed distant, and the way his throat bobbed, and his gaze shifted told me he’d slipped into some private thought. When his focus returned, the shadow in his eyes had darkened—the same shadow I’d seen when I first met him. It was the prince—not the man who flirted with me, but the serious, enigmatic leader fulfilling his duty outside the walls of his kingdom. And every time he wore that mask, something told me things were about to get worse.

On the way back to the castle, the prince seemed lost in thought, though his eyes occasionally flicked to me, as if gauging my movements. For days, I’d been so focused on everything happening that I had stepped back from the game we’d been playing. It was too dangerous. I couldn’t afford to let the mission slip through my fingers for the sake of a risky flirtation. My job was to keep the Prince safe, and I couldn’t let that focus waver—not for him, not for anyone.

“You’re surprisingly quiet when you want to be,” he said suddenly, snapping his book shut. “Sometimes I wish I could read your thoughts,” he added, catching me off guard.

“Focusing on my work, Prince. Something you should try as well,” I shot back sharply, though he only smirked in response.

“So defensive, Meridian. Maybe I’ll conjure a spell to see what’s going on in that head of yours. Bet it’s more than just work,” he teased.

“Don’t try it, or it’ll cost you dearly,” I warned, crossing my arms.

“Interesting... I think I’d enjoy the cost. You make a lot of promises but rarely follow through—that says a lot about you.” His voice had that slow, drawling quality that made my patience wear thin.

The carriage stopped before I could respond, and we stepped out. The cool night air was a relief, but his presence didn’t feel any lighter. As I checked the perimeter, I felt him draw closer—always a step nearer than necessary.

“You like running,” he murmured, his voice too close.

“You like being annoying,” I retorted, turning to meet those dark eyes that seemed to challenge me at every moment.

“It’s a fascinating pastime,” he said, tilting his head. “But you know what’s even more fascinating? You don’t send me away.”

“It’s not like I can—I’m contracted to be your shadow,” I shot back sarcastically.

He laughed, and then he stared at me. I could see more than just teasing in his eyes this time. There was desire. The tension between us snapped like a wire pulled too tight. He stepped closer suddenly, his hands cradling my face firmly. His touch was warm, and I should’ve pushed him away right then—but I didn’t. His mouth crushed against mine with a ferocity that stole my breath. It was raw, provocative, and nothing like I expected.

Before I could even think, he had pushed me into the carriage. I barely registered the movement before I was straddling his lap, his hands gripping me tightly as we kissed with a wild intensity.

You have to stop. You’re on duty. This is dangerous. Never lose sight of the perimeter.

But his hands roamed over me with a burning hunger that made me feel like I was melting. His lips trailed down my neck as my nails dug into his biceps. Strong. He was so strong. So... goddamn gorgeous. And he was the prince.

He’s the Prince.

Footsteps caught my attention, snapping me back to reality. I pulled away from his lap, creating distance in a matter of seconds.

A knock on the carriage door.

“It’s clear,” came a soldier’s voice. “You can come out now.”

I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my breathing, ignoring the smirk playing on the prince’s lips as he watched me.

“Ladies first,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement. “Unless, of course, you’d like to stay and continue...”

I glared at him, cutting him off with a sharp sigh before throwing the door open and stepping out.

I’d love to stay and continue...

What the hell was I doing?