The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 10

Bryson

She happily hummed a song that I could only assume was from the human world, while I scanned for threats. I looked down at her skipping merrily next to me in the pale moonlight. She seemed so happy to travel with me, even though I had been going slow on purpose to accommodate my small mate. I knew she wouldn’t be able to keep up with me, or do the route I usually ran because she was so small… and her attitude would get her in trouble. She would probably challenge a troll if given the opportunity.

I would go the long way around the nests of other supernatural creatures, especially the harpies, who ate anything that entered their area. They left me alone because I had walked that route, figuring it out on my own at a young age. Its’ been over 250 years since my banishment, and I would challenge and defeat the harpies to the point of instant submission.

She yawned and I started a small fire. We would just lay on the bedrolls tonight so we could get moving faster. Since I was slowing down for her, I would need to make sure that we were keeping up as best as we could with the migratory hunting. It would start to snow soon, and I mean to tan at least one hide for warmth.

“I’m going to go bathe and change.” She said with a big smile. I nodded, but I would listen in case there was anything that indicated she was in danger. There was a small stream we crossed that wouldn’t be enough to swim in, but she could freshen up. My wolf nagged me to go with her, but I wouldn’t allow that. She didn’t seem ready for me to finish the mating ceremony yet, but I would soon if she was willing. I may be a Beast, but I was no brute.

The small thing in her bag made noise and flashed. I didn’t use technology, there was no need out here, living off the land and away from humans that would hunt me for my pelt, and from packs that would shun me.

Against my better judgment, I picked it up, and looked at the words on the glowing screen.

It said ‘Dad’. Her mother was agreeable enough of a she wolf, so I pressed the green button lightly that said ‘answer’.

“Hello?” I said.

“I can’t fucking believe this.” Growled the most annoying Alpha I have ever encountered. The Wolf Prince. Just the thought of him made my blood boil.

“Neither can I.” I grumble, trying not to break Isabelle’s human things.

“What the fuck did you do to my daughter!” He screamed.

I laughed. The irony. “Nothing she didn’t want.” I said amused. Imagining his smug face made me chuckle.

He growled again, and it made me laugh more.

“If you harm her-” I cut him off.

“I would never harm my mate.” I say seriously, ignoring anything else he had to say.

I heard light running, along with the scent of fresh strawberries in June.

“I heard noise…. what’s wrong?” she said out of breath.

I figured the red button would end this, so I pressed it.

“Who was that?” She looked inquisitively. She enchanted me with those amber doe eyes of hers.

“Your father.” I said flatly. I held in a growl for her sake. “Of all the wolves in this world, the Goddess paired me with the daughter of the man I hate most in this world…” I look up at the moon, and back at her. Isabelle seemed to be hurt by my words. Honestly, I should have caught on a long time ago, seeing as her mother mentioned their pack name.

“…I was going to tell you…but I didn’t know you had beef with my family.” She looked down, showing her neck to me. I pulled her into an embrace and forced her to look up at me by placing a finger under her chin.

“This doesn’t change how I feel about you, my little princess.” I gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, and she seemed to calm herself. “Though it never occurred to me until now that you were an actual princess.” I chuckle slightly. She gave me a small smile.

The fire crackled, and I held her until she went to sleep, sitting on top of my bed roll. She was nothing like anyone I had ever met before. She was the only person in this world that liked me for who I was, not as a tool, or an animal. I promised myself that I would try. I would try to give her a life she deserved…. And I would try to behave if I ever joined a pack for her sake.

-------Isabelle--------

I woke up rested somehow in his bed roll. Bryson must get up before the sun, because the fire was already buried, and everything was put away. The goal was to keep moving so we could keep up with the migration of food.

It was noon when we slowed our pace, to make sure we weren’t too tired tonight. Our food supply was ok, but a little low that I had to think about how much my mate could eat. He didn’t say anything, but he seemed to be content enough. He looked like he was always in a bad mood if you didn’t know him any better. There was a subtleness to his strong, stoic nature. He seemed focused on walking until his eyes darted, looking down at me.

“Good Lady Moon woman, stop staring at me with those doe eyes; you’re driving my wolf crazy.” He said breaking the silence.

“I wasn’t staring… I was thinking.” I half lie. He raised an eyebrow.

“About…?” He questioned, and I couldn’t think of anything.

“How am I driving your wolf crazy?” I changed the subject.

“He wants me to throw you down.” He said flatly, not breaking his stride.

“What?” I ask confused. He looked at me with an expression I didn’t quite understand, but I could see his eyes flash black a few times before he cleared his throat.

“He wants Me to throw You Down. And your doe eyes aren’t helping, princess.” He repeated, emphasizing it like that would help.

“Well tell him I’m not wrestling you; you’d probably win anyway.” I said, letting go of his hand to run to the top of a hill I saw a little bit away.

I heard Bryson growl like a madman, but he continued to walk his pace. Did I offend him? He’s a grown man he’ll get over it, I thought.

I enjoyed the smell of the trees and the clearing that was in front of us. It was so pretty, even though all the blooming flowers where long gone, you could still smell the fresh air, along with the smell of wolves close by.

There was a small campsite that was occupied at the far end of the clearing. It seemed to be only 4 wolves camping there. It was a couple and their young pups. They looked no older than 4 and 7. I kept my distance, and waved to see if they were hostile, but I saw what looked like smiles. The parents saw me and waved back. They also seemed to be grilling fish by the smell of it and in general having fun and laughing together.

“Hi!” I yell cheerfully. I knew that they wouldn’t be aggressive if I wasn’t; they were a family. I thought to myself.

I ran to socialize with my fellow traveler, and we shook hands. It was weird to do so, since I was raised shaking wrists, but I rolled with it to keep their customs. The dark gray hared father was lean, short for a male at only 5’8, and seemed to be covered in scars. He beamed a toothy grin smiling at me. His wife on the other hand, was as tall as an Alpha female. She sported a simple white dress that complimented her golden locks and blue-greenish eyes. She had orange flecks, so she really was an Alpha or Beta female.

Her pups had the same eyes as hers, but their father’s hair. They played sword fight with sticks, and it made me giggle. I looked around while their mother seemed to make tea on the fire they already had going. They had a tent about the same size as mine and it was patched up, but was still standing. It looked like there was a very organized fire area complete with seating that reminded me of something, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I shrugged. If it was important, I would have remembered it, I figured.

I sat on a log, and I was handed a warm cup of tea from the she wolf.

“Thank you…. Mrs…?”

“I’m Kate and this is my mate Harry.” She said proudly. “And those are our pups Simon, he’s 6 and Simone is 4” she pointed.

“I’m Isabelle, and my mate is taking his sweet time.” I smile.

“So, are you looking for a new pack too?” Said Harry.

“No, I was looking for my mate.” I say, sipping the really good tea. They had cream and sugar.

“Ah, so you two are on honeymoon, congratulations.” Said Kate. I shook my head.

“I’m a nomad with my mate. My dad hates him.” I say truthfully.

They both gave each other worried looks. They linked each other, and then sat on the other side of the fallen log. “I hope then that you find another pack, but don’t go to PineMoon, Alpha Vincent is unnecessarily cruel….” Said Harry, not saying everything but I read between the lines.

There were always some who were just drunk off their power. Those often treat the weak terribly, and encourage that behavior from the strong. I thank the Lady that dad valued everyone, but it can’t be helped… some just think might is right. “I’m sorry you guys had to live with an Alpha like that. Go to CharredMoon, we treat everyone well, regardless of rank..” I say, concerned for their wellbeing.

“Does he have a mate?” Asked Kate. I laugh. “Yeah, mom and dad are great.” I smile wide, then jump at the sudden presence of a strong male so close I could feel his breath.