The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 100

Bryson

Papa! Squeaked Kaizen, who was chased by his brother, while Grace sat at my feet yawning. It made me smile. My little girl loved her papa enough that she would be with me, and I would let her nap. It would throw off her sleep schedule, but she could be with me when the others slept.

Out of respect, a fairly large ring around me and my pups were kept so they could play. They zipped around me in circles as I sat in a lawn chair with ribs, and my mate spoke with her siblings somewhere in the large crowds. Her entire family except the King and Queen came. They thought it inappropriate as they had as of yet to punish us, but none of us would have objected. Jerold and Noah came in their stead. The human blended in so well one would assume he was an Omega with a dormant wolf, while I decided I would keep an eye on him too. My pups stopped running and decided to tussle, so I shouted a warning to those two.

Be careful! I growled, which got a small chuckle out of the Warriors nearby.

There were at least five thousand wolves here today, and most were at the rides that sat in between several packs, as there was no way we could fit so many in one place… but this one attracted the most wolves since me and Isabelle were here. Alpha Ryan, Kaiden, and Caleb all invited their packs as well by bus, though I hadn’t seen Ryan’s hide since we got the ride delivery yesterday. The rest, if they wanted to pray at the bonfire, would come tonight, though it was already packed.

This was to be my first time at an event like this… I didn’t like it, but I wouldn’t allow myself to ruin what Isabelle had planned. She wanted to ride the rides, and catch up with her parents. Her brother and his mate were with her as well, which is why I volunteered in the first place to stay behind. As much as I loved my pack as an Alpha, I couldn’t leave my pups with anyone as a father with this many wolves around.

They pawed at a stick, attempting to jump over it, and failing. I growled another warning to them, and they were fine. This was one of the first moons of the Fall Fest season, with the Harvest Moon being next month. I hoped it showed that I was invested in the customs and traditions of these wolves…. Even though I’d never actually attended. I went off what my mate experienced as a pup….

“Order Number 722!” Yelled one of the carnival workers. They had served much more than that, though there were grills and food everywhere. The entire clearing between Pine and WaterMoon side of the pack had been cleaned for this. We even felled some of the trees to accommodate the makeshift parking, as all the parking lots in town were filled with bus and car rentals.

The smell of grilled meat was thick, and the outcome of wolves blew my mind. It was why I fought so hard…. And why with my strength that I would continue to protect. I was overwhelmed, and I felt overcrowded, but I wouldn’t be the sour blanket.

“Alpha I brought this for you.” Said a she wolf shyly, holding a Kokie-Cola. I recognized her from I think PineMoon, as she was an off-duty Warrior. I was suspicious, but I took it, eyeing her as I did so.

“Thank you.” I told her without a smile, but she remained bubbly.

“No Alpha, thank you! It’s the least I could do! You protect us. Please enjoy your meal.” She bowed leaving and I relaxed. I didn’t want any repeats from the last party we had.

“Um Alpha...?” Mumbled Commander Paul with a raised hand…. With Tyson dangling from his fingers, growling, refusing to let go as if Paul were steak. Everyone got a good laugh out of it, but I was genuinely surprised… I had looked away one second…!

“What the hell?” I growled, and he tried giving him to me, but he wouldn’t let go while Kaizen followed him, looking like he wanted some too.

“I must’ve still had some sauce on my hands…” He said sheepishly, and I laughed.

“But How did this happen?” I demanded, holding my stomach. I knew I shouldn’t have, but Lady I had never seen him nip someone and not let go.

“They were getting too close to the outer circle, and he got me. He won’t let go!” He complained.

“Well enjoy your new ring.” I chuckled, and his face turned a bit pale.

“But Alpha!” He complained, and Tyson growled. He wanted his prize… so I traded him some rib meat in exchange for fingers. All I had to do was wave the plate in front of his face. His eyes were big as saucers. He let go of Paul nearly instantly, wiggling violently out Paul’s good hand, grabbing and dragging about half my food to the ground, and sharing it with his brother and sister.

“Lady Damnit!” I grumbled, only to hear chuckles from the pack, and I couldn’t help but smile…. I got outsmarted by a one year old….

They growled eating in big chomps, while Paul licked his already healed wound.

“Oh my Lady, Bryson, that’s way too much!” Yelled my mate, and I laughed. She was so small she couldn’t be seen in the crowd, but they parted way for her with bows of respect. I could see she brought her family with her, but the pups were now covered nearly head to toe in barbeque, full, and yawning.

“Gods…. they look like they all swallowed tennis balls.” Facepalmed Kaiden, but they wiggled to him with fat bellies.

“Bryson, I think you did your best.” Said Eclipse, though she picked them up not caring that they would destroy her white blouse with stains.

“They tried to eat Paul.” I chuckled, though I knew he would have been sore if I said that to him.

No! Squirmed Grace, who wanted to be put down. Lately they didn’t really like being held. Once they got put down, they ran to Noah, who kneeled on the ground to give them hugs and kisses.

“Make sure you don’t smell like food.” I warned, but he only laughed.

“They can barely move Bryson; I think I’m safe.” He giggled happily, getting gentle licks from them all. They recognized him, and I was glad for that… He could probably lose a finger if he wasn’t careful.

“Your turn Alpha.” Beamed Isabelle, who yawned.

“I’m happy here. You can nap with the pups.” I said with a grumble, but Kaiden crossed his arms.

“I hate these things too, but trust me, the pack loves it. It’ll be over before you know it, and who knows, you might have fun if you try.” He said with a small smile. “Either that or have Connor stay with you.” He grinned and I got up.

“I’m going.” I grumbled.

“I’m coming too!” Beamed Noah, and I didn’t mind him tagging along. Connor liked to purposefully aggravate me. He never knew how many times I’d come to turn sparing into a fight, or just throwing him out my house.

“I’m taking you to your mate, doing one loop around the fair, then I’m going back.” I said sternly, but he protested.

“Oh take that glum frown off your face and look at all the wolves who absolutely adore you.” Noah beamed, and I grunted. He wasn’t wrong, but I honestly didn’t want to admit it.

“Walk closer to me.” I grumbled, smelling for Jerold, worried for the mortal. I liked him, and I didn’t want anyone carting him off to the grill thinking he was part of the feast…. Not a visitor expected to leave in one piece even though I already told everyone about him. My inner guardsman however, decided to mess with him as soon as they saw us. I waved, and they ran to me waving back.

“Alpha, let me cook him for you!” Smiled Warrior Kathrine jokingly, grabbing Noah by his curly hair. She didn’t hurt him, but he didn’t like it.

“Surely my Friend won’t allow that.” He complained, looking to me, but I smiled.

“Tasty.” Said her mate, getting snickers from the pack. I had already told them of his status, so they knew he was a guest. They’d met him before, though I wasn’t sure if he recognized them.

“I think not! Bryson!” He squealed, and I smiled wider.

“…he’d be a little gamey.” I teased.

“A little rosemary, some thyme, ‘n garlic’ll fix that…” She picked him up, slinging him over her shoulder.

“You both will stop this! Bryson, I thought we were friends! Friends don’t eat friends!” he squealed, and I Linked her.

Take him to his mate.

Understood sir… but can I take him by the grill? She grinned, and I rolled my eyes this time.

No.

“What are you two linking?! Jerold?! Jerold!!!” He screamed, though it was playfully.

…. pretty please? She wanted to scare him legitimately, but I was against it.

I will not repeat myself. I told her, though I could tell we’d already gone a bit too far. I smelled bull.

“Let Noah go, unless you want to deal with the King of Halves” I pointed to a red eyed Jerold, who marched to his mate like a legion soldier.

“Oh shit!” She whined, putting him down scampering off, though Noah looked unimpressed.

“I was a second away from kicking both your asses.” He hmphed. I couldn’t help but chuckle, seeing as how he probably could have escaped. He may have been human, but he was armed. I’m sure he also knew that I wouldn’t actually let him get hurt.

“Noah, I swear to the gods you’re going to make my fur gray.” Jerold mumbled, though his mate kissed him on the cheek.

“You’ll still look good.” He teased, while Jerold rolled his eyes.

“Please take this tiny mate of yours with you next time.” I chuckled, and he shook his head.

“You abandoned me to die!” Noah stomped his feet playfully, getting kissed by his mate.

“It was out of love. I know you wanted to stand next to me in a 45 minute phone meeting instead of riding the rides, right?” He said softly, but he’d flustered his mate. I was thankful that the Lady had given me and Jerold mates, something that honestly shouldn’t have happened… but did.

He was a minitour, and the few I’ve ever encountered were either damn near mindless beasts, or very unreasonable to the point of needless fights to the death… I too was just a monster, one who only knew battle… Now because of her I was able to find peace. I was more than my birthright... it made me wonder what would have happened if I would have gained this strength without ever meeting Isabelle

It made me miss her…. She’d stayed up so excited for this, and I could feel through our bond she was relaxed but tired. She’d also delt with all the wolves this morning, insisting that I ‘save my energy’ for the first prayer… something I worried I would somehow ruin. It made me slightly nervous.

“Why’d you get so quiet! What did Ash Say?” Noah asked, though Jerold stiffened.

“We need to speak in private somewhere.” He said quietly, but he made no move to actually go somewhere with few wolves, meaning he had no intention of telling me exactly what was going on at the moment, nor his mate.

“I hate to cut this short… but I will need to leave tonight. Noah, I’m sorry but I cannot take you with me.” He mumbled lowly, attempting to kiss him, but he shoved his hands in his face.

“I get it, I’m human, but Lady Damnit I should be included too!” He grumbled, though Jerold looked like he was in no mood to argue.

“I can’t take you because I have no idea if even I will be safe. I also don’t know who else he’s called, so you need to stay here.” He said hugging him close. I could understand that.

“I don’t trust the other kings any more than I could probably throw them. Noah maybe consider his feelings on this.” I said scratching behind my horns.

“Good. They look out for their people, their interests. I don’t; my people are far and few between.” He smiled. I didn’t know what he meant by it, but I could guess. He was a creature created from human lusts… I doubt if not for his strength that the other kings would value him.