The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 15

Isabelle

“Your highness, thank you for watching over our little family.” Said Zack, shaking his wrist when he got up, then mine. It was sunrise and Bryson had moved their gear to our campsite, because it was in much better shape. It was a bit bigger and had better seating and cooking arrangements.

“Technically… I’m not an Alpha…. or royalty. And thank my mate. Those innocent eyes welling up with tears is deadly.” He said with the smallest hint of a smile on his face. I blushed, and I continued to help Gabby with the cooking.

“No one can resist the puppy pout, not even grandfather.” I said with a grin. He raised an eyebrow.

“Really now? I’ll have to ask him myself one day then.” He said with a chuckle.

The two little kids were happily playing with a ball made from clothing scraps. It wasn’t that big, but we all made due with what we had. Things had been peaceful since last night, but something was off. I hadn’t smelled a single rouge in the area. It made me pull Bryson to the side.

“Where are all the Rouges? I half expected them to come last night.” I asked him, just out of earshot of the family. They had some peace of mind, and were happy, why ruin it? He seemed completely nonchalant about it.

“Some did, but I don’t think the rest will be bothering anyone anytime soon.” He said, pointing to fresh wolf pelts stretched out with rope, swaying in the breeze off a few cedars…

“Um… I’m going to go take a bath.” I mention, but I didn’t know what to make of his aggression. I had never come across a wolf more violent than him. ‘ You’re an enemy?’ I’ll just throw you in a burning fire, or skin you and hang your hide to dry.’ It sent a shiver down my spine, but at the same time… I liked it.

I liked that he was so dominant. I liked that he could pick me up like I weighed nothing, sling me over his shoulder, and nearly have me seeing stars in bed. He followed me silently, watching me like I was a tiny mouse, and honestly, I began to feel like one. I stripped naked and he joined me, but he seemed like it took everything he had in him to behave. He looked at me with an intense gaze, and growled slightly, looking away abruptly.

“I shouldn’t have come since you’re still in heat…. But I didn’t want you alone either.” He said massaging my temples. He washed my hair, and I washed his chest and shoulders. I could only reach as much, and some of his neck, but he leaned down so I could comb my fingers through his soft locks. I relished the sweet moments we had together. He was so tender, his expression was kind, and soft. He was completely different person when we were alone.

“… you make it sound like it’s a bad thing.” I said with a small frown…. Seeing he was completely erect. His thick member was ready, but I wasn’t sure if I was.

“It is if you’re sore from your first time.” He told me, looking to see if I was hurt. I still had only the dullest pain from completing the mating ceremony, so it was probably best not to push it. He kissed me on the forehead, and I dried myself off with the fluffy towel he had left on the riverbank. I slipped on a nice pair of thick jeans and my hiking boots. I was beginning to ware the first pair out, and I wondered how Bryson would get another pair. He had been out here longer, so he would probably need to restock soon too.

We made it back to the camp to see that Gabby was mending our clothes, while Zack stocked the firewood with the pups. Bryson looked surprised, and walked to the couple, who seemed to be contributing to our little group.

“Forgive us Alpha if we overstep, but we felt as if you would like something to eat and your old clothes repaired while you were out.” Said Gabby, showing her neck.

“Alpha Bryson thank you for keeping us safe.” Beamed their son, Adam. Libby nodded her head in approval, and I looked at him. He didn’t say anything to them, but he went into our tent.

“I’ll go talk to him.” I said about to leave, but Zack stopped me by holding his hand in front of me.

“No Luna… leave him be. He’s a loner. He probably never led anyone before... but maybe tomorrow he would allow me to be his Beta. Strong as he is, it’s only a matter of time before he takes over a pack or creates one through his might. Both of you are legendary to our people. Ancient ones... who share the blood of a wolf so powerful, no one knows he’s real.” He said quietly.

I hummed in agreement and sat on the log with them. Dinner tonight was roasted turkey with wild mushroom soup and pine needle tea. It was a light tea that really didn’t taste like anything, but it was full of vitamin C.

I made a large plate for Bryson, making sure I had enough soup, tea and meat to calm his appetite, and gently called his name. He didn’t respond, so I opened the tent slowly. I knew he was a fluffball with me, but I still didn’t want to make him more upset. I could feel is confliction through our bond.

“Never as an outcast have I ever been treated with such respect.” He said suddenly. “Even when I traded with other nomadic wolves, there was always a suspicion cast on me. I was the black sheep, even among outcasts.” He said with a dry chuckle, taking the hot food. I sat down with him, letting him take the first bite. He was Alpha. He ate first. If we were in a packhouse, Alpha would sit at the head of the table, and take the first bite, unless a stronger guest was there.

We didn’t really practice that at home, but I knew Bryson was more instinctual than most. He suddenly stopped sipping his soup, and put it down. He sat me in his lap, and with the spoon, he tried feeding me. I don’t think he had ever attempted something so tender with anyone, and it warmed my heart that he was trying…. Lady he made a mess, struggling to feed me gently, then himself in alternating bites, but he tried.

“Bryson, not EVERY wolf is an ass. They understand and appreciate your help.” I said, finishing the last spoonful of soup.

“No, but everyone out here has an agenda. I bet he wants to stick around…” He said with a small grumble.

“But that isn’t a bad thing. More eyes, more hands to help, plus they won’t make it out here with Zack injured. He owes you a life debt.” I say, being fed turkey leg. He sat there for a long time, mulling over my words.

“Would you accept them so easily?” He said as if he were thinking out loud.

“Of course, I know they’ll be useful, and maybe even allies.” I said, smiling wide. I wanted him to have friends, meet new people, and come out his shell a bit. He wasn’t alone anymore, he had me. He would never be an outcast again if I could help it.

“…. if he swears on his blood, I will not deny him. Now eat your turkey.” He said sternly, nearly shoving the leg in my mouth.

“But I’m full!” I whine. He chuckled, stripping the meat off the bone in 3 big bites. Hot damn.

“I better not hear your stomach growl, little princess.” He warned.

“What would you do?” I asked seductively. I wasn’t ready to go again, but I would tease him. His eyes went black.

“I would do this.” Said his wolf, Ven. In one swift motion he laid me on his crossed legs and squeezed my butt hard before slapping it. I yelped, and he boomed a laugh from deep within his chest.

I growled at him with all the power I had, but he only ruffled my hair and kissed me on the forehead.

----Bryson-----

The determined snarl she gave me after Ven teased her both aroused and amused me. She was so tiny, yet so vividly feisty. She brough a peace and joy to my life that I couldn’t explain… and I was thankful that she wasn’t timid. Out here, any weakness is met with death or domination. No one survived out here on their own for long without power, and she had it.

All she has to do is but breathe a name, and I would make them her new boots, that she may trample her enemies even in their death. Snarled my wolf. I agreed. She was my only. My mate. But as she playfully tried to fight me in my large tent, I wondered…. Would this be enough? I heard her yawn deeply, and I let her nap while I walked over to Zackery, who was still healing, but in two more days, he would be recovered fully.

“Alpha.” He said with a deep bow.

“Zackery.” I said, acknowledging his respect. This was different for me, usually people run, beg for their life around me, or try to kill me. It was a nice change of pace… and I was beginning to become soft.

“What troubles you, sir?” He asked, and made us both some dandelion coffee. It was almost as good as the real thing, but out here you make due with what you have.

“My mate is a princess. She was raised among royalty, given comforts I cannot give… not as I am.” I say somberly. I rested my elbows on my knees and looked at the campfire’s flicker. I waited for him to say something. There was a pause, as if he were trying to collect his thoughts.

“If I may speak… she seems happy. She smiles bright enough to encourage the saddest soul. My daughter didn’t try to link us, until she was encouraged by Luna. She was a talkative child until that mutt clawed her. She linked her first word today. It was ‘Izbell’.” He said proudly.

“She may be happy now, but what of later? We are newly mated; she may change her mind and go home. I must provide for her better.” I took the cup from Zackery, and had a sip. It was good.

“She will never leave you, but if you feel so strongly, I would gladly be your Beta. I would serve you, as you didn’t save just my life… but my mate and pups as well. If they would have killed me, they would have killed Gabby, then the pups. We didn’t even have any gear worth taking…but they were bored.” He said with a huff. He was frustrated as I was. To be on top, then cast to the bottom takes a toll on a man’s pride. I could understand that.

“Blood oath your loyalty Beta Zackery, and I will lead as Alpha for my mate’s sake…” I said sternly.

He bit his hand, and clenched his bleeding palm. “I Zackery Salm, vow that I will serve my Alpha and Luna for the rest of my days with loyalty, integrity, and honesty.” He said with conviction.

I let my claws puncture my palm. “I, Bryson Bloodborne, the Beast, swear that I will protect my mate and pack. I will do everything in my power to provide my mate with the life she deserves, that she no longer be a nomad.” I say with conviction.

It was settled. The next pack would be miles away, but it would be worth it for her to be safe.