The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 21

Isabelle

“I know it’s late, but I thought you should hear this. There was a report of a really large gang of Rouges that are up to no good. They killed Alpha Franklin three nights ago and are headed north.” Said mom worriedly.

She wasn’t the right person to tell, and this wasn’t the right time. She would only worry more.

“Thanks for the heads up, I think I’m going to turn in,” I fake yawned.

“Where’s Bryson?” She asked happily.

“I’m right here.” He said politely. Wow.

“Hi!” She chirped. “Thank you for protecting my little girl, I know she can be a handful… also I can tell she’s hiding something from me.” She said sternly.

“She doesn’t want to tell you that we already engaged them, and we are moving near HalfMoon pack.” He said flatly.

“Bryson!” I whisper yelled, elbowing him in the side. He looked at me questioningly, before turning back to the phone.

“My Lady are you two ok?!” She yelled, and I could hear noises in the background.

“Yes, we’re fine, but I need to discuss things with your mate. Give me Kaiden.” He said bluntly. And I heard shuffling before dad’s voice was on the other end.

“Bryson.” Said dad.

“Kaiden.” Said Bryson. There was a silence after that that could be cut with a knife. Bryson sighed heavily. “Do you want to be civil or not?” He growled.

“No, but for the sake of my little girl I will try.” He sneered.

Bryson blew a sharp exhale out his nose. “Just get someone to investigate the Rouges while I get my mate to safety. They’re doing magic.” He said with a frown.

“Wolves can’t perform magic.” Said dad sternly.

“Well, there’s a first time for everything isn’t it, wildflower?” Said Bryson, winking at me.

“Bryson!” I screamed reaching for the phone, but I was too short.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Snarled dad.

Bryson hung up.

I was beyond embarrassed! He told my dad we were mating! Why! Kill me now!

“Bryson my dad didn’t have to know that!” I squealed, slapping his muscular bare chest. He laughed a deep chuckle that got the attention of our small pack.

“About half the forest already knows because you’re so loud.” He chuckled, and I screamed covering my face, which only made him laugh harder.

Bryson passed me the phone and I put it in my backpack after that. He slung our gear over his shoulder with no effort, and I silently walked holding his hand, still a little embarrassed. We all walked in pairs, and I saw Alex holding Hazel’s hand. She was shy and timid, but knowledgeable. She looked about the same age as me, so she probably knew for sure that he was her mate, but for Alex, it would take a while. He felt the pull, but not as strongly as her, because he was a teenager. We get our mates at 18, though sometimes a wolf could tell early. My mate’s stomping broke my train of thought and I looked at him, to notice that he looked alert.

Bryson was barefoot without his boots, but he seemed unphased. He didn’t show any pain, nor did his pace slow in any way to show that he was in any destress. I should have figured as much. He really was a warrior. He was a legend in this forest for a reason… Even Zack’s spare shoes probably wouldn’t fit him, even though he was a former Alpha. I looked at him while we walked in the chilly night. I had to put my hoodie on my head, but he seemed to shimmer in the nearly full moonlight. He was sweating.

How was he hot when winter’s bite was nearly hear? His red eyes reflected the light as he suddenly looked at me with a stern, but neutral, expression. “Isabelle did you need something?” He asked.

“No, um I’m fine.” I said and I ran a little ahead of him, and all the piglets ran behind me. I was their new mommy it seemed. I couldn’t gather my words around this man. He made me nervous, but in a good way. I had never felt this way about anyone, but I didn’t mind… he was mine. My mate, and I loved him.

Love?

When had I felt this for him… he was my mate yes, but I didn’t know I could love a man so completely so soon… the way he held me, and talked to me… seeing him be so genuine and happy with only me…. It made my heart flutter. I turned around to see that he was only two steps behind me, and it made me jump. I didn’t expect him to be so close so fast, but the expression he held was deep and caring.

“I didn’t scare you, did I?” He said quietly, and stopped me in my tracks with a tender kiss.

“No, I just didn’t feel you behind me.” I told him honestly. He hummed and scratched the slight stubble that was forming on his chin.

“I’ll make sure I’m louder next time, little flower.” He said gently, running his hand over my frizzy hair. The rest of the group caught up with us soon after, but the pups and Gabby looked dead tired. Dawn was here, and he had walked since a little after sundown.

It was early morning when we stopped, so that the pups could rest. We unrolled only the bed rolls and slept close together so that we could all share our warmth, but my mate stayed up to be the first watch. He sat near me, on my bedroll, and stared sharp eyed into the forest. His wolf was alive with alertness, and his presence at first made it hard to rest until he stroked my hair.

“Sleep little mate, for tonight we will not stop until we are there.” He said sternly.

-----Bryson-----

They slept while I patrolled around them, yet, there was something I couldn’t quite understand. They trusted me. All of them. No one tried to stay up to watch me, or run off… or wait until I slept to stab me in the fucking back. I would sleep when my mate did her watch, though her watch was last. I knew she wouldn’t try anything, she was too innocent… and I could feel our bond.

Lady Moon I didn’t understand what this was. I could feel her. And what was that look on her face? I could feel an emotion I never felt before, and I felt the same way too. I was a monster who lived off killing or being killed, yet with her, she made me want more than that. She made me feel loved. I loved that small woman more than I could ever tell her….

I shook my head and focused. I couldn’t get distracted by something as silly as the notion of love. She might like me, and that would be about it. My wolf disagreed, he growled in my head, and howled loud enough to give me a headache.

Our little mate does love us. She would not trust us so easily if she did not. He grumbled. He was right, but the rest of them were asleep as well, so I wasn’t sure. I looked for food while I patrolled around to distract myself. I found 2 small rabbits and nothing else… this wasn’t even enough for me. My eyes darted to movement behind the trees.

It was an old lycan, a werewolf who walked on 2 legs, and three other normal wolves with him. They shifted and bowed to me before I could snarl at them. The lycan was a dark gray haired man with glassed eyes, as he was probably blind, a woman with the same hair as his, but her eyes were greenish blue, a man with black hair, and their pup that was in her arms swaddled in a tattered blue blanket.

“Oh, my Lady, forgive us for intruding… we were listening to my father.” Said the woman suddenly.

“We will leave immediately.” Bowed I assumed was her mate.

“No. He is the Beast. He will help us.” Insisted the old man.

“Stop talking of legends father before we offend this Alpha.” Whisper yelled the woman. I chuckled.

“He is right. I am Bryson the Beast, though, I don’t know about being a legend or saving anyone.” I said with a raised eyebrow.

“Ah… this time his name is Bryson.” bowed the old man. He piqued my interest, but I heard the pitter patter of a she wolf running behind me

-----Isabelle-----

I tossed and turned while I tried to sleep. I just couldn’t understand why. My eyes bolted awake; I felt the bond from my mate. He seemed troubled. I found him, and he was talking to an old man and a family. They sat a bit away from him, but I could understand why. My mate was not just ‘the Beast’, he was an Alpha. A red eyed Alpha. That has to be absolutely terrifying for them.

“Isabelle, go back to bed.” He commanded as an Alpha, and I felt compelled to want to comply.

“But Alpha, I-” he cut me off.

“No ‘buts’. Bed. Now.” He said sternly, and his eyes flashed black.

“Can I at least know why you’re upset? You’re why I woke up…” I said sleepily. My wolf was complying with his command, and it made me tired as well.

“It’s nothing.” He lied. I debated on dropping it, but I was curious.

“I won’t be able to sleep if I can feel your distress….” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. That I questioned him, especially in front of other wolves, was a disrespect. Anyone else would be in serious trouble, but he was my mate. The glare he gave made me second guess my though, but it made Glitter drool.

He snarled slightly, and then pitched his nose. “Legend says my blood will awaken the old ones.”

“Not exactly, Alpha.” Said the old man, who looked blind. “The Old Ones will awaken with or without any help… but your blood, if used, will strengthen them, but the blows from your blood will weaken them. A contradiction I know, but such is the way of the old stories. They will be stronger if your blood is used… and even more so with her highness.” He said with a deep bow. “I know the old stories, and I have kept the old ways… even though some secrets will take your sight.” He said with a small frown.

I couldn’t stay up any longer, as my wolf caused me to sleep then and there, regardless to what I wanted.