The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 25

Isabelle

I ran with the overloaded wagon as carefully as I could. It was 4:50… and there was no way that I would get out the pack in 10 minutes… damn. I waited for his boots that weren’t done drying until 4:30, and the rest was me trying to drag my load down the street by myself, because I figured Bryson would be pissed if I smelled like another male. I would be if I were him.

Then I smelled it…. he was already here.

I followed his scent to see that he had a guitar strapped around his muscular chest, and that he had a smile on his face when he saw me. The light from the almost setting sun made his eyes nearly glow. He walked to me in a few large steps, and took the wagon, pulling it for me.

“Beautiful…” He said, putting his hands through my hair.

“Huh?” I questioned.

“You’re beautiful, my little flower.” He repeated, placing a tender kiss on my forehead.

I blushed, looking him in the eyes, and I craned my neck up to kiss him. He leaned down, and planted a butterfly kiss on my lips. “My handsome Alpha, why are you here?” I asked quietly, and we walked holding hands. His was so much bigger than mine, and he held no weight in his grip, as if he were afraid that he would crush me. I smiled and looked up at him. He was trying to be gentle…something I know that he never had to do until he met me.

“Why didn’t you link me for help?” He asked sternly, but his smile didn’t waver.

“I wanted to prove I could do it on my own… because I always lean on you.” I said quietly…

“And is that a bad thing?” He questioned. His eyes flashed black, so I think I may have confused him.

“No, I just… I want to be capable.” I said looking away from him. He stopped and I turned to see he looked deathly serious.

“I couldn’t do this without you. You are more capable than you know Isabelle.” He said and continued to walk out the territory with me. It would take us a while to get back. But I didn’t mind, he was my mate, and I hadn’t felt his touch all day.

It was sundown when we got to our new campsite, but there were at least 100 wolves surrounding the fire, all sitting around with their tents already set up. What the hell?! Bryson blew a sharp breath out his nose, but didn’t seem upset. He must have been told of this already. Why didn’t he share this information with me?

All the men of the group came before us, and bowed deeply. “My Alpha, I am Warrior Second Class Paul, and I pledge our loyalty to you. Alpha Chris is a coward. That you may take what is his, and command us as you please, showed us that you are the superior leader.” He said with a small snarl, and cut his hand with his blood, followed by the others. “There are 35 warriors Alpha, as well as our mates and pups. We also bring generators and other human technology.” He said standing up.

Bryson stood there, surprised that someone would blood oath their loyalty to him. We now were about half the size of a small pack… in one day. I looked to my mate, whose gaze was hardened steel. No more was the gentle smile of my mate, but rather… the face of an Alpha.

“Then welcome, we will move come spring, when hunting is more plentiful. Come, I assume you have met Beta Zackery already.” He said sternly, and let go of my hand. There was an emptiness that I felt when he walked away, how quickly a man will change with power…

“My Luna, may we introduce ourselves… and receive your council.” Said a woman, who had two babies in her arms. They were both girls, and she had a small toddler holing her pantleg. I nodded and I walked with her to see that many of the women were by the fire with their children. Gabby was close to the center, and they made way that I was in the middle of them.

“Are we Rouges now?” Asked one in concern.

“What is the pack name?” Said another.

There were then murmurs of fear through the group with the women while Bryson spoke with the teen and adult males.

“Enough.” I command, and they showed their necks. I was given the respect I craved deep down… I was a Luna, but now I had to lead these people. “We don’t have a pack name, because before all of you came… there was only 11 of us, now it seems as if there’s at least 100 of you.” I pointed to the woman who led me to the group. “I can probably create a pack with this many wolves.” I said to calm them. It wasn’t a lie either. “How many are there?” I asked.

“There’s 35 warriors, 29 men, 43 women, 27 unshifted children under 14, there are 19 teens, 3 doctors and 2 elders.” She said with her head down. I hummed with a serious face.

“That may be enough. With my group that’s 169 members now.” I said, and their worries seemed to dissipate. I went through all of them, and discovered that many of the women also had professions as well. Teachers, nurses, councilors, and even professional accountants. That they all left at the first chance, meant that there were other problems in that pack, and I would find out what it was.

I sat with Gabby and the woman, whose name was Tammy, and she looked like she was tired, but with so many young pups, there was no room for rest. “I bet you wonder why we left, Luna Isabelle, it is because our pack… was glass. On the outside everything seems fine, but it’s a ticking mess. Alpha Chris is strong… but hesitant. He is an incompetent Alpha who would rather sit in his office than defend the territory, and a Luna who’s never avalible. It’s only a matter of time before he loses his position, but when I saw Alpha Bryson… I can feel his power even from over here. It’s terrifying, but also, it’s what my wolf craves. We need real leaders. We all crave a real male to lead us, and a Luna who can council at his side. Why do you not take over this pack?” she asked quietly.

“That’s up to Bryson. I think he didn’t want to because well… I didn’t smell any strength in your pack.” I said being passed some soup. I didn’t eat it right away, and they wondered why me or Gabby didn’t eat yet.

Bryson come and eat. I linked him. “Wait for Alpha.” I said casually, though I hoped they would catch my meaning behind my words. Everyone was served and Bryson sat in the center near me, but he didn’t eat yet. No one seemed to be impatient, but he seemed to want to speak first.

“For 273 years, I lived on my own, out here, figuring out this world through blood and battle… until I found a wildflower. She is responsible for what you see now. Not even a month ago, I would have simply passed through here following the migration, but now, I lead. And I swear with my might that I will lead with the integrity you deserve.” He said sternly, and sat down, taking the first bite.

He looked at the fire while he ate, and it danced in his eyes, reflecting the light back. The Lady was full tonight, and everyone’s spirits were high. I ate silently near him, and when I finished, I put my bowl down, and it was taken by a pup. He collected everyone’s bowls for washing in a big plastic clothes container that had been converted to a washtub.

I went into our tent, and I went to go get some soap and pajama clothes, because I intended on taking a bath in the nearby stream. Bryson didn’t move from his spot, and my heart sank that I was being ignored. He spoke highly of me… but I did not understand what he was thinking. You think too much. My wolf whined in my head.

I made it to the stream no problem, and I also noticed that there were warriors in their boxers cleaning themselves. “Sorry Luna, we’ll leave immediately.” Said one, and he got his towel when he swam to the bank along with his clothes. The other did with him, and soon I was alone. I stripped out my clothes, and skinny-dipped into the cold water once I couldn’t hear their footsteps anymore.

I lathered myself and then went into the deeper part of the stream, that was about 6 feet deep, but only in the middlemost part. It moved fast enough that the water was clean, despite how much soap I used. I giggled at feeling the fish swim past my legs.

There was a large clawed hand that pushed my head into the water, and I heard a deep chuckle. It was my mate, and after I rose up, I gave him a sharp snarl. He laughed, pulling me into an embrace that I knew there was no way I could get out of. “I missed you.” He said smelling my hair. The rumble that he made as he held me was tender, and I felt it throughout my body.