The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 29

Isabelle

I ate silently on the other side of the makeshift logs that were laid around the fire, so that there was more seating, and everyone chatted. It really did make us bond as a community, even though they were still getting used to us. “I’m sorry, forgive me for interrupting your meal, my Luna, but Alpha seems upset.” Said a she wolf timidly.

“I am upset as well, and do not wish to speak with my mate until he sees reason.” I said, taking a bite of my roast elk. It was great, along with mashed potatoes and gravy. They prepared this with love, and it was tender. My Lady I was hungry since I didn’t eat lunch or breakfast.

She looked like she saw a ghost when I told her I was upset, and I realized then that they were afraid of me too. “We just had a disagreement, nothing to worry about.” I said with a small smile, but the boisterous chatter simmered down soon. I sighed internally, I would probably have to interact with this angry boar of a man, and try and tame him. The pack was nervous. The Alpha and Luna are a pair; you must have both. They worry because us being on poor terms affects our decisions.

I got up, and walked to our usual spot, and we ate silently together. I finished first, but honestly I wanted seconds. I was about to ask, but my stomach growled before I could. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. He had a large piece of the leg, and he cracked the bones with the force of his bite. “Here.” He said suddenly, passing me half his meat.

“Thank you.” I told him quietly, realizing that he could do that without any effort, and I challenged him in front of his men. Now you understand. Said my wolf. Our mate could crush us, yet he chose to chastise us instead. He is a good male. She said quietly, almost a whisper.

…. she wasn’t wrong. I even escalated it by hitting him. He did nothing, except yell at us and we both broke for air. He probably had no idea how to process seeing me in danger, because up until this point, I was mostly safe. But I would not justify this. He would not be pitied nor given quarter for wanting to put me in a box of feebleness. But is that so bad? Growled Glitter. He wishes to care for us, and to keep us safe. She protested. Again, she was right, but he shouldn’t try to treat me like a pup.

“Come with me.” He said taking our empty plates and handing them to someone to wash. He held my hand gently and we walked in silence in the almost full, but waning moon. I felt tingles from his touch, but his face was chiseled stone.

The wind blew, and even in my hoodie I shivered. It was colder tonight than yesterday, and I could see my breath as we walked. He was so warm, and he wrapped a large arm around me while we walked, and then the flood of sparks and tingles came with it. “I almost lost you.” He said breaking the silence.

“Bryson, I didn’t though.” I said looking up at him.

There was another long silence, and I could smell his anger rise. Though, he did not say anything for a while. “Isabelle I can’t settle with ‘you Almost died.’ I Need you to Be ok. I Can’t do this without you. All I’ve thought about all day was seeing you pinned like that… My mate you must understand I care only for you this way.” He said frustrated. It was like he was trying to confess to me a point that I didn’t get… but for his sake and his nerves I would drop it.

“Then…. I guess I will be more careful, but also understand… my whole life I’ve been last. The Runt Pup. I wasn’t mistreated… but I don’t want you to see me that way too.” I said looking down at the dead grass. The leaves had lost their color and were now the forest’s carpet.

He hummed from deep within his chest and stopped. “You are no runt. You are simply weaker than your littermates, but I can be that strength. You don’t need to prove anything to me. Promise me you won’t get into anymore territory fights…. Especially now that Chris is showing his true colors.” He growled pulling me into an embrace. “Also… never hit me again, I didn’t feel it, but Ven didn’t care.” He said with a small frown.

“I promise I will Try.” I said, leaning up to kiss him. I hated that we fought, and that we hadn’t touched each other in what felt like years. I rubbed my hand over his broad back, and he growled softly. The rumble comforted me, and we made our way back to the camp, but by then it was late. The only ones up were the warriors, and it seemed that they were of a stronger stock than what I smelled at HalfMoon. I wonder did being around my mate change them to want to reach their potential? Maybe.

I went inside our tent, and laid down on the bed, snuggling up to my mate, who was tired, but sat up in our bed cross legged. He pulled out the guitar, and tuned it before strumming a made up melody that was gentle on the ears.

“I’ve come across a few of these in my lifetime, and whenever I do, I take it and teach myself.” He said with a small smile. He used his claws as a pick. Why was I surprised… my mate has been alive since 1734, of course he could probably play something. I bet he read allot too since he lived alone almost all of that time.

“You play beautifully.” I told him truthfully with a yawn, snuggling up to his warm body. He chuckled.

“Get some sleep little wildflower.” He said softly, humming a tune I had heard before as a child. It was one my uncle taught all of us, but I thought it was something he made up. I hummed with him, and he was surprised, but he continued until he finished the song.

“When did you hear The Hymn of the Lady?” I asked half asleep.

“You won’t believe me, now go to sleep.” He said dismissively, as if I would laugh at him.

“Bryson tell me, or I will keep asking.” I said rubbing my eyes. He continued to play, but he no longer hummed.

“…. In my dreams.” He said finally. He said as if he was trying to remember.

“You saw the Lady Bryson…. At least that’s what my Uncle said how he learned it.” I said sleepily. My Uncle Connor had a dream with that same song and was blessed. He taought it to us so it wouldn't be forgotten.

He scratched his cleanly shaven face, and looked up. Even though we were inside, he seemed to be thinking. He didn’t say anything, but from the look of his stern face, it was grim. He took a deep breath.

He continued to hum the song, along with strumming the guitar. I was glad that we weren’t fighting anymore, and even more glad that we reached an understanding. Well. at least for now. He seemed to want to have me wrapped in a security blanket of safety. It was a nice sentiment, but ultimately it isn’t fair to me. It is not fair that our mate worry. We were bested in battle. Complained Glitter. She was right, and out here no one plays by the rules…. I sighed internally.

“Isabelle, I hear you two. Bed. Now. Or I will stop playing.” He warned. “Also… you did well.” He complimented. “But this is stressful. I have to lead all these lost people. They all are afraid of the unknown, of being Rouges, of being attached By Rouges, and worst of all, the fear of if they made the right choices for their families. They all look to me for making the decisions that could cost them their lives if I make a single mistake, and I do not like this.” He said worriedly. He put up the guitar and laid next to me, stroking my hair.

“They look to you, because you already do things right. No one is forced to be here either. No one is going to blame you for a mistake, because they know that you are doing the best you can. You have a dedication that I don’t see in many other. This is new to both of us, and them as well… Bryson go to bed, you need rest more than me.” I chuckled sleepily before drifting off with my mate holding me.