The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 9

Bryson

I used my claws to mark off my campsite, letting it be a clear warning. Anyone who crossed my temporary border would be ripped apart, but most knew that already. I had done this route for years, and many in the area knew of me. But these were new young males. They smelled like the Rouges from the day before; maybe they were out for revenge? It really didn’t matter what their motive was, because I didn’t really need a reason. I was born for war, and it was what I did best.

There had to be about 20 of them, all darting in the corners of my eyes. They were circling me, thinking that if I was surrounded, that I would be intimidated. I was not. If anything, I was bored. I took off my jeans and shifted. They all seemed to close in on me all at once when I did.

Their leader emerged from the group, he was not as large as me, but his cream colored fur shined in the dim light of the waning crescent moon.

You are outnumbered. We want your gear. He demanded in a link, I let out a roar, making some of his group run off.

I will not submit. I will not give my gear. And you will die. I link back lunging at him. He was a bit of a distance away, so by the time I got to him, I was swarmed by 10 small Rouges. They bit me all over while I defeated them one by one, until it was just their leader. He howled for reinforcements, attempting to run away, but I would not allow him. He suddenly turned, whipping around and we clashed again. He would be no match for me if not for the never-ending backup.

He tried going for my throat, while his pack tried their best to pin me down. I shook them off as best as I could, and while they still held my left back paw, we collided. We both reared, it was 6 against one, and they were all attacking my right side. They linked each other, trying to make me fall on my back so they could rip out my belly or throat. What they didn’t realize, was that because I was stronger than each one, all I needed to do was bite them anywhere. They also didn’t know that my bites shredded flesh. They all slowly would need medical care, because they weren’t going to heal as fast either, because my steak knife-like fangs also caused heavy bleeding. They all tried to dodge my snaps, but eventually they all slowly made mistakes.

I made each of those mistakes as fatal as possible. I had to protect my mate now. I didn’t care about fighting to the death until I met her… because there was no one worth going home to… and there was no telling what would happen to her. Rouges are dangerous…. There was nothing that they wouldn’t do for their own amusement. I heard snarls in the distance, in the direction of the camp. This was all meant to distract me, and I let go of what little control I had over my wolf.

Ven would show no mercy. The moment he got the reins, he ripped them apart. Those that could, ran off, giving up with their tails between their legs. We ran to see that my mate was defeated, but still trying to fight. It was an unfair, 4 against 1. A large brown wolf had her pinned by the throat while she snapped her jaws at the air with deathly snarls. I lost it; he had put his greasy paws on what was mine. My most precious little mate was in danger… and I would make that punk and example. I broke his back and threw him into the fire, letting him scream while the others scattered. I rushed to her side, but she was terrified of what I had done.

I believe this was the first time I had ever seen her afraid. She wasn’t afraid taking on all those bandits alone, but she probably had never seen someone burn to death. I shifted and crouched down to shield her eyes. I had engulfed her into my arms, it was the only thing I could think to do.

I thought she would scream that I was a monster, or run away from me, but she showed me that I was wrong. She shifted hugging my waist, and softly sniffled. I didn’t know what to say to her, I had never comforted anyone before, yet here she was. She was such a delicate, but stubborn little wildflower. “I’m glad I got here in time.” I tell her, and she buried her face into my chest. I could only imagine what they said to her, and I patted her back. I didn’t know if it would help, but I would try anything.

“Thank you, Bryson.” She whispered quietly.

“It’s my job to protect you, little wildflower.” I said, smelling her scent. It calmed my nerves, and I thanked the Lady. Just her scent made me wish I found her 250 years ago, but it felt like I already knew her as long.

I took her into my tent and held her like a small child, and she went to sleep in my arms. I smiled, laying her under my sheets, lying next to her myself. I couldn’t help but move some of her fluffy hair out of her face, and I held her to my chest. Wherever she was, was where I belonged.

------Isabelle------

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop hearing the screams… smelling the burning flesh and hair…. Seeing him struggle to get out the campfire, but unable to… Bryson really lived up to his title. He killed him so easily, without thought or remorse. I had never seen such carnage. I never realized how dangerous my mate was until now… I struggled in that fight, and yet, he defeated them all in a few minutes. Honestly, I had never really seen anyone die until I met him. My family never let me see, and I’m glad I didn’t. My stomach turned upside down and did flips. Bryson engulfed me into an embrace I knew I couldn’t escape. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I knew he was dangerous, but I was he mate… and I was thankful he caught on their traps.

He tried to reassure me and let me calm down, and slowly, as if I were being lulled to sleep, I drifted off. When I woke up, he was nowhere to be seen, and the camp was cleared and packed up. The body was gone, and the fire was out and buried. I looked at my phone to see it was late morning, so I figured I would call my mom. I had 6 missed calls, it made my stomach sink with dread.

“I have tried to call you all morning! Are you ok?” Said mom worriedly.

“I’m fine.” I said, not convincing even myself.

“What happened?” She interrogated, seeing through my lie… but what do I tell her? Would she understand that Bryson is a warrior, that thinks like one? No… she would see him as a monster…. I took a deep breath; I had been quiet on the line a long time.

I looked over to Bryson, I could hear him coming back with is heavy confident steps. He was holding two large fish that were already cleaned.

“I found my mate.” I say, hoping that the shock distracts her from asking too much more.

“What?! When are you coming home?! What’s his name?!” She screamed on the phone, and I could hear Caleb laughing. It was rare that my brother laughed or smiled, but I could hear him say “Congratulations sis” in the background.

“I don’t know when I’ll come back since I’m so far away now, but his name is Bryson.” I say, feeling his hands snake around my waist. The tingles made it hard to concentrate.

“Can I talk to him?” She said sweetly. I thought about it, and looked to him. He gave me a nod and I put it on speaker.

“Hello.” He said flatly.

“You sound like an Alpha, Bryson. What’s your pack’s name? Are you treating my little girl well?” She said happily.

“I don’t have one. And always.” He said confidently.

“Well, you’re always welcome at CharredMoon,” She beamed. “Am I on speaker?” she questioned.

Bryson looked confused, as if he never had a phone before. “I assume so.” He said unsure.

“I love you little Izzy Wizzy. I’ll tell your father as soon as he gets home. Him, Connor, and Shelly are all at a meeting.” She said, and we said our goodbyes.

Not one moment after I hung up, I heard a boom of laughter that scattered birds from the trees. “Izzy wizzy help me with packing before the salmon’s ready.” He chuckled, and I hit his shoulder as hard as I could. I don’t think he even felt it! He was still packing, and it didn’t stop his stride in the slightest.

“Shush you!” I screamed, blushing like crazy and he kissed me on the cheek. “Of course, Princess Izzy Wizzy.” He teased with a toothy grin, showing his fangs. I was as mad as I was surprised, up until now, he was always blunt and pretty stoic.

Lady Moon kill me now. I always hated that nickname, but not many people called me that. I sighed and rolled my eyes; it was going to be a long day. The fish was great, and we ate it quickly so we could get going. Without warning, he picked up all our gear, and slung it over his shoulder, and plucked me from the ground like a grape, letting me sit on his shoulders. I could see a ways away now that I towered over everything. My legs were wrapped around his neck, but he seemed unaffected.

“My wolf wants you safe, so this is the best I could think of.” He said with a small chuckle.

“…. Is this so you can smell my scent?” I said, stroking his hair. He growled like a purring cat.

“We’re going to walk until about an hour before sundown. There’s another small site that’s close, and my stride can make up for the time we lost.” He said, changing the subject. I loved the walk. The chilly breeze made the leaves fall, making me put my hood over my head. That he could go without a hoodie or anything to keep him warm baffled me.