A Wolf's Duty Read online

  “What?”

  “I said close your eyes.”

  Grumbling to herself, she nevertheless complied with his strange request and closed her eyes. The air around her shifted and she could feel Tobias’ warmth move behind her, his hands covering her eyes. Her heart began to race at his close proximity and she felt another urge to forgive him rush through her. He began to move, urging her forward and her body instantly complied, the warm rays of the sun hit her skin, telling her that they had moved outside. From above her head she heard Tobias sneeze repeatedly and concern for him flared within her. “Tobias, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine sweetheart, we’re almost there so don’t worry. Just trust me.”

  They continued to move for a few more seconds before he pulled them to a halt and removed his hands from her face. “You can open your eyes now dearest.”

  Her eyes fluttered open before she immediately closed them, the brightness of the sun after the prolonged period of darkness causing them to water. Taking a deep breath she forced her eyelids to open once again, raising a hand to her face to provide a degree of shade. Her eyes widened at the scene before her and she gasped turning around full circle to take in the splendour of the garden that Tobias had brought her to.

  The grass beneath her feet was a lush and healthy green and covered the entire garden, which stretched seemingly endlessly in all directions. Thick ivy covered the only grey wall of the estate that was visible making it seem like they were truly surrounded in foliage. Rose bushes were scattered around the space, tulips and daffodils springing up in patches between them. The sweet smell of fruit told her that there were fruit trees of some kind nestled somewhere in the garden and she felt her heart contract at the kindness of Tobias’ gesture. The urge to forgive him was rising within her but the beautiful garden made her remember her mother’s sanctuary and the memories that Tobias had made her lose and forgiveness was drowned out by sorrow.

  Falling to her knees she reached out for a tulip petal and began gently stroking the soft flower trying to forget the painful memories that were associated with her mother’s garden. Sitting down beside her, Tobias was at a loss. She had seemed so excited when she had first seen the garden and now she was undeniably sad, he could feel the emotion flowing from her in waves even without physical contact. He sighed before reaching into the small bag Ryan had given him and pulling out a small picture frame. The picture was taken in a healthy garden much like this one and even though she was much younger, Tobias instantly recognised Alexandria but frowned at the unfamiliar woman standing beside her.

  Placing the picture in front of her eyes he frowned in confusion. “Alexandria, who’s this?”

  Drawn to the frame by Tobias’s voice, Alex felt her heart speed up at the sight of the familiar picture before her, reaching out blindly to touch the glass of the frame. “Mum,” she whispered so low that not even Tobias could hear her, tears rising to fill her eyes.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The frame was snatched from his grasp and Tobias looked on still confused as she hugged the frame to her chest so tightly he feared the glass would break under the pressure. “Xandria?”

  She turned to face him; tears swimming in her eyes but the biggest smile he had seen on face in days now adorned her face. “How did you know?”

  “Know what exactly, Xandria?”

  Ignoring his question she ploughed on with her own. “Where did you get this?”

  “I had Ryan go to your house and collect your things. You didn’t think that I’d bring you to a strange place and not have anything that would make you comfortable?”

  She turned away from him, clearly having thought just that.

  “Who’s the woman in the picture, Xandria?”

  Her fingertips ran over the woman’s smiling face reverently, the picture evoking strong emotions within her. “This is my mum.” Stretching her hands out she thrust the picture at him, awaiting his response.

  Taking in the woman’s wide bright smile, gleaming green eyes and flyaway brown hair he said the first thing that came to mind. “She’s beautiful Xandria.”

  Smiling widely, she brought the picture back to her chest, hugging it tightly. “I know. She was the most beautiful person I ever knew both inside and out. She was my world when I was younger, she had such a gentle soul and Fred killed her. Maybe not directly, but he killed her nevertheless. Thank you for this Tobias, you don’t understand how much this means to me.”

  A thought occurred to him at the sincerity of her tone and a frown appeared on his brow. “Xandria, was this why you were so mad at me?”

  She blushed at his surprisingly accurate guess before nodding reluctantly. “It’s just that I have so few things left of her and I don’t want to forget her. If I don’t have anything to remind me of her then that’s what I’m afraid will happen. I don’t want to forget her Tobias, everything she did, she did for me, to protect me and make sure I was happy. I have to try and honour her sacrifice.”

  He nodded solemnly, considering what his next move should be. Reaching into the bag, he proceeded to present her with the entirety of its contents. “Ryan found some of your books, there aren’t all that many so I don’t know if he forgot some but here.” He smiled at her, handing her a small stack of tattered books. Taking the pile gratefully, she did a quick count.

  “He didn’t miss any Tobias, I never had that many things, that’s all there were. Mum worked hard to save money to buy these for me. She went without so many things just so I could have a few things that I wanted, just like other kids.” Still clutching the picture of her mum close to her chest, she stroked the worn cover of the book on top of the pile, the old and faded lettering feeling comforting beneath her fingertips.

  He delved into the bag once again and retrieved a small and battered stuffed bear, handing it to her. “I’ve this had for as long as I can remember. Mum gave it to me, she said it had been her favourite toy when she was little. She always told me that I should give it to my little girl when I had one.” Raising the small toy to her nose she inhaled deeply, another smile creeping across her face as the faint smell of Natasha’s favourite perfume ensnared her senses.

  The bag now empty except for the orchid he had bought her, Tobias found himself frowning at the scarcity of her possessions. “That’s all there is, except this.” He placed the dying plant in front of her and awaited her reaction.

  “Our orchid,” she gasped shocked at the state of the fragile flower. “What happened?”

  “Ryan said that someone had thrown it out,” he answered calmly, pleased that she was apparently now on the path of forgiveness.

  Her mind flashed back to the man who had placed a knife at her throat and his claims that he had taken away anything that might have helped her. “Bastard,” she murmured under her breath before placing the small photo frame on her legs and reaching for the plant. Closing her eyes she tried to centre herself and was overwhelmed with the whispers that had until now been silent despite her location.

  Hush! she yelled putting all the authority she could muster behind the command. The voices having apparently decided to listen to her orders instantly quieted. Now which one of you is the orchid?

  I am. The voice was louder though still barely above a whisper.

  Will you grow for me?

  Of course, I’d do anything for you; you’ve been taking care of me after all. Though she couldn’t see a face to attach to the voice, she could swear that the orchid was smiling at her.

  She opened her eyes and was pleased to find that the petals were no longer wilting but growing thick and strong and the broken stems were calmly repairing themselves.

  “Xandria?” Tobias’ voice broke her out of her reverie and she found herself smiling warmly at him, more content and happy than she had been in days. “Did you do that?” His head jerked towards the healing plant.

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  “I told you I’m different, just like you.”

&nb
sp; “A match made in heaven,” he mumbled.

  “Yup, you and I make a perfect pair.”

  His head jerked up at her statement and he reached forward nervously to cup her cheek in his hand, wary of rejection. Their skin met and she leaned into his touch, bringing her own hand up to her face and placing it over his to keep him in place. “Does this mean that I’m forgiven?”

  She smiled at him before placing both her mother’s picture and their orchid onto the soft ground. Removing his hand from her face, she watched as a look of disappointment crept across his features before throwing herself into his embrace, knocking them both to the ground with the force of her impact. Straddling his legs, she beamed at him, amused at the look of confusion that was now stamped on his features. “Yes Tobias, it means I forgive you.” She grinned before leaning down to pepper his face with light kisses.

  Momentarily stunned at the action, he lay unresponsive beneath her warm lips before the wolf’s instincts and his desires merged into a single united action. Gripping her hips tightly within his hands he rolled them over so he was hovering above her, caging her in with his body and preventing her from escaping. Looking into his stormy grey eyes she noticed that they were once again flecked with amber before his lips crashed against her own and all thought fled her mind.

  The sensation of his lips slanting against her own caused a corresponding reaction between her thighs and made her nipples ache. She rubbed her chest against his to try and relieve the ache, which only served to make it more pronounced, and Tobias groaned at the sensation, quickly deepening the kiss. Nipping at her lower lip, she gasped, granting his tongue entry into the moist cavern of her mouth.

  Finally, his inner wolf groaned.

  He could feel himself hardening with each movement her tongue made against his own and he rocked his hips against hers, desire and desperation making them both oblivious to their surroundings. His lips abruptly left hers and she groaned, instantly feeling deprived at the loss of contact. Staring down at her he smiled, immeasurably proud at his work. Easing forward, he placed a string of warm kisses to her neck, nipping lightly at the skin to re-mark her. Closing her eyes to better savour the sensation, Alex felt her hands rising of their own volition to run though his hair and keep him in place.

  The sound of tearing material was the only warning she received before the warm rays of the sun were touching her exposed chest. Her eyes flew open and she began to blush furiously beneath Tobias’ intense gaze. Resisting the urge to cover herself, she allowed him to look his fill, her nipples tightening painfully under his scrutiny. A fingertip ran lightly over the exposed skin of her breast above the cup of her bra and she felt her entire body shiver at the teasing touch, the area between her thighs growing increasingly damp.

  “Perfect,” he muttered before his head descended and he captured a straining nipple between his lips, sucking it into the warmth of his mouth. Despite the layer of thin material that separated them, Alex groaned at the sensation and he sucked harder in response. Nails lengthened into claws as Tobias prepared to remove the offending garment from her body despite their location, his inner wolf gaining dominance within his mind.

  “Your highness!”

  A masculine voice floated to his ears and he felt his entire body tense in preparation for an attack. His eyes flew open at the sound of an intruder’s voice, his mouth leaving Alex’s flesh he turned to snarl at the voice, using his larger body to shield Alex’s state of undress from the man’s gaze.

  Kill him, his wolf demanded, angry with the unwanted intruder.

  I might just have to take your advice on that.

  The dark haired Council member trembled at the rage directed at him from his prince, but stood his ground while studiously avoiding even glancing at his prince’s mate. “Your highness, you’re needed in the Audience chamber.”

  “I’m busy Charles,” Tobias snarled, surprised that he could even remember the man’s name in his condition. His refusal to expose Alex to Charles’ gaze saving him from having his throat ripped out.

  “I can see that.”

  “You can see what?” Tobias roared, his anger increasing at the mere suggestion.

  “Nothing your highness, I can’t see anything!” Charles backpedalled furiously. “What I meant is that I’m aware that you’re occupied at the moment, but you really are needed in the audience chamber to make a judgement.”

  “Go find my father instead, have him do it.”

  “He’s not on the grounds at the moment, I’m sorry your highness but there’s no one else.”

  “It’s okay Tobias, you can go.” Alex’s quiet statement caused him to turn instantly and regard her with curious eyes. “We shouldn’t have been doing this.”

  He frowned. “You regret forgiving me? Accepting my touch?”

  “No, that’s not it Tobias, what I meant is that we shouldn’t have been doing this here, it’s a public place after all.”

  “No, it’s not, this is a private garden Xandria. It’s for you alone, no one else should be here.”

  “This is mine?” she gasped, Charles fast becoming a distant concern.

  “Of course, you can do whatever you want to it. It was mine once and now I want you to have it, you’ll get more joy out of it that I will.”

  “Tobias,” she choked, becoming increasingly emotional she lifted her hands to put them around his neck and hold him in a warm embrace.

  They lay there still for a moment before Charles once again interrupted. “Your highnesses,” he coughed.

  Tobias groaned before turning to face the man once more, his anger less evident than it had previously been.

  “Go Tobias, they clearly need you for something.”

  If I leave her now, she might think up something else to be mad at me for, my female’s mind works in strange ways. “Come with me,” he suggested.

  “I can’t, you ripped my shirt remember?”

  How could I forget? He smiled to himself, allowing his eyes to wander to the soft skin of her bosom. “Charles look somewhere else.” He commanded, smiling down at Alex, reluctant to leave the warmth of her body.

  “Your highness?” Charles inquired curiously.

  “You aren’t deaf, I said avert your damn gaze!”

  Hearing the iron in Tobias’ voice Charles was quick to follow his instructions, turning on his heel to face the ivy covered wall.

  Standing quickly, Tobias helped Alex to her feet inwardly groaning as she gathered the torn edges of her simple shirt to cover her chest. Removing his own shirt he handed it to her. Momentarily shocked at the movement, Alex found herself staring at the developed state of his golden chest. A light layer of dark hair covered his chest, trailing off into a heavier layer of hair that bisected his abs before disappearing into his trousers. She felt herself growing warm at the sight, the ache between her legs multiplying.

  “Xandria?” Tobias’ concerned voice broke through the haze of desire and she found herself taking the offered t-shirt and shrugging into it. As expected the material swamped her, but at least she was covered now, her body hidden from unwanted eyes.

  “Your highness, may I turn around now?” Charles inquired.

  “Yes, but whatever you interrupted me for had better be damn well important,” Tobias grumbled, taking Alex’s hand within his and moving towards the Audience chamber.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Standing behind his seat in the audience chamber, clothed thanks to a generous guard who had given up his own shirt rather than allow his Prince to have an audience shirtless, Tobias allowed his hands to rest lightly on Alex’s shoulders concerned as to what her first real glimpse into his world would bring. The twelve Council members sat in a semi-circle around his larger chair, six to the left and six to the right.

  “Ilyanna Beaumont of the Northern clan is here to seek an audience with the Prince for the remedy of a problem.” A loud booming voice announced the small woman before she was ushered into the chamber, three small children who looked n
o older than six years clutching at her long skirt. A small baby lay within her arms, suckling the strands of her short black hair. One glance told Alex that the woman must be exhausted from taking care of the children or the journey to reach here and the dark bags under her eyes told her that she was in desperate need of sleep. Dark brown eyes met vibrant green and Alex found herself smiling at the woman’s determination.

  Her eyes flickered from Alex to Tobias, confusion coming over her features at the surprising seating arrangements. “Your highness?”

  “Good afternoon Mrs. Beaumont, you’re the first outside the royal clan to see my mate, Princess Alexandria.”

  “Ilyanna,” she corrected automatically. “Your mate?” Her eyes wandered over Alex’s frame and she had to resist the urge to fidget.

  Tobias nodded his confirmation of the fact and Ilyanna smiled widely, her exhaustion momentarily abated. “It’s good to know that you’ve found her after all these decades, we were beginning to worry for you your highness.”

  “I was beginning to worry for myself.” He chuckled, before regarding her solemnly. “What has brought you here Ilyanna?”

  “I’m having some problems within my clan.” She sighed, continuing on before Tobias could ask her what the problem was, evidently having kept these problems to herself, she was anxious to get them off her chest. “Well it’s not really my clan so much as my husband’s, well it was his clan anyway. He’s dead now.” She sniffed to herself, a hand absentmindedly stroking the head of one of her children. “It’s been a few years since he died and it’s gotten to a point that I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t understand why but the nobles of the clan seem to have turned against us. Where once I would have considered them family, distant family,” she amended, “but family nonetheless, now I just see them as banes to our existence. I managed to deal with it when they were just making life difficult for me but now they’re trying to make life harder for my children and I won’t stand for it. I won’t!”