A Wolf's Duty Read online

  “You worry too much Tobias. I’ll be fine, trust me.”

  “You give me good reason to worry dearest, but I’m serious about this, have a bag packed and be ready to leave that night.”

  She frowned at him. “Fine, I’ll pack a bag but it doesn’t mean I’m agreeing to go.”

  As long as she’s packed one, then we can leave. With or without her agreement, there’s no need for compromise when it comes to her life, his inner wolf growled.

  Yes, we’ll take her from here, regardless of what she has to say if there’s even the slight possibility that she’ll get hurt.

  “Tobias?”

  “Mmm?” he responded, inhaling the fragrant scent of her hair.

  “I know you said Lucinda was just out for power, but I don’t understand why they would even believe she was your mate; I mean from what Maria told me it’s the guy that can tell. So why are they even letting this happen? I thought that there was only one mate for each of you, so if a guy says that this is his mate, then how can a woman say different?”

  He groaned, the warm air that rushed from his mouth brushing over her face. “Where do I even start?”

  “I always find that the beginning is a good place,” she suggested, running a hand through his hair to give him a measure of relief.

  “Maria was partially right, it’s usually the male that can tell who his mate is but that’s because we’re driven to find them. Our females do, however, have the instinct to a lesser extent, so they can tell as well but they have to be around them for a while to be sure, whereas we know straight away. One whiff of your scent and I knew then and there.”

  “So people believe Lucinda just because you two have been around each other for a while in passing? What the hell? There are things wrong with these people!”

  “It was a little more than that Xandria.”

  “How much more?” she croaked, uncertainty growing within her.

  “We were an item for a while.”

  Her head turned to face him at the statement. “An item as in dating?”

  “Yes.”

  You’ve got to be joking! How am I meant to compare to her. It was bad enough thinking he might be comparing us when I didn’t think there was anything between them, this has just made it ten times worse.

  Watching as a crest fallen expression descended over her features, he rushed to defend himself and clarify his statement. “It was a long time ago dearest, a very long time ago. I was about a hundred years out of maturity and lonely, I had been searching for a long time and you were still nowhere to be found and I was feeling more hollow inside with every day that passed. I was under the misguided impression that any companionship was better than none and then Lucinda approached me. It seemed like perfect timing, she was only a few decades out of maturity and so the likelihood of her having a mate was very low.

  “We were an item for less than two months dearest but I knew something wasn’t right. Just having her there didn’t make me feel any less lonely. In fact, having her there was just making things worse. Do you remember I was talking to you about us having a wolf that lives inside of us?” She nodded, silently digesting the information he was giving her. “Well mine apparently didn’t like Lucinda, I was practically at war with it everyday.”

  Good wolf. She grinned to herself.

  “It turns out that its instinct was right as usual, Lucinda wasn’t what she portrayed herself to be. She had been trying to use the power she thought she was entitled to by being with me against others who lived here and in other clans. I’d been thinking about ending things between us for a while, she wasn’t what I wanted and that was just the final straw. I told her things were over but she refused to leave me be, it took her over a decade to get the message that I wanted nothing to do with her. She never gave up completely, but I had thought she’d got the message when she stopped trying to see me ten times a day. Apparently I was wrong.

  “The Council is probably willing to take her seriously because of that. We were an item around the time that I was expected to find a mate. The length of time I’ve had to wait is unheard of amongst our people. No one has ever had to wait over two hundred years to find a mate. I should have waited dearest, I know I should have. I’m sorry. Forgive me?”

  “What exactly is there to forgive? It’s not like I expected you to have never dated anyone before, especially when you’ve been alive so long. I’m not an unreasonable person.” His grip around her waist tightened and he placed a light kiss on the exposed skin of her neck. “I mean your choice in relationship partners definitely needed some work,” she mused. “But they’ve certainly improved lately.”

  “Definitely,” he concurred.

  “I’m going to win you know?” He became silent at the reminder of the impending Challenge. “Trust me.”

  A knock at the door drew their attention before a muffled voice floated through the thick wood. “Your highness, the clans have been informed of the Challenge, one of you has to come with me.”

  “Do they have to separate us?” she inquired.

  “It’s tradition and as the Prince I have a duty to uphold it.”

  “Oh,” she sighed, waving goodbye to nightmare less nights.

  “Run away with me and we won’t have to worry about this,” he suggested.

  “No. I’ve decided that I’m doing this and that’s my final word on the matter.”

  “Fine.”

  “How long are we going to have to be apart?”

  “Until the Challenge dearest.”

  “Your highness?” The voice came again.

  Looking at the door with disdain he bellowed, “I’m coming.” Before turning to face her, whispering in her hair, “Remember that you chose this dearest and make sure that you have that bag packed.” He lifted her easily from his legs and placed her on the firm mattress beside him, before standing up and making his way to the door.

  “What, no goodbye kiss?” she mumbled, now distinctly aware of the loss of his warmth and the solid presence of his body.

  “No, if I kiss you now then I’ll never leave.”

  “Fine, but I’m expecting one when I beat the hell out of Lucinda,” she called out to his retreating form.

  The door opened and he stepped out into the hall, turning back to look at her. “If you manage to beat Lucinda, I’ll give you a whole lot more than just a kiss.”

  The door closed as he left and she sighed, “I’ll be waiting for it then.”

  Chapter Twenty Four

  “Are you sure she’s in there?” Fred whispered, turning to Sean. Hidden as they were in the land that surrounded the estate at night, he had to strain his eyes to be able to see his friend, but the figure of what he assumed was Sean soon spoke.

  “Yes I’m sure. Look, you have no idea how my power works so I think that it’s in your best interest just to shut up and be quiet. Are we in agreement?”

  Fred nodded before he abruptly changed his mind on the decision, deciding to make his opinions known and damn the consequences. “How the fuck are we supposed to get in there? The place is protected like some sort of fortress, guards on every door at all times of the day. I could swear that I saw surveillance cameras a little while ago on the outside of some of the doors, there’s no way we’re going to be able to just sneak in there, grab her and run.”

  “I have eyes Fred. I can see exactly what you see but unlike you, I’m actually trying to find a solution.”

  “Well, have you thought of anything?”

  “Right at this very moment in time I’ve got nothing.”

  “Look Sean, I only agreed to come so that I could get my money. That bitch will be turning twenty-one in just a little over a week and then she can just take the money, spend it and not give me a single penny. We have to get her before then.”

  “I know you want the money Fred, I’d have to be blind not to know that. But we have no idea what’s going on. We don’t know why she’s there. She could be a prisoner for all we know and we can�
��t just run in there half-cocked with no concrete plan. They might not even be human Fred, are you willing to risk that?”

  “What good is money to me if I’m dead?”

  “Exactly, so we should leave and set up somewhere nearby. If she moves then I’ll be the first to know. We just have to be patient.”

  “Patient?” Fred muttered under his breath, disgusted by the very suggestion.

  “Let’s go Fred,” Sean commanded. “We’ll be spotted if we hang around here any more.” Crouching to avoid detection, the pair skulked away, using the thick foliage and darkness of the surrounding forest to hide their presence.

  *****

  “Oomph,” Alex grunted as she once again landed on her ass, glaring daggers at the lupine form of Ryan as he towered over her fallen form. Gritting her teeth against the blossoming pain in her elbows that told her she had once again grazed the abused skin, she stood.

  I’m going to get it right this time, she assured herself before she once again began the process of straining her ears to pick up on the distinct whisper of the wolf before her. Her mind was instantly flooded with the whispers of the plants that surrounded them in her garden but as usual, there was no trace of Ryan. He hunkered back, his teeth bared as he snarled at her, preparing for the attack and yet she continued frantically searching for the voice in her mind that would give her the ability to control his actions. The voice once again failed to appear and Ryan lunged for her, his larger and heavier frame forcing her to the ground. The sharp tips of his claws were surprisingly gentle as he eased himself off her, managing to avoid cutting through her clothes and reaching the tender flesh underneath. If possible, the wolf seemed to sigh, apparently disappointed in her performance. Forcing herself to sit up, she watched as his body transformed itself from that of a wolf into a man, the previous day’s training making the change seem almost normal.

  He stood before her once again human, a frown seemingly etched onto his features. “This isn’t working Alex.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “We’ve been doing this for two days now and you don’t seem to have gotten any better. The Challenge is tomorrow and you’re not ready.”

  “That isn’t true,” she mumbled, disheartened by his blunt statement.

  “What exactly isn’t true about it? You haven’t been able to stop me once, maybe its time to just give up and accept that what happened in England was a fluke.”

  Standing, she dusted the dirt from her shorts and stared directly into Ryan’s brown eyes, determination etched across her features. “No. I can’t give up Ryan. Tobias is trusting me with this. I promised that I’d win and I will.”

  “I’m really sorry to be the bearer of bad news and pop this little happy bubble that you seem to be living in, but from what I’ve seen you don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of beating Lucinda.”

  “You’re just being a pessimist Ryan, have a little faith.”

  “I’m going to need more than just a little bit of faith, don’t forget I’ve been here,” he sighed, sitting down on the moist grass and motioning for Alex to do the same. “Alex, I haven’t even been putting my all into this and you haven’t managed to beat me. Lucinda won’t be holding back like I’ve been. She’ll hit you harder, be faster and won’t hesitate to use teeth or claws to draw blood. You have to give up.”

  “No.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re so adamant about going through with this. Tobias will think of something. Why do you think he wants me to tell him if I don’t think you’ll win?”

  “I know exactly why he wants to know and I know what his plan is as well, the question is, do you? And would you be so eager to tell him if you did?”

  “Enlighten me then.”

  She leaned forward, carefully surveying their surroundings to ensure they were still alone. “Swear to me that you won’t breathe a word of this to another soul.”

  “I swear.”

  “Not even Sebastian can know, am I clear?”

  “Crystal.” He smiled.

  “Tobias plans to abandon the crown and run if you tell him that I can’t win.”

  Her statement had clearly garnered his attention and he sat bolt upright at the news. “Exile? His great plan is to exile himself! What kind of stupid idea is that?”

  “Well, what did you think he was going to do?”

  “I don’t know, but exile wasn’t on the list!” he shouted, becoming increasingly agitated.

  “So, like I’ve been telling you, I have to win.”

  “Alex, I’d love to have your faith, but what I’ve been telling you still stands. You can’t beat Lucinda. I might not like the idea, but I can see why Tobias thinks running away would be a good idea. You’d live.”

  “Maybe you’re right.”

  “Finally you’re seeing sense.” He sighed relieved. “I’ll go and tell Tobias.” He stood, turning as though to head back into the estate, but a firm hand on his shoulder prevented him from moving any further.

  “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  He swung around to face her. “So what exactly did you mean then?”

  “I meant that maybe we were approaching this from the wrong angle. I might not be able to control her directly like I initially planned but that doesn’t mean I’m powerless. I have another ability that’s far more reliable.”

  “Alex, you hear plants in your head, I don’t think that’s going to be able to make Lucinda submit.”

  Her chin lifted defiantly and her eyes narrowed in anger at the description of her ability. “Fine, let’s put it to a test then, shall we. Come at me with everything that you’ve got and let’s see if I can take it.”

  “Alex, you know I can’t do that. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Look, I don’t want to hurt you either but I will if you don’t take this seriously,” she shouted, poking him in the chest to illustrate her point.

  He stepped back, moving away from her sharp jabs. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Good.” She eyed him as he began the transformation from man to wolf. Satisfied that he was going to cooperate; she closed her eyes and began to fall deeper within herself. Giving the whispers free rein, she allowed them to flood her mind, surprised that once they were free of her mental constraints, the voices were increasingly sharp.

  We’ve got to take this seriously, she instructed, hoping that they would follow her commands. We’ve got to show him that I can do this. Will you help me?

  Always, the whispers responded in unison.

  Upon opening her eyes she instantly realised that something was different. Now that she and the voices were united, she was aware of all the plants surrounding her from the large apple trees that were situated at the edges of the garden to each blade of grass that was beneath their feet. She didn’t even need to look to know that Ryan was in his wolf form; the grass whispered to her that his weight was now distributed on four legs not two. Regardless, she still turned to look into his amber eyes, surprisingly calm now that she was no longer alone.

  “Come on then Ryan, bring your best. Remember no holding back, give me everything.”

  He snarled at her in response, the loud sound carrying easily to her ears. He lunged for her, the movement so quick that her eyes had trouble keeping up. He turned at the last moment circling her at so fast that he became a blur. Trying to calm her now racing heart, she allowed the grass beneath his feet to become her eyes. A sudden shift in momentum told her that he was on the offensive, her hands coming up reflexively to protect her. The voices surged forth in response, reacting to her wishes, her eyes widened in shock as a wealth of thick vines erupted from the ground twisting within each other to form a strong lattice wall between her and Ryan. The sudden growth of foliage shocked Ryan into running headlong into the vines, his body changing into his human form at the collision.

  Fighting off the feeling of shock, she stepped forward plastering a wide grin on her face. “How was that?”
she chuckled, pride surging through her as she stood over him, allowing the vines to unravel and wrap themselves around her limbs in what she assumed was their show of unison.

  He rubbed his head, unsure of what exactly to say before his sharp hearing picked up on an intruder entering the garden. “Get rid of them,” he hissed, standing up. “Someone’s here.”

  Hurry! Hide! The vines were quick to respond, flattening themselves along the ground so that they appeared to be part of the grass.

  “Lord Ryan.” A tall man with thick sandy blonde hair came into view, his expression solemn.

  Turning to the intruder, Ryan frowned. “You aren’t allowed to be here William, this garden belongs to Alexandria and no one is allowed here without her permission or Prince Tobias’.”

  William bowed his head, embarrassed that he had allowed his enthusiasm to take precedence over the rules of the royal clan. “I’m sorry my lord, I didn’t think. It’s just that with the Challenge, I wasn’t sure if the rule still stood.”

  “You’re a lord?” Alex whispered, unaware of his status and slightly shocked by the revelation.

  A raised eyebrow from Ryan silenced any further questions she might have had before he turned once more to face William. “Alexandria is the one Prince Tobias has claimed as his mate and until the Challenge has been decided, she’s still our Princess. Regardless of that, this garden was a gift to her, even if she should lose her title it will still belong to her, do you understand?”

  “Of course my lord, I’m sorry for the intrusion.”

  “That’s fine, now what exactly was it you wanted to tell me?”

  “The representatives of your clan are here.”