Filed to story: The Wolf Prince’s Fated Love
If I was being honest with myself, though, I was also cranky about Gael. The woman last night had nearly pushed me over the edge. He was hot, yes, but she’d literally thrown herself at him. Some wolves got off on the violence, but I was not one of them. I understood it, but it didn’t do anything for me.
Granted, he’d done the right thing. He’d stepped away and clearly told her he wasn’t interested. So why did it still make me feel on edge? Was it going to be like this forever? Women throwing themselves at him, while I had no marks and no way to solidify my claim on him?
I was half-human. Plenty of men had thought in the past that made me an inferior mate. And yes, I’d heard the rumors over the years about hybrids who never found a mate. Who hadn’t? They kept me up nights.
But the thought of spending the rest of my days watching other women hit on my mate, markless? It made me want to puke.
Okay, so that was probably the hormones.
But still.
Even Nugget was hiding from my bad mood, playing with the curtains and darting away when I tried to scoop him up for a cuddle.
There was only one thing that would make me feel better. I needed a run to clear my head, and I needed it yesterday. It wasn’t quite light out yet, but that had never stopped me before.
I slipped into a pair of loose running shorts-that were a little tighter these days-and my favorite neon-pink sports bra and pulled my hair back into a ponytail before slipping into the hallway.
As I turned around to shut the door, a cream-colored envelope caught my eye. My name was on the front in a loose scrawl. I was tempted to tear it open, but the urge to run was burning in my muscles. I tossed it onto my bedspread for later and pulled the door shut behind me. It could wait, whatever it was. If it was urgent, the person would have knocked.
I was halfway through the foyer when a voice startled me from my thoughts.
“Good morning, Leigh,” Lucien said with a grin. “Looking electric as always.” He winked, and I rolled my eyes.
“Looking fat, you mean?” I pointed to the too-tight band of my running shorts.
He just shook his head. “Never. Just stunning.”
“What are you doing here so early?” I quickly changed the subject.
Lucien sighed. “IGC isn’t happy about the results of the tribunal last night. Kane’s already waiting for me in his suite to set up a game plan.”
“Lucky you.”
“Yeah, so lucky. Well, enjoy your workout.” He smiled again.
“Thanks.” I waved and walked on, ready to get to the outdoors. My wolf needed the freedom, and I needed the space from the weighty expectations that lived inside this castle.
Luckily, Mother Nature always provided. As soon as I felt the give of spongy green grass under my feet, I blew out a relieved breath. Blessed escape.
I’m fine, Petal’s fine, and I’m going to figure it all out.
The phrase became my mantra as I ran, letting my sneakers fly over the earth and leaving all my troubles behind.
FORTY-FIVE
Gael
Istood outside Leigh’s door, patiently waiting for her to answer my knock, but it had been several minutes and the answer hadn’t come. I shifted to my other foot, worry starting to edge out my patience. Should I poke my head in? What if she was sick again?
“She’s not in there,” Lucien said, startling me from my concentration.
“Damn, you people are jumpy this morning. Leigh did the same thing when I told her good morning. Must be in the air.” He took a long sip of his coffee, and I resisted the urge to punch him for knowing where Leigh was when I didn’t.
I must have growled, because he took a pointed step back.
“Where is she?”
“Looked like she was heading to work out. Have you seen that sports bra? Hot damn.” He bobbed his head with that last line, and I saw red.
My hand was around his throat and his back was against the wall before I thought it through.
“Keep your hands to your own fucking self, or I’ll remove them.” My wolf was testing my limits, my nails turning to claws, eyes aglow as I let my dominance flatten him.
“Whoa, buddy, you’ve got it wrong- I told you I wouldn’t mess with her again, and I kept my word. Besides, I don’t put my hands on any female who doesn’t ask first, capisce? All I did was tell her good morning and walk on by. Let me down. You made me spill my coffee.”
I blinked twice, better judgment hitting me as coffee dripped onto my boots. But still, I couldn’t let it go despite his flippant attitude.
No, because of his flippant attitude. He wasn’t getting the hint.
“I don’t even want to hear her name in your mouth, you hear me? She’s my mate, she’s pregnant with my child, and you’re a fuckboy. Stay clear, or else next time, it won’t be your coffee that gets spilled.”
He snorted. “Duly noted, boss man. I was being friendly, but I’ll tone down the flirting. I’ll treat her like a nun.”
I growled. “You’ve fucked a nun in her habit, if the rumors are true, so you’ll treat her like your sister, or you’ll regret it.”
He laughed. The fucker was laughing at me.
“Wow. Kane told me you had it bad, but this is next-level caveman shit.”
He patted me on the shoulder, not even remotely as concerned as he should be. I was dead serious. I’d remove any part of him that touched her.
“I’ll treat her like my baby sister, man, I promise. I’m just jerking your chain.”