Chapter 10: The Wolf King: Chapter 10

I’m warm. Hot, even.

My eyelids are heavy and when I open them, pink sunlight floods my vision.

Strange dreams of large Wolves and moonlit woods ebb away, leaving me confused. I’m not in my bed. Grass tickles my cheek, and the air is crisp. My nightdress is damp with dew, and a chorus of birds and wind and rippling water resounds around me.

There’s another sound, too; low, steady breathing.

Something heavy presses down on my waist.

My eyes widen as it all comes back to me.

The alpha, the siege, and being taken from my homeland.

What’s more, Callum has me tucked against his chest. He must have pulled me to him while he slept. I must have let him. Goddess!

I try to shuffle away, but a soft snarl vibrates in his throat. My pulse quickens as I push at his heavy forearm. This time, his growl is low and dangerous. His fingers are splayed across my torso, holding me to him.

My breath hitches.

I have never been this close to a man before.

I glance over my shoulder. Despite his threatening sounds, his eyes are closed and his face is soft with sleep.

I slap his arm. “Get off me, you big oaf! Get off!”

He groans, then rolls onto his back.

“Good morning to you, too, Princess.” His voice is rough as he opens his eyes.

My cheeks are flaming, but he doesn’t seem embarrassed. I wonder if he’s used to waking up beside women he has just met. He’s handsome, I suppose, in a bloodthirsty warrior kind of way.

I sit up, pulling my fur cloak closer to me to shield me from the cold.

I focus on the mountains that surround us instead of the crease on the side of Callum’s face where the grass has left a mark, or the soft smile playing on his lips.

As well as illuminating the rugged scenery, the dawn exposes me.

Usually, in the morning, I would bathe, and my hair would be brushed and styled on top of my head. I’d be presented with pretty dresses, and ladies-in-waiting would fuss over me—cinching in my waist, and concealing my flaws.

I would sit in front of the mirror for hours, sometimes, tinting my lips and hiding the shadows beneath my eyes. I was supposed to be perfect before anyone saw me.

Away from all that oppressive finery, I feel naked.

My mouth tastes bad, and my eyelids are puffy, and my muscles ache. I know my skin will be unnaturally pale.

Callum is watching me.

Does he have no manners at all? Does he not know how rude it is to stare at a woman when she has just woken up?

My throat tightens. I need to get away from him.

I scramble to my feet, and wince as I march away from our little camp.

“Going somewhere, Princess?”

For all he knows, I could be running away. If he knew I could ride, perhaps he wouldn’t sound so amused.

“I’m going to wash.” I clamber down the rocks to the loch. “You Wolves may be content to fester in your own filth, but I am not.”

I tiptoe to the water’s edge.

The loch stretches on for miles in either direction, the rippling surface reflecting the mountains and the pink sky above. Just ahead is a small island, covered with evergreen trees. Shallow waves lap the smooth stones by my filthy feet.

The morning air fills my lungs, and, as I exhale, the anxiety leaves my body.

I’m out of my depth, and I just woke up beside an alpha in the Northlands.

But I have never seen such a beautiful landscape. It’s so wild, and peaceful, and free.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Princess,” says Callum. “The water’s pretty—”

I shriek as I step into the shallow water. The icy temperature jolts through my body and I shudder.

“Cold,” finishes Callum.

He’s rolled onto his stomach to watch me. There’s a wide grin on his face.

“I’d rather be. . . a little cold. . .” I begin, trying to hide the violent chatter of my teeth, “than caked in dirt. . . although you clearly don’t feel. . . the same.”

“I don’t feel the cold, remember, Princess? Isn’t that why you were snuggling up to me all night?”

“I was not!”

“You know, I could get completely naked right now and jump into the loch and the temperature would have no effect on me whatsoever,” he continues, as though I haven’t spoken. “In fact, you’re right. I am caked in dirt. I think that’s exactly what I’ll do.”

“Don’t you dare!” I demand as he gets up and tugs his filthy shirt out of his kilt.

“My dirtiness is clearly offending you, Princess.”

“The only thing that is offending me, Callum, is your complete lack of decorum.” Something unreadable passes over his eyes, though he continues to smirk. “Now, why don’t you make yourself useful and sort us some breakfast?”

He laughs at that—loudly and unabashedly. “Very well, Your Highness. Don’t take too long. The water’s cold and it’ll be noon before we arrive at the castle. That’s a long time to be shivering. Although, I’ll happily warm you up again after.”

His teasing tone provokes something that sounds almost like a growl from me. It seems to delight Callum.

“Go away,” I say.

“If you’re not out in five minutes, I’ll be coming in after you.”

Despite how much he is antagonizing me, I find the corner of my lip twitching once he has disappeared.

He is clearly in good spirits this morning, and for some reason, that fills me with warmth.

Until I realize why he is so happy.

By noon, he’ll have done his job and delivered me to the castle, and I’ll be at the mercy of the Wolf King.