Chapter 52

Chapter 52 You’re safe here, Doris.

When Doris didn’t object, Enzo dragged the chair a bit closer so he wouldn’t be so far away. Still, he made sure to keep a respectable distance between them. “I know you’ve probably heard some horror stories about our pack—and had to live through one unspeakable experience but I hope I can help you understand us a little more.” Enzo leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. After what she went through, she didn’t think it would be possible for her to see them in any other light no matter how nice he was to her. “Years ago, our pack was able to break away from Royal House Arnold and their corruptive ruling. We made a life for ourselves out here—”. “Excuse me,” Doris interrupted. “Did you say Royal House Arnold has a corruptive ruling? What do you mean by that?”

Enzo looked at her with furrowed brows.

You’re safe here, Doris. Doris shifted under his gaze. She knew how they treated her at the palace, but not the other citizens. “I’ve worked at the palace for over five years, I’m not allowed to venture into the towns away from the palace.” Understanding lightened his eyes.” You’re a servant to the palace, aren’t you?” “Yes, of course I am. What else would I be?” “I thought you might have been the prince’s-never mind. It doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you how they treated their own citizens.” He stood and hovered near the unlit fire place. “You don’t mind if I light this, do you?” “No, you can.” Doris said. She watched as he leaned down to light the logs and warm the room. It was a small sense of relief to feel a bit of comfort from the flames. When he turned back to take off his coat, she noticed how handsome he was for the first time. His jawline was sharp and his eyes had a softness to them that made him look young. He scratched his scruffy jaw as he draped his coat over the back of the chair and seated himself again. “The kingdom has always made sure the citizens knew how they felt about them.

You’re safe here, Doris If you were rich, you were favored and treated well by everyone. If you were poor…” Enzo sighed and leaned back.” The poor were treated… horribly. If you slept on the streets and stood in the way of an official, they would kill you to prove a point. Children were beaten, women were raped and sold. The poor had no rights and it was impossible for us to live. “They took advantage of us, and they still do for those that remain there. Even those of us who were alphas had no rights. The king took pleasure in knowing he could control those who couldn’t afford to eat. He held so many lives in his hand and did nothing to help any of them. He encouraged the abuse, if anything.” Enzo twisted a golden ring on his finger. “You were sold to the palace too, weren’t you? When you were young?” Doris swallowed and nodded. She didn’t want to talk about what she had been through. “I was. When I was sixteen.” “Then you know a bit of what I mean. You know how unfair it is to have your life sold away to the palace and not even get to breathe without their permission. You’re a young girl who should have choices. Us rogues, we came here to be able to have a life where we could You’re safe here, Doris. choose what to do and not be killed because we don’t have money.” “I—I don‘t understand. Why are there so many horrible stories about the north? Why do you have rogues that torture others?” Doris asked. Her eyes flickered to her bruised wrists where the ropes burned her. He must have noticed, his face softened a bit as did his words. “We had to make a name for ourselves out here. We couldn’t have the kingdom coming to rip apart what we made here. They tried when they heard we wouldn’t listen to their ruling any longer. They came with hundreds of guards to tear us down but we were prepared and fought more viciously than they expected. We only allowed a few guards to survive to tell the story of how they were beaten.” Doris pulled her sleeves over her hands . “It seems some of the rogues are still vicious towards others.” “Unfortunately so. Some rogues think it’s their job to make sure anyone that comes to the north is taken care of. Especially if they’re royal. I know the royal members are resentful of us and our freedom from the kingdom, when they heard a prince was passing through -

everyone was on edge and I should You’re safe here, Doris. have guessed they would react this way. I should have done more to prevent it.”

“Not all of the royal members are as resentful as you think. Not Martin or Daniel, not even William.” Or she believed that at least. As horrible as some of the royal members were, she saw goodness in those princes. Even William-deep down. “Are you referring to Prince William?” Enzo said with disbelief in his tone. “Yes, of course I mean him-” “Prince William has been brutal since the moment he came into the north. He’s been acting crazed since you were taken.” “What do you mean? I know he defended himself when we were ambushed but surely you understand” “No, he’s hunted down rogues who wished him no harm looking for you. Last I heard, he was tearing through each village to make sure you weren’t there.”

Doris’s lips parted, there was no way that was true. She thought he would have already been to the market by now and forgotten all about her. Why would he be searching so wildly for her? “I—I’m sorry,”

“Why are you apologizing for his actions?

You’re safe here, Doris He clearly wants you returned safely to him, but you are not a piece of property.

You can choose to go to him if he’s near and I wouldn’t stop you, but you can also choose your own path.” “I am like a property to him and the palace. I’m a slave maid to them, they choose my fate.” “Ah, but you’re in the north now. Aren’t you?” Enzo smiled at Doris. “Their rules don’t apply to us.” Enzo stood and grabbed the cake from the dresser. Doris watched as he neared her and placed it in her hands. It was still a little bit warm, but no longer steamed. She breathed in the scent before she took a small bite.

“His mother was once a part of our pack when I was a child.” Doris’s brows raised, she paused her chewing. “Prince William’s? The king’s fated mate was part of the pack?” Enzo seated himself next to her on the bed, she felt a bit of heat raise to her cheeks. “Yeah, I had to be about four or five so I don’t remember her well, but I’ve heard the story a hundred times. “The king had come through to speak to another alpha about the rogues. He was highly protected and no one was able to You’re safe here, Doris. get near him enough to even think about harming him. He must have scented that she was his mate across the camp because he was drawn to her immediately. I’m told it was love at first sight for him, even though he already had two children with his lady at home, the Luna Queen. “His mate despised him and what he stood for at first. Eventually, she fell for him too and he took her back to the kingdom. She promised she would sway him to change his ways-and he had, for a little while. Once she died, everything went right back to normal. Some even say it had gotten worse once she was gone.”

“I heard he found her on one of her journey’s, I never knew it was in the north.” Doris wondered if William knew this, or if it was kept hidden from him. Were there members of his mother’s family still alive in the camp? She wasn’t sure how he would take the news, but she knew he should find out about it eventually “Yeah, the king didn’t tell his people where he found her. It wouldn’t sit well with them if they knew he had fallen for a rogue when he had been trying to take us down.” Enzo stood. “As the leader, I You’re safe here, Doris. speak for most of us when I say you’re safe here. We only wanted to have a home where we weren’t killed for being poor. We will do anything to protect our own and our home, but we would never harm the innocent.” “How many rogues are…like the two that took me?” Doris asked hesitantly. O “I’m trying to make it so none of them are like them, but there are a few that won’t be tamed.

You’re in my camp now, Doris. You won’t be harmed here.” Enzo walked to the door and glanced back with his hand on the knob. “When you’re ready, come and find me. I‘ll introduce you to others.”