The Red Cloak Girls

Four: Prince Raoul

Four:

Prince Raoul

            I could feel her trembling next to me. I could also smell the blood that she’d coughed up earlier. It was driving my wolf mad with lust. All I wanted was to rip her ridiculous dress off and claim her in the middle of the town square. But I couldn’t do that. Not if I wanted our people to keep peace with the humans.

            The whole of the village stilled, staring at us as we came back. Amongst them, I noted Anya, Crimson’s sister. I’d seen her a few times in the village. She glowered at me as if I were the monster everyone thought I was. “Hold your head high, remember, you’re my mate. You’re going to be a Princess.” I whispered this to Crimson, who glowered at me.

            I took her to the town square, where my parents now in human form, staring expectantly at me.

            “You can’t take her!” a voice shouted from the crowd.

            I whirled around to see who had dared to challenge me. A tall, young man with brown hair and brown eyes that I recognized as the apothecary’s son. “Who dares to challenge me?” I demanded.

            “Zaan Pulfer.”

            I saw Crimson’s eyes go directly to him. I gripped her even tighter towards me. “And who are you? The farmers boy?”

            “Apothecary’s son,” he answered, steely resolve in his eyes. He was in love with her. That much was clear. I glanced at Crimson and saw only fear in her face. But there was no flickering of love. Whoever this boy was, he didn’t mean anything to her. At least I had to believe it.

            “Her dress has gold on it boy,” I said, “I’m The Prince of Wolves. That means I can claim her.”

            Zaan stepped forward, pulling a knife from within the folds of his clothing. The crowd gasped, and Crimson cried out stepping forward.

         “Zaan, no!” she shouted.

            Zaan looked from me, to her, his eyes filled with rage. “Crimson, I know you said you didn’t want me. I can live with that. What I can’t live with is you being taken against your will by this…. beast.”

            He spat the word out with disgust, and I heard my pack begin to growl. I should have killed him where he stood. But Crimson placed a hand on my chest, blocking my path. “Raoul…” it was the first time she had ever said my name. I locked eyes with her.

            “What?” I bit out.

            She jumped a little at my rage. “Don’t kill him.”

            “He’s insulted me, and you,” I said. “He’s disregarded your wishes.”

            “He doesn’t deserve to die for that! I…. spare him, and I’ll come with you. I’ll participate in The Mating Season.”

            Rage filled me, my wolf paced inside of me, longing to lunge at the apothecary’s son and tear him limb from limb. But when I heard her words, I realized exactly what she was doing. She was pacifying me. Hesitantly, I reached out and stroked her pale cheek. She flinched, but her gaze remained fixed on me.

            “Fine,” I relented, “I won’t kill him. But he’s not to come near you again, ever. Do you understand? If he does, his life is forfeit.”

            Crimson swallowed hard, then nodded. “I understand. I understand completely. You’re my mate.”

            The words made me bristle, even if she didn’t say it the way I wanted her to say it. I wanted her to say it like it was a blessing. Not a curse. Behind me, I heard my father cough.

            “The Prince of Wolves has found his mate!” he boomed. “Let us rejoice in celebration! Let the festivities commence.”

            The crowd burst into cheers. Music started playing, and the dancing had begun. The Mating Season was upon us now. There was no telling what might happen. Faint snowflakes began to fall, but the people danced on regardless. The cold seemed a little crisper. Crimson let out a cough, blood dribbling down her chin a little. I took a handkerchief from my pocket with my initials embroidered on it and gave it to her.

            Warily, she looked from the handkerchief to me. Then, she took it and wiped the blood from her. “Thank you,” she said. She went to give it back to me.

            I shook my head. “Keep it,” I said, “come. Let us go sit with the King and Queen of Wolves.” I pulled her along with me. As we walked, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I looked behind and I saw Zaan watching me, clenching his knife, with an anger I knew well. It was the kind of anger that destroyed things. I could only hope it wouldn’t be Crimson and me.