Chapter Eleven: Afraid
1601 Words
“FIND THAT b***h NOW!” Prince Brenton roared as the mystery woman’s shoe clattered across the mosaic floor of the Twilight Promenade’s grand hall.
Everyone in earshot scattered at once to obey the young Alpha; well, almost everyone. Some of the ranked members stayed behind with their Alpha, flanking him in the event of another brazen attack. The clearly insane blonde wolf hadn’t landed her hit, but even so - attempted battery on a member of the royal family was an offense that could not be overlooked.
Almost immediately, someone called out, “I can see them! They’re just outside on the dance floor!”
While the rest of the party goers were either fleeing in fear of the now incensed crown Prince, who stalked to the open front door with the deadly calm of a man who was ready to maim - if not kill - one wolf stayed behind. Instead of following his Alpha Prince outside, he went instead to the abandoned pointy black heel and kneeled down to pick it up.
Tobias lifted the shoe to his nose, and after hesitating for a moment, he gave it a sniff. Then, he smirked a little, chuckling to himself. It seemed that even the mate bond couldn’t make someone’s feet smell less like moldy ass. Funnily enough, he still found the smell appealing despite knowing it was bad.
He shook his head, trying to drive away the painful throb that came with the thought of that mad woman being his mate. There was no way he could accept her; not after that display of sheer lunacy. If anyone from his pack discovered that she was his mate, he’d probably suffer some kind of backlash right along with her and her party crashing friends. Prince Brenton leaned heavily toward the old ways - staunchly supporting his father’s strict caste system. The haughty Prince always rubbed Tobias the wrong way, but rarely enough to make him do anything about it. Tobias had no interest in seeing the tail end of the whip again. He’d learned that lesson once already, and had the scars to prove it.
The half shod blonde was brave to stand up for her packmate like that, Toby had to admit. But, he needed more than brave in a Gamma female. What he really needed a woman who was nurturing, and who could reason through difficult situations; someone with patience. Despite her misleadingly innocent features, which made him ache in a way that he never had before, his mate had already proven that she had no qualms about acting on her flashpan temper. Sure, that was hot, but Toby didn’t really fancy getting burned.
Besides, he’d only ever had eyes for one girl, and even if his would-be mate could pass for Chessa’s shadow, their personalities were nothing alike. Princess Francesca was sweet, gentle, and delicate - fresh like a field of daisies. In another life, Chessa would have made for a perfect Gamma female. But, though Tobias knew that he could never have her that way - even if she did think of him as anything more than a brother - he would never leave Francesca’s side. Protecting the Princess was more than just his job as a Gamma; she was his best friend, and he was wholly devoted to seeing her safe and happy.
The royal family’s attempts at molding Chessa into the perfect Princess more often than not left his tender hearted bestie in tears, and the little Princess had no one else - no one she trusted, anyway. No one who cared more about her happiness than her value as a political pawn. Tobias might not understand Chessa, or most women when it came down to it, but he knew for certain that he loved Francesca dearly.
He simply didn’t have room in his life, or his heart, for anyone else. So, he’d just have to reject his mate as soon as he saw her again, and hope that the Goddess would spare any other she-wolf the burden of being his second chance.
Even though this is what Tobias told himself, in a desperate attempt to reason away the strong surge of desire he felt toward his mate, he hoped deep down that he never saw his mystery mate again. He hoped this because then he would never be faced with making the impossible choice. In his heart of hearts, he fervently clutched to the tenuous connection forged during those fleeting moments when their eyes met, letting it fill the dark recesses of his heart with dreams of a life he knew he could never have.
Penelope gasped when they reappeared a mere hundred yards away from the grand hall that they had been standing in, smack dab in the middle of the outdoor dance floor. The people who had been shimmying and swaying leapt to get out of their way - though a few of them had gotten trodden on or otherwise displaced by the sudden appearance of the Misfits.
Unfortunately, they had not been expecting the motion sickness that came with teleportation, and the irate polo wearing knothead was already charging toward them before they could make a run for it. It wasn’t even a normal polo; it was the kind with an extra big horse. Talk about overcompensating.
“Apprehend them!” the bastard growled, and though his voice was low it carried with it a familiar authority; the authority of an Alpha.
“s**t, s**t, s**t!” Carrie clung to Ryan as members of the Twilight Promenade closed in around them.
“WAIT! Wait.” Penelope said, making the split second decision to do something she knew she wouldn’t be able to take back. She let her aura go.
Penny’s Alpha aura spilled out from her in a wave, creating a sudden gravity for all those in ear shot of her that hadn’t existed before. Even though she held no sway over any wolves but her own, they could still feel it - and it was strong. So strong that the jerkface Alpha slowed to a stop several feet away from her, hesitation plain in his stance. His expression had shifted to one of astonishment, though the underlying anger was still very clearly there.
“I only attacked out of instinct, in defense of my Delta.” Penelope said through gritted teeth, trying not to growl. “I didn’t even land that hit on you, but you... YOU assaulted my Delta. You might think you’re lord of the fief, welcome to exercise your right to bed any female in sniffing distance, but I doubt the council will take kindly to your medieval behaviour. Especially toward a ranked member of an allied pack.”
“You want medieval? I’ll show you medieval,” the jerkface Alpha sneered. Then, he licked his lips as he continued, “You’d look good in my dungeon, tied up, vulnerable…”
Penny didn’t have to growl, because Sebastian beat her to it. His growl was menacing, and his voice harsh as he hissed, “Are you threatening my Alpha?”
If she hadn’t held her hand up, the Beta might have attacked. But, at the sight of her pale finger waving at him, he pulled himself together. Now was not the time.
“Only with a good time.” the pompous prick had the gall to tilt his head and give them a charming smile. “Clearly, none of you know who I am, so I’ll let it slide… just this once. I am crown Prince Brenton, next Alpha of the Twilight Promenade, and future king of the Darcingtowne Alliance.”
“Charmed, I’m sure.” Penny said, inclining her head to him in an approximation of a respectful bow. It was the best she could do; if she’d executed a full bowed, she might have thrown up on his shoes. Just because he had no idea they were related didn’t make it any less nauseating to be hit on by him - even if it was more threatening than s****l.
“We’ll just take our leave then.” Ryan piped in, picking up a trembling Carrie bridal style. It didn’t escape Penny’s notice that several girls who were watching the drama unfold nearly swooned as the big man held the petite redhead close.
You guys go first. Penny linked to her packmates.
The Misfits turned and started heading toward the exit, though Sebastian glanced back at her a few times. Penny didn’t want to turn her back on her creepy ass cousin, and walked backwards for several feet so that she could keep her eyes fixed on him.
Brenton tilted his head the other direction, lips pursed slightly in an odd expression of curiosity. “I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name, Alpha…?”
“You should be.” Penny replied, tartly before giving the Prince a sharp smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Should be what?” now the Princeling looked puzzled.
“Afraid.” Penny said flatly, her expression turning impassive before she turned to follow her pack into the safety of the Bramble.
- Writer
