Alpha Temptations

05 | The Alpha Prince

I couldn't stop myself from trembling as the freezing wind seeps deep into my bones. The sun hasn't risen yet nor has shown its light from the dark sky. I didn't want to do it, but I had no choice but hug Hunter to get warmth from his fur. I felt his throat vibrate from his growl, he probably didn't like what I did but I had no choice.

"I had no choice," I told him, hugging him tighter because I couldn't resist the comforting warmth I am getting from him. "It's not like I want to do this. I just don't want to die from this freezing weather," I added, resting my face on his back.

He let out another growl but continued to run.

We are now approaching the neighboring pack's territory so Hunter ran closer with the warriors in case something happens.

And just before we could approach the borders, the patrols of the neighboring pack intercepted us.

"What's your business in our pack?" one of them asked. His voice was calm but you can sense the warning in it.

One of the warriors from our pack shifted back to his human form and handed him a copy of the admission letter we have. "We are from the Nightshade Pack and we mean no harm to your pack. We are just escorting our next alpha to the camp," he explained.

He looked at us one by one. Then his eyes landed on me. "What about her?"

"She's with us. She will be going to the camp, too, to serve our next alpha. She couldn't shift to her wolf so we had to carry," the warrior explained. "She's wolfless," he added.

I secretly rolled my eyes at him. He doesn't have to include that, does he?

"Okay. Then allow us to escort you 'til you pass our territory," the patrol werewolf replied before shifting to his wolf and letting out a howl.

It took us almost an hour to pass through their territory. And just a few minutes after, we had to prepare again since we will be entering another territory.

We went through the same cycle until we finally reached the towering walls of Centris, the capital city of the Central Region; the heart of Silveria Kingdom.

"Get off of him, wolfless," one of the warriors approached me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me down with force.

I wasn't expecting that so I almost fell with my face on. I composed myself and glared at him. "You could have just told me to get off, warrior. I can understand a simple instruction." I rolled my eyes at him before fixing my clothes. I also prepared Hunter's clothes before he could shift.

"Finally..." Hunter exclaimed. "...we've reached Centris."

"This is the farthest we could escort you, Alpha Hunter. You will be on your own beyond these walls," one of the warriors said with his head bowed down.

"It's fine. You can return home now," he said without even thanking them. He then turned to me. "Carry our bags, slave," he instructed and started to walk towards the gate.

I just stared at him before I decided to get our bags from the warriors. "Thank you for keeping us safe all throughout the journey," I told them before walking away. I didn't wait for them to say anything because I can already tell what their response would be. It will be like 'We only did it for the next alpha, you wolfless outcast!'

"Is she with you?" I looked in front of me when I heard the guard ask Hunter while pointing at me.

"Yes," he shortly replied before looking at me.

"Your mate?" the guard asked again.

"No," he quickly replied. "She's a slave sent by the pack to assist me."

"I see." The guard looked at me from head to toe before flashing a nasty smile. He probably thought of something nasty. He then turned to Hunter. "Follow me."

I silently followed them while struggling to carry our bags. Hunter brought four bags with him and all of them were extremely heavy! And I think he did it on purpose to bully me because some of the things inside his bag are not even a necessity. I don't even think he would use them.

"Trainees will have to wait in this area. A wagon will come to pick you up," the guard said as soon as we reached a wooden shed. "Please wait here along with the other trainees," he added before leaving us.

I looked around and saw others waiting. Most of them really do have mates to come with them and some seem to be alone.

I decided not to mind them and just sit quietly on the bench while waiting for the wagon to arrive.

"When we arrive at the camp, I want you to fix my room as soon as possible and ready my bath," Hunter said as he sat beside me.

"Okay," I shortly replied, closing my eyes. I wasn't able to sleep well last night because of the freezing weather, and even though I didn't do anything but ride on Hunter's back, I still felt the strain of our nonstop travel.

"Let me sleep for a bit, Maya," Hunter said so I open my eyes to look at him.

"What do you want me to do? Prepare a bed for you?" I sarcastically said, trying my best not to glare at him. I don't want to make a scene here, especially when there are other people around us.

"Idíot. Your lap. Let me sleep on your lap."

"Huh?" That was all I could say because it was so random. It's one of the least things I expected him to say.

"You deaf? Let me sleep on your lap."

"No way," I told him, shrugging my shoulders to show him the disgust I feel. There's no freaking way I will going to let him do it. "You can use the bags if you want something to rest your head on."

He looked at me for a few seconds before hissing. "Are you trying to disobey me?"

"Yes. Because I was only told to help you cook your meals, wash your clothes, clean your room, and other household chores. That's all," I told him, looking straight into his eyes. "I hope that's clear with you."

He just scoffed at me before he aggressively grabbed one of the bags.

I rolled my eyes at him. Did he really expect me to just let him do whatever he wants?

After a few minutes, the wagon arrived and everyone in the waiting shed started to flock around it. I looked at Hunter who's deep asleep while hugging his bag. I patted his head to wake him up. I actually wanted to slap him but I didn't let my intrusive thoughts win.

"Hunter..." I called. And just a few more taps, he opened his eyes and looked around. "We need to go," I told him while picking up our bags. "Get up or they will leave us behind."

He nodded before he lazily walked towards the wagon. I followed him and was about to climb the wagon when I heard someone scream from afar.

"Wait! Please wait for us!"

I traced the direction of the voice and saw a woman with a ginger hair running while carrying bags all over her body.

She was panting when she got near us. Her sweat was dripping down her face. "T-Thank you!" she exclaimed, putting down the bags to wipe her face with her hand.

I looked at her and couldn't stop feeling sorry for her because I can see myself in her.

"C-Can you wait a little bit more? Prince Blake will be taking the wagon, too," she said and everyone around us started to whisper to each other.

My eyes widened in surprise as soon as I heard the name. Prince Blake is the third child and the second son of the king. Why would a prince take a wagon when he can just have one of the royal palace's carriages take him to the camp?

Or is it even necessary for him to train in the camp? He basically has the blood of the strongest werewolf in the kingdom!

"Prince Blake, huh..." I looked at Hunter when he spoke. I saw him smirking while shaking his head.

"Do you know him?" I asked.

"Of course. My father had me memorize all the important figures in the kingdom," he replied. "And that Prince Blake is one of them."

"Does every future alpha knows him?"

"Certainly." He looked at me and then around us. "He's one hell of a powerful werewolf. He has the strength befitting of a king," he added before he leaned closer to me. He had his one hand covering the side of his mouth. "But he can't inherit the crown. Because aside from being the second son, he is also the king's bàstard."

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." I instinctively followed the direction of the voice I heard. It was deep and powerful. There was something in it that draws anyone who hears it.

And when my eyes found the owner of that voice, I was dumbfounded. Right before my eyes is a towering man with sharp features. But what caught my attention is not how tall he was nor how broad his shoulders were, but how captivating his silvery eyes were.

I don't know why I feel so drawn to him. It was like there's a force that keeps on pulling me towards him. A force I couldn't explain.