A Dangerous Scent

My eyes widened.

I clutched the side of my neck, fingers pressing against the tender mark. The memory slammed into me. The stranger in the forest, the way he had bitten down hard while I clung to him.

Oh no. No, no, no.

This was bad. Had Naeja and Lady Margret already seen it? Was this the reason for the scent everyone kept reacting to?

I stripped and stepped into the shower, scrubbing until my skin turned pink and raw. I needed that scent gone. The worst part was that I still couldn’t smell anything on myself. I had no way of knowing whether it had left or not.

When I stepped out and changed, I checked the mirror again. The mark remained, dark and fresh. I dug out wipes and healing lotion, applying both carefully, hoping they would fade faster.

“Gwen!” Madame Bailey’s voice barked through the door. “How long does it take to shower? Get out here this instant!”

“Coming,” I called as I stepped into the hall.

She stood waiting with the same bucket of laundry. The moment I appeared, she leaned in and sniffed, then frowned.

“Did you take a shower like I asked?”

“I did.”Her brows knitted together. She waved a dismissive hand and shoved the bucket into my arms. “Whatever. Just go do the laundry.”

I took it and walked on.

Halfway down the corridor, I nearly collided with Prince Kael Dragna. Alpha and prince of Daekhar. Cropped blond hair, sharp brown eyes. Those eyes locked onto me. I dropped my gaze at once, bowed my head, and tried to pass.

I had almost made it when his voice stopped me.

“Stop right there.”

I froze, not daring to look up. He stepped in front of me.

“Your scent…”

He reached out as if to touch me. I flinched hard and moved back.

“Pardon me, my lord, but I really must get back to my duties.”

His frown deepened.

Then Naeja’s bright voice rang out. “Prince Kael!”

Her footsteps hurried toward us. I finally lifted my eyes. She latched onto his arm like a possessive puppy and shot me a venomous glare. Whatever she was thinking, I wanted nothing to do with him.

“My mother’s waiting for you,” she said cheerfully. Kael’s expression smoothed into a polite smile. “Of course.”

They walked past me together. Only when they were gone did I release the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

I hurried to the laundry house, set the bucket down, and sank onto the low stool to begin washing. Across from me, two maids were talking quietly. Though not quietly enough.

“Prince Kael’s here,” one said.

“Yes. He’s really good-looking. I heard he’s the one who’ll probably take the throne.”

“It’s too bad about the eldest son. A mindless beast. He’s cursed.”

“I heard every first son of the royal bloodline is cursed to become a mindless beast.” They both laughed under their breath.

“I wonder what he looks like. Every night he goes into the forest to hide so he doesn’t kill people.”

I shook my head and smirked to myself at their gossip.

Then the words truly sank in. Mindless beast. Prince. Goes into the forest every night.

The stranger from last night had not looked like any commoner. His wolf had been twice the size of a normal alpha. Those amber eyes…Could he? I shook my head hard. No. I pushed the thought away at once.

I needed to stop thinking about that stranger. Whatever—or whoever—he was, it didn’t matter. I finished the laundry as quickly as I could and headed for the dining room with the cart. Madame Bailey had ordered me to prepare breakfast and tea.

I pushed the cart through the open doors. Naeja and Lady Margret were already seated with Prince Kael, their voices low and pleasant.

“So,” Lady Margret began, smiling across the table, “when do you want the engagement to take place?”

I kept my eyes down and began setting the dishes carefully. I poured the tea, the fragrant steam rising between us. As I reached to place Naeja’s cup in front of her, her hand moved, just enough to tip the cup.

Hot tea splashed across her lap and mine. The porcelain shattered against the floor with a sharp crack.

“Ow!” Naeja cried out, far louder than necessary.

I hissed and clutched my own hand where the scalding liquid had hit. She shoved her chair back and stood, eyes flashing.

“What is your problem? Are you trying to burn me?”

I stared at her in disbelief. “It wasn’t on purpose. You pushed it.”

Her face twisted. “How dare you talk back to me!” She raised her hand, ready to strike.

“Let her be.” Prince Kael’s voice cut through the room, calm but firm enough to stop Naeja’s hand in mid-air.

Naeja’s eyes flicked to Prince Kael. Slowly, she lowered her hand. An awkward laugh slipped from her lips. “My prince, forgive me. She’s always so clumsy.”

“It was probably just an accident,” Kael said evenly. “Let her go.”

“Of course.” Naeja smoothed her expression and sat back down.

I bowed my head. “Thank you, my prince.”

Then I crouched and carefully gathered the broken pieces of porcelain, placing them on the cart. I was almost at the door when Lady Margret’s voice stopped me.

“Stop right there.”

I froze.

“What is that mark on your neck?”

Panic flashed through me. She had seen it. I didn’t turn around. “It’s nothing,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Just a scratch.”

Without waiting for another word, I pushed the cart out of the room and into the hall.

That cunning witch, I thought bitterly, my jaw tight. One day, I’ll smack her stupid face.

Later that day, I wrapped a scarf tightly around my neck, hiding the mark as best I could. The fabric felt rough against the still-tender skin, but it was better than leaving it exposed.

My chores were finally finished. All I wanted was the quiet of my small room.

I turned down the empty side corridor that led to the servants’ wing.

A hand shot out from the shadows and closed around my wrist, yanking me sideways into a narrow alcove. A startled gasp tore from my throat as my back hit the wall.

I looked up.

Prince Kael stood in front of me, close enough that I could see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes. His grip was firm but not painful, and his expression was unreadable.

“Prince Kael?”