Chapter 2. Lady in Trouble

* Ivan *

I noticed her the moment he pushed the door of my beerhouse open. And then she got inside, walking slowly like entering a banquet rather than a den of bad wolves.

Every regular in my beerhouse smelled the same: ale, smoke, sweat, old leather, wet wolves, and even dirt. But another scent drifted through the open doorway as soon as she got in.

She smelled like a fresh rain: wildflowers and jasmine petals. I looked up from the cigarette between my fingers. Someone who looked expensive had just walked into The Bad Wolf.

I stayed where I was, leaning against the far corner of the room where the shadows hid me. One boot rested against the wall while the smoke curled lazily around my head.

My bartender knows I am inside the small office, but here I am observing my place. It's interesting to see someone like her in a place like this. I watched her step inside.

Cowboy boots on her feet. Tight blue jeans that hugged long legs made for horseback riding. A fitted white long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to her forearms.

She dresses simply, but her looks aren't; her black, straight hair is shiny and long. It bounces when she moves to look around. She looked like she had tried very hard not to look like a noble.

I wonder which noble household she escaped from. Because no village woman carried herself with her back that straight. No common wolf held her chin that high while walking into a room full of dangerous males.

And no ordinary female smelled like generations of Alpha blood in her veins. I took another drag from my cigarette.

"What is a noble she-wolf doing here?"

She paused just inside the doorway, pretending that she had enough confidence. But I could hear her heartbeat from across the room.

Fast and Nervous. Scared a little, but more importantly, desperate. Yet she kept walking inside. Brave enough to be here. Or just a reckless one. Probably both.

The room gradually fell into silence. Not because the men had suddenly become gentlemen. But because every wolf in here had caught the same scent I had, and wolves got curious.

I watched dozens of eyes follow her to the counter. Some were curious, hungry, and calculating. My jaw tightened. What a bunch of idiots, including her.

She had no idea what kind of place she'd walked into. Greyhound Place wasn't the capital. Out here, a noble she-wolf wasn't feared.

It was a bait. She ignored every stare and walked straight toward the counter. I couldn't help the small, sarcastic smile tugging at my mouth. Either she had the courage or she'd never been told how cruel poor wolves could be.

I noticed my cigarette burned lower between my fingers. She asked the bartender if the owner was here.

I just said nothing. I wanted to see where this was going.

My bartender, Randal, offered to call me. She declined that. Great, because I preferred watching unnoticed. Then she said something that made me remove the cigarette from my mouth.

"I am looking for a male wolf who is single."

The entire beerhouse froze. Even I blinked twice. Did, did I hear that correctly? Randal looked confused.

"Pardon, Miss?"

"I need a decent male wolf."

A laugh escaped one table, and another followed. Within seconds, the whole room erupted. I almost laughed myself. Almost. Then she placed a heavy pouch of gold onto the counter.

The laughter stopped immediately. Gold Coins. A lot of them. Enough to make desperate wolves forget common sense. My amusement disappeared. Damn it! She wasn't joking.

She was actually trying to buy herself a husband here. I rubbed a hand over my jaw. Who in the Moon Goddess's name lets a noble she-wolf wander into a den full of savage wolves carrying a bag of gold?

Her parents must be losing their minds by now. Or maybe she'd run away from them. That thought settled heavily in my chest. I studied her again.

Travel dust on her boots. Tiny scratches across one hand. Dark circles beneath determined eyes. Without guards, servants, or escort. Definitely a runaway.

I sighed quietly. You really have no idea where you've ended up, lady? Before I could decide whether to keep watching or throw her out for her own safety, the front door opened again.

Five familiar scents entered. Rogues! Of all wolves tonight! Wonderful, just wonderful. My evening had just become interesting.

Then one thing led to another. A huge fight in my beerhouse started.

"Don't touch her," I said calmly. But I was far from calm deep inside when I warned an ugly-looking wolf in front of her.

The rogue froze. She stared at me; she looked stunned by the fury in my face. I released the man only when she whispered,

"Let him go, now." The rogues fled after a few scratches and bruises from me. The room slowly began breathing again.

I turned to her. "Are you hurt?"

"No." She shook her head. My gaze dropped to the red marks on her wrist.

"I asked if you were hurt."

"And I said no."

I stepped closer and touched her wrist without asking for permission. Warmth shot through me when I felt her soft skin; it was sharp and strange. She felt it too; I saw it in the sudden stillness of her face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

She looked at the gold on the counter, then at me.

"I need a husband," she said like a husband is a piece of cake. "And I am willing to pay a good price."

I stared at her, then laughed. Deep, rough, and infuriating.

"You're either insane or desperate."

"I already told you which one I am." She answered.

I leaned closer. "You're both." Then I swallowed. "How much?"

She added the pouch of gold, then his bracelet, he'd ring, and the necklace hidden beneath her cloak.

"I will give you all of this."

My eyes narrowed. "And what do I have to do?"

"Marry me."

I studied her for a long moment. "Who are you?" She hesitated, then lifted her chin. "I am Princess Dorina."

I looked at the gold, then back at her beautiful face. Slowly, a dangerous smile spread across my face.

"Well," I murmured. "Now this is interesting."

She should have run. Instead, she held my gaze. "I need an answer."

"You came into my beerhouse looking for a husband," I said. "You were attacked by rogues. And now you want me to marry you."

"Yes."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Not important."

For a moment, something dark flickered beneath my amusement. Something that warned me I was standing too close to a fire.

Then I smiled again. "I am not the sort of wolf a princess marries."

"Good," she said. My brow lifted.

"Because I don't want the sort of wolf a princess is supposed to marry."

That made me pause. I smiled, small and sharp. "Do we have a deal?"

I picked up her bracelet, turned it in my fingers, and looked at her like I was either a miracle or a disaster.

"Fine," I said.

Her breath caught. "Fine?"

"I'll marry you."

Relief hit her face so hard she nearly swayed. Then I leaned in, my voice low and wicked. "But I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"When your father tries to kill me," I said, eyes gleaming, "you don't get to save me."

She stared at me. I smiled. "My real condition is that you let me enjoy watching the Alpha King lose his mind first."

It has been a very long time since I last saw Alpha King Daemon. And who would have thought I would meet his daughter like this? A real Princess!  Not just a noble she-wolf acting like a Princess. She is the real deal.

She should have been horrified if she were ordinary, but no. She gave off an aura of arrogance, the same royal blood as her father has.