Boots thudded against paving slabs, his strides quick… yet confident. He smiled politely at the wolves he passed, receiving warm greetings and smiles in return, “Good morning, My Prince.” A female waved at him.
“Morning.” He nodded, continuing on his way. He reached the bakers, collecting the bread he’d placed on order, before heading to the butchers. The repeats of ‘good mornings’ and ‘hellos’ following him around.
It wasn’t something that he minded anymore.
It was actually quite refreshing being spoken to rather than everyone shying away from him, or looking away.
Or whispering.
That didn’t happen anymore. It had taken a few months for the pack to settle down, get used to the idea of same-sex mateships. Now, a year later, other’s didn’t even bat an eye. He’d he
Chris pushed open the door, his stomach in a tight coiled knot. He just couldn’t shift it, couldn’t calm down. His parents prattling on with the importance of the next stage of his life. “Trey?” he called into the Gamma suite.“Yup? What’s up?” Trey’s oak haired head popped through the doorway to their living room.Chris walked right past him, making himself at home without invitation, “Why does anything need to be up?” his nonchalance did not match his internal feeling.“Because you look like shit. It’s not tomorrow is it?”“Course not. I’m going to find her straight away.” His confidence a mask, a hope no one would sense these worries... anxieties.“You probably won’t find her tomorrow," Trey reassured warmly. "There’s no pressure for it to be instant. Your brother didn’t find his mate for nearly a decade, remember.”“I don’t think I can wait that long,” Chris whispered.Trey’s hand fell heavily on the younger wolf. “You don’t need a mate to complete you.”“I know… I just… erm- I ju
Chris raced back to the palace, getting to his room still in fur form. His wolf was annoyed the human side had turned tail. Chris didn’t care. That was not his mate. Fuck what his wolf said. Nope.Never going to happen. He showered and dressed in more formal attire than he would usually wear. Today was his coming of age day. Even if he didn’t feel much like celebrating. He headed down to the communal kitchen, as he suspected, his parents were there. “Happy birthday, son!” His father, Former King Xander, rose from where he sat at the large dining table. “Thank you, father.” Chris put on a large smile, going over to his mother. “Morning, darling. My youngest baby is all grown up!” She cupped his cheeks, laying wet kisses over his face.“Mam’ma!” he brushed her off him. “I’m not a baby!” “I know, but you’re so cute!” He scoffed and rolled his eyes at her before sitting down next to his father at the table. “Smelt your mate yet?” his father asked expectantly.“No. She won’t be here,
‘You can’t stop me having my mate.’‘The moon goddess was incorrect. Behave.’‘The goddess is never wrong. Your human mind is stubborn.’‘You want pups?’‘Yes.’‘Then shut up.’ Chris finished straightening his bow tie. What if his mate sought him out at the ball? What if he was made a fool out of? No, the guard wouldn’t dare. Chris could merely claim slander. And to slander him would be to disrespect the crown. No. No wolf under their rule would dare. ‘Mate.’That word was going to get old, and fast. His wolf was being relentless. A war on his own mind that he despised. But it was necessary. His wolf may care less about his reputation, but he did. His reputation was everything. He was already the little prince that was captured and came back strange. He was already the family oddball. He was damaged enough. ‘Mate.’ His stomach twisted, he felt sick, he didn’t want to go down there. Why were they throwing a ball? He was much better alone. He’d prefer to spend the evening with hi
Chris was packed with his possessions in the boot of one of the family’s SUVs. He had said goodbye to everyone, unsure how long his tour would last. Marc and his father had stated a few expectations. Mainly to not embarrass the crown, to remember who he was and it would be polite to stay for a week in each pack.His guards were there to protect him and he would do well to remember that too. He sighed, wondering how much the guards would get in the way, and wishing at least one of the Gammas were going with them… but they weren’t. Marc had assured some of their best were going with him.Matilda slid into the driver’s seat. Alright… he could cope with her. She was strong, graceful, and delicate like a samurai sword. “We’re nearly ready, My Prince.”
Chains dragged across the rough stone floor, he coughed, his throat dry. His ribs were sore but not as bad as the day before. The fear chilled him more than the damp cold air. He wanted his mother, his father, his brother. He wanted his sister to be OK… where was she? He was so scared. Be a good little boy, that’s what the man had said… he just needed to be good. The creek of the cell door swinging open made him scuttle back to the far wall as far as his chains allowed. Clouds of terror fogged his mind.Deep cognac eyes floated into the fog, he felt warm, he felt safe. He looked around, the dark dank cell had made way for a cloud of golden light, he was floating. Beautiful silky auburn hair tickled his neck as lips caressed the sensitive skin. No-one had ever kissed there, it felt so good. Large hands roamed over his chest and abdomen, his whole body tingling.
Chris flung himself face down on the bed, he had half an hour to get his arse in gear and get down to the ball that had been thrown for him. Luca was going to show him the way to the hall in the centre of their town.He didn’t want to go.Call him a whingy baby, but he hated social gatherings, he felt it would be fine if he didn’t have to have a massive smile on his face and dance with every available female. He was dreading it. He’d been kept busy during the day being shown their packland.He had to admit it was a lovely place, he could see that everyone was happy. Pups ran around without a care in the world. Full growns spent their spare time in little eater
The silence of his wolf only lasted until morning. Unfortunately, he’d take the silence anyday. ‘Mate. Mate knows. Mate upset. Don’t want anyone but mate.’ It was a constant monologue.Con.stant.‘Go to mate. See mate. Smell mate. I can smell mate. Want mate.’Chris pressed his palms into his eyes. He had to admit the night before in that alleyway had been an awakening. He’d never believe it would feel that good. Never believed it would happen outside of a mateship. And certainly
Over the next few weeks and the next few packs, he found himself being propositioned left right and centre… never for mateship, always for sex. Female after female was snuck into his room only then to ensure they left before Jaxson finished his shift.Yes, Chris had taken to ‘proving’ he didn’t need Jaxson through the only method that shut his wolf up. For a few wonderful hours, his wolf was silent. However, as soon as he came back, he made it known his anger, his irritation, his fury.His mind was splitting in half, he felt so much of a pull it was a sheer magnet forcing him from his room. But he stayed as he was, head in hands trying to shift the torrent of hatred his wolf was supplying. Letting him out for a run was a bad idea, Chris couldn’t see how he’d b