Chapter 6 Rogue Encounter

Zaika's pov

"I was so worried about you, bunny!" Sasha cried into my chest.

"I am fine and appreciate your concern but really think you should release me and go back into our home," I mumbled. Raising her blonde brow at me questionably, I grinned.

"I'm nude sister," I said candidly and watched her eyes glance down my body. I had covered myself but her eyes stayed on my hands.

"Little pervert," I mumbled sarcastically and she slapped my clawed arm causing me to wince.

"You are injured!" Sasha gasped. I grabbed her arm and neared her ear.

"Meet me in my room and I will tell you everything that actually happened,'' I growled. She nodded her head with wide eyes and hurried to the patio yanking my arm. I shifted into Einar and nudged Sasha's side. Glancing at my large wolf she smiled and ran her fingers through my thick fur. Einar gave her face a big lick, covering her with drool.

"Gross Einar," she giggled while stepping up the stairs.

"The female is truly precious but her wolf is a stubborn bitch," Einar growled in my mind.

"Don't call Aspen a bitch. Tell me what you mean," I inquired mentally.

"Her royal Dire wolf will only join herself with another royal or her equal I'm sorry to say. The royal Dire's are a breed unto their own. They are also known to interbreed to keep bloodlines supposedly pure," Einor huffed. Narrowing my wolf's eyes I glanced at Sasha. My chest hurt from Einar's words. I would never be in a position to claim her as my own. We both headed straight into my suite. Trotting past her I went inside my closet to shift and dress. Glancing in the full-length mirror I looked at the claw marks still present on my bicep. The injury wasn't healing and was an angry looking red which was unusual. Normally I healed quickly. Slipping a t-shirt over my head and chest, I exhaled deeply and went to where Sasha was sitting. Giving me her full attention, Sasha's eyes looked at my arm and her eyes narrowed.

"Who clawed you?" She questioned curiously.

I told her about releasing the rogue pups and Gallum shooting one. Also about the female Alpha.

"So that was the dead child they were burying?" She asked curiously. I nodded my head and explained that the rogue female Alpha wanted her child back and came for his body.

"She asked for the name of the killer and I refused to tell her so she clawed me," I stated bluntly.

"Let me get some antiseptic for it and a bandage." Leaning back on the cushions I watched her go to the bathroom for supplies.

"Maybe leaving with the king's guard will dampen my feelings for her and help me let her go," I said sullenly to my wolf. Einar gave me a low growl in response because he loved her the same as I. Sasha came quickly to my side and began to examine the odd claw marks.

"These wounds aren't like anything that I've seen from another Dire. Are you certain she is a wolf?" She asked me plainly.

"I didn't see her wolf, only saw her in her human form," I replied. Sasha frowned as she put the antiseptic on my skin causing me to hiss.

"Was she pretty?" She questioned curiously. I side-eyed her and grinned.

"Why are you jealous?" I laughed. Feeling her smack my injury again I growled roughly.

"I did not find her attractive but I am certain that others might think so," I snapped, causing her bottom lip to tremble.

"I'm certain that you will see many attractive females at Vossler's palace," she mumbled sourly. Shaking my head, I closed my eyes and wondered what she was trying to get at.

"I'm going for training not to find my mate if one even exists for me," I stated harshly. Sasha glanced up at me and frowned.

"I love only you, Sasha but I am unworthy to be yours in that capacity," I said briskly.

"I know," she said sullenly then added, "I must wed someone equal to me and who my father agrees with. Being a royal Dire wolf has its downfalls. Even my wolf is a stubborn bitch and sticks to the royal creed." Nodding, I watched her continue to wrap gauze around my bicep.

"Are you still innocent or have you been with someone?" She asked brusquely. My eyes widened at her.

"No, have you?" I responded. Shaking her head she told me that she hadn't and wasn't interested in sex. I started to feel uncomfortable about the topic and told her I needed to pack for my training. A hard knock sounded on my door and Sasha went quickly to open it. My father was standing there looking worried.

"The prince is missing with his rifle. The guards said he ran off after the rogues and was picking them off one after another. Can you go search for him? His father called and wanted him back home,'' Ivan said firmly. Rolling my eyes I nodded as I stood.

"I will go search for him," I grunted in irritation.

"I will come with you!" Sasha offered and I told her no.

"You remain here where you're safe," I said firmly cupping her cheek. I ran my fingers through my hair as I walked past Ivan. He stopped me by grabbing my arm.

"Be careful, they are an unruly lot," he growled low, causing me to grin and nod my head.

"Is the king and his men alright?" I asked and he nodded. Heading back downstairs I remembered the smell of cattle blood in the air prior and figured I'd check on the livestock. When I went outside the king's guards were mulling about and I questioned them if they'd seen the prince. One informed me that he had heard gunfire coming from the east. Gritting my teeth, I thanked him and ran towards the clearing. Pacing myself as I ran, I called out for Gallum and didn't get a response. Shaking my head I ran about a mile further. The scent of blood was thick in the air and Einar told me it was Gallum. Feeling fear for my friend I combed through the tall grassy field as I followed my nose. Even though we had different opinions on things I would never wish him harm, I thought.

"Gallum!" I shouted again and heard a muffled voice from my right. Separating the tall grass, I found the prince.

"They stole my rifle," he muttered hoarsely. I grimaced at his shredded legs and blood loss.

"Come on buddy, I'm going to carry you back," I mumbled sullenly. Lifting his arm I pulled him over my shoulder to piggyback him to the chateau. Gallum whimpered, "I cannot feel my legs." I swallowed uncomfortably and side-eyed him.

"They are pretty fucked up, but we will get you fixed up," I stated.

"Oh Sasha can be my nurse," he mumbled smugly. I snorted, knowing that he would be just fine if she was on his mind.

"Knock it off or I will dump you in the creek," I growled sternly, making him laugh and wince.

"I think that pup I killed is haunting me, that and some huge redhead bitch. She clawed me up and stole my rifle. She told me I should suffer so she didn't shoot me outright. What do you think she meant?" He asked me. Glancing over my shoulder at his confused face I shrugged.

"I'm not sure, she sounds like the same one who clawed my arm and it isn't healing as it should but doesn't look as bad as your injuries do," I mumbled as I thought about it.

"She is half demon and infected you both. You are part demon so it neutralized the poison in your body," Einar informed me. I furrowed my brow as I walked.

"Are you telling me that Gallum will not walk again?" I asked Einar in my mind. He remained tight-muzzled. Shaking my head I felt bad for the prince even though he had brought it on himself it would be hard on him. After walking in silence, I could hear Gallum's labored breathing and quickened my steps. There was no way in hell I was going to let him die on my back. My muscles were aching by the time I saw the chateau.

"Need some help here!" I shouted out to the king's guardsmen. Several rushed toward me and pulled Gallum off my back.

"Take him to the suite upstairs, second door on the right at the start of the hallway. I will show you the way," I heaved out. A was surprised to see Bryce coming toward me.

"Due to the attack, Vossler told me to inform you that you can come later for training after everything has been resolved here," he said firmly. I nodded my thanks as I followed my friend being carried into the chateau. I ran up the stairs ahead of them to open the door to my room and directed them inside. Gallum's eyes were narrowed watching me.

"Lay him on the bed," I ordered. Sasha came quickly inside the bedroom and hissed seeing the prince's injuries. After the guards left I started removing the scraps of torn fabric from his flesh.

"Let him squeeze your hand sister, as I'm sure this is very painful for him," I sighed in regret. Gallum glanced at Sophia and curled his lip slightly. Pausing with a piece of bloody fabric in my fingers, I tore from his blood skin and grinned internally at his eyes going toward the ceiling. Ivan entered with Boris and cursed seeing Gallum's state.

"I am crippled, I can't move my legs," Gallum said sternly, trying hard not to show the devastation I knew he felt. I watched Sophia reach out and brush his brown bangs from his eyes and frown.

"You cannot fault her for her compassionate nature," my wolf growled firmly in my subconscious. Gallum's yellow eyes darted her way and softened as he watched her.

"He cannot have her, she is mine!" I replied to Einar in my mind.