Page 38

"The security here is lacking," he remarks dripping with disdain. "Even a child could slip past your borders."

Brianna, ever the picture of patience, keeps her voice level. "We handle our security just fine your Highness."

"Are you?" He raises a brow, scanning the room. "Because from where I’m standing, it looks like a disaster waiting to happen." That’s it. I step forward. "Then why don’t you leave if we’re such a mess? I mean surely you have better places to be than bothering us at 3 in the morning."

He turns around at my voice and sure enough, there's a big smirk on his face. The guys shift uncomfortably under his gaze looking everywhere but at him. But I look at him just fine.

He surveys all of us and our outfits with cold, critical eyes. His lips pulled up in distaste at what I was wearing but I really don't care. Fuck him.

I plant my feet firmly."If you don’t like what you see, Your Royal Highness, you’re free to leave."

His head snaps toward me. The corner of his mouth lifts, but it’s not a smile. No it's something more painful and heart stopping.

"It speaks," he muses.

I clench my jaw. "It does. And it thinks you should shut up."

A beat of silence. Then—he laughs.

A low, deep sound that makes my skin prickle.

"You’ve got quite the mouth, little Alpha."

"Little? I clench my fists.

"You’ve got quite the ego, little King."

His eyes darken. "Careful Princess or I'll think you've missed me."

"Don't call me that, you overgrown rodent." I snap at him.

"Quit it."

"Oh but it fits you, don't you think?"

His nostrils flare. His eyes drop to my lips for a split second—so fast I almost miss it.

Almost.

I smirk. "Something caught your eye, Your Majesty?"

His jaw tightens. "Hardly."

"Liar."

"I don’t remember inviting you here, Your Regal Majesty."

His lips curl. "And I don’t remember needing your permission."

The air in the room shifts. I'm pretty sure everyone is watching us now. I take a step closer. "What do you want?"

His smirk deepens. "Many things, but at the moment, just a little respect." I scoff. "From me? Keep dreaming."

"Now, that’s not very nice, especially to your king." he muses, holding his chin and slightly shaking it in amusement. "A mouth like that will get you in trouble one day."

I arch a brow confused. "What type of trouble ?" He leans in slightly. "Depends. Will you be using that mouth for something other than insults?"

Heat flares up my neck. Asshole. Before I can respond, Brianna steps between us and raises her hands up with a glare. "Enough."

My heart pounds. His gaze doesn't waver and for some reason I really really really want to kill him now.

"You wish."

"Would you like me to show you what happens when you push me too far?" His voice drops, low and rough.

"Would you like to see what happens when men underestimate me?"

His fingers twitch, like he wants to reach for me. I raise a brow, daring him.

"Aegis."

Brianna’s voice slices through the moment.

She steps between us, hands on her hips. " I said enough. Both of you."

I glare at him. He smirks.

"Your room is ready, Your Highness. Please show him to his room," Brianna orders one of the guards.

The King doesn’t protest. He just tilts his head at me, watching, studying, before following the guard up the stairs.

I let out a breath. My hands are shaking.

Damn him.

The next morning, I’m still fuming.

I kick harder than usual during training. I throw punches with extra force. I do everything with more force. I need to beat someone up and i'd really like it to be a certain Alpha King. The pups around us don't notice though as they squeal and laugh, running around in playful fights.

"Is it true the King is here?" one of them asks excitedly.

"Yeah he is. " Zach says. And after the child runs to tell his friends, he adds "And Alpha Aegis hates his guts."

I scoff. "Hate is a strong word."

Noah snorts. "You were muttering death threats at him five minutes ago."

"I was merely expressing my deep and profound displeasure."

The pups giggle as they chatted between themselves.

"I heard he’s super strong!" another adds. I mutter under my breath, "Yeah, real strong at being an arrogant prick." Noah and Zach exchange amused looks.

"Still mad about yesterday?"

"Seething," I grumble, kicking at the dirt. Emery chuckles. "I think you just hate that he gets under your skin."

"He did not," I snap. Noah smirks. "Oh, he totally did." The pups keep talking, oblivious to my suffering. "Is he staying long?" one asks. "Hope not," I mutter. Zach grins and dismisses them. "I don’t know, Aegis. He might stick around just to annoy you." I shoot him a glare and he cowers before smiling again.

"You should see your face right now," Zach teases. "I swear, I've never seen you so angry. You look like you're ready to rip his throat out."

I roll my eyes. "I’m ready to rip his everything out."

They gasp dramatically. "Even his.....?"

"Yes," I say before they can finish.

Noah bursts out laughing. Zach shakes his head. "God help that man."

After training, we head inside for breakfast. The smell of bacon and eggs fills the dining hall vanishes my anger . God I love the food here. I sit, already piling food onto my plate.

Then he walks in.

Here we go again.

"Good morning Princess " King Damian drawls, stepping inside like he owns the place.

Just seeing him makes my appetite vanish.

"Go away," I say flatly.

"Charming as ever," he muses, sitting beside me.

I ignore him. Completely.

His fingers drum against the table.

"No comments for me today."

I still ignore him.

Then, I feel it.

A touch.

His fingers brush against my hair to tuck a loose strand behind my ear.

I react purely on instinct.

The fork in my hand flies toward his throat—

Brianna grabs my wrist just in time. "Aegis! no stabbing."

I blink, breathing hard. Damian stares at me, unfazed, like he expected it.

Brianna sighs and drops between us, physically separating us. "This is ridiculous."

"Tell that to him," I mutter.

She turns to Damian. "Why are you here, really?"

He leans back. "To see her." My heart skips a beat and I curse my self under my breath. What is it with this man."

"And I have a Royal Mission."

The air in the room changes and everyone sits up immediately.

"Two Children were found dead in the Nightwisp Pack," he says.

Silence.

A lead weight drops in my stomach. Every single one of us freezes except the king and I can tell he noticed.

But he didn't comment on it.

Brianna recovers first. "And how does that concern us?" The King’s expression doesn’t change. "It doesn't." He pauses. " It concerns me."

I frown. "Why?" He meets my gaze. "Because I am the King." We wait for more, but he doesn’t elaborate. "What are you saying?" I ask.

"We’re going to check it out," he says simply.

"Investigate." Brianna nods slowly smiling. " You're choosing our pack to go with you for the mission." She completed now screaming excitedly.

"Oh my God that's so wonderful."

"Yeah so cool."

"Aww we're going to be popular."

Everyone chips in and for the love of me, I can't seem to figure out why it's such a big deal.

Brianna continues to jump and jostle her plate in excitement, "Oh of course you're Highness. You can take anyone you want."

The King smirks. "I already have."

"Okay then. Brianna can handle the details." I cut in and stood up. "Chef Harris, The food was delicious as always. Noah I'll see you in my office."

"Not so fast, Princess."

"Stop calling me that."

" Don't you want to see who I picked."

"Why do I care? Just talk to Brianna and you two can sort it out."

"Are you sure?" He slurs out with a stupid smile on his face.

" Yes You Royal Pain In The Ass. You can have anyone you want. Now are we done here? I have things to do."

" Well I think you better start packing. It's going to be a long ride."

I cock my head to the side, " Ride to where "

" To the Nightwisp Pack."

" For what?"

" To Investigate. You are going to be accompanying me."

I stare at him. Then I burst into laughter. "Absolutely not."