Untamable

Chapter 14 Ex

Edward’s POV

Standing at the edge of The Wood Pack territory, I decide to spend the night here and figure things out in the morning. As I approach the pack's entrance, my presence captures the attention of a she-wolf who’s being scolded by a woman dressed in fancy clothes. Perhaps to escape her reprimand, the she-wolf tugs on the woman's sleeve, gesturing towards me.

The woman glances my way and strides over, her eyes scanning me with disdain. "Sir, is there something I can help you with?" she asks, her tone dripping with condescension.

"I'm lost and hoping to crash here for the night," I reply, keeping my words humble. "I'd really appreciate it."

"Lost?" she raises an eyebrow. "And where are you coming from?"

Not wanting to disclose my royal ties and be bombarded with questions, I decide to lie. "I'm from The Blue Moon Pack," I say.

"My Luna, you could mind-link Luna Evelyn to check if he’s lying," the omega maid suggests beside her.

Despite myself, I have to admit it’s a clever idea. And then I can't help but widen my eyes in surprise when I see the omega gets a slap for it.

"Trying to show off how smart you are, Shirley?" the woman snaps. "Open your mouth again, and you'll find yourself in the cellar."

The omega quickly scurries away, leaving me wondering why Alpha Aiden would divorce his ex wife to marry such a bad tempered woman as his Luna.

"Here's the thing, Sir,” she says, curling her lip. “I can't reach Evelyn. We might have had some misunderstanding and she’s blocked me." She forces a smile my way. "Do you have anything to prove you're from The Blue Moon Pack?"

"I guess not," I blink.

"Then I'm sorry," she waves her hand dismissively. "You'll need to find another place to stay."

With that, she turns to walk away. I quickly call after her, "Wait!"

"What do you want now?" she replies, irritation evident in her voice.

"I can pay," I suggest.

She scoffs, casting a judgmental glance at me. "You think this is some kind of inn? The Wood Pack is one of the top five biggest packs in the kingdom. How much do you think you can pay? We’re not a homeless shelter."

Her words amuse me. How much can I pay? If I wanted, I could probably buy The Wood Pack itself.

Yet, the irony of her snobbery and rejection brings back memories of my father’s dismissive look. Oddly, I find myself sympathizing with the rogues. Their anger and rebellion likely stem from years of exclusion and isolation.

"If you’re already one of the top five packs, why can’t you mercifully offer me a place to rest?" I try to keep my tone light.

"Haven’t you heard? Prince Henry and Prince Edward are tightening the noose on rogues. We don't want to risk their wrath by harboring someone without a name," she says, frowning. "You best be on your way."

“But…”

“Oh come on, you’re wasting my time, Loser. Now f**k off before I order my men to give you a hard beat.”She says sharply, adding with a smirk, “Or you’d like to stay as our slave?”

I hesitate for a moment, then turn to leave, only to smack right into someone. It's Barry, the Gamma who represented his Alpha at my father’s banquet. He recognizes me instantly, eyes going as wide as saucers. "My apologies, Your Highness," he stammers.

The Wood Pack's Luna looks like she’s just seen a ghost. "Your Highness?" she echoes, her voice dripping with disbelief.

"This is Prince Edward, Luna," Barry explains, still a bit flustered. "I met him when I was representing Alpha Aiden at the King’s birthday banquet."

"Oh, my goodness!" she gasps, hurriedly smoothing her skirt and offering a clumsy curtsy. "Welcome, Prince Edward!"

Her sudden transformation into a picture of hospitality is downright amusing.

"Not planning to give me the boot now, are you?" I tease.

A flicker of embarrassment dances across her face. "No, no, of course not, haha! You may stay as long as you like, Your Highness." she gushes, reaching for my arm with the enthusiasm of a brothel madam securing a regular customer. "But why did you say you're from The Blue Moon Pack?" she adds, batting her eyelashes with all the sweetness

"I was aiming to keep things low-key," I reply, gently reclaiming my arm from her eager grip. "If the rogue I've been tracking catches wind of my entourage, she might slip away."

Sensing I’m ready to leave, she steps forward. "Your Highness! It's late, why not rest up before continuing your hunt?"

"I’m afraid my wallet’s too thin for the tab," I say, mockingly. "After all, it’s not like The Wood Pack is a homeless shelter, right?"

Her cheeks turn crimson as she stammers, "I was just joking earlier!"

"Of course," I reply with a smile. "Thanks for the invitation, but I'll pass. I've still got a rogue to catch."

"We could help with the hunt!" she offers, blocking my path like a particularly friendly boulder.

I raise an eyebrow at her enthusiasm.

"Go fetch Aiden," she orders Barry, turning back to me with a syrupy smile.

She probably hasn’t realized she backed the wrong horse by trying to cozy up to the least-favored prince in the palace. I chuckle to myself, amused. I've encountered countless opportunists like her, and her sudden eagerness just gives me a good laugh.

"I'm Cherry, by the way. Cherry Hopkins," she introduces herself, clearly hoping for a favorable impression.

"Nice to meet you, Luna Cherry," I reply, playing along politely.

Soon, Alpha Aiden makes his entrance, nodding at me with a hint of caution. Cherry elbows him forward, and he extends his hand. I grin and give it a firm shake.

"Welcome, Prince Edward," he greets.

"Thank you, Aiden," I reply.

"Prince Edward's tracking a rogue," Cherry tells her husband. "Could you sketch a picture from his description to help catch the guy?"

"Great idea," I say, "but just to clarify, the rogue I'm after is a she-wolf."

"Jezz, what kind of dreadful woman turns rogue?" Cherry wrinkles her nose at the thought.

"Perhaps those who've been cast out and forgotten by their packs?" I suggest with a hint of irony in my voice.

Cherry looks like she’s just bitten into a particularly sour lemon. She forces a smile, clearing her throat while instructing another maid, "Aurora, fetch some paper and pencils from the study."

The Omega returns swiftly with the tools, handing them to Aiden. "Thanks," he says, measuring me with curious eyes. "Your Highness, could you describe the rogue?"

I pause, gathering my thoughts. "She's about 5'8", quite fit.”

Aiden picks up the pencil, tracing the silhouette of the rogue based on my description. His skill is impressive, and I watch as lines and curves form under his hand. Her likeness starts to take shape.

“Her features?”

“Strong nose, sharp enough to chisel marble."I say, adding with a grin, "Hoping she doesn’t use it on me."

"And her eyes?" Aiden continues, his pencil moving steadily, although I notice a quick, almost furtive glance my way.

“Her gaze could probably slice through steel,”I joke.

"What about the eye color?" he asks.

"I didn't get a clear look, but I’d say somewhere between hazel and emerald," I recall, then add with a chuckle, "Oh, and her eyebrows aren’t exactly dainty. She's got a sassy look about her."

"Did you see her hair?" Aiden asks, seemingly casual, although there's a slight tremor in his voice.

"Pretty sure it's long and red," I reply, not thinking much of it. "Like roses in the wind."

Suddenly, Aiden's hand falters, and his pencil stops dead in its tracks. There's noticeable tension across his features that confuses me.

"Everything okay?" I ask, genuinely puzzled by his momentary freeze.

"Didn't quite capture it right," he mutters, his voice attempting to maintain calm, but the strain is evident. He crumples the paper with haste and tosses it aside, then begins again with a focus that borders on desperation.

Ah, the artist's quest for perfection, I think to myself, bemused by his concentrated effort. Oddly, the second drawing looks nothing like Elizabeth, which only deepens my suspicion that Aiden might be hiding something from me.

I pause, hunching over to pick up the discarded paper, carefully smoothing it out. From the corner of my eye, I catch Aiden visibly tense, as though I've stumbled onto something important.

Before I can make sense of it, Cherry suddenly points at the crumpled drawing in my hand. "Isn't that Elizabeth Myers?" she exclaims,