Misguided Wolves

“Hello... Kate, can you hear me?” Kate snapped out of her daze, her gaze shifting from the flickering candlelight to her mother across the polished oak table. “Sorry, what was that?” she asked, tucking a wayward curl behind her ear. Her mother, Queen Margaret, rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “The least you could do is pay attention when we’re speaking. As I said, you need to get your head out of the clouds and take your role as princess seriously. You’re nearing the age to find a suitable husband, and we need you prepared for the negotiations ahead. As our only heir, you are this kingdom’s future.” Queen Margaret was a short, curvy woman with piercing green eyes and long, pale blonde hair that cascaded like moonlight. Her fair skin seemed to glow under the chandeliers, but her smile was rare, reserved for public appearances as the poised queen. Kate’s father, King Mark, was her opposite—tall and muscular, with tanned skin and dark hair framing hazel-gray eyes that captivated anyone who met his gaze. His warm smile softened the weight of his crown. Kate had inherited his striking eyes and unruly, dark brown curls that seemed to defy all combs, though her pale complexion echoed her mother’s. Kate turned to her father, her doe-like eyes pleading. “Do I really have to do this? I know I’m the princess, but I’m only seventeen. Can’t I have a year to find my true mate?” King Mark glanced at his wife, whose stern expression radiated unyielding resolve. He sighed, his shoulders sagging with the weight of a choice he’d once faced. Unable to find his own mate, he had married Margaret, a princess from a distant continent, to secure trade alliances. Over time, he grew to love her, but his wolf still whispered of what-ifs, a quiet guilt for the mate he never found and the commitment he couldn’t fully give. “I’m sorry, sweetie,” he said, his voice heavy. “I wish we could grant you that freedom, but a looming war threatens our borders. A marriage pact may be our only way to prevent it.” Kate’s chest tightened, tears pricking her eyes. She blinked them back, determined not to let them fall. “When do the negotiations begin?” she asked softly. “They start in a few days,” her mother replied. “We’ll meet at the border, so we leave tomorrow.” “I understand,” Kate mumbled, pushing back her chair and fleeing the dining hall. Her appetite was gone, replaced by a restless ache. As she hurried through the castle’s stone corridors, her wolf, Tove, stirred within her, pacing restlessly. “I know how you feel, Tove,” Kate whispered, “but we have no choice. We should let go of the idea of a mate. We always knew this might happen.” Tove’s voice growled in her mind, sharp with defiance. “How can you say that? The Moon Goddess chose a perfect mate for us, and you’d abandon that?” Kate sighed, exhaustion settling into her bones. She couldn’t argue with Tove’s passion, but duty weighed heavier. Seeking solace, she headed to the stables—or rather, the castle’s sprawling farm, a haven within the fortified walls. Here, chickens clucked, cattle grazed in small fields, and horses snorted softly in their stalls. The scent of hay and earth calmed her nerves. In his stall, Kate found her horse, Rune, a tall buckskin stallion with a glossy coat and dark brown legs. An experienced rider, Kate cherished their rides through the kingdom’s enchanted forests. She brushed Rune’s coat, checked his shoes, and slipped him an extra handful of oats, her hands steady despite her churning thoughts. Tomorrow’s journey to the border—a day’s ride—would bring her closer to a fate she dreaded. Back in her chambers, Kate packed with care. For the ride, she chose practical clothes: jeans, a plain shirt, sturdy boots, and a leather jacket with a fur collar to ward off the northern chill. For the negotiations, she selected a traditional northeastern gown, its deep forest green fabric adorned with intricate gold and chocolate-brown embroidery. Paired with boots and a maroon cape trimmed with fur, it felt like armor for the role she had to play. She added a few pieces of jewelry—simple yet elegant—to complete the look. As she settled into bed, Kate stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. “This is my duty,” she told herself. “Maybe they’ll find a compromise.” But Tove’s restless growls echoed in her heart, whispering of a mate still out there, waiting under the Moon Goddess’s light.