Escaping the Rogue King

Cave

Midi’s POV

I’m not sure that’s the best idea…

We’ve just seen a group of rogues sneaking around in the valley, I’m escorting you to your door and that’s the end of it.

Oh, for a moment there I thought he meant… well. Stupid girl, of course he wouldn’t have meant it in the… romantic.. sense. I tried to swallow my disappointment slightly- we’d only spoken a couple of sentences in human form, then our wolves had run about like lunatics… why would he have any romantic thoughts about me! The fact I was feeling like a giddy school girl in his presence just reinforced how unlikely it was he’d be feeling the same!

That’s really not necessary, this is my home, I know my way round.

Shall we swing by to pick up your clothes first? Mine are stashed nearby. I can head over there after and get both our things once I’ve dropped you to your door though if you’d prefer?

I changed our course to head towards the river without responding, seeing as he was ignoring my opinions anyway. Also I’d been wearing thermal undies in the bar. I was thankful my wolf form wouldn’t show my blush as I thought of Cal seeing the things- they’d look more at home on a granny! But it’s cold up here and it’s not like anyone ever sees my underwear…

We reached our earlier meeting point. I’m going to change, there may be patrols- it will look less suspicious if they find me this way.

You’re being watched?

Sometimes.. look it’s better if you leave me here, I’m safe now.

I said I’m taking you to your door. You can’t get changed, my clothes are only over there and my wolf and I will keep watch.

I rolled my eyes again. I’m home, there’s not much danger here for me… at least not yet. They’re just keeping tabs on me while Royal’s away. It’s what might happen when he gets back that I’m worried about. There seemed little point arguing though, so I transformed and changed in the trees as before. When I emerged Cals wolf was sat listening intensely to the woods around us, a neat roll of clothes in his jaw.

‘Look, I’m just going to walk up the path to my cave as normal… it’s not unusual for me to go on walks at night so I’ll have no trouble.’

I’ll be following beside you in the trees. If I sense danger I’ll alert you but don’t worry, I’ll handle it.

Again I rolled my eyes but didn’t fight it. I strode off up the path towards my cave. The Rogue Palace was carved into a large rock outcrop. Surrounded by forest you would never stumble upon it by accident. The royal couple lived in the top 3 levels with their children and constant guards. Scattered in caves below them were their most trusted wolves and their fighters. In the surrounding woods smaller caves and huts housed the other inhabitants. There was also the bar, a hospital, the training grounds and a small school. By cave was tucked at the side of the palace. Royal had objected to me moving out but the queen had reasoned with him and in the end it had been settled. Technically I was still in part of the palace, but I could come and go as I pleased. The path to my cave lead only there and was well hidden by trees and boulders.

Cal’s POV

My wolf wasn’t happy. We’d found our mate and rather than claiming her we were walking her back to her home where she’d be leaving us. It was all I could do to stop him growling to himself at the thought.

She’s our queen and she hasn’t told her human we’re mates. You can’t just go barrelling in there. We need to get her back home… for our pack’s sake. Don’t mess this up, they depend on us.

He huffed and ignored me as we continued following her steps along the path, just meters away but hidden in the trees. She continued round the edge of the palace to a narrow path at its base. My wolf perked up that she might be about to join us but then we saw a cave entrance and she stopped and paused in front of it.

You see! We can sleep here just outside her door and no one will even know. It’ll all be ok. I tried to sooth my wolf.

‘Cal?’ she whispered.

Yes?

‘We didn’t really get a chance to talk…? About my pack?’

I’ll be here in the morning.

‘Where are you sleeping?’

I’ll find some shelter in the forest.

‘Are you kidding? It’s below 30 out here you’ll freeze.’

How do you think I made it up here? We both paused, she didn’t argue back but didn’t go into her cave. Of course if I had an offer of a warmer place to stay for the night…

‘I have a sofa bed? Its quite comfy? Or you can have my bed and I’ll take the sofa?’

A sofa bed sounds perfect. My wolf was dancing his feet in the snow like a puppy. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t grinning too, but I quickly transformed and dragged my t shirt and jeans on, emerging from the trees.

I heard her breath hitch as she caught sight of me, her eyes holding mine just a second too long, she quickly blushed and turned to the door, placing her hand on a security reader the metal door hissed open and I followed her inside.