The Reluctant Prince and His Substitute Bride

Chapter 3

“You are a Prince for God sake Ryder behave like one!!”

“But father...”

“No!! I will not risk the future and safety of the next pack leader” The king growled

“Yes father ” Ryder whispered as he slowly walked of the the large beautiful,and well-adonred throne room. His large boots echoed the room with each footsteps he took.

He walked out and met his private bodyguard and bestfriend waiting for him by the door

“What was their response Sir”

“Nathan it's the usual” Ryder signed as they both got into the car and drove off with Nathan on the wheels

“Did you tell them the good it will bring us ?”

“You think I didn't , they just won't listen ”

The quick conversation died out so quick as Nathan knew that the Prince will not want to discuss the situation any further.

The Prince had proposed that the kingdom expand their borders and open out their ports to all rogues who were in need of a home but the King was just too protective of the kingdom and the packs that he was not ready with the fear of domination and wars caused by rogues. This mentality alone had cause the tight security and checkpoints in the airports, seaports and all access way to the kingdom and out.

“Take me home Nathan”

“Yes Sir” Nathan said as he redirected the car away from the Royal Alpha's house, and drove towards the personal suite which the prince had bought for his privacy.

When they had arrived , Ryder walked out and went straight into the house and slammed the door

They just never listened to him . All that matter was what they thought and they they wanted whether or not it benefited him. It had been going on wife he was born, they picked who he talked to ,who he made his friend ,what he should like and dislike, his favourite foods hobbies . They just managed to get their say in all he does.

I mean for goodness sake I am all grown up already I see no reason why they should control me

He knew it was all a waste of time because he had said the same thing last year and the year before that and also the year before that and so on. But they somehow still convinced him that he was not ready to face the world without them in it.

I can't even travel without them in my back. He thought as he poured himself a drink and went to the balcony.

It was one of the main reason why he bought the suite in the first place.

Apart from the wonderful decor, the jacuzzi,the little flower garden, the gym and the pool, the view was just breathtaking. The suite was located at the end cliffs of the country and just beyond was the seascape and the neighboring countries with their distance skyscrapers which looked like tiny chess pieces from the distance. He always sat for hours staring and getting himself list in the silence and beauty which nature had to offer. Sometimes he would shift and go hunting in the nearby woods. He would mostly go alone but of recent after an attack, he was forced to always be with Nathan who turned out to be his Beta.

“Sir the king has summoned you at the Royal house” Nathan said interrupting his peace and quiet.

Bullocks.

“What for ,I just left him just moments ago and he needs me again?” Ryder said as he gave himself a little refill

“I do not know what for but he seemed excited” Nathan said as he stared deeply the brandy spill out of the bottle into the glass a though it will unravel a lot of secrets.

“Find get the car ready I will be down in a a moment” Ryder said as he drowned the drink in one fast go.

“Are we still going with the Rolls?”

“No it's being I while I went out with the Mustang.” Ryder smirked for the first time that day.

The only thing his parents didn't control were his loves for cars and his enormous collection of them. He loved his cars that Nathan once joked that he should just name them each.

On their way to the Royal house Ryder wonder what the King needed him for.

“I guess he has thought about your proposal and has decided to agree” Nathan smirked and glanced at him through rear mirror

“Haha very funny you and I know it's not possible”

“Faith Ryder that's what you lack” Nathan chuckled

“ I don't believe in such Nathan and what happened to my Prince” Ryder laughed

“ It gonna die when I beat you to a race tonight at the woods” Nathan said as his wolf eyes showed for a brief moment. That was the thing about Nathan and his pack. They were the Northern wolves who were born and breed hunters. They were well known for their swift and light and broad limbs and sharp ears. They were wolves who were designed to hunt in areas which were sightless. But in Nathan's case,he was a cross breed between the High mountains wolves and the Northern wolves. His father was a Northern wolf and his mother a High mountain wolf. The High mountain wolfs were well known for their good vision and powerful limbs and claws for mountain climbing. Nathan got his eyes from his mother and his eyes from his father. This features alone convinced the King and Queen that he was the perfect guard for their only son.

“Is that a challange ?” Ryder smirked

“ If you want it to be then it is ” Nathan laughed as he arrived the Royal house.

“See you at the finish line Nat”Ryder said as he got out and matched princelike into the house.

Here goes nothing.

He walked magestically through the hallway and the servants bowed and scurried off to their post and duties. When he arrived at the main room,he was directed to the dinning room and was told that the King awaits him there with his mother and a few guest.

Great its a dinner.

He rolled his eyes as he opened the large doors and walked in putting on a fake smile as he greeted every one around.

The large table was occupied by five people. His father ,the King was sitting at the head with his wife beside him and on the left sat the great pack leader and Alpha of one of the greatest pack Calliopis has. It was called the Duncan pack which was solely made up of the Duncan linage and mainly consisted of the Northern wolfs except for those whose mates were not within the pack members. Their mighty leader Derek Duncan was a large man who was equivalent to his wolf whom was called Bloodbath. He was sitted at the left hand of the mighty King and his wife was a beautiful blonde who was slim and fair skinned and had a little bit of Asian features on her face. Ryder was not quite decieved by her pretty looking feature because he heard that she had fought and killed six rogue wolves while in labour for their lovely daughter who was sitting next to her parents.

“ Look who decides to join us for dinner ”She said as she stared at him with a deathly look and a huge fake smile.

“Veronica!” Her mother whispered harshly and then turned to the Queen

“ You have to forgive her manners, she thinks she is all grown up but to me she is still the little girl I held ” Rose smiled as she glared at her daughter and smiled at the Queen

“I get it, same goes for my son here” Queen Jasmine smiled .

“Well ,let's eat ” the King roared and just immediately the doors opened and a line of servants with large dishes of different varieties of food marched in and place them orderly on the gigantic table before leaving

I wonder why the waste of all this food,its not like we are going to even eat one-third of what they brought. Ryder thought as he served himself some steak only and avoided the vegatable.

I mean we are wolves, not bloody rabbits so why add greens to the menu.

As he eat quietly and listened to the elders talk about past glories, future intended glories and all thar nonsense, he felt a hot gaze at his direction and looked up.

Whats up with this chick and why does she keep staring at me like that. He thought as he broke the staring competition between he and Veronica.

I mean she is quite hot no jokes about that but hot girls tend to be mouthy and beside she is not just my type.

Wait.

He froze as it hit him.

Dinner.

Two families.

Grown of male and female.

Oh good gracious.

“...did you hear me ,Ryder I said we have something to announce to you” King Alden said with a huge oily smile on his face

Oh father , if only the people of Calliopis could see how ridiculous their most feared King looks like now. Ryder thought as he bites hard in his lips to stop him from laughing.

“oh no” He heard Veronica whispered

“ This family has been friends for quite a time now and we realized we don't wwnt our friendship to die off so we have decide that we will let our children carry off from were we stopped” The King smiled again

“Isn't that wonderful” Queen Jasmine said with a beautiful smile on her dark skinned face

“Yeah I mean me and Veronica her e are going to bestfriends for our parents it's just beautiful” Ryder said as he failed to understand.

“ No son I mean....” the King studdered

“Infact we should toast to that Dad, Here to good friendship between the Duncans and the Royal family” Ryder said as he raised his goblet in the air and drink with a cheerful smile

“It means we are to get married you klutz” Veronica growled.

That it,Ryder spewed the wine so hard that it drenched Veronica who sat opposite to him ,and he went into a choking fit.

Bloody hell!!!

“Ryder you need to calm down” Nathan said back at Ryder suite

“Calm down huh? You expect me to calm down after what I just heard huh?!?!” he yelled as he broke another glassware

“So what dude , you are getting married it not too bad I mean you are already of age” Nathan said.

The room felt silent and wen Nathan turned to look at Ryder ,the prince had already shifted and his enormous almost 5ft tall grey wolf was staring at him with yellow and black orbs for eyes

“Whats up with that challange, are you up” Nathan mindlinked him as he crocked his head to the left

“You know what Eclipse you just always find a way to get on my nerves ” Nathan said as his voice distorted and his muscles began to bulge as fur replaced skin and paws replaced fingers.

“Its you who piss me off more Nightclaws" Eclipse said as he licked his paws and strolled toward the forest ahead of Nightclaws

“Nice ass ” Nathan chuckled

Eclipse growled at him as the both arrived the starting point of the race

“Its same course right?”

“Yeh, through the forest, down the rocky path ,past the river and back in a circle to the suite ” Nathan said as Nightclaws dug the ground.

“Oh and guess who I am to get married to ?” Ryder growled as he went down ready to run

“Who?”Nathan said said the alarm went off and Eclipse took of with a name trailing behind him.

Veronica Duncan.

Bloody hell.