The Princess's Betrayal

Chapter Nine

Three excruciating hours passed by before I was finally able to move on with my day. The complaints of the pack were easy enough to resolve- a few land disputes, complaints about taxes, and general woes. I was feeling pretty okay about my ability to alleviate conflict, but the scowl on Jonah's face just kept getting deeper and deeper as we journeyed through the palace. Finally, no longer being able to stand the artic energy he was throwing my way, I decided to confront him.

"What's your problem now?" I snapped.

His eyes flashed dangerously toward me, showing that his wolf didn't appreciate my tone. He stopped and turned to face me fully.

"Those people in there are your pack," he deadpanned, gesturing back the way we came.

"Yes, I am aware," a sarcastic tone leaching into my voice. His eyes flashed again.

"They are the lifeblood of this Kingdom. Without them, there would be no one for your family to rule." His hands had begun shaking, and I didn't understand where this anger was coming from.

"I'm well aware of who they are and what-" I began, but he cut me off with a growl.

"No! You are not!" he yelled. I flinched, taken aback by his outburst. Nobody ever yelled at me. Well, except maybe my dad.

"The entire time you were in there, you acted like you couldn't care less. You barely even registered what they brought to you, let alone found any real solutions to any of their problems. The entire time you sat up there on your throne, a pinched look on your face, and an attitude that couldn't care less!"

His words felt like a slap in the face. Sure, it wasn't my favorite way to spend the day, but I thought I had been doing okay.

"Jonah-"

"No, Princess," he sneered at my title as if it offended him. "Someone needs to tell you the truth. Maybe then you can get it through your thick skull. You are nothing like your family. You live a life of privilege that you don't even realize you have. You've never wanted for anything and have never had to work hard to be successful."

His words felt like physical blows and I felt my chest begin to tighten.

"Your mother and father know what it's like to struggle. They understand the role every pack member plays in this kingdom, and because of that, they have earned the pack's respect. Even your brother, as young as he is, can empathize with people below his station and have some compassion. You," he turned to me, pocking his finger into my shoulder, "don't understand anything! You demand respect without doing a damn thing to deserve it!"

Tears burned at the corner of my eyes. "Cut me some slack, Jonah. This is my first time trying to do any of this, and I'm trying my best!"

His eyes burned even brighter, his wolf clearly in control now.

"Well, your best just isn't good enough!"

His words stopped me short. How many times have I told myself the exact same thing? But, somehow, they cut deeper, hearing it come from one of my warriors. Someone who had intimate knowledge of how things worked around here and had deep relationships with the rest of my family.

My family.

Did they feel this way, too? Is that why I couldn't help with the search? I know I never excelled in my studies, but maybe they had the same belief as Jonah and that's why they never forced me into a position like this until now.

My breathing turned heavy as a huge weight pressed down on my chest. Jonah's eyes began to clear as his own breathing evened out. He looked just as shocked as I was about his outburst.

"Excuse me, Princess, I was out of line-" he tried to say in a calmer tone, but the disdain was still there.

I held up my hand, cutting him off.

"You've said enough."

"Princess-"

"No! I'm done talking about this! You're right! I'm not good enough. I shouldn't even be here!"

My heart was racing in my chest. The walls began to close around me and I could feel a breakdown scratching at the back of my mind. I had to get out of here and away from Jonah.

Without a word, I turned on my heel and ran.

"Princess!" Jonah shouted after me. I could hear him trying to run after me now.

"Princess!"

I pushed my legs harder, bursting through the doors and out into the garden. Dark clouds lazed through the sky and a sprinkling of cold rain pelted my overheated skin.

Jonah's footsteps were getting closer now. I couldn't stand to be around him for another minute.

"Aislinn. I need to run. Make sure Jonah can't get me."

"I can't hold him back for long, Ruby," she sighed through the link.

That was all I needed to hear. I sprinted toward the treeline, shifting and tearing through my clothes.

"Goddammit, Ruby! Get back here!"

I could hear Jonah preparing to shift and chase after me, but Aislinn appeared out of thin air and blocked his way.

"Let her go, warrior."

Her voice was cold and stopped him dead in his tracks. All the warriors knew better than to challenge Anton's mate.

His roar was the last thing I heard as I dashed into the trees.

***

A while later, I came to rest by a stream, my body fully spent. My breathing was labored, and my muscles burned, but it was nothing compared to the shame I carried.

I drank, seeing my red wolf's reflection in the water. Elise whimpered in my mind, feeling my turmoil.

I couldn't handle anyone else. I curled up under a tree and got out of the relentless rain. I was on the verge of falling asleep when I heard a branch snap.

Immediately, I was back on my feet, hackles raised and lips pulled back into a warning snarl.

Had I been so lost in my pity party that I didn't hear Jonah sneak up on me?

I whirled on him, preparing to give him a piece of my mind, but stopped short.

A lanky, gray wolf with beautiful hazel eyes looked back at me quizzically. I barely caught his scent in the rain, but Elise howled in my head and tried to drive me toward him. I had to plant my claws in the Earth to make her stop.

He c****d his head to the side and slowly approached me, sniffing the air with purpose.

Who was this wolf? He didn't smell of my pack, but he didn't smell like a threat either.

Elise was whining in my head, begging to go to him.

He slowly pawed his way forward, his eyes down and neck turned to me to show me he meant no harm.

I glared at him but didn't move.

He took my silence as acceptance and gently put his snout on my fur, inhaling deeply. I snapped my jaws at him, a warning to stay back, and his ears flattened. A small whine escaped his throat and my heart hurt hearing the sound. I took a step back, trying to keep some distance but unable to truly run away. He plopped down in the dirt and laid his head on his paws. His hazel eyes bore into me.

What did he want?

He wasn't here to fight. But how did he find me? I was great at tracking, but even I hadn't smelled him until he approached me. A rustle in the trees had us both turning toward the sound. A small growl passed his lips, but it sounded like it was more annoyance than anything. He looked at me one last time before taking off into the woods and leaving me baffled.

"Princess, are you alright?" Jonah linked as he came through the brush.

"Yes," I replied, still looking in the direction the wolf had gone. For some reason, I felt sad that he had left me.

"We have to go. It isn't safe out here."

With one last look, I sighed and got to my feet, following Jonah back to the castle.