The Mating Games

Chapter Nineteen

PRINCE ARES:

Four, f*****g months and seven days! I stretch out the map in front of me and cross off YET ANOTHER village. Four months and seven days of searching for this Northern Star and NOTHING! No leads, no signs, and no word about who this person is or even what this person does. I have asked just about every person I pass and not a single soul knows. It’s as if the Northern Star just doesn’t exist.

“UGH!”

I throw the map off the table and run a frustrated hand through my hair. Four, f*****g months and seven days of me wallowing in self-pity and anger. I close my eyes and all I see are multi-colored ones. Four months and seven days since Eloise was laid to a forever slumber and I still have no way of bringing justice to the life she has now lost.

“Whoah, what is going on in here?”

A grizzly-looking hulk walks in, his beard untrimmed and his hair shoulder length. It still looks better than mine though. I haven’t even bothered to shave or anything since I left the palace. My father was so furious that I needed another “getaway trip” that I merely had minutes to pack my back before he would lock me up and refuse to see me go. In the end, he let me go through because I told him I needed one last trip to cleanse my soul from what had just happened. This seemed to appease him, but I know each added week brings him closer and closer to summoning me back so that I may take the throne. I guess the old man is finally growing tired.

“Countless villages, days upon days of traveling and we are nowhere closer to finding answers. Tell me this doesn’t annoy the s**t out of you, Johnno?”

He looks at me for a second and sighs as he notices my eyes glued to the hundreds of red dots crossed off on the map.

“I mean it would be nice to have my bed back and I guess I really miss the drinks in Apreez, but come on man, we can’t quit now. Think about what quitting will mean.”

He draws out the last part and I know he is right. It would mean failing Eloise. My mom…

“We only have two more villages to visit and then we have covered this whole territory. The only places we haven’t searched then are close to Apreez, Shraya, and down below from here.”

I point and move my finger along the map. Sure, there is a large amount of maps we haven’t even begun to explore yet, but surely this Northern Star won’t be there? All those areas are either too congested for someone trying to hide undercover or too barren for anyone to have their basic needs met.

“We will find this person, Prince Ares. Don’t lose hope.”

Johnno pats my back and then offers me a cup of oats from the fire. I smile and take it from him. This trip has been really different for me without Nate. After finding out about Linda expecting a pup and not knowing how long I would be away, I just couldn’t bring myself to pull Nate away from his family responsibilities again. Besides, I needed someone I trust on that side to hold down the fort with my father. Nate and I had this touring around thing down to a fine art and learning about boundaries and space with Johnno have been different. Sure, he’s my third, but he came into that position more from skill instead of right and I only met him later in my life. It’s been great to learn about Johnno and build a better friendship and even brotherhood. I would say four months have been great for us as friends.

“I don’t think I have thanked you yet for coming on this wild ride with me, Johnno. I owe you a lifetime of honor for this, you know?”

“Ah, please Prince Ares, it has been my duty and honor to serve you at this time.”

“So formal!”

I chuckle and he does too.

“But seriously, Prince Ares. It is what friends do for one another.”

I nod and smile.

“You can call me Ares now, Johnno. Let’s not be so formal anymore, eh?”

His smile broadens.

“Anyway, enough of this soppy s**t. It almost feels like we are in some bromance novel.”

Johnno barks out his oats and I roll my eyes.

“According to the map, we only have a half-day trip to the next village. It’s some unknown place inhabited by mixed magical. Very little information on the place other than that it’s a great place for drinking and has the best w***e house in the Kingdom.”

“Well, when do we go then!?”

I laugh at his reply. Johnno has been enjoying the fruits of traveling into areas with new and exotic women. Apparently, he and Emily really liked each other, but he made it clear it could only be s****l due to the whole mate thing and Emily was more than okay with that. I kinda liked him and Emily together, but Johnno was adamant that he wanted to at least wait until he is a hundred before he even considers a chosen mate. I guess he is right.

“What about you? Going to enjoy those best-kept brothels later today?”

My smile fades and Johnno realizes he asked the wrong thing.

“I’m sorry, Ar- Prince Ares. I didn’t mean…”

I wave my hand at him.

“It’s fine Johnno. Relax.”

He nods and walks out, leaving me to my own thoughts. Wolves are highly s****l, but my wolf just hasn’t wanted another woman since Eloise. It’s like that whole side of me has turned off and it f*****g sucks. Every other woman just repulses me. All I have left is the memory of Eloise’s skin, breath, and little moans as we made love those few times before her sentencing. I pull out a small box under my straw bed and open it, revealing an old picture that her father gave me of her. It was when she was fifteen years old, so much younger than the woman I knew, but still beautiful and perfect in every way.

“So gorgeous.”

“Ready to go?”

Johnno walks in and interrupts the moment. I swallow in my emotions and place the picture in the box really quickly before nodding.

“Yip. Give me two seconds.”

*~*

Johnno and I quickly shift behind a tree as we look down the hill into a small village underneath a cloud pocket. It was an effortless run, but still four hours long and sunny.

“Thank Goddess. I could do with a beer.”

I nod and throw a t-shirt on. There is hardly any sound coming from the little place below and I don’t smell much activity either. Johnno starts to jog down the hill and I couldn’t grab his elbow, my senses, and wolf are on high alert after picking up on something.

“Stay close Johnno. Something doesn’t feel right here.”

Johnno also allows his senses to take over and his eyes glaze over to his wolf.

“Blood.”

I nod and we both start to slowly retreat down through the cloud. At first, it looks like a sleeping town, but the closer you edge down the hill, the stronger the smell of blood and fear. That is never a good combination based on experience in battle. We both stay fully aware and on high guard as we walk slowly across the cobblestone streets. We pass the bar which has broken windows and stale beer. The sign from the brothel house is hanging off its hinges. My ears cannot pick up on a single heartbeat in this place. What the f**k happened here?

“Look.”

Johnno points to a dead body on the street and we both edge closer. It looks like he was mauled by some animal. The closer I look, the more I notice bite marks and scratches, almost as though…

A piercing scream comes from the forest and Johnno and I quickly run wide-eyed toward the sound. I hardly notice the tiny village coming to an end as we venture into the small, farmlands surrounding the cloud bank. My wolf picks up another scent, this time familiar and a shiver runs up my spine.

“Johnno, something is very odd here!”

He nods at me and we both run over the pockets of vegetables and wheat. That’s when the crowd of people comes into sight and they look as though they are surrounding something. My legs start to slow and my skin pricks up at the feeling bubbling inside me. I can sense what is going on here. I can smell it, feel it and taste it, but I need to see for myself to know for sure.

“Kill that beast!”

I see the metal axe lift and when it swings down, I hear a final whimper and my feet stop on the spot at the sound. Johnno looks at me now with shock all over his face.

“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?”

My wolf surfaces and the people slowly spread. My eyes lower from petrified faces down to the still, brown mop of hair on the floor and all my fears come true at once. They have just killed a wolf. I feel fear radiating off of Johnno as we both realize the dangerous situation we have found ourselves in here. My wolf comes to the surface again, this time I am sure my eyes are as black as the pits of darkness, but I know if I shift now then I may be done for with the number of spikes and magic in the air. Still, these people have killed one of my own and every protective instinct in my body is screaming for justice. I am the future King, after all.

“A WOLF!”

One of the men screams and everybody's eyes widen at me.

“KILL THEM!”

My skin begins to crawl with panic as the people begin to chant and move closer.

“I ORDER YOU ALL TO STAND DOWN THIS MINUTE!”

“I am not here to hurt anybody!”

They still move closer. My wolf gets even more on edge and my claws start to break through the barriers of my fingernails.

“WAIT! He is telling the truth. I know this man. Prince Ares?”

My eyes hover to the side to where a gentle and sultry voice echoes. Her natural curls and smile broaden and I feel some relief. Everyone looks at Hilary with suspicion and like any born leader, she senses it and reacts.

“Prince Ares is my friend. He has always been good to the Nomadic people. I believe he is here for a reason other than violence, aren’t you my Prince?”

I nod and smile stiffly. My eyes take in everyone around us and everything seems unclear. These aren’t Nomadic people, so why is Hilary here? She sees me looking at her now and smiles softly.

“This is my birthplace, Prince Ares. These are my friends and family. I came back after hearing about the attacks happening in the small villages.”

“Attacks?”

Johnno asks now and Hilary’s smile fades.

“You don’t know?”

Silence.

“Wolves have been running through all over Apreez and slaughtering innocent people who get in their way.”

“Wolves?”

Silence again at my question.

“Royal wolves, my prince, wearing the symbol of your house.”

My eyes widen and I look down at the dead wolf in front of me again. Now that my senses are more controlled and I am relying less on instinct, I see it. I see the brown swirls of the royal stamp and the howling moon shimmers of gold.

“Wh-Why?”

My voice clearly holds a lot of confusion as one of the men with pitchforks moves forward. He has tears in his eyes.

“Aye. We have no idea. All we know is the King is looking for someone who has committed a crime and won’t stop at anything to find this person. My own child was bitten to death in my home just east of here.”

He points and my heart twists. My father is looking for someone? Johnno and I share the same face of disgusted confusion.

“I have been traveling with the Prince for months. We had no idea this was happening.”

Silence again. So much silence, that I can hear the bugs moving in the grass below.

“My Prince, why are you here?”

Glowing eyes from across the field stared at me, all searching for the same answer. Why am I here? I close my eyes and remember the small piece of paper that was slid under my door in the dead of the night as I cried for the loss of Eloise. I heard the scratch of paper and when I opened the small note, all that was written there was “THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK LIE WITH THE NORTHERN STAR” and nothing else. I remember running out of my door and trying to find the person who placed it there, but it was as if they had used magic to disappear.

“He is just recovering from…”

I stop Johnno and look at the people. They have faced enough and I won’t lie to them.

“I have been searching for the Northern Star.”

More silence, but this time it seems like every breath has disappeared too. Have they stopped breathing? Hilary is the first to let out a sigh as she steps forward with a frown.

“What on earth would you need with her?”

It is my turn to frown.

“Her?”

More silence. I sigh as everyone looks at me again. Hilary looks weary which is an expression she has never greeted me with before.

“My mother was a hybrid species; Half wolf and half witch. When I was just a pup, she died after inflicting violence and animosity across our realm. Just a few months ago, my own mate was killed…”

My voice cracks as flashbacks of Eloise’s pointy nose and pink lips spring into my mind.

“She was executed for being a hybrid, but with no real reason or threat. I just want to know the truth. Why are hybrids so feared by everyone, including MY father? What really happened all those years ago? I got this note from a mystery person on the night I laid Eloise to rest.”

I pull the small paper from my pocket. It looks worse for wear after traveling, but the words remain. Hilary seems to read them over and over before looking up at me.

“Kiko sent this to you.”

Kiko? As in Eloise’s maiden whilst she was alive.

“I honestly don’t know.”

“This penmanship is Kiko’s. I think I would know what my best friend’s handwriting looks like.”

My eyes widen and we share a smile.

“Hilary, do you know who the Northern Star is?”

Her smile broadens even further.

“Very few people know the true identity of this woman. To some, she is known as a pillar of wisdom or the Northern Star but to me, she is just my grandmother!”

Johnno lets out a laugh and seems to look relieved. We share the same relief.

“Wow, you guys look overly happy!”

“Hell yeah, we have been traveling for months searching for her.”

I nod as Hilary gives me a look. Everyone has started scattering around again, some starting to clean up the mess in their village and others hugging family members. I shake my head at what looks like a war zone in what seemed to once be a very peaceful town. Why would my father go to these lengths?

“Do you think we should help out around here?”

Johnno looks around at the c*****e too and so does Hilary.

“You help. Hilary, would you mind if I spoke with your grandmother? I just really…”

“Yes, yes, Prince Ares. I am sure you are chomping at the bit to finally see the person who knows something about hybrids.”

I nod and she gestures for me to join her.

“I will come back and help you when I am done?”

Johnno nods and then looks down at the wolf on the floor.

“What should we do about him?”

Every wolf deserves a proper burial, but does this one? They have been killing innocent people, but aren’t they just puppets under my father’s rule? I shake my head. Since when did my father become THIS person? He has always been the best dad.

“ID him, so we can let his family know when we get back and then bury him in the woods. Somewhere away from the town, so it doesn’t interfere with the town folk.”

He nods and we both go our own way.

~*~

Hilary and I walk for a few minutes through the countryside. For a minute it seems we are getting further and further from the town and part of me wants to question where she is taking me, but I can smell the sincerity rolling off of the woman in front of me. She has never given me any reason to not trust her, so why shouldn’t I now?

“Just over that hill.”

I nod and offer a small smile, which makes Hilary frown a little.

“In all of my years of knowing you, I have never met such a serious and unbubbly version. Sure, you brood around and let off serious masculine vibes, but underneath all of that has been my friend who is the life of the party.”

I smile a little at the last part, but smiling causes my heart to twinge in pain. The truth is that Hilary is right. I am not the same person I have been in all the years and months before, but then a lot has happened since then.

“Life has thrown a few blows my way since the last time I saw you.”

Hilary stops for a second and observes me before carrying on.

“The rumor is that you sentenced your Spring Equinox partner to death.”

Flashbacks of Eloise come crashing in again and now it is me stopping. Hilary notices I have stopped and watches me wince at the painful memory. A tear drops down onto the floor. I didn’t even realize I has started crying.

“I take it that it isn’t a rumor then?”

I shake my head.

“I did sentence her to death, yes, but she wasn’t just my equinox partner. She was my mate.”

Hilary’s eyes widen.

“Oh s**t, Ares…”

“She was the most beautiful fae girl you had ever laid eyes on. Goddess, Hilary, you would have loved her.”

“Fae? You are a wolf, so how…”

“She was a hybrid.”

Realisation hits Hilary as it all sinks in. Eloise was killed for being a hybrid.

“And this is why you’re searching for answers?”

I nod and Hilary comes closer.

“Ares, I am so sorry.”

She pulls me in for a genuine hug and I accept it. Sure, it doesn’t feel like Eloise, but Hilary is a great friend and that’s what I need right now. We both let go and start walking again, this time in silence as we think about everything that was just shared. We walk over the hill and a small cottage comes into sight. It almost becomes lost in the rolling hills of farm land ahead and if it weren’t for the little trail of smoke from the chimney, I may have never found it myself. Just a bit longer and we are right in front of the door.

“Ready to get some answers?”

I look at Hilary and take a deep breath in.

“Why does it feel like my whole life is about to change?”

Hilary laughs but it becomes a serious look.

“Because it probably is.”

I knock a few times.

“I am ready.”