Her Fae Prince

Misunderstanding

Torin left shortly after Ember was carried out. He went straight to his room ignoring the calls of a few she-wolves trying to get his attention. His mind a whorl of emotions. It was her. He couldn’t take his eyes off her when she first walked into the ballroom but it wasn’t until he took her hand in his that he felt the sparks run throughout his entire body. He couldn’t stop dancing, he didn’t want anyone else touching her. He had never felt jealousy before, but when that wolf grabbed her hand he wanted to punch him. He took off his boots and tossed them on the floor running his hands through his hair.

Why didn’t she seem to feel the same? Perhaps it was how much she had had to drink. The Fae wine can dim the senses easily, even after one glass and he assumed she’d had a couple. That wolf boy though, he was acting as if they were mates. Torin shook his head confused and a little angry. He was feeling it already. She was his Fated, and it was taking his entire self control to not head straight to her room and throw himself at her feet. He didn’t know what his father would say, if they would even be allowed to be together? Or would they be forced to reject one another. That thought sent rage coursing through him. He had only spent the span of three dances with her and he already knew he wouldn’t let that happen. He had to think this through. She already let on she knew his reputation and if she had feelings for that wolf boy, she might try to reject him as soon as she realized. He would have to try and keep his distance for a while until he could figure this out. He felt an ache at the thought of not being near her and shook his head. Why had no one told him that it would feel this intense this quickly.

He laid back on his bed and closed his eyes. His thoughts immediately went to her. Her deep auburn hair matched her name perfectly. Her eyes were a beautiful hazel with gold flecks that shone when she smiled. He had to know what perfume she was wearing because he had never smelt anything so intoxicating in his life, it was like fresh flowers on an early spring day. Her dress hugged every curve of her body leaving him wanting to peel it slowly off her to reveal the soft skin underneath. She was the perfect height for him, he could tuck her head right under his chin, and she was nicely muscled he could tell she was a fighter, but she wasn’t too bulky. She was perfect.

Torin groaned. He had never felt this way for a woman before. Never had every thought consumed by one. He remembered the electricity he felt as he placed his hand on the small of her back, which was bare from the low cut of her dress. He felt himself go hard just thinking about it. How was he going to convince her to be with him. How was he going to convince his father. Her grandfather? This was a mess. Torin pulled out the flask he had packed and took a few swigs.

The next morning Torin heard a light knocking on his door. He had finished off his flask and fallen asleep very late. He dreamt of Ember all night. He couldn’t get her off his mind. He heard the knock again and who ever knocked tried the door handle. He was thankful he locked it. It wasn’t the first time women had tried sneaking in his room. He heard scraping noises then a click. The she-wolf had a key! He had to give her kudos for ingenuity, he watched as the door opened and the she-wolf he had been kissing in the gardens the night before slipped in closing the door behind her.

“You know there is a reason doors are locked.” She jumped at his voice, she must have thought he was still asleep.

“Oh, you startled me. I waited in the gardens for you, but you never came. So I thought I would look for you here.” She gave him a sultry smile. He realized she was wearing nothing but a sheer teddy nightgown.

“Did you walk through the castle like that?” Torin raised an eyebrow and gave her a sidelong look.

“What are you, my father? I thought we hit it off last night and we could finish what we started.” She put on her charming smile again and if it wasn’t for meeting Ember last night he would have considered another make out session with the pretty thing. But even the thought of her touching him made him shudder.

“Sorry darling, but I have moved on. I think it best if you leave now.” Torin got off the bed on the opposite side from her and skidded around, opening the door motioning for her to leave. She simpered as she walked past throwing her bottom lip out, right as he was about to close the door behind her she turned and grabbed his shirt in her fists and pulled him in for a kiss. A loud growl echoed through the hall and Torin’s heart sank as he looked over the she-wolf’s head and into the glowing angry eyes of Ember.

“Ember wait!” He yelled, but she turned and ran down the hallway. He looked down at the she-wolf who still had his shirt clutched in her grasp. “You need to learn when no means no!” He gripped her wrists and pulled his shirt free and took off after Ember. Why was she there? Why did she have to see that? It only strengthened his reputation more. Unfortunately for him Ember grew up visiting this castle and knew every twist and turn. He lost her quickly and had no idea where she could be. Swearing, he didn’t know what to do so he went back to his room to change into work out clothes thinking he would go clear his mind in the practice courts and come up with a plan.

When he got there he was surprised to see a large group already there despite the early hour. They were gathered around one ring in particular cheering on two fighters that were fighting hand to hand. Curious, Torin walked over to watch and see how well the wolves here could fight. He nudged his way in between a group of young warriors and his mouth dropped open as he watched his beautiful fated crouching low eyeing up her opponent with a small calculated grin. Her hair was pulled back into a fishtail braid and she was wearing only a sports bra and very short, very tight, work out shorts. Her opponent was easily twice her size and he was chuckling while trying to taunt her. She didn’t respond. Torin had to use all of his self control to not jump in the ring and pull her out. He didn’t know how he felt about this, partly turned on, partly jealous, and partly worried she would get hurt. The big wolf lunged forward trying to catch her off guard pulling Torin from his thoughts as he watched, but she easily rolled to the side while at the same time sweeping her leg wide, taking the legs out from under her opponent. He went down hard but managed to get back up to his feet quickly.

“Well played Luna, but you won’t catch me like that again.” He taunted, but he was eyeing her with more caution than previously.

“That’s what you said the last time Rory!” Yelled one of the spectators to a roar of laughter. Ember simply smirked and waited for him to make his next move. They started to circle one another, Rory growled and swung hard aiming a fist straight at her face, she side stepped and grabbed his wrist using his own momentum to pull him forward bringing her knee up hard into his stomach. Rory growled again and hooked her leg with his arm taking her down with him, but she was too quick. Leaving her leg hooked she rolled and ended up on top with her other knee pressed into his throat while his hooked arm was pulled up at an awkward angle from being caught in her leg. He struggled a couple times trying to get out of the lock she had him in but she would just put more pressure on his neck. Finally he tapped out.

“Yeah Luna! That’s the third in a row!” Yelled a couple of the younger spectators beside Torin. She smiled up at them and that’s when she saw him standing there. Torin didn’t know if he was more surprised or turned on by her fighting skills. She had obviously had extensive training as a warrior. Unusual for a girl being raised to become a Luna. She stood up and dusted off her hands before extending one to Rory. He laughed and shook his head as he got up.

“I guess I should think before I underestimate a smaller opponent.” Rory laughed and they shook hands. A surge of warriors stepped forward to spar with her next. Torin found himself moving forward as well as if being pulled by a magnet. Some of the warriors were trying to congratulate her while other trying to challenge. She put on a smile and held up her hands.

“I think I’m done here for now.” She announced to their dismay. Some even whined that they never got a turn. She laughed and it lit up her whole face. “Don’t worry there are other days.” One warrior passed her a towel and another her water bottle she nodded her thanks and stood there gulping the water. Torin couldn’t help but notice the small trickle of water that escaped her lips, he watched as it rolled down her chin to her neck before slipping neatly down between the curves of her chest. The thought crossed his mind that he wanted to chase that water with his tongue. He shook his head quickly trying to clear the thought from his mind. He hadn’t noticed the group had gotten smaller as most started paring off to begin their own sparring, and Ember was standing there watching him with an unreadable expression. She turned on her heel and walked to the other edge of the ring, easily hopping over the fence and heading towards the archery range. Torin hurriedly followed her.

“Ember, can I talk with you a minute?” He called out as he caught up to her at the bow racks, she was running her hands over a few before picking one out in silence. She turned towards the buckets of arrows picking one of those before walking to the furthest target. “Please?”

“What can I do for you, your majesty?” She put venom in the “your majesty” as she strung the bow.

“I wanted to tell you that she showed up unannounced and let herself into my room. I was asking her to leave when she grabbed and kissed me. I know you probably don’t believe me, but I wanted to explain it myself.” Torin told her, hoping she believed him. He had never wanted someone to believe him as badly as he wanted her to now. What was wrong with him. He watched her face as she thought about his words. She stayed silent as she picked up an arrow and took aim. She hit almost dead on the mark.

“Why should it matter to me what you do?” She shrugged at him.

“Why were you outside my room this morning?” He countered. He had to know if she was feeling the bond too, or had she been too drunk last night. She blushed a bit at his question.

“I wanted to apologize to you. I normally hold my drink better. I am sorry for fainting on you. I’m not usually one to swoon.” She answered simply, shrugging. He could tell she was trying to give off an air of not caring, but her eyes held hurt and anger.

“I am happy to catch you if you fall. Anytime.” He responded softly. She looked at him confused for a second before picking another arrow.

“Well if that’s all cleared up I am going to continue my practice.” She took aim and hit the target perfect.

“You have been well trained. Are you also trained in fencing or other fighting forms?” He asked her, thinking if he changed the subject she would continue to talk with him, he wanted to know more about her. She glanced at him and pursed her lips trying not to smile. She knew what he was doing.

“I have been trained mostly in hand to hand, Ju Jitsu, Kickboxing, basic wrestling. Also in hand guns, archery, and knife fighting. It’s not very often a wolf will have a sword, but we can carry smaller blades on us in wolf form along with smaller guns, however usually if we fight, we fight with our fists or in wolf form with teeth and claw.” She aimed again and shot the target clustering between the first two arrows.

“Ember, you out here?” They both turned as they heard Caleb call out for Ember. Torin felt a tinge of jealousy, but he swallowed it down. He would win her over, even if he had to do it the hard way, making a scene with someone she so obviously cared for would not go in his favour. Caleb made his way around the rings and Torin didn’t miss the anger flash behind his eyes as they landed on him. “Prince Torin.” He gave the slightest nod to him barely concealing a growl, before turning to Ember. His eyes raked across her body. Torin bit his lip to not say anything, clenching his hand beside him.

“What’s up Caleb?” Ember asked him, her tone changed from short to friendly as she addressed him.

“I came to see if you wanted to come hang out with me but you weren’t in your room so I assumed you’d be out here. I’m actually surprised to see you over here and not whooping every pack member stupid enough to meet you in the ring.” He smirked down at her his eyes softening as he spoke to her, ignoring Torin.

“I needed to let off some bad energy, probably left over from that wine last night. But I’m good now, just let me get cleaned up. Prince Torin we can talk fighting another time.” She put her bow back on the racks as Caleb went to collect her arrows from the target. Torin could tell they had done this plenty of times before. They moved together in easy companionship. This was going to be harder than he thought. He always did like a challenge.