Her Fae Prince

Fated?

It was almost dinner so they thought it would be a good time to head into the village, Ember asked Caleb to get them a car ready while she brought the two fae to their supply stores to find them some more modern clothes. She didn’t think they would blend in very well in their current clothing, which looked like something from a King Arthur legend. She found a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a hoody for Albwin and a jacket for Torin. Albwin was a bit on the smaller side so the clothing looked a little baggy on him, Ember tried not to giggle at his horrified expression.

“You actually enjoy wearing clothes like this?” He asked as he pulled the hooded sweater over his head, he had changed first.

“Well, usually we go and buy clothing that fits properly and is more our own style. But yes, it's comfortable.” She shrugged looking at her own outfit which was a pair of black skinny jeans, a fitted green t-shirt, and a leather jacket.

“I don’t think it's that bad.” Torin walked out from the changing room he had been in with a sexy smirk. Since he was taller and a little more muscled she had been able to find him a better selection. He was wearing dark-washed jeans with a fitted dark grey v-neck t-shirt, and he had the jacket casually slung over his shoulder. With his messy wavy hair he looked like he stepped out of a Calvin Klein magazine ad. Ember couldn’t help but look him up and down, her heart racing as she took in the fine specimen in front of her. He gave her a wink. “Want me to do a spin for your inspection?”

Ember snapped her jaw shut and let out a light laugh. “Nope, you look great.” She blushed as he smiled at her his eyes twinkling, making butterflies come alive in her stomach. Get it together girl. She told herself. “Ok, we are ready. Let's go to happy hour.”

They walked together out of the pack house. Ember couldn’t help but notice many of the women who happened to be in the halls when Torin walked by would stop and stare. It took everything for her to stop from growling at every single one of them. The pack house was always busy at this time of day since training was over and most would come to the dining hall to eat their meals if they didn’t have a family home on the lands to go to. Torin was chatting busily with Albwin and didn't seem to notice the attention he was getting. That doesn't seem to fit his famous reputation, she thought to herself. What did she expect, him to wink and flirt with every girl he comes into contact with? She laughed out loud at her thought and Torin and Albwin turned to look at her. Oops. Torin smiled at her and she felt like she was the only person in the hall for a moment as her heart sped up. Suddenly she connected with something hard and fell backwards landing hard on her butt. She had walked into a wall. While staring at Torin. So embarrassing, she really needed to stop walking into things. Albwin hid a smile behind his hand while Torin instantly went to help her up. She gasped as she felt tingles and sparks race up her arm as she took his hand her eyes widening at the sensations. Did he feel it too? Why isn’t her wolf claiming him as her mate though? Torin stood staring at her not letting go of her hand, but not saying anything either. Her heart sped up even more as her grip tightened on his hand as she pulled herself up.

“Do you feel it?” Ember whispered staring deep into his eyes. She had to know. His eyes sparkled and she saw something flash over his features as his gaze turned into something more intense for a mere second before he blinked and smiled once again.

“Yes, I think we are Fated.” His eyes almost looked sad for a moment. Did he not want her? She had only thought it for a second before he pulled her into his chest wrapping his arms around her. “I’ll prove I am worthy of you.” He whispered into her ear causing her to shiver at his breath tickling her neck. Albwin cleared his throat breaking the moment.

“What’s going on? Is she that hurt from walking into the wall?” Albwin asked his eyebrow raised in question as he looked from the wall to her to Torin.

“No, I think she’s my Fated.” Torin turned to him as Ember stepped back. Albwin’s face turned to one of shock.

“A wolf?” Torin glared at him and he put his hands up in surrender. “Just making an observation. I don’t think I have heard of a wolf and a Fae being fated is all.” He shrugged as if to say he didn’t care either way.

“I don’t feel the bond though,” Ember said confused, as she looked at them. “My wolf hasn’t claimed you.” Her mind started reeling, she felt attracted to him, she felt the sparks, the jealousy, the urge to see him. But something didn't feel right either. Why hasn’t her wolf claimed him as her Mate? She saw hurt flash across Torin's eyes before he controlled his emotions once more. “I’m not denying my feelings for you, but something is off. We don’t have time to figure this out right now. We have a mission that needs to come first.” Ember shook her head trying to clear it as both Torin and Albwin nodded. “Let’s go.”

They made their way out of the building to where Caleb stood leaning against a truck his arms crossed causing his muscles to bludge under his shirt. Ember felt a swirl of confused emotions as his face split into a dazzling smile just for her. She put on the best smile she could as Caleb opened the door for her and they all climbed in as Caleb got behind the wheel.

“What took you so long? Did his royal highness not like the selections?” Caleb asked slinging an insult at the prince.

“No, I was finding my Fated.” Torin shot back, Ember winced and glared at Torin. This was not how she wanted Caleb to find out.

“You’re Fated? You found your Fated in our pack? Good goddess does that mean I will see more of you or will you take her away to your realm?” Caleb asked with shock and annoyance in his voice. Torin opened his mouth to respond but Ember shot him a glare and interrupted him.

“Can we focus on the mission at hand here? We have more important matters to attend to.” She scolded then muttered, “plus his Fated isn’t even sure of what's going on since her wolf hasn't claimed him yet.” Ember said it too loudly and Caleb glanced at her in confusion, then his eyes widened as realization dawned on his face.

“No, you can’t be serious. Him?” He almost shouted.

“Caleb, pay attention to the road. I don’t know. We haven’t had the chance to figure this out yet.” She saw hurt and anger come over Caleb, but he stayed quiet. Torin also looked hurt and angry, sitting in the back with Albwin who seemed to be trying to look anywhere but at everyone else. Ember put her head against the window and closed her eyes trying to calm her mind and her thoughts. She didn’t want to hurt anyone but she also didn’t know what was going on. She felt all the things she was supposed to feel toward Torin as if he was her Mate. He even confirmed he felt the same, except for the one sure sign, the actual bond itself, why hasn't her wolf claimed him? She wished more than ever that they still had the ability to talk with their wolves like their ancestors used to because then she could just ask. Sighing she turned to look at everyone.

“Listen, right now we need to figure out what is going on with our missing people. That is our number one priority. When this is figured out and solved we can move on to this whole mate business. This will not interfere with the mission. Understood?” Ember stared at Caleb and used some of her alpha status to put pressure behind her words until he nodded. Torin also nodded. “Good, when we get to the village I think we should divide and conquer, two of us should go to the pub and see what we can find out there, and two should check the town and see if they can see anything amiss. Perhaps we can pick up a trail or scent of the missing wolves. Caleb, you know the warriors best, I think you and Albwin should check the town you will be able to pick up their scent if it’s there. Torin and I will go to the pub and see if we can find anything suspicious. We meet back at the truck in an hour.”

“No, I think I should be the one to go with you into the pub,” Caleb said quickly.

“Caleb it just doesn’t make sense for us both to go together. Torin and Albwin can’t pick up the scent as we can, and I don't know his scent from others, but I know what he looks like and I can ask questions.” Ember argued and Caleb growled and hit the steering wheel, but kept quiet since he knew Ember was right.

“What if Torin came with me, and Albwin went with you to the pub?” Caleb said through gritted teeth. He didn’t like the idea but he also didn't want Torin alone with Ember especially if he was claiming her as his Fated.

“Really Caleb? Will you be able to work properly with him, without arguing? Or fighting? No, I don’t think that's a smart idea.” Ember let out a frustrated sigh. They were almost at the village, and the mood in the truck was getting tense. This whole thing was a mess. Finding your mate was supposed to be magical and sweet. Not confusing and frustrating. She needed to clear her head and focus. She could figure the mate stuff out later. As soon as the truck stopped on the side of the road not far from the pub and main street, Ember hopped out. Caleb came around and pulled her away from the other two, just out of earshot.

“Ember, please. I don’t trust them, how do we know the Fae aren’t a part of all this? They show up, they say their kind is also missing, they leave two to ‘help’ us find out what's going on, then suddenly one of them claims you are their fated? I don’t buy it.” He kept a firm grip on her hands in his as he searched her face, pleading with his eyes.

“Caleb, I trust him. For some reason I know we can trust him. I don’t know what's going on but right now we need to find our people, the rest we can figure out later.” Ember told him, his eyes flashed and he pulled her into a hug.

“If your wolf hasn’t claimed him yet, I’m not giving up,” Caleb whispered to her before kissing her cheek and walking towards the main street, not waiting for Albwin who shook his head and jogged after him to catch up.

“If he gets a kiss, do I get one too?” Torin had come up behind her as Caleb took off, she turned toward him and looked up, he was grinning but she could see the jealousy and hurt in his eyes. If he had been a wolf he would have attacked Caleb for that move.

“I am sorry for his behaviour…” She started, but he swooped in and interrupted her with a quick kiss. Sparks flew and she could feel her face flush as he pulled away, she almost grabbed him back again, but instead, she gave him a light shove. He chuckled as he took a small step back.

“Let’s go.” She walked towards the pub pushing past him.