Claimed By The Wolf King

Chapter 7

Last night I had been furious when he left my room.

This morning, as the light trickled in through the window and I felt at ease. The bed, admittedly, was the best bed I had ever slept in. And so, I slept all night soundly and softly like a baby. I yawned and stretched out, reaching for Mister Meow who was no where to be felt. Usually he woke me up and it seemed odd that he wasn't there beside me. I leant up on one elbow and look dazedly around the room when I spotted them.

Mister Meow and Jayce were asleep on the couch.

Jayce was spread out awkwardly and my cat was stretched out on top of him. I was suprised. My cat didn't really like anybody and so for him to go cuddle up to a stranger was strange indeed. I tried to make my way out of bed unheard, but my footsteps on the wooden floors must have been a little too loud for him. I saw Jayce jolt awake and sit up straight. We looked at each other for a moment before he breathed out a sigh of relief and settled back on the couch with Mister Meow, who didn't even seem bothered.

"What are you doing, la mia bella principessa?" He asked with an Italian accent. It took me by surprise, he hadn't been talking like this yesterday or at the diner. He raised an eyebrow at me while I stared at him stunned. He was shirtless, with just gray sweatpants on. No shoes or socks and he seemed to enjoy tormenting me by showing off his body. He then corrected his Italian with, "It means my beautiful princess."

"What are you doing here?"

He stretched, then gently moved the cat off of himself. "I couldn't sleep."

"Oh," I said, slowly. "This is your bedroom."

"I don't mind," he said kindly. "I wanted to show you that I would give you the shirt off my back if it meant you were happy and safe."

"You're not wearing a shirt," I teased.

His eyes darkened a little, and a playful growl erupted from his chest. He walked towards me, my heart thudding, as he reached my chin and pulled my gaze up to meet his. He leant his face down into my neck where those damn electric sparks started again. My voice got caught up in my throat and I could feel a small puddle forming between my legs.

"You don't seem to mind," he whispered, breathlessly against my neck.

At this moment, he was right. I didn't mind being pressed up against by him. I could feel his morning wood pressing against me and the tingling feeling erupting from where our skin touched. I didn't know how I was meant to feel about this and I didn't want to know. At this current time the only thing I cared about was being close to him and divulging my deepest desires and secrets. He chuckled and met my gaze again. I swear he was enjoying this. His eyes were almost black with lust and desire. It didn't stop until he seemed to regain some strength and pulled away. He seemed to be almost panting?

"I need to go for a run," he said quickly. I wasn't sure if that was code for something else.

"I'm...sorry," I said slowly.

He looked at me with those dark eyes and lust written all over his body. "You have nothing to be sorry for Bella Principessa. I should have kept better control."

I nodded. Why was I apologising? Why was I being so well behaved after he just invaded my personal space? I looked up and saw him awaiting my response but I couldn't force one out. I wanted him. I knew that much and I knew the more I spent time around him the more it was going to grow. I had to find a way out of here.

"I'll join you for dinner tonight, if that's OK?" He asked me. I nodded and gave him a small smile. Biting my fingernails, I set myself back onto the bed and just sat there unmoving. "It's a lot to take in, give it time."

"Yes it is," I admitted.

He took my hand gently and pressed his lips against the back of it. "'I'll see you tonight."

And with that he left. He left and I was stuck in this room trying to make sense of what the hell had just happened. I needed to get a better grip on myself. I needed to stay strong. This escape wouldn't go to plan if I couldn't maintain a level head. There was a small knock at the door. I half expected Jayce to come walking back in but instead it was a plump woman who must be at least in her 50's. In one arm she had a few dresses draped over it and in the other hand looked like a basket. She nodded at me and I nodded back at her. Some kind of kind greeting, I suppose.

"You'd be the new queen?" She asked gently.

"I...suppose so," I said, catching myself in the reflection of the window. My wild red hair was unrestrained and flowing everywhere. I was in one of Jayce's shirts that I felt in the cupboard so I wouldn't have to wear my waitressing uniform to bed. It was huge on me, almost like a dress. What did he see in me?

"Nothing a little love and care cant fix love," she said, catching me looking at myself. "Come into the wardrobe, let's get you sized."

I wandered over there and she started taking my measurements and looking at fabric swatches against my skin. She was muttering something to herself about how pale I was and how I needed more sunlight. I looked at myself in the mirror and realised she was probably right. But how would I get sunlight if I couldn't leave this room? How would I escape if I couldn't leave this room? I realized that I may need to pretend to be more docile so that I can go home. I tried on a couple of dresses that she had brought with her and she took notes for alterations that would need to be made. One fit me almost perfectly and she seemed pretty happy with herself that she managed that.

"You're fairly lucky," she said. "You'll be getting a whole team of people who will do your hair and makeup for when there's special events on. Only the best for our queen."

"I'm not sure I'd like that," I chuckled nervously.

"Oh come on," she said, patting my leg as she was finishing up the hems. "It's not that bad."

"I was taken."

"Humans have such a difficult time adapting," she mused. "My daughter-in-law is a human and she had a very difficult time adapting to our ways and customs."

"Was she taken too?" I asked.

"Hmm? Oh yes." I was shocked that it was so openly public. "Humans don't feel the bond in the same way we do. And at first she was so angry with him, but you have to understand, if you're a mate to a wolf then you are in the greatest of danger."

"Danger?"

"Yes. Especially if you work closely with the king. There are people who don't want him ruling." She said, rattling on. "But, after a while she heard him, out. Started to see how our ways were and that she would be well loved and well protected. And now I have lots of grandchildren running around."

"Sounds like Stockholm syndrome if you ask me." I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes at how absurd things were.

"She said almost the same thing," the lady said, chuckling. "My name is Mrs. Cobb. And actually my granddaughter will be one of your ladies."

"My ladies?" I asked.

"Women who will surround you when you're out and about. You can go to them for advice, of course, and they're obligated to tell you the truth at all times. They'll keep you safe."

"From what?"

She chuckled. "From anyone who tries to hurt you."