Unknown Wolf

Cornered

We arrived back at the manor, and my father left me at my tent to change. Once alone, I quickly shifted back to my human form and looked to get dressed. Rose hadn't left with us for the run, and her clothes were already gone from the tent. I saw my dress, but it was different. Apparently, Rose had had them specially make it so the simmery skirt of the ballgown could detach, making the dress less formal and more fun.

Now, before me on the hanger, the snow-white fabric from the sweetheart top went down into a short cocktail dress, stopping a few inches above my knee. I put it on, and the fabric accentuated my waist and hugged tightly to my hips. I didn't look like my father's little princess anymore, and I'm not sure how he would like it. This was definitely more my aunt's style form fitting and sensual where I normally wore a lot of modest conservative clothing. I was unsure I had the confidence level like Rose to pull it off, but I slipped on my heels, admiring myself in the mirror.

As if on cue, one of the beauticians came in to help me with my hair. She said Rose had sent her for me. I lifted a lock of my windblown hair that looked beyond repair after my run, and she giggled. After what seemed like no time at all, she had me fixed up and looked stunning all over again with simple curls to the side and replacing my tiara on top. I thanked her, and she slipped out of the tent.

Turning to look at myself in the mirror again before leaving, I tried to gather my confidence before facing my father's guests again. I looked like a completely different person in the mirror. Very beautiful, but more adult. I missed my jeans and comfy clothes.

I turned quickly to walk out of the tent without paying much attention, and to my surprise, I turned into someone. I was now face first in the chest of a tall man. I swallowed hard and looked up to lock eyes with none other than Ryker Blackwood.

He smirked down at me, catching my eyes. I must have looked like a doe in headlights, which was probably the reaction he wanted most. Defenseless little princess as a toy in his derraged game. I hardened my gaze and glared up at him, taking a step back while doing so. Mustering all the courage I had, I stood as tall as I possibly could at my mere 5'6" to his sheer height and breaking my neck to keep eye contact. My hands balled into fists at my side.

"What are you doing in my tent?" I boldly asked without faltering, and his smirk only widened.

"Well, to see you, of course, little princess," he grinned down at me as his eyes looked me over greedily. Scanning me from head to toe, making me feel disgusted. I'm glad he didn't barg in here sooner while I was dressing. I glanced away.

"Okay, you've seen me now. If you will, please excuse me. I have a party to get back to."

I tried to walk around him, but he stepped forward towards me, blocking my way. I stepped back again, finding myself back to back with the mirror.

"Excuse me." I tried to get past him again, ignoring his behavior, but he grabbed my arm and held me in place. I now had red flags and flashing lights going off in my head, but I wasn't about to let him see my fear. I feel like he was the kind of creep that would get off on that, so I continued to glare up at him. Trying to pull my arm out of his grasp and failing miserably.

"Where are you going so fast? It's a little rude to so hastily dismiss the visiting prince. I might be offended by your lack of manners." he leered down at me, and I knew what he was threatening by offending him. I also wasn't about to just let him treat me however he saw fit. I was a princess to be respected, too.

"You have to give respect to earn it. I should be questioning your lack of manners right now. Please, let go of my arm."

His smile curled as he continued to watch me with pleasure, never taking his eyes off me. "Oh my little white wolf, I can't wait to make you mine."

My eyes widened for a second at his words, and then quickly narrowed. "I will never be yours even if we were destined mates. I would reject you immediately!" I turned my head and spit on the ground in distaste.

My reaction angered him, and he grabbed my jaw, pulling me back to face him. "You are nothing, and it would be nothing for me to snap your pretty neck, but seeing as you are a white wolf. I will have you and make you mine. Destined mate or not, I always get what I want, and if you think I care about your opinions on the matter, you are gravely mistaken, little princess. Plus, you would be uniting our two kingdoms and creating peace." He glared down at me heartless and power hungry. Chuckling at how powerless he thought I was.

I moved to pull away from him and just as I did, Griffin walked into the tent to check on me. Ryker turned and, in a fluid motion, knocked him out and slashed at his chest. I watched him fall limp to the ground. I froze in shock. I had known Griffin my entire life. He had always watched over me and was one of the few people who knew exactly who I was even when I didn't. Just like that, I watched him fall, not knowing if he was dead or alive. I had never been in this type of situation, though it was what we had been training for. I froze.

When my breath returned to my lungs, I rushed to be at his side, but Ryker, in a fury, grabbed me and pinned me to the mirror. His eyes glowed in his rage.

I stood there frozen, staring into his eyes, petrified in fear, wondering if I was next. Thoughts raced through my head. Where was Wesley and Jordan? Had he killed them?

"I'm not patient. I'm taking you now."

He pinned my arms to my sides with such strength. None of my training could have prepared me for Ryker Blackwood.

"Don't you dare scream," he growled at me, "or I will leave a wake of dead bodies behind me."

Tears streamed down my cheeks, but as we turned around, Ryker came face to face with his brother Rowen. I felt slightly calmer with him there even though I was not ready to accept him as my mate. He seemed beyond pissed with his brother, and they glared each other down.

********* Rowen's POV

I felt an uneasiness to me, and as I approached what I knew to be my mate's tent, I saw her guards had been left unconscious after a fight. They both laid there slumped and pulled to the side, so without thinking, I entered her tent.

Rage flew through me when I saw my brother holding her like that. I wanted to rip him limb from limb. I could see the terror in her eyes and fear radiating off her. I walked past the poor man, laying in a pool of his own blood in Ryker's mission to take her, and full fill his motives of making her his. She was mine and deserved more than this selfishness and violence. The bruises he left on her jawline were already healing at lightning speed. She doesn't know what she is or how powerful she can become. Ryker froze when he saw me, and we stared each other down.

"I'm taking her to become mine!" he growled at me. His eyes started to glow again.

I could feel my rage hitting new heights as he said the words. I had to find a way to control myself. "This was not the plan." was all I could manage to get out through gritted teeth.

"I never cared for your stupid plan, and it went completely out the window when she shifted."

"Ryker, let go of her," I managed in a low growl. My body was shaking in anger.

He let out a deep laugh, "What's it to you, little brother? What I do with her? You have never cared about anything except keeping yourself alive or dreaming of finding a way to escape Father and I."

It was true all he said, but now I cared for one thing more than anything else in the world, even if it meant laying my own life down, and that was Princess Lucilla Grey. Was that the moon goddess's plan when fating us together? I had to get Ryker's grimy hands off of my precious mate now. She was so innocent to be pulled into the middle of this mess. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he took in the sight of me, and his smirk deepened.

"There is only one reason you would go up against me for anyone second prince," he laughed heartily, "She's your mate."

My eyes widened at my brother's wits, giving me away, and he laughed at my predicament. Pulling Lucy closer to him and slightly rubbing his hand up her thigh. A booming growl ripped from me involuntarily.

"So I am right?" he chuckled, "Why would you be seen fit by the moon goddess to be mated to a white wolf? You're not even fit enough to protect her?"

He threw her to the ground in anger and jealousy. She let a small wimper out as she hit but stayed focused on us as she took in the situation. His lips curled up into an evil grin as he took in the fact that he had the key to breaking me.

"Mom always loved you more, and for what I will never understand. You are nothing but weak. Father should have killed you then when he had finally had enough of her. I shall take care of his mistake and end you. Or maybe it would be more fun to keep you alive so you may live out the rest of your life in misery knowing that she is mine." He cackled as he saw my anger erupting inside of me.

I couldn't control it any longer, and my wolf took control.

******* Lucy's POV

I was frozen in shock, only halfway understanding what was going on in front of me. What was so wonderful about me being a white wolf? I heard Ryker taunting his brother, and then Rowen's eyes burst into their glowing blue as his wolf took over, and he shifted his tux ripping into pieces and flying around him. He became a swift flash of red as he went for his brother. Ryker laughed as he dodged Rowen and then shifted into his black wolf. Even in wolf form, he smirked at his younger brother.

Ryker went straight for Rowen's throat, but his brother dodged his attack in one fluid motion and clawed at his face, leaving large gashes in the wake of his claws. Ryker seemed stunned for a moment, giving Rowen a chance to strike him head-on with such force. Ryker fell back into the large mirror, shattering it and momentarily knocking him out.

Rowen shifted back to human form and turned to me. My cheeks turned red as I kept my eyes trained on his in respect during his nakedness before me. Even after all that just happened in such a short amount of time, he seemed calm and collected.

"Lucilla, we have to leave here for your safety. Ryker and my father will not rest until they possess you and take over your kingdom. I know I am asking a lot, but I need you to trust me."

I nodded in shock. He had a small bag tied to his ankle that must have been charmed to stay unharmed during shifting back and forth between forms. He grabbed a small spray bottle out of it and sprayed me completely down with its contents before he did the same to himself.

"It's to mask our scents so we can't be tracked by scent at least. We need to leave now. You'll have to ride on my back as it takes you too long to shift right now. Are you ready?"

"But my father?" realization dawning on me.

"I will get word to him that you are alive and safe, but we will have to stay hidden from everyone for your safety and theirs. I have to keep you safe."

I just nodded again, and he shifted. He nudged me to tell me to get on his back when I hesitated. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding in, and climbed on his back, hoping I wasn't making a grave mistake trusting him with my life. I looked down upon Griffin's lifeless body again, and tears streamed down my cheeks as I had failed him. I just hope by some grace he wasn't dead after all just hurt and would be alright.

"I'm sorry." I whispered as Rowen ran from the tent. Behind us, I saw a battle going on at the manor, and tears flowed freely from my eyes as if the dam holding them in place had crumbled. I buried my face in Rowen's fur like a coward as he fled through the woods, taking me far away from everything I have ever known.