Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 5 - Sugar and spice

Freya burst into Chloe's room, knocking briefly before swinging the door open. "Are you ready?" she asked, her blue eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Ummm, almost,” Chloe was in the middle of putting on a pair of jeans and a soft sweater. “My hair is still wet, but I guess I can let itself dry.” Freya would probably not have the patience to let Chloe use the blow-dryer. Her long black locks took ages to dry.

She glanced at herself in the mirror, scrutinizing her face. Should she put on some makeup? Her cheeks were still rosy after the shower, and her black lashes framed her green eyes that sparkled in the light. Considering Freya’s eagerness to go, she might just as well skip it. Quickly, she simply applied some lip gloss instead.

"Let's go!" Freya smiled. “I want to show you some of the house before dinner.” She practically bounced out of the room with Chloe after. “Now, we’re in the south wing of the house,” she gestured with her hands. “This is where my rooms are, and some of the guestrooms.”

“You have several rooms?” Chloe arched her brows.

“Yes, I have a bedroom and a small living room. Come, I’ll show you,” Freya opened up to what looked like a small apartment with exquisite crystal chandeliers that dangled elegantly from the high ceiling, its walls painted with a soft pastel blue hue.

As they stepped inside, Chloe dropped her jaw to the floor – if her guestroom was princess-like, it was nothing compared to Freya’s quarters! The furniture was intricately carved and beautifully upholstered with plush materials, and the flooring was covered with thick and soft carpets. In the adjacent bedroom, a massive four-poster bed dominated the space, adorned with exquisite pillows and soft duvets.

"Wow. It’s like walking into a fairytale,” Chloe said as she took a seat on a sumptuous velvet armchair.

“Thank you,” Freya beamed. “I love decorating.”

“Yes, it really seems like it,” Chloe smiled broadly. “You should hang out with my mother, she’s just like you. Maybe it’s some northern thing.”

“Speaking of your family, I’m really excited to meet your cousin!” Freya exclaimed, throwing herself down into the opposite armchair. "What's she like?"

"I have no idea. I haven't seen her since we were kids, and back then, she was a bit of a pain in the ass. But who knows, maybe she's changed,” Chloe shrugged. “It's too bad the Northerners don't attend the same schools as we do," she continued, "I don't know any of them."

"They think they're too good to hang out with us," Freya said with a wink. "But at least some of them come to our balls and festivities, and we're welcome to theirs."

"Barely," Chloe laughed. "If it weren't for everyone's quest for their fated mates, we'd probably never be welcomed."

Freya shuddered. "It was much worse a few decades ago, though. Can you imagine there was a proper war? My parents still speak of it with horror."

"My family doesn't speak of it much," Chloe ran her fingers through her damp hair and put it up in a half-up messy bun.

"That's weird," Freya frowned. "Your parents are legendary! It's only because of their love that the war ended at all. It's such a romantic love story, a true legend."

Chloe nodded. "Yes, I guess… But I think they paid a high price," she mused.

Freya abruptly stood up. "Never mind, let's go! We're late for dinner."

They hurried out of Freya's rooms, and as they walked, Freya pointed out various wings and quarters. "Over there is the north wing, that's Marcus's quarters. The west wing is my parents' rooms, and the east wing has more guest rooms."

"But where does the rest of the pack live?" Chloe asked.

"They either live on the top floor, which is like an attic, or in one of the smaller buildings," Freya explained. "Unfortunately, we don't have a separate Alpha house and Packhouse as you do."

Just then, as they descended the grand staircase and turned the corner, Chloe collided with a rock-hard chest. Marcus! She almost fell straight into his arms, and he caught her just in time, saving her from falling on her face.

“Hi Chloe,” a small smile tugged the corners of his lips as he helped her regain her balance, their gazes locked. She had forgotten how vibrant blue his eyes were, and she lost herself in his gaze. She drew a deep breath, suddenly remembering the effect he had on her.

However, Freya tugged her arm and Chloe noticed Marcus's girlfriend standing right beside him with a scowl on her face.

“Hello, I’m Juliette,” the girl smiled a fake smile, extending her hand. She was wearing a tight, black top with a plunging neckline that left little to the imagination, her full boobs on full display.

“Chloe,” Chloe replied, shaking Juliette’s hand. It was like a limp fish. A hillbilly with soft hands like an overcooked noodle, she thought.

“Juliette, Chloe is my friend from the West region,” Freya hurriedly explained, noticing the frozen air between the girls. “I thought you were going home this morning?”

“She’s staying until tomorrow,” Marcus said coolly.

“Marcus convinced me to stay one day more,” Juliette smiled broadly, clinging onto Marcus. “He just can’t bear to be without his Julie, can you honey?” she cooed, kissing his cheek and leaning into him.

Chloe noticed Marcus flinch at the gesture, but he kept his gaze fixed on her. "How was your trip?" he asked awkwardly.

"It was good, thanks," Chloe replied stiffly, feeling uncomfortable under the tension. It was terrible, she just wanted to sink through the earth.

“So, you’re the girl going to the Winter’s ball with Marcus and Freya?” Juliette arched a brow, discretely eyeing Chloe up and down.

“Yes,” Chloe forced a tight-lipped smile. “Will you join us?”

“No,” Juliette’s voice was laced with regret. “I’m not invited, and apparently it’s too late for Marcus to add me as his plus one. But maybe next year,” she offered another fake smile.

“I think we’re late for dinner,” Freya intervened. “Come, Chloe, let’s go,” she said, leading the way. Marcus and Juliette followed right behind in their tracks. Goddess, please don’t say this is the way we’re going to spend the whole evening, Chloe thought to herself.

“What does he see in that tramp?” Chloe’s wolf scoffed.

“Just stop it,” Chloe replied irritably. “You’re not making this any easier.”

Freya had told Chloe that only the closest family would dine together, giving Chloe a soft start and introduction to their pack, and they sat together in a small and intimate dining room on the third floor with a huge window displaying an extraordinary view over the lake and the treetops. The sun was just about to set, and it was as if the sky was painted in the most beautiful hues of pink and purple, contrasting the snowy landscape and the vast lake that glimmered in the light.

The atmosphere during dinner continued to be stiff as a board, with Astrid and Eyvind throwing awkward glances at Chloe and Juliette respectively.

“Do you always dine this early?” Chloe asked politely as they were served their first course, a spicy shrimp soup with garlic bread. The smell alone made her mouth water.

“We thought you must be famished after your journey and that it would be nice to have a family dinner together tonight,” Astrid smiled awkwardly, looking like she was constipated. "Tomorrow, we can dine with the whole pack in the dining hall if you like," she continued, nervously dabbing her lips with a napkin.

“And we wanted to show you the perks of our pack! Like this fantastic view,” Eyvind chimed in, his beard covered in crumbs from the garlic bread. “We hope you’ll like it here, considering you might become part of our family one day.”

Chloe nearly choked on her soup and started coughing, stealing a glance at Marcus who had turned red as a lobster. Juliette, who sat next to him, did not look pleased.

Astrid quickly jumped in. "We mean, of course, as Freya's best friend, you're already a part of the family."

“Yes, of course,” Eyvind groaned as Freya gave him a kick on his leg underneath the table. “That’s what I meant,” he grunted, looking like a chipmunk with a mouthful of crumbs.

Well, I absolutely love it here,” Juliette intervened, batting her eyelashes. “Your house is gorgeous.”

Chloe noticed Juliette's wandering hand on Marcus' thigh under the table and suspected she was up to something inappropriate as he suddenly widened his eyes and cleared his throat.

“We’re of course happy to have you here as well, Juliette,” Astrid smiled, though it looked more like a grimace.

“Of course,” Eyvind repeated nodding, finally getting the crumbs out of his beard.

Oh my goddess, Chloe thought. She almost wished they had been dining with the whole pack instead. This dinner was torture!

“Well, I can’t wait until we go up north for the Winter’s ball,” Freya came to the rescue, taking over the awkward conversation. “I’m so excited to see Chloe’s cousin’s castle. Wasn’t that where your mother grew up, Chloe?”

“Yes, it was,” Chloe nodded. “As far as I know, her brother took it over when my grandparents passed away.”

“It's great you're going up there, Chloe,” Eyvind chimed in, slurping his soup like a wild animal. “The Northerners have been acting quite sketchy lately. You should remind your uncle that you are family,” he jabbed his finger at her. “Too bad you didn't inherit your mom's blonde hair, though. You only got her good looks.”

“Why is that?” Chloe asked, feeling uncomfortable.

“The Northerners are pretty prejudiced,” Astrid filled in.

“They don't trust anyone who doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes,” Eyvind scoffed. “They think everyone living south of the North are savages.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Chloe frowned.

“You're making it sound worse than it is, dad,” Freya rolled her eyes. “Don't be so dramatic! Chloe will melt those Northern hearts for sure. Right, brother?”

Marcus stared intently at Chloe. "Oh, I have no doubt she will," he lingered on the words. "In fact, I'm sure Chloe could have any man she desires."

Juliette let out a forced chuckle, raising her glass in a mock toast. "Here's to Chloe finding a strong and sturdy Northern wolf to warm up her bed," she smirked. "Someone to keep her cozy and warm in those cold, cold nights."

Freya looked at Juliette with an arched brow, while Chloe squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, wishing she could disappear under the table. Eyvind just ignorantly continued to gobble down his soup, while Astrid kept patting her lips with her napkin, clearly not knowing what to say.

“But aren’t you a little too young to be looking for your mates, girls?” Juliette continued, clearly trying to stir things up. “You do need a bit more experience to know how to please a man, if you know what I mean,” she smirked, undoubtedly continuing to do inappropriate things under the table.

“Julie,” Marcus shot her a warning look.

“What? Look at them, they’re practically underage,” she scoffed. “How old are you girls?”

“Who does she think she is?” her wolf snarled within. “Let me wipe that smirk off her face!”

“Leave it to me,” Chloe replied calmly.

Freya looked indignant. “I’m twenty-one, and Chloe is turning twenty this year,” she said, her voice icy.

Chloe put on her sweetest smile and added, “So, of course, we’re not as experienced as you are,” her tone sugary. “I mean, at your age, one must have seen and done it all, right? But aren't you feeling a little stressed?”

“Stressed, about what?” Juliette replied, looking puzzled.

“Well, you know,” Chloe said, taking a shrimp and popping it into her mouth. “The clock is ticking! Don't you feel the pressure to settle down and have babies?”

Juliette looked taken aback. "Excuse me, I'm only twenty-five!"

“Oh, sorry, I thought you were older,” Chloe said, fluttering her lashes innocently. She couldn't help but enjoy twisting the knife a little.

Freya's lips curved into a mischievous grin as she struggled to stifle a giggle, her eyes dancing with amusement. Across the table, Marcus looked mortified, and Juliette's face flushed with embarrassment

"Well done," Chloe’s wolf whispered approvingly.

"Thank you," Chloe continued savouring her soup with a wry smile on her lips, enjoying every spicy spoonful.