Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 23 - With eager expectations

As Chloe spun around, she found herself standing face to face with a tall, broad-shouldered young man with blonde hair and piercing steel blue eyes. He was handsome, but there was something about him that a shiver down her spine.

“You must be Chloe,” he grinned wolfishly, closing the distance between them. “The famous daughter of Aurum Crassus.”

Chloe crossed her arms over her chest, her eyebrows raised. 'I didn't know I was famous,' she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm. 'But that's good to know. And who are you?'"

“You don’t know who I am?” a sly smile was playing on his lips as he leaned closer... so close that she could feel his hot breath on her skin.

“No,” she replied, instinctively taking a step backwards.

“That’s a first,” he chuckled. “Everyone knows who I am.”

“Well, apparently not south of your borders,” Chloe quirked up a brow and lifted her chin defiantly.

“I’m pleased I bumped into you,” he took another step, setting his hand on the wall beside her, coming even closer. “We’ll see each other for dinner later, but I prefer to get a closer look at you all by ourselves.” He leaned in closer, sniffing her hair. “You smell delicious… Like meadow flowers in a summer’s breeze.”

“Mr Praetor,” a voice reverberated behind him and Gunda showed up in the corridor, looking puzzled. “I was looking for miss Hendricks, but I see you’ve found her,” a stern look formed on her face and she pursed her lips.

“Yes, we were just getting to know each other a little better,” he touched Chloe’s arm briefly, making her flinch.

“Who does he think he is?” Chloe’s wolf snarled. “What a scum!”

“I must ask to borrow miss Hendricks for now, though,” Gunda beckoned for Chloe to join her. “She must get dressed for the dinner.”

He leaned closer to whisper in Chloe's ear. “I’ll see you later, beautiful,” he murmured. “I can’t wait to taste you…”

Say what? Chloe couldn’t help but to let out a little growl as her wolf fought to emerge, wanting to bite his head off.

“Feisty!” he only chuckled in response. “But watch yourself, little wolfess. A proper lady in the North wouldn’t let her wolf show like that. Those emerald eyes will give you away.” He turned on his heel and left, leaving Chloe staring after him. So, this was the man her uncle and grandmother were so eager to mate her off with? She hated his guts already! So full of himself… She turned around to Gunda who was looking at her with a frown.

“You shouldn’t wander around the castle all by yourself, miss Hendricks,” she scolded her.

“No, apparently not!” Chloe sneered. “I am starting to think I shouldn’t be here at all.”

“Excuse Mr Praetor,” Gunda sighed. “He must have been very curious about you, that’s all. But now, let’s get you dressed.”

“I am dressed,” Chloe objected as Gunda walked her back to her room.

“No, you’re not,” Gunda looked at her with a disapproving stare. “And I’m sure you need to shower after that long car ride.”

Chloe couldn't argue with that. Actually, she even looked forward to taking a shower. But when they entered her room, she realized her luggage had still not been delivered.

“Gunda? Where’s my luggage?” Chloe asked.

“The omegas must have accidentally delivered it to the Borg siblings' rooms. But don't worry, someone will bring it here very soon,” Gunda shrugged. “You go shower first. There is everything you need in the bathroom - shampoo, conditioner and so forth."

“Okay,” Chloe bit her lip. “But Gunda, my phone is missing. Do you have any idea where it might have gone?” she looked at Gunda pleadingly.

“No, I’m sorry dear,” Gunda shook her head, looking sincere. Either she was telling the truth, or she was a very good liar, Chloe mused.

“Please, keep an eye out for it, will you?” Chloe sighed and went into the bathroom and got undressed, hurriedly taking a shower.

As she washed her hair, she was thinking of everything that had happened the last couple of hours. This trip to the North was so not what she had expected! And the mysterious disappearance of her phone… Of course she could have misplaced it, but she doubted it. But they couldn’t deny her calling her own mother, could they? She would ask Gunda to borrow a phone as soon as possible.

When she stepped out from the bathroom, all wrapped up in a towel, she dropped her jaw with surprise. The whole room was filled with flowers! From floor to ceiling, all delicate flowers in white and pink. Chloe stared in disbelief, noticing Gunda look up behind a huge bouquet of roses.

“What is this?” Chloe breathed.

“They're from Mr Praetor,” Gunda smiled affectionately. “There's a card over there.

Chloe went over to look. 'With eager expectations, yours sincerely, Iron Praetor,' it said on the card.

Such a different tone compared to earlier! Chloe shook her head in disbelief.

“He’s such a charming boy,” Gunda sighed with a nostalgic smile.

“Charming?” Chloe scoffed. Oh yes, very charming…

“Oh well, Miss Hendricks, time to get dressed,” Gunda smiled at her. “Meet our seamstress that will fix your dresses for this weekend.”

Not until now did Chloe realize there was another woman standing at the rear end of the room, looking through a rack of dresses. “Thank you, but I have plenty of clothes and dresses myself,” Chloe protested “They're in my luggage. Have they still not arrived? I really want them. Can you please make someone deliver them to my room?”

“Your grandmother wishes you to wear appropriate attire for the event," Gunda ignored her questions. "Tonight’s dinner will be an informal event, so she has chosen this dress for you.” Gunda held out a sweet footlong white lace dress with long sleeves. The dress looked both innocent and seductive at the same time.

“But…” Chloe began objecting, but was interrupted by Gunda again.

“This dress was personally chosen by your grandmother,” her voice was stern. “I suggest you try it on. And hurry up, it’s almost time to go.”

Chloe donned the dress with a clenched jaw, her only option since her own clothes were nowhere to be seen. Why did it take so long? How hard could it be... The seamstress immediately ran over to her and began making adjustments, and suddenly, one of the omegas showed up to help her arrange her hair and make-up. Chloe felt like a lifeless doll, a sense of unease creeping over her. This was so not normal.

Glancing over to the rack of dresses the seamstress had brought with her, Chloe noted they were all beautiful. Stunning even! But… They were all white. All white dresses in different shapes and styles, as if someone had robbed a wedding shop.

“Why are all those dresses white?” she thought out loud.

“It’s your grandmother’s wish,” Gunda shrugged her shoulders. “White is the colour of innocence and purity.”

Chloe began coughing. Seriously? This was just too much.

When Gunda and her assistants seemed satisfied with Chloe's looks, glancing at her approvingly and giving eachother meaning gazes, Gunda clapped her hands and everyone gathered at the door.

“You will soon be summoned,” Gunda gave Chloe an encouraging smile. “Be your very best, and the luck might shine upon you.”

With those words, she left Chloe by herself, her mind racing as she took in the room, all the flowers, the rack with white dresses…

These people… They were crazy! Nothing good could possibly come out of this. It had only been a few hours, but she was feeling suffocated already. She really missed her phone. If only she could have called her mother now! She had so many questions.

With a sigh, she slumped onto her bed, staring blankly at the wall as she contemplated her options. She had to wait until dinner to meet Marcus and Freya, but then she would ask them to leave. Yes. Freya would of course be disappointed, but… This was too much to swallow. To hell with the Winter’s ball! They had to get out of there as soon as possible.