Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 28 - A true lady

Early next morning, Chloe awoke drenched in sweat. Her initially pleasant dreams had turned creepily unsettling, leaving her feeling as if she hadn't slept at all. Memories of her conversation with Iron flooded back, and she let out a groan, covering her face with her hands. How on earth would she be able to face him after that? And why had she found him and their conversation so captivating last night? It had to be the wine, she mused.

"... Or maybe it's just because he's incredibly attractive," her wolf added suggestively.

"Yeah, yeah..." she waved her off.

Chloe was surprised Marcus hadn't come looking for her. She had expected him to… Perhaps he had been hurt that she allowed Iron to escort her to her room? But even so, shouldn't he have come later? She couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.

"How can you be disappointed when you practically gave Iron the green light?" her inner voice scoffed.

"Well, maybe I wouldn't have if Marcus hadn't been flirting with Cassie," Chloe pouted. She knew she was being silly, but the feeling persisted.

Walking over to one of the grand windows, Chloe gazed outside. The sun was on the brink of rising, painting the horizon in fiery hues, and casting a captivating glow over the snowy landscape. It was a breathtaking sight, and Chloe stood there in awe, silently drinking it all in. Her entire being longed to be out there, experiencing it firsthand. But how? She didn’t find her way in this castle.

Chloe's room was on the third floor, and just below her window, she noticed a small building. Could she jump down? She had taken much larger leaps before. The desire to stretch out in a run overwhelmed her, and her wolf was equally eager.

"Let's go!" her wolf urged. "Just leave the window open, and we'll sneak out. No one will notice!"

Suddenly recalling Astrid's cautionary words, Chloe hesitated. The Northern wolves prided themselves on not shifting. What would happen if they discovered her?

"Well, what's the worst that could happen?" her wolf snickered. "Lock us up in a tower? Oh, wait a minute, they already did!"

Chloe clenched her fists. Oh, to hell with it. She opened the window, securing it with the safety lock, and shivered slightly as the icy wind rushed into her room, embracing her skin. Swiftly, she shifted into her wolf form and, with a quick glance over her shoulder, she leaped onto the window sill. In one graceful motion, she launched herself into the air, landing softly on the blanket of snow that blanketed the roof below.

Freedom! She hadn't realized how confined and suffocated she had felt until this very moment. With eager paws, she descended to the ground and dashed through the snowy drifts, relishing the crisp air filling her lungs. She was aiming for the wooded area surrounding the castle - she didn't want to draw unnecessary attention. However, before long, the distant howling of wolves reached her ears.

Busted! Glancing over her shoulder, she realized several white, grey, and red wolves were coming after her... They were getting closer and closer. Instinct kicked in, and without a second thought, she darted into the woods, expertly maneuvering through the dense forest. But even though Chloe was fast, these woods were unfamiliar, and it didn't take long for the pursuing wolves to catch up with her.

“What do you think you're doing?" One of them growled, their eyes narrowing as they encircled Chloe, their fangs bared menacingly.

"That's none of your damn business," Chloe shot back, her voice laced with defiance.

"Stupid girl," another sneered, taking a deliberate step closer. "You're in the North now. Everything you do is our business."

Chloe tilted her head, her gaze unwavering. "Well, aren't you charming? Shouldn't you be busy locking up women in your pretty castle instead of bothering me?"

"Something's definitely wrong with her," a red wolf snarled, squinting suspiciously. "Is she crazy or something?"

"Enough talk," the first wolf growled, his impatience boiling over. "Go back to the castle, where you belong."

"No," Chloe shook her head, a fire igniting within her. She refused to let them dictate her actions. She was a free woman, damn it!

"Must we force you?" a massive grey wolf stepped forward, his intense gaze locked on Chloe. "I wouldn't mind..."

Chloe's anger surged through her veins, her voice dripping with venom. "You can try!" With a fierce growl, she arched her back, ready to defend herself. However, just as the tension reached its peak, a magnificent white wolf with piercing silver eyes emerged from the shadows, commanding attention.

"Stop!" the white wolf roared, his voice carrying an undeniable aura of authority that silenced everyone in their tracks. The other wolves bowed their heads, unable to meet his gaze. "Is this how you treat your future Luna?" he growled, his words cutting through the air like a chilling breeze.

Chloe was taken aback by his remark, her eyes widening as she recognized the wolf before her. "Iron?"

"Chloe," Iron nodded, stepping closer. "Please forgive my warriors. If I had known that the so-called trespasser was you, I wouldn't have sent them after you."

"No?" Chloe scoffed, her disbelief lingering in the air.

"No," Iron replied calmly, locking his gaze with hers. "The moment I heard there was an intruder, I sent my men to hunt them down. When you didn't answer my calls, I went to your room to ensure your safety. And upon seeing your open window, I put two and two together..."

"Why wouldn't I be safe?" Chloe sighed, her frustration seeping through her words. "I just went for a run."

"Because you have a wicked mate who might come after you," Iron stepped closer, his demeanor composed yet filled with concern. "I was prepared for the worst. But here you are, safe and sound." A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes.

"Here I am," Chloe retorted, her voice laced with indignation. "And now I'd like to continue my run if you don't mind."

Iron purred, a hint of admiration gleaming in his eyes. "I'm sure you would. But if it's the physical exercise you seek, I have a better idea."

"You're insufferable," Chloe clenched her jaw.

"Apologies," Iron's eyes flashed momentarily with appreciation. "I couldn't resist. But seriously, you should come back with us now, before your uncle discovers your absence."

"And what if he does?" Chloe met his gaze with unyielding defiance. "I don't care. I'm not his prisoner, am I?"

"No, but if something were to happen to you, your uncle would bear the responsibility," Iron reminded her, his tone firm. "And I don't think your mother would be very pleased with that outcome."

Chloe winced, a pang of unease settling in her chest. Reluctantly, she had to admit that Iron had a point, even if she would never openly admit it.

"Come now, princess," Iron chuckled, his voice gentle yet persistent, recognizing the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "Join me for breakfast. I promise to behave."

Chloe held her chin up, refusing to show any signs of weakness. With measured steps, she walked past the other Northern wolves who had been watching their exchange with unhidden amusement. Determination emanated from her every stride.

"Very well," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of defiance and resignation. "Let's go back..." She gave Iron a stern look. "But if you call me princess one more time, I'll bite your head off."

They walked back side by side in silence, Iron's warriors trailing closely behind them. Chloe couldn't shake off the twinge of humiliation that clung to her, but she refused to allow it to show, maintaining her composure and holding her head up high.

As they approached the imposing grand gate of the castle, shadows seemed to gather and take form, revealing another group of wolves. Among them, a figure stood out—a large white wolf with striking silver streaks adorning its fur. Chloe's heart skipped a beat as she locked eyes with the wolf, realizing it was her uncle.

"Chloe," he growled, his voice laden with authority and displeasure.

Chloe was determined not to be intimidated by him. "Uncle," she replied. "Good morning."

"It seems like you're nothing but trouble," Argen shook his silver head with disbelief, his tone laced with disappointment. "How did you even manage to slip away unnoticed?"

Chloe peered at Iron, who was standing tall by her side. Hadn't he informed them about the open windows in her room? Her mind raced, swiftly concocting a tale that would protect her possibly only gateway to freedom.

"I... I don't know, Uncle," she replied, feigning innocence and vulnerability. "I've been having terrible nightmares lately, and I was all alone. I didn't know what to do, so I just ran, hoping to find someone who could help. And then suddenly, I found myself outside."

Argen's eyes narrowed with skepticism. He scrutinized her carefully, searching for any hint of deception. "Is that so..." he murmured, his voice dripping with doubt. "In that case, we can't let you sleep on your own anymore."

A small victory bloomed within Chloe's chest. "That sounds like a good idea. I'll be glad to have Marcus and Freya sta---," she began, only to be abruptly interrupted by Argen who without warning shifted back into his human form, donning a thick black velvet robe brought to him by a silent omega. His imposing presence filled the space, his stern gaze fixed on Chloe.

"We will arrange for Iron to stay in the room next to yours," he declared commandingly, his voice leaving no room for dissent. "You wouldn't mind, would you, Iron? We can't have your future Luna wandering lost in the night."

Iron's gaze lingered on Chloe, a glimmer of triumph dancing in his eyes before he redirected his attention to Argen with a decisive nod. "Of course. I will ensure her safety and be by her side whenever she needs."

Chloe's eyes darted between her uncle and Iron, her heart torn between conflicting emotions. This outcome wasn't what she had hoped for! But it didn't matter. She had already made up her mind to leave today. All she needed to do was find Marcus and Freya, and together they would escape before the festivities began.

Suppressing her frustration, Chloe bowed her head, her voice laced with forced gratitude. "Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate your concern for my well-being. I'm grateful for your protective measures."

Her uncle's stern expression softened slightly, a fleeting trace of paternal concern shimmering in his eyes. "Remember, Chloe, we are your family. We only want what's best for you."

He was just about to leave when he suddenly shot her a sharp glance over his shoulder, his voice dripping with authority. "Now please shift into your human form, Chloe. In the North, it is expected that a true lady refrains from revealing her wolf to the world."

Caught off guard, Chloe's heart raced, her mind whirring with thoughts of rebellion. However, before she could respond, an omega swiftly appeared by her side, presenting her with a thick and soft white robe. Staring at her uncle's retreating figure, she silently muttered to herself. "Thank the goddess, I'm not a true lady then.”

Meanwhile, another omega patiently waited by Iron, the latter seamlessly transforming into his human form. His intense gaze locked with Chloe's as he shifted, the air suddenly electrified with anticipation. He was breathtakingly handsome, every muscle on his sculpted physique rippling with power. As he was standing tall and undressed before her, he seemed to relish the moment, taking his time to accept the black robe offered by the omega. Chloe's breath caught in her throat and she had to struggle to tear her eyes away from him.

A dark chuckle escaped his lips. "You're more ladylike than you think, princess…” His voice was infused with smoldering attraction. "But I appreciated glimpsing your beast. Now, I know without a doubt what and who you truly are."

Chloe shifted as well, swiftly covering herself with the soft white robe, her eyes locked with Iron's in defiance. "Is that so?" she retorted, a smirk playing on her lips. "Not quite the Northern Luna material, am I?"

"On the contrary.” Iron closed the distance between them, his towering presence making her feel both intimidated and strangely intrigued. "You are exactly the Luna that the North needs,” he murmured, his voice lowered. Unexpectedly, his hand tenderly caressed her cheek, and his gaze was soft as it lingered on her lips. "And I will do anything to make you feel the same."