Claimed by Prince Daddy

11

His head tipped down, his gaze colliding with mine. Dark locks draped over his shoulder, falling around us to form a dark cocoon resembling raven’s wings. Drake’s nostrils flared as he caught the scent of my arousal. His grip tightened, long fingers digging into the soft flesh of my hips. My inner wolf nearly purred, her tail wagging as she arched beneath my skin. Acting instinctually, I pressed further into him, my bottom grinding against his groin.

Drake let out a ragged hiss. I could feel the hard length of him rising to attention.

My eyes widened further.

Oh, my stars…he can’t be that big…can he?

Drake dipped his head, his warm breath fanning over my cheekbones. His lips were a scant breath from mine. My mouth flooded with moisture in want of him—to press my lips against the firm softness, taste him, drink him in.

My bottom rubbed against Drake again. A guttural groan punched from him. I clamped my teeth shut against the whimper that rose in my throat. Stars, it felt exquisite.

His tongue dipped out to lap against the hollow of my throat, and the wet heat of him against my tender skin nearly pushed me over the edge. I wanted to freefall over it and into him.

Then, Drake stilled. Every muscle in his body locked together like a band of iron. I knew at that moment that he was no longer with me in the enticing temptation—he’d been ripped back into reality. Forced away from me by the knowledge of what we were—enemies. It didn’t matter that our parents had agreed to a union between us. You couldn’t just erase centuries of hatred in one day. My inner wolf sat on her haunches, her ears pinned against her head.

Lips twisted with a touch of regret, I straightened, sliding out of Drake’s hold. He allowed his arms to fall to his sides. I righted myself on a step, refusing to meet his gaze as a wave of heat pricked my cheeks and burned my ears.

“Um,” I said, clearing my throat. “T-thanks for saving me.” I grabbed a lock of my auburn hair, twirling it around my finger.

Silence greeted me. Hurt stabbed against my belly. He still refused to talk to me, even after that. I swallowed back the rush of tears.

Why the hell am I about to cry? It’s not like I care for him in that manner.

“Just be careful.”

Whirling around, I gaped at him. He watched me through eyes narrowed with frustration. I could’ve sworn I caught a flash of regret that flickered in that amethyst gaze. My heart chose that moment to dance inside my chest.

Inhaling deeply, unable to tear my eyes away from him, I forced a nod. With that, Drake swept past and continued down the steps. A horde of butterflies took to flight in my stomach as I noted how he kept his strides to match mine, purposefully placing his body ahead of mine down the whole stairs in case I should fall again.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Drake walked till we headed to two glass doors. Beyond the doors stretched a magnificent garden with lush grass, willow trees with delicate limbs dancing in the breeze, and a glistening brook that serpentined through the garden grounds. My eyes widened in awe.

Drake opened the door and gestured to me to go through with a jerk of his chin. Dipping my head in a nod, I stepped out into the garden first. The sun was dipping toward the horizon gilding the trees in soft lavender hues. The flowers seemed to be touched by amber, appearing as if painted in gold as their petals gently swayed in the breeze.

One flower, in particular, caught my eye. It was a flordastel, a flower that was found in our territory. Its pink stem and brilliant periwinkle blue trumpet petals were breathtaking. I found a knot lodged in my throat. My eyes burned, and I blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

I sensed Drake step up behind me. “Hey,” he murmured. He rested a hand on my shoulder and gently guided me to face him. My lips thinned, and I stared up at him through a sheen of tears, his form blurred.

Reaching out, Drake hooked a finger under my eye and captured a stray tear. I sniffled. “What is it? Why are you crying?”

I could see the genuine concern in his gaze; his brow furrowed, eyes widened.

I licked my lips and said, “The flower…” I pointed to the said plant. “It’s a flower of my home territory. I—” The words were lodged in my throat and refused to budge. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek to stifle the sobs that threatened to break forth.

Understanding dawned on his features. His gaze softened, and the hard planes of his face smoothed out. “You miss your home.” It was worded as a statement and not a question.

I let out a wet laugh. “Am I that obvious?” I said sarcastically, pointing at the tears that now ran freely down my cheeks. Shame punched through my core. I dropped my gaze. I was a werewolf princess, raised to be independent, intelligent, and brave—a future leader after the death of my brother. Here I was, blubbering over home, and I hadn’t even been gone for more than a day.

A calloused palm pressed against my cheek, and I flinched at the sudden contact. My eyes shot up to Drake. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that commanded my attention.

“There is no shame in missing your home,” he said, his deep voice sweeping over me like a soothing balm. His eyes grew half-lidded, and he brushed his thumb under my eye again, swiping away at the tears.

I found my lower lip trembling at the sheer kindness he displayed—the way in which he tenderly held me. I closed my eyes and pressed further into his touch. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Drake kept his hand on my cheek, and a soft calmness washed over me, my nerves settling. I drew comfort from his touch. My inner wolf rolled onto her back in my mind, preening for our fated mate.

I should pull away. This is wrong. I have to stop letting him touch me like this…

Yet…I couldn’t tear myself away. My feet remained rooted in place as if I were held hostage by Drake’s mere touch—a captive.

After several long moments, Drake slowly slid his hand from my cheek. The instant coldness left in its wake was like ice water doused over me. My eyes snapped wide. Drake stood before me; his lips twisted, brow hard. Indecision flashed in his eyes. I knew then that he was as conflicted as I was. And somehow, that thought comforted me. It made me aware I wasn’t the only one at war with myself and this new ground we found ourselves embarking on together.

A growl roared in the air. My breath caught in my throat. My damn stomach was grumbling with a lack of food.

Drake raised a brow, his head whipping about as he searched for the source of the noise. Heat swept all the way down to my toes. I willed my stomach to settle. Of course, it didn’t listen to me.

Another growl, this time louder, sounded. Drake’s amethyst gaze snagged on my belly. I wished the ground would swallow me up right then and there.

A slow smirk toyed with the edge of his lips. “I see someone is hungry.”

I ducked my head. A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. He drew away. “Come on,” he said, extending a hand toward me. “I’ll take you to the dining room and have the kitchen staff whip you up a meal.”

My eyes were riveted on his strong hand, the long graceful fingers.

Does he really mean for me to hold his hand?

My questioning gaze drilled into him. He narrowed an eye at me in irritation. “I’m allowing you skin contact just this once.” His jaw clenched. Then he muttered, “You’re hurting. I’m not a bastard to let a female go on suffering. You wolves take comfort in touch, right?”

“How’d you know⁠—-”

“One has to research the opponent he’s coming up against.”

That’s right. It would serve as an advantage on the battlefield to know everything about your enemy, every intimate, closely guarded secret.