Claimed by Prince Daddy

13

No! I growled at my inner wolf. Stop fighting me. Drake does not want us fully, not in the way you want him—there’s no need to challenge the female.

Though I struggled to instill reason into my inner wolf, my own heart ached in protest. Would I really be okay with Drake having an attachment to another female? He’d made it perfectly clear this was to be a mating in name only, but where did that leave me in the scheme of things? Would I be okay with him bedding another on the side?

A low growl, barely audible, punched from my vocal cords.

It appeared the female caught it, for her cool gaze slid to mine and turned downright contemptuous—she saw me as no threat. The leash I had around my inner wolf loosened a touch at that.

Then Drake moved, taking the female’s hand in his and removing it from his face. He let her hand go to fall at her side. The female’s eyes widened briefly with hurt. A seed of wicked satisfaction sprouted in my gut.

“What brings you here, Rosalana?” Drake said. A muscle ticked along his jaw.

Rosalana’s lips thinned. “You aren’t pleased to see me…” It was worded as a statement, but her gaze was questioning.

Drake sighed deeply. “I am in the middle of something now.” He flicked his eyes toward me before returning his gaze to Rosalana. “I will meet with you later.”

No! I snarled internally, and my inner wolf’s fangs bared. Then I gave a hard blink.

Where the hell did that thought come from?

Rosalana’s lips pursed at having been so clearly dismissed. She dipped into a small curtsy. “Yes, my Lord,” she said, her tone carrying a bite to it. Then she pivoted on her heel and swept from the room.

Solarus let out a long, low whistle. “Seems like you’ll have hell to pay later,” he said, then chuckled. “I don’t envy you there, brother.” His ruby-colored eyes flicked to me. He dropped his voice to a low murmur and leaned over his elder brother’s seat. “Seems like you’ll have heel coming from both ways.” He slid a meaningful look my way.

With a small gasp, I ripped my claws from the table and tucked my hands into my lap. Apparently, my emotions were easy to read. The knowledge brought a wave of shame and embarrassment flooding through my veins.

Drake’s gaze found mine. His eyes snapped wide. Cursing under his breath, he pushed back from the table and shot to his feet.

“Will you not finish your food?” Alaria asked, surprise flickering across her features.

“My appetite has gone away with the wind,” he muttered darkly.

“You know how Mother feels about you not finishing your meals,” his sister shot back.

Drake whirled on her. “I don’t give two flying shi—” Upon seeing his sister flinch, the prince took a deep breath and clapped his hands together as if praying to the gods. He continued, his voice softer, “I really don’t have time to worry about what Mother thinks. I have more important matters to attend to.”

Turning to me, Drake stepped around the table and drew near my side. He jerked his chin toward the entrance. “Let’s go.”

I bristled, my mood already sour. I remained rooted in my seat. Drake’s eyes glowed with a hint of violet. I narrowed my eyes a fraction, allowing him to see my fangs peeking under my upper lip. He’d have to learn I was not one to be commanded around like a servant.

Shoulder muscles going taut, Drake whispered, “Please, come with me.”

The one word, ‘please,’ snatched all the air out of my lungs. I gaped at him. He raised a brow. Clearing my throat, I gathered my composure and rose from my seat. Drake turned and exited the dining room. I glanced over my shoulder at his siblings still standing there. Would he not even say goodbye to them?

“Um.…it was…”

Nice meeting you? A pleasure? What was one to say to their lifelong enemy that would sound so corny?

Alaria smirked, resting a hand on her hip. “We get it,” she said. Gesturing toward Drake’s retreating back, she told me, “You should go before he gets his panties even more twisted.”

My eyes snapped wide at her coarse words.

“What she said,” Solarus concurred, nodding his head.

“I-um…okay,” I took a few steps forward. “Bye then.”

Both siblings nodded in farewell. With that, I hurried after Drake.

He stood waiting in the long corridor for me to catch up to him, his brow twitching in irritation. When I drew alongside him, he resumed walking without a word.

“Where are we headed?” I asked.

“To your bedroom,” he replied, his tone flat. It encouraged no further conversation—though I expected that was his intention.

I pursed my lips and walked beside Drake as a blanket of silence descended over us.

My thoughts drifted back to the shadow fae female who appeared in the dining room. Her hand cupping Drake’s cheek.

I’m glad you’re safe, my Drake,” she had purred.

Anger flared deep in my belly. I fisted my hands. We ascended the stairs to the bedrooms, Drake in the lead. I paused halfway up the curving stairs.

“Who is that female to you?” I asked Drake.

Drake continued walking, his movements graceful and unconcerned with my acrid words.

“You will have to be more specific,” he said.

My eyes slit. “Don’t play dumb,” I growled. “You know who the hell I’m talking about.”

Drake paused once he reached the top of the stairs. A long moment taut with tension passed between us. I watched his back through narrowed eyes.

Drake glanced over his shoulder, the amethyst of his eyes cool.

“She is of no concern to you.”

A snarl tore from my throat. I stalked up the stairs, my hair bristling to resemble my inner wolf’s hackles raised.

“Listen up, bat boy,” I growled. “I don’t know how you guys do things in the Shadow Lands, and I know you don’t think much of us wolves and our ways. But you should know I will never stand for playing mistress to another female.” I paused on the step below Drake and thrust a finger into his face. Drake turned around fully to face me, a spark blazing in his gaze.

I didn’t give two shits.

“So if you plan on entertaining another female and then crawling into my bed, prepare to have your balls ripped from your groin,” I said, my voice low, deadly.

Unadulterated shock crossed Drake’s angular features as if he had never in his life been spoken to in such a manner. I felt sick satisfaction well inside my chest at his stark disbelief.

His dark brows slashed over his eyes. “Did you just call me ‘bat boy’?”

My brows shot up. “I threatened you with this whole spiel, and the only thing your brain honed in on was ‘bat boy’?” I placed a hand atop my hip and gaped at the male. “Seriously?”

“What the hell do you mean by ‘bat boy,’” Drake growled, ignoring my question.