A Wolf's Duty (39 page)

“Some males didn’t tell
their human mates what they were before they claimed them, but they
found out eventually, you can’t hide the truth of what you are
forever. When they did discover what their husbands were, they
couldn’t handle it and some were driven mad. Some who were pregnant
killed themselves, fearing to bring what they called demon spawn
into the world. Others killed their children while they slept
before turning the knives on themselves. Human mates kept killing
themselves and our males don’t last long in this world after they
lose their mate. Our people were dying and so the wolf instinct
changed, demanding that females knew what we were before we claimed
them and accepted us for what we were. The instinct within us is
what has kept us alive all these centuries, despite our being
hunted. When we’re in danger as a species the instinct can change
to help us survive. Did you never wonder why when we change we’re
fully dressed? Once upon a time we were naked when we transformed,
but the instinct saw that we would make easy targets if we had to
be nude after a change and so it adapted. Because you’re human for
me to claim you, you would have to accept the wolf within
me.”

“I already know what you
are Tobias, can’t we just skip that step?”

Hope flared within him
once more at her casual comment about skipping straight to the
actual claiming. “You’ve never seen me in wolf form dearest and you
will have to for me to claim you.”

“Well go on then. Show me
and let’s do this thing.”

The seed of hope within
him blossomed at her statement. “It’s not that simple.”

“It never is with you,”
she grumbled. “Just spit it out.”

“It isn’t a bad thing
dearest, all the additional stage requires is that you spend a day
with me between the nights of the full moon with me in my wolf form
and be comfortable enough to stay with me. You can’t run from me
during that time.”

“Is that it?”

“Well, what exactly did
you think was going to happen?”

“I don’t know, but I
thought it would be bigger than that.”

“The instinct doesn’t go
out of its way to make things hard; it does what’s simplest and
best for us. Have you made up your mind dearest? What do you want
to happen?”

Chapter Thirty
Six

The moon floated across
the darkening sky, it luminescent rays partially obscured by light
clouds. Staring up at the large orb on the steps of the estate,
Alex found herself momentarily ensnared by its almost eerie beauty.
The urgent tone of a guard however, quickly snapped her out of her
reverie.

“Hurry your highness,” the
guard urged, his tone insistent.

“I’m coming,” she
reassured him, moving down the steps towards the compact jeep that
was meant to take her far away from Tobias.

“We’ve got to hurry your
highness, the further away we manage to take you, the
better.”

Reaching the door of the
car, she pulled it open, hefting herself inside. “I understand,
let’s go.” The two accompanying guards entered the car, the engine
roaring to life and she couldn’t prevent her head from turning
around to stare at the large estate as it retreated from
view.

Tobias,
her mind whispered, increasingly unsure of whether
she had made the right decision. The car jerked forward, propelling
them further away from Tobias and deeper into the surrounding woods
of the estate.

“You’re sure this is what
you want to do you highness?” One of the guards called back to her
from the front seat.

I’m having
enough doubts about this as it is, there’s no need for anyone else
to add to them.
She groaned before
answering him. “Yes, I’m sure this is what I want.”

“As long as you’re
sure.”

“I’m as sure as I’m going
to get.”

A slight incline of his
head was the only acknowledgement she received and the rest of the
journey into the forest was conducted in silence as she watched the
trees fly past.

“This is as far as we go
your highness,” one of the guards informed her as the car slowed to
a halt.

“Are you sure this is
really necessary?” she questioned, eyeing the darkness of the
surrounding forest, slightly afraid of the creatures that awaited
her in its depths. “I mean what’s the point when I’m just going to
let him catch me anyway?”

“His highness needs to
prove himself, that’s what this is about.”

You wolves and
your need to prove yourselves,
her mind
muttered rebelliously. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

“It is our honour your
highness.”

Her hand moved to the
handle of the door preparing to open it before a thought occurred
to her. “There isn’t anything dangerous out there is
there?”

“Nothing that Prince
Tobias can’t handle,” one of the guards reassured.

What about me?
Tobias isn’t going to be with me the whole time I’m in
there.
A sense of fear overcame her before
another part of her mind spoke up, chastising her.
You decided to do this and there’s no turning
back now, so stop being so afraid of everything. Don’t you want to
be with Tobias?

Of course I do
otherwise I wouldn’t even be out here!

Then get out
of the damn car.

Her hand gripped the
handle and she pushed the door open before jumping out. “Thanks
again guys, I’m sure I’ll be alright from here. You should head
back to the estate, I hear there’s a party going on.”

“We’ll see you in a few
days your highness, good luck.”

She smiled at the helpful
pair before turning and striding into the forest, feigning a sense
of bravery that she didn’t really have. The sound of the engine
starting up again, almost caused her to turn around but she forced
her head to face forward and continued walking deeper into the
wood. The plants that formed it soon made their presence known,
pressing against the barrier she had erected in her mind until she
was forced to lower it and allow them to flood her thoughts. Her
casual walk stopped momentarily as she allowed their voices to
briefly flow through her before forcing them to the back of her
mind once more.

Not tonight
guys, I’ll come back another time, but I’ve got to concentrate on
Tobias for the next two nights.

She could sense their
disappointment, but reassured herself that she wasn’t being too
harsh with the knowledge that she would return at another time. Her
steady pace continued, for how long she couldn’t be sure, until a
low growl erupted from nowhere, quickly spreading throughout the
surrounding area.

“Tobias?” she called,
relieved that her journey alone was now over. The growl continued,
becoming louder and louder while leaving her question unanswered.
As the sound continued to invade her mind, she became increasingly
unsure that it was Tobias making it and her heart began to pound
within her chest as fear blossomed within her.

She called out again,
hoping desperately that Tobias would simply stride out from the
darkness. “Tobias?”

Her voice was
smaller now as terror dried her throat. Again her question was met
with nothing but more than a more insistent and frightening growl.
The growl abruptly changed into a loud howl and she ran. Her feet
pounded hard against the dirt floor as adrenaline coursed through
her. The howling didn’t seem any further away despite her flight
and she became increasingly afraid as the guard’s words came back
to her.
Nothing Prince Tobias can’t
handle? What the hell have I gotten myself into?
Her long hair whipped around her face and she
found herself cursing it, refusing to look back while it obscured
her vision. The breath rushed out of her as she tripped over her
own feet, landing hard against the unforgiving earth. Disregarding
the pain in her palms and knees that told her they were hurt, she
picked herself up and continued to run, desperate to escape
whatever was hunting her.

Minutes passed and she
felt her energy flagging as the adrenaline that had coursed through
her began to ebb, leaving her lungs burning and her legs weak. Her
headlong run slowed as she struggled to draw in breath. The
momentary rest cost her as a body barrelled into her, knocking what
little breath she had in lungs from her. She closed her eyes,
waiting for the next collision her body would have with the ground,
but it never came. Instead she found her body being wrapped within
familiar arms, the body beneath hers taking the brunt of the impact
from the fall.

Tobias,
her mind whispered, her heart becoming instantly
calmer in his presence. They lay against the ground for a few
moments, before she began to wriggle in an attempt to escape him
and stand.

“Be still,” he growled,
his voice deeper and rougher, shocking her with the change it had
taken.

Her body stilled and he
began to move, turning her so that her back came to rest against
the ground. Hovering over her, his eyes scanned her frame and she
felt herself quiver beneath his gaze. The amber of his eyes she had
expected, what she had not anticipated was the wildness his stare
contained. His body seemed heavier atop her own and a quick glance
at him told her why, his muscles were larger now as though at any
moment they would simply burst from the skin that contained them.
He smiled, exposing his sharp fangs and the fear that had
evaporated at his appearance returned in force and her body began
to tremble beneath him.

“Tobias?”

His nose wrinkled as he
inhaled the scent of his mate’s fear and he found himself cursing
his actions. Lowering his head he rubbed his rough cheek against
her own, painstakingly gentle in his actions. The tremors of her
body ceased and he smiled, levering himself from her frame and
stretching a hand out towards her. “Come with me.”

She sighed in relief as
his amber eyes became flecked with grey specks and she placed her
hand in his, trusting in him implicitly despite his wild actions.
They walked slowly through the trees and as the adrenaline left her
system she became increasingly aware of the pain in her knees and
hands. The ache multiplied as she tried to keep up with Tobias’
longer stride eventually causing her to tug at his hand, forcing
him to stop.

“Tobias, can we slow down
just a little bit please? My legs hurt.”

His amber eyes turned to
her, confusion evident in his gaze and his expression. Turning the
hand he held within his own upwards, he raised it to his bent head,
breathing deeply. He frowned, dropping her hand before falling to
his knees. His fingers brushed lightly against the grazed skin on
her knees and she winced at the contact, drawing his attention.
Their gazes locked for a moment before he got to his feet, pulling
her close against him.

“You’re hurt,” he stated,
rubbing his cheek against the soft curls of her hair.

“It’s just a small bit of
grazing, nothing too serious, it just stings a little. Are we
nearly there?”

“There?”

“Wherever we’re headed?
Are we nearly there?”

“No.”

“Oh,” she breathed,
struggling to hide her disappointment. “Well I guess we should keep
going then.”

“Yes.” The arms that had
held her close to him tightened before lifting her into the air.
Her hands shot out automatically, grasping his shoulders for
support before his hands shifted her in his grasp, throwing her
legs over one arm while the other wrapped itself around her waist,
supporting her back. “Hold tight,” he ordered before speeding off.
Her body relaxed against his immediately, breathing in his
comforting scent.

The forest rushed past
them as he continued to move at an amazing speed, her eyes watered
as air rushed into them and she closed them tightly, wrapping her
arms around his neck. Though she knew that they were moving
incredibly fast, her body wasn’t jostled against him and her closed
eyes allowed her to believe that they were moving at a more sedate
pace.

They continued to move and
Tobias felt an incredible sense of exhilaration as his wolf’s
instincts overcame any inhibitions he might have had. Each footfall
rushed through him increasing his enjoyment in the sheer thrill of
the run, urging him to move even faster, while his heightened
senses revelled in his surroundings. His eyes saw through the
darkness, viewing everything with such amazing clarity that even
the tiny veins on the leaves were visible. He could hear the blood
that ran through his veins, the steady tattoo of his heart and the
small hitches in Alex’s breathing when she occasionally opened her
eyes. His senses zeroed in on his precious cargo, her intoxicating
vanilla scent clouding his mind while his body reacted to the feel
of her small one pressed against him. His sense of taste was the
only thing being deprived as he carried her in his arms, but he
assured himself that that wouldn’t be the case for long and
continued to run.

His footsteps eventually
slowed, soon stopping all together. “We’re here.”

Her eyes eased open to
take in her new surroundings. Here, turned out to be some sort of
cave or at least she assumed it was. The walls that surrounded them
in almost every direction were dark and rough, etched out through
centuries of natural erosion because of exposure to the elements,
rather than the smooth stone associated with human craftsmanship.
The cave was warmer than she would have thought it should be, but
she soon realised that very little wind from outside reached this
place. A light layer of grass and moss covered the floor, feeling
slightly springy beneath her feet as Tobias slid her down his
body.