Page 27 of A Kiss From a Wolfman
My ears flatten as I raise a brow. Her lips twist at the confession.
“Long ago, my name was Princess Caryssa of Enshire.”
“Enshire?” I repeat, searching her lovely face. “Never heard of it.”
“Good,” she breathes. “It’s far from here and a place I’d never wish for anyone to go.”
I tuck a strand of dark golden hair behind her ear.
“Caryssa,” I say. She wrinkles her delicate nose.
“I hated that name. My parents only chose it to compliment my brother, Carysen. A wicked man. I’ve heard whispers that he's dead, and I pray they are true.”
I blink at her candor—at the harshness of her voice. Her brother must be cruel if someone as kind as her wishes for his death. I gently cup her cheek, skimming my thumb over her soft skin.
“To me, you’ll always be Stella.”
Her smile is brilliant. It chases away the darkness lingering in her gaze.
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be my own person. To belong somewhere—and to someone of my choosing.” Her hand rests atop mine. “That’s why I escaped.”
“Escaped?”
Protectiveness crowds my chest at the thought of her being ill-treated. It makes sense. The situation must have been dire if she had to travel so far from her father’s kingdom and change her name. Still, I can’t help but hold her tighter, reminding her of my protection.
“My father—the King—wanted me married off. My mother only sought to serve him, so she was no advocate for me. That is why I was locked in my room until they could find an appropriate match for me. The day I left, my mother had come to inform me that my betrothal was imminent. If I did not comply, they would throw me into the dungeons. Before she left, my mother’s parting words were that I’d be better off with the rodents.”
A growl slips from between my clenched lips—red hazes over my vision. Every nerve in my body is on high alert. The story she has just recounted breaks my heart for her but also makes me all the more grateful to have found her. If she had not been braveenough to escape, our paths never would’ve crossed. The need to remind myself she is with me burns hot in my veins.
“You will be safe with me always. No one will harm you again. I’ll kill anyone who comes for you,” I vow.
Stella smiles as her hands tangle in the fur of my chest.
“I appreciate that, but I suspect no one is looking for me. It’s been ten years, and I’ve heard barely a whisper of my father or his kingdom. Besides, you’re taking me somewhere deep inThe Woods. None of his guards would dare brave that for an inconsequential runaway princess.”
“Nothing about you is inconsequential.”
A fresh blush blooms on her cheeks. Her smile is soft and tender.
“Enough of this sad tale. I’d rather speak about our future. Tell me more about where you are taking me, mate.”
Mate. The word kindles in my blood, and my soul reaches for hers. Even though we are tied together, a part of me still wants us to be closer.
“Like I said before, I don’t know what kind of reception awaits us. My father passed away a short while ago, and I left immediately after. I’m sure they’ll have questions for me—someone may even have taken my place in my absence. They could turn on me.”
The thought is unpleasant but not out of the realm of possibility. A pack without an alpha cannot operate for long. One particular wolf has been eyeing my father’s place for years, and I just gave him a perfect opportunity.
Stella inhales sharply.
“Don’t worry, mate. Nothing will happen to you, I swear it. If they turn me away, I will find us a new home to call our own. I promise you.”
“I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“I have to go back and face them. To honor my father at the very least.” The fire burns low behind her. “You should rest. We’ll reach the den by early afternoon.”
Finally, the knot has gone down enough that I can withdraw from her. Stella inhales sharply at the loss of our connection. Our rush of mingling releases leaks from her and falls to the grass below. She shudders, and I roll her in my arms, fully cocooning her in my warmth.
Stella’s spine molds to my front, and my head rests atop hers. A soft yawn slips from between her full lips.
