The Imprisoned Princess
Chapter 19

Adelaide

A quiet knock on my door brings me back from under the sheets, I don’t know what time it is. “Who is it?” I croak, I clear my throat.

“Trey,” a whisper replies. I unlock the door, checking it is him before I let him in. He looks worried, “Dely you must have really pissed Samual off,” Trey says as he locks the door behind him. My heart speeds up and I can no longer breathe “Is he...?” I don’t want the answer... I don’t want to know

“Del... he can’t take another beating.” Trey swims in front of me as the tears well in my eyes. I run from him into the bathroom clutching at the cold ceramic sink as I begin to hyperventilate. Air’s not going into my lungs. They burn as all I can do is breathe out tiny breaths... I can’t breathe in. Tears splash into the sink. My arms shake with the effort of keeping myself upright.

Trey wraps his arms around me taking my weight “Breathe,” he whispers. He puts his large hand on my chest “Breathe in... and out... come on Dely” I can’t. it’s not working. Trey runs the tap and soaks a towel under the faucet, he gently places the sopping towel on my neck which seems to jolt my lungs. “In... out... in... there we go,” he says as I start breathing on his command. We stand there for what feels like hours as he reminds me to breathe. I release my grip on the sink which has cracked under my hands. “Oops,” I say looking down.

“Dely... what happened last night?” I grip onto Trey’s t-shirt

“I tried to ring father... Samual came in. Then during dinner, Samual saw I hadn’t been marked. Wade went somewhere and Samual punched me. I tried to explain but...” Trey gently strokes my cheeks

“I really don’t want to say this... I really don’t...” he looks apologetic as I see his eyes mist with tears. “I know... I have to be marked,” I gulp as more tears fall over his thumbs. “I excused myself from him today... he thinks I hit my head while we were running yesterday... I’ll...” I can’t say it. I don’t want to say it. Trey continues to wipe my tears as each falls. His forehead rests on mine. “Stay with me tonight... I’ll go to him-” I gulp “Tomorrow.”

“I can’t...”

“Please, I won’t be able to touch you from tomorrow.” He looks down, obviously thinking. He brushes his lips gently across mine before he strokes up the blade of my nose with his. Trey looks at me again and lifts me so I’m straddling his waist. “OK. I can stay a few hours... but if someone knocks I’ll have to jump out the window.” His hazel eyes glinted down to me.

“Thank you,” I mutter thickly through my sobs.

Trey gently carries me to the bed and we lay together. Taking in each other’s features. I rub my finger over his bicep trying to memorise the contorts. I slip my hand under his shirt feeling his washboard stomach. He hums and takes his shirt off. I can’t help the sharp intake of breath at finally seeing him shirtless. I let my fingers trail up to his pecks. I memorise a freckle above his left nipple.

My fingers trace my bite that’s left two crescent moon scars on his lower ribs. I study him like I’m going to take a test on every detail, I notice faint scars over his shoulders and chest. I can only guess wolf claws... It’s one of two things we don’t fully heal from. Claws and teeth.

Before I know it, Trey says he has to go. My shoulders drop knowing that it means I have just a few hours left. I have no more tears, they’ve all dried up. I suppose that’s good, at least I can’t cry in front of Wade. I may not want him to mark me... but I really don’t want him to... sleep with me; I shudder. I wash my face, my eyes are red and face puffy.

I watch the sunrise, it may sound dramatic. But it feels like my last one. The sun stretches fully over the trees. The night air giving in to the day. Birds tweeted from far away, and the night sounds have long disappeared when I took a deep breath to knock on Wade’s door.

“Adelaide? Are you feeling better today?” He smiles at me, his eyes roam down, looking me over.

“Much better thanks... C- can I come in?” I try to keep the shake from my voice.

“Sure.” He moves aside to let me past. I feel my breathing hitch as I try to control the inevitable crack in my voice “W-Wade... I want you as... as my mate.” My stomach lurches as the words come out of my mouth. Oh goddess, don’t make me do this... please. He gapes at me... seemingly shocked. “Are... are you sure you didn’t bang your head too hard?” I swallow hoping he takes it as nerves. “No, I have decided.” He strokes my cheek gently.

I can hear his breathing becoming more laboured as his eyes glaze... I think it’s happiness. Damn, I feel terrible, he’s looking at me all mushy. Least he’ll never know I don’t want him... he’ll live a happy life believing I’m his, and I’ll believe I have a semblance of love. He leans down and brushes his lips against mine. His hand running down my back to my waist as he pulls me into him. Usually, his touch would elicit tingles... not now, not today. He deepens the kiss pressing his lips more forcibly on mine. I put my hands on his chest hoping that will help. My skin’s gone cold compared to his, I can feel his heat through his t-shirt.

He breaks from my lips and begins trailing down my neck. He’s walking me backwards to his giant bed. The closer it gets the more I’m struggling to keep going. ′Can you take control, I can’t do this,’ I beg my wolf

‘Yes, little one.’ I feel her push forward in my mind, pushing me to the back. I allow her to push me so far I can barely see, it’s like watching a postage stamp TV that’s a little blurry. I’m expecting to still feel the pain when he marks. I’m not really looking forward to that but at least I have no control now.

“STOP!” the word makes me jump and my wolf retreats, I’m in control again. I see Wade scrambling off me quickly,

“I’m- I thought you... Why would you lead me on!” he bellows, he looks hurt and angry, his canines still visible from him inches from marking me.

‘What are you doing!? He’ll kill Christopher!’ I snap at her,

‘You would never forgive me to allow him to mark you, you should consent to your mark, forced marking is illegal,’ she responds. I look into his angry face... I have to save my brother, he’s going to die and it’s my fault.

“Oh, I’m sorry... I’m sorry please...” I beg quickly “I’m sorry don’t tell Samual... please don’t kill my brother.” I drop off the bed onto my knees begging him. I clasp my hands in front of me “Please.”

I’ll consent. I’ll do anything. Anything for my brother’s life.