The Imprisoned Princess
Chapter 21

Adelaide

The footsteps stop outside the door and I hear the lock. I’m ready. My heart's pounding in my head, my claws out... they’re all going to die.

The door swings open and who I see renders me in shock. My heart stops, “Daddy?” My fight disappears, my head cocking to the side and my hands fall to my side, claws retracting. “Yes, Darling,” his deep fatherly voice washes me in safety. I blink, No it’s not, I’m imagining things. I rub my eyes. “Darling, my darling girl, it’s me.” His golden eyes holding so much emotion.

“Daddy!” I scream and run to him. I leap into his outstretched, arms he holds me up around my waist “My darling I’ve been trying to replace you,” he’s crying, now I’m crying.

“It was Samual, he captured me and... Christopher!” I sob

“He’s fine. He’s fine, Jesse’s got him,” he speaks soothingly, his deep voice comforting.

“He’s alive?”

“Yes Darling, Wade called me, he didn’t realise you were here against your will. I’m so sorry, I’m taking you home.” He lifts under my legs so I’m cradled in his arms and carries me away.

I feel my father’s strong arms around me as he’s carrying me away from this place. I snuggle into his chest knowing I’m safe and no-one can hurt me anymore. He’ll keep me safe, he’s always kept me safe and from the smell, he’s ripped the throats of those that hurt me. He’s done it before and he’ll do it again to protect his family and his pack. I bury my head into his chest as he carries me down the stairs.

I can smell blood, I can smell death but I don’t care. I’m safe.

He gently places me into one of our black SUVs “Ela?” I look behind me and I’m overcome with tears, “Chris.” I reach back and drag him to me “I’m so sorry.” He's tiny in my arms, he's skin and bone. “Hi Dely,” A voice I recognise, I look up to the blonde-haired, chocolate eyed man I’ve known all my life. “Jesse!” I climb into the back of the car and hug my two favourite boys

“I thought you were dead.” Jesse hugs me tighter than he ever has before

“So did I.” I’ve pulled Christopher onto my lap and I’m crying into his dirty hair, Jesse encircles both of us.

The four cars glide from my jail. I feel so safe wrapped in Jesse’s arms, knowing they can’t hurt me again, I’m safe.

On the journey back Christopher falls asleep on Jesse’s lap. Jesse’s playing with my hair, the way he did when I had a fight with mum, or when I hurt myself falling out of a tree. The feel of his fingers dancing over my back, his slow steady heartbeat sends me to sleep curled up to his chest.

I wake up in my bedroom. My bedroom. It feels so strange. It's comforting but almost alien, I hadn’t been here in almost five months. It’s a bedroom fit for a princess, although... I don’t much feel like one anymore. But at least I know where everything is, nothing has been moved. I notice I’m still in Wade’s t-shirt. I strip off all their clothes, putting them in the bin, and go to my own shower. My shower.

I stay under the pummelling water for an hour, I turn it up the hottest setting my skin can bare and wash away their stench. I use all my familiar products and smell like me again, then I wash again to be sure. I pull on yoga pants, a sports bra, and a loose workout top. I’m hoping I don’t have to entertain today. I’m itching to train, itching to fight again.

Just before I’m about to leave my room there’s a knock “Come in,” I call, my mother opens the door. Her waist-length blonde hair swishing, and hazel eyes brimming with tears. I hug her tightly around the waist “Mother,”

“I’ve missed you so,” her voice cracking slightly with emotion, her arms tightly around my shoulders. “Me too, I’m sorry,” I mumble into her shoulder. She pushes me away slightly,

“Don’t you ever apologise for what that disgusting man did! Never!” I nod, tears prickling at my eyes. She kisses them then plants kisses all over my face “Don’t shed a tear for them, they’re not worth an ounce of your energy angel.” She pulls me back into her for more hugs. Normally I would break our hug after a few moments, but I will never push her hugs away again.

“I’ve made you breakfast, you need to eat before you train, you’ve lost so much weight,” her voice back to a more formal tone. I nod and let her lead me down the corridor towards the main grand staircase, the mahogany handrail polished to perfection. We wind through the palace until we reach the social kitchen. The marble counter and stained oak cabinets send a warmth through me.

It’s unusually empty, guards and warriors use this kitchen but right now, it’s just Marc. His hair much like mine in colour, lays flat over his forehead, the cropped sides almost covered with his limp hair; he hasn’t done anything with it yet. He’s sat eating but stands when he sees me. He strides forward his golden eyes glistening and envelopes me in a hug, leaning down to put his head on my shoulder. “Little sister, I’ve missed you,” Marc was never one to say how he felt. Let alone burst into tears, but he sobs into my shoulder gripping me tight; his fingers digging into my cloth-covered skin like he would never let me go. I grip around his shoulders, enjoying the familial connection we have, he may be King soon, but he'll be my brother first. I rest my head on his, enjoying his embrace more than I’ll ever admit. “You’re never going anywhere alone again,” he mutters into my shoulder. “I’ve organised guards. You’ll always have someone with you.” I nodded hating the idea, but... it was necessary, I understand that.

Marc let me go eventually when mother said I needed food. He wiped his eyes and coughed sitting back in his chair. Fruit and waffles were loaded onto my plate, my favourite for breakfast. I filled myself on melon, blueberries, plums and the deliciously fluffy waffles.

Christopher arrived halfway through my meal, he leaps onto Marc’s lap and snakes his skinny arms around his big brother's neck and wouldn’t let him go. Marc didn’t seem to mind, he sorted Christopher breakfast and let Christopher eat while Marc’s arms are wrapped around his skinny waist. They hadn’t starved me, but they had definitely starved little Chris. His bones protruded from his shoulders, his clothes falling off him when before they fit perfectly.

I looked around the table, as siblings go we all look very similar. Christopher would look more like Marc than me as he grows to be a man, but right now, we’re the spit of each other. While I’m definitely a female version of Marc.

“Where’s Father?” I ask as I finish my plate. Mother smiles to me.

“He’ll be here in a bit, I think he’s on the phone.” I nod deciding to wait before I head to the training ground.

Sure enough, ten minutes later father strolls in. His dark shirt tucked into navy jeans. He has more greys peppered over his brown hair than I remember him having... can probably blame me for that. He grasps me into a hug that nearly knocks me from my chair. I get up and wrap my arms around his waist “Thank you.” I close my eyes listening to his heartbeat.

“You need to thank that Wade fellow, he rang me, told me where you were,” he speaks gently. I frown against him, how can he say that? “He’s his son!” I push father away, fury bubbling inside me. “Darling, I know you’re angry, and that’s fine. But if Wade hadn’t rung me, I would never have found you,” his tone is caring but full of authority. I drop my head, I can’t forgive him, let alone thank him.

My wolf had been very silent up until then

‘My Wade,’

‘No, no-ones Wade, he’s evil just like his father.’

‘He saved us,’

‘No, father saved us, did you see Wade? I didn’t see Wade.’

‘I miss my Wade.’

“SHUT UP!”

I scream out loud without realising and storm from the kitchen “Wait! You need your guards!” Marc shouts after me

“Bite me!” I stomp from the palace, angry that father thought I should thank him for touching me when I didn’t want him to. Kiss me. I shudder thinking about it. But my wolf is ganging up on me too! She stopped him marking, not me.

I hear pounding feet against the cobbles behind me. For a second I ignore it until I feel in danger. I spin on the spot my hands raised in fists. I lower them when I see Marc “If you won’t wait for them I’m going with you,” he declares as he catches up to me.

“Fine,” I snap as I continue to the training ground, Marc a step behind.

The training ground is one of three around the palace, this one is a field with an obstacle course to one side that leads into the trees. It includes increasingly taller heights. Most of it set above ground which means balance is key. It’s my favourite by far, while Marc favours the warrior training ground. We stretch together before racing up and down the field, I’ve lost my speed; he beats me by miles. I begin running laps while he starts on the obstacles.

Three laps and I’m struggling. Wow, I’ve lost stamina too. I stop, panting. Marc’s next to me in an instant “You good?”

“Yeah, almost five months of nothing, I’ve lost it all, I’m like a pup again,” I complain.

“Don’t beat yourself up, just keep training. You’ll get it back. Eat well, train well. You’ll be back to normal.” I nod as he ruffles my hair, but I’m saddened just how much my body’s been affected. I don’t even think I could beat our weakest pack member when previously I was on an even keel with Marc.

But at least I’m home.