The Imprisoned Princess
Chapter 23

Wade

What if we had met under different circumstances? What if dad hadn’t tried his stupid hair-brained scheme? Has he seriously fucked it up for me? I hate she has every right to reject me.

Sitting in the Hunterson sitting room waiting for Adelaide feels very surreal. I’ve spent months ignoring a primal desire so strong it’s been clouding everything. Sleep is a distant memory, in fact the moment the sun comes down has become a time for productivity. I haven’t even admitted to Trey how hard it’s been to not drive to the royal packlands just to catch a glimpse of her. Just to breathe in her scent to calm the howling wolf. And honestly? Right now...

I’m terrified, I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep it bottled up and she was furious before, I honestly thought she was going to eat me, and... I’d have partly deserved it. I noticed her flinches, noticed her fear, I knew something wasn’t right but I didn’t question it. I was too caught up knowing the princess was my mate... I should have questioned it, I’m certain she would have told me.

At first I was enraged with Trey for keeping it from me, he knew, He knew I was committing treason, he knew she was scared and he said nothing. I know he was scared of dad, I know dad beat the shit out of him at any opportunity. But he surely knew I’d have done the right thing? He’s explained... he loves her, his human side loves her...

I seriously had to stop myself when he told me they’d had a summer romance, they were too young to know if they were mates... but they thought they would be. That was like a knife to my heart. Unfortunately... I get it. I don’t blame her for clinging to him, he was a friendly face. That wasn’t what I was to her, I was her captor, I was the reason she was there. But I had to right that now, she’s my mate, she’s mine. But with what she just did, I’m worried she’s going to ignore her wolf, ignore fate.

I look down to my bare chest, I’m not one to be self-conscious. But sitting in the original’s home; the royals, I was very aware I didn’t have a shirt on. Is this how she felt in my home? Exposed... Vulnerable? I’m pulled from my thoughts when her delicious scent floods my senses again making me aware she was closer, then a sound made me lookup. Adelaide stood in the door. She had put on jeans and nice grey jumper that tied at her waist, her beautiful brown hair looked fuller, silkier.

She saunters into the room, handing me my shirt without looking at me. I quickly put it on, pleased I could be dressed again. Not that I regretted giving her my shirt. It now smells of coconut and strawberries, a smell I had been drawn to when she first entered my house, the strawberry was new though. I like it. I subtly sniff the collar, our scents mingling perfectly on the dark fabric.

Adelaide sits in the sofa opposite me, I can see the difference in her. She’s gained weight, she looks fuller in the face rather than gaunt. She’s curvier and I’m certain if I touched her arms I’d feel the defined muscle. Her body language is different too; back straight, nose in the air. She’s not afraid, she’s confident. She’s sure of herself and her surroundings.

She’s much more attractive this way, despite the way she’s looking at me... which isn’t of desire or want. Her look is of pure loathing. I shift in the slightly uncomfortable sofa, “Princess, I can understand if you don’t want to see me again, if you say it after we’ve spoken, I will take on your wishes. I will accept your rejection, but before you do that, please hear me out.” Nerves grip my stomach, what if she doesn’t want to listen? I will walk away... but can I?

She looks me over like I’m a piece of dirt, which I am. She inclines her head slightly so I continue. “Can we start again?” I rise from the sofa and kneel in front of her “Princess, I’m Wade Blackwood, Alpha of the Blackwood pack. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I look intently into those gorgeous golden eyes before I gently take her hand and lay a delicate kiss on the back of it. I loosely hold her hand before her, expecting her to pull away but she doesn’t.

“Alpha Blackwood, I’m Princess Adelaide, but please, call me Adelaide,” her voice clipped but I can see the small amusement burning in her eyes. “Please call me Wade,” Right, we’re getting somewhere. I move back to my sofa. I don’t want to let go of her hand, it sends tingles down my arm. But I don’t want to scare her, she needs to be in control of this.

We talk, she makes me laugh. I get my first real smile from her. I can tell, it’s different from the small sad smiles she made herself do for my benefit. This smile was mirrored in her eyes, they lit up. I want her to smile like that always. Even if I’m not the one that gave her that happiness.

I want her to be mine, but I’ll let her reject me in a heartbeat if I can’t make her smile. I will give her to Trey if that makes her happy. I'll go to the edge of the earth to replace her a man that can protect her and give her everything she wants. I'll rip my heart out and give it to her. No matter the pain it gives me, I will do it to see that beautiful smile upon her lips.