Chapter 18

18

CHARLOTTE

M y wolf is oddly subdued as she listens to Killian explain what getting their wolves will mean to Hayley and Leah. I can't sense any animal inside them but that doesn't mean there isn't the potential of one. It seems unfair that it would be anything other than a blessing.

Killian stands tall as he says his goodbyes to his family, giving Chase another warning to be extra careful, before Edmund escorts them out the main entrance to where their cars have been brought around by the valets.

I can feel the exhaustion coming off Killian in waves, but his expression doesn't give away a hint of his tiredness as he thanks the staff who helped prepare and serve dinner, before bidding everyone goodnight.

Walking behind him as he goes back to his room, I admire his strength. It's a tall order to be responsible for the safety of your entire bloodline. There's a lot of weight on those strong shoulders. He wants to keep his promise to his father, but it's more than that. He's an alpha. It's in his DNA to protect his family, and he'll do whatever it takes, including put himself in the firing line.

I don't like it.

He may never be mine, but as I scan the endless corridors and empty rooms of the palace as we pass, I realise this is as much a prison for him as it would be for me. One where the jailers might be trying to kill you.

You can't leave him unprotected.

Out of the corner of my eye, I give Ryker, another member of the security team drafted in to guard the prince, a lengthy once over. He seems like a decent guy, but who knows. Paranoia creeps into my mind as I start running through everyone on our team. They've been personally selected from across the packs by Zane, but that doesn't mean he's got it right. One person with compromised morals, or a weakness that can be used against them, and Killian is vulnerable.

I feel sick at the thought, and my hands grow clammy.

Killian casts a quick glance at me over his shoulder, sensing my unease, but says nothing.

When we get back to his room, Killian thanks us both for our assistance, a dark shadow under his normally sparkling grey eyes.

I want to ask if he's okay but with Ryker at my side, instead, I watch silently as Killian goes inside, his shoulders dropping as he shuts the door quietly.

Abruptly, it opens again. "Charlotte, go and catch a couple of hours of sleep. I'm sure Ryker has this under control."

Killian closes the door before I have a chance to argue.

Ryker looks at me with a wry smile. "Lucky bitch. I hate doing overnights. It'll take me two days to recover."

"I can stay. I'm feeling fine." My wolf is really unhappy about leaving Killian. Asleep with just one guard, somebody could get to him.

"I don't think it was a suggestion." Narrowing his eyes, Ryker's churning something over in his head. "Did you piss him off earlier? Is that what this is about? I saw him staring at you during dinner."

Shit. It appears both of us suck at acting.

"Did Zane read you in on the plan?"

Ryker nods and laughs. "Damn. I wish I got the kind of assignment, where getting cosy with a princess is part of the job description."

Rolling my eyes, I nod toward the door. "Killian's a good-looking man, but it's all for show." I lie. "I'm not exactly princess material."

Ryker laughs at my attempt to cover up just how much that man turns me on.

"So, it's Killian now? Not sir? Or Your Majesty? You really are dedicating yourself to the task." Ryker wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, and I fight back the urge to punch him, hard. Instead, I glare at him, and he schools his features into a blank expression then presses his lips together.

"I'll go to the gym." I suggest. "Then I'll come back, and you can slip off for a couple of hours."

Ryker shrugs and glances at his watch. "Take your time."

"I won't be far away if you need me." I promise, reluctantly disappearing down the corridor, my wolf unhappy to be leaving her mate.

Ryker gives me a salute, his black hair falling into his eyes as he does, then watches me walk away.

This feels wrong. My wolf wants to stick close to Killian because he's hurting. I could hear the pain in his voice as he recounted the injustices that befell his family. More than that, I can feel his wolf, and just like mine, he's angry and lonely.

A workout will be the distraction I need, I decide, as I push open the door to the gym. It's nothing fancy, just some standard machines and a wall of mirrors lined with weights, but it's enough to keep me busy while Killian gets some sleep.