Chapter 5

5

KILLIAN

S itting out on the balcony of my guest room, I stare at where my mystery lady escaped into the woods last night. Picking up the whiskey glass I stole from her father's table, I bring it to my nose and sniff the faint trace of her lipstick left on the rim.

Closing my eyes, I tip my head back and groan. Every nerve in my body lights up, just from that tiny whiff of her scent. My wolf is urging me to hunt her down. I could find her today, if I really wanted. No matter how good my little Houdini is, she can't hide forever.

And yet, I'm still here, in Steel Pack territory, rather than seeking her out. It's tempting to follow her trail, even if just to get more of her scent, but a prince wandering through the forest won't go unnoticed. And so, I just sit here and stare. Because I know what will happen if I find her.

I can pretend to myself that I just want to have a chat, to explain to her, face to face, why this can't happen, but that's a lie. I crave her. She consumes my every thought already.

Sighing, I place the glass back down on the table beside me and stare at it. It's my only connection to her, and I can't seem to let it out of my sight, pathetic as that is.

These impulses are far stronger than I ever imagined. I'd like to think I have impeccable self-control but resisting my mate might be beyond even me. With so many other things I need to concentrate on right now, I can't afford to be distracted.

That's why I need to find a way to forget about her, to stay away, for both our sakes. If anyone gets a whiff of her being my fated mate, she'll be in mortal danger.

With a rueful laugh, I stare at the patio below that she vaulted over in her elaborate bid to escape. Is it really staying away if your mate flees to avoid you, and you have no idea where she is?

It's hard not to be slightly offended. My wolf's ego has definitely been bruised. He's eager to prove to her how good a mate he could be, while the man in me knows that's the exact opposite of what we need to do.

With a frustrated groan, I flex my itchy fingers, trying to resist, before giving in and picking the glass back up, cradling it in both hands.

My wolf is furious at me for even considering ignoring the bond. Yet, even as I think it, I know it's not going to be as easy as that. If I can't leave her damn glass alone, what hope would I have when faced with the woman, herself?

"Fuck." I scrub a hand over my jaw. This is the last thing I need. My plan was to ensure my family's safety before returning to my boring, quiet, anonymous life, hidden in the middle of nowhere, where only a very small trusted few know what and who I really am.

I can't get stuck here. It's not what I want. And taking a mate who's destined to be a princess isn't right. I can't see any way out of this mess. Not for the time being, anyway.

A gentle rap on the door pulls me from my spiralling thoughts. "Come in. It's open."

I push to my feet as Zoe steps inside and makes her way out onto the balcony to join me. "It's a bit early for that, don't you think?" She tips her head toward the glass in my hands, her gaze tracking my hands as I set it down, oh so carefully, beside me.

I don't answer, unable to think of any sensible reason I'm hugging a stolen, empty whiskey glass at this hour of the morning. I wait while Zoe takes a seat before sitting back down, unable to drag my eyes away from the spot where my mate disappeared.

"This must be a lot, coming home, I mean." Zoe's easing into a conversation she's clearly uncomfortable having. "You seemed a bit off last night. Is everything okay?"

What she really wants to know is whether I've got some dark secret that she needs to be aware of because I was acting strangely.

I'm older than Blake Steel by a fair amount, and unmated. I can't blame her, and possibly everyone else, for wondering how I've avoided moon madness at my age. Or after last night, whether I have avoided it at all.

"I'm not going moon mad, if that's what you're concerned about. My father assured me it's less of an issue for royals." I offer her a wry smile, enjoying how she pales at my bluntness. "We're family, Zoe. We might not know each other that well, yet, but you can speak openly with me. This is not how I was raised. The whole prince thing is odd to me, too. In fact, I'd love you to just act normal around me."

Zoe shifts in her seat, tucking her dark blonde hair behind her ear, as she considers my request. Appearing to take me at my word, her posture relaxes, and she tips back in the chair, kicking her feet up on the chair opposite her.

"You were being so weird at the party."

Laughing, I follow suit and lean back, crossing my feet at the ankles, and stare up at the bright, blue sky.

"I know. I thought I saw someone I knew." Frowning, I add, "Plus, I hate those things. I've never liked attention. And it's hard to relax when you know more than one person there probably wants you to disappear."

My father had me well-prepared on what would need to happen if any of the Walker Family displayed signs of discovering their animals, but nothing could prepare me for the reality of coming home.

Those that sought to destroy him might be dead, but shifters live long lives and can hold a grudge for even longer.

I can't trust anyone.

"If you hate it so much, why not renounce the throne, officially dismantle the monarchy, and go home?"

It's charming that she has no objection to me handing back the power that many other families would kill for.

"Because it might not be the right thing to do. Protecting our family is important, but doing the right thing for the shifter community, as a whole, is what's in our blood. It's my duty." I repeat the words my father drilled into me, words of public service and self-sacrifice, no matter how much one might hate doing it.

"Very noble. But what about what you want?"

Waving away her concern, I watch the clouds slowly drift by. "Eventually, I'll return to my country house to live a life of peaceful solitude."

Zoe looks dubious.

"Don't you worry about me. This is only temporary."

Zoe's lips thin as she presses them together, but she doesn't argue.

Once again, my focus is drawn to the forest where Charlotte fled last night, but this time, I give myself a shake and force myself to snap out of it. I'll never get home if I spend all day moping around like this.

"So, what's the plan for today, then? Am I to be paraded around the neighbouring packs, and subjected to more lies from people who would rather stab me in the back than look at me?"

With the sun warming my face, it's hard to care, but I know that once I step back into the real world, my good humour and tranquillity will be ruined all over again.

"None of that, you'll be glad to hear." Zoe beams, clapping her hands together, ready to get a move on. "We're off to the palace. I've been told that a custodian has been keeping the place in good order, and a security team is already on its way there to conduct an assessment of what measures need to be put in place."

Wonderful. That means Elodie, and potentially, her mother too, will be there to destroy my peace.

Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose and pray for patience. I need to find a way to elegantly extricate myself from any plans Cressida might have for me without pissing off anyone who might have information I need.

"And Blake has all of his notes on my shift, and what the council did in the aftermath of the attacks, for you to take with you. Some light reading, if you're bored at the palace."

This is what I came here for. It's time to get to work. Right. Let's get going then."

Zoe grins, mistaking my acceptance of my fate for enthusiasm. "Dress nice. I'm sure there'll be pictures."

As she passes my open wardrobe, she pulls out a dark suit, then hands it to me. "I saw you talking to Elodie last night. I'm sure she'll appreciate you making an effort for her."

When I snatch the suit and shove it back into the wardrobe, Zoe rolls her eyes before flouncing out the door, with a laugh and a wave.

Impressing Elodie is the very last thing I'm trying to do.