The Imprisoned Princess

Wade

I feel like she’s hiding from me, I swear I saw the real her for a flash in that tree. I was so scared she was going to fall, I’ve never seen someone just... well leap into a tree. She’s nothing I was expecting. I remember her on obstacle courses as a child, but... maybe part of me believed she wouldn’t still be climbing.

But as we walk through the wood she’s closed up again, she’s a fortress to me. I just need to find the weak points. There’s just something off. Like she doesn’t actually want to be here. But I offered for her to leave, I didn’t say she had to stay. If she wasn’t interested she’s welcome to go to other packs.

Although... I feel honoured that she wants to give it a go.

I brush my hand against hers as we walk. I feel the tingle that any skin contact with her gives me. My wolf purrs in contentment knowing she’s there. I brush my hand again, wanting the contact but she pulls her hand away, clasping them in front of her. She looks up to another tree. Oh please no more climbing. I am not a tree wolf.

She seems to ponder for a moment, before she looks away from the tree and continues walking. What does she want? She doesn’t want me to touch her, that seems obvious.

‘She’s playing hard to get, you just need to work for her companionship, make her laugh, make her smile, make her happy’. My wolf trying to be Capitan Obvious as usual.

So for the rest of the walk that’s what I try. I tell her funny stories, I remind her of all the times I saw her as a child and she would never stop what she was doing. I tell her all the jokes I know. She gives me that small sad smile she seems to give me. But she doesn’t laugh. There’s playing hard to get then there’s being rude.

I can feel anger and frustration building. The more I say the more uncomfortable she seems, she’s barely said a word during our walk. So I shut my mouth and we continue our walk in silence.

I deliver her back to her room and enter my own. I shouldn’t have lied to dad saying I marked her already. But he was ecstatic and said he would leave us to get intimate. I thought it was a bonus, and I was so sure that she was the girl for me, my wolf sure thinks so.

After our walk in the woods I feel dejected. She doesn’t like me, I don’t think she can stand being in the vicinity of me. I run my fingers through my hair and open my link to Trey, asking to see him. A few minutes later there’s a knock on my door.

“How’s my Casanova doing?” he says as he enters and plops onto my bed.

“Shit,” I admit, pissed at the whole situation. His eyebrows knit together

“What do you mean? You left in high spirits this morning.”

“She hates me,” I grumble “I tried everything, tried to make her laugh. I even told the ‘through hardships’ joke. Nothing! she barely even smiled,” I say exasperated. Trey lets out a bark of laughter.

“Dude... she’s not me. Besides no-one finds that joke funny. You need to treat her like a lady. She is royalty after all.” He pauses, he seems to be thinking before he spoke again, “Was there any point she seemed comfortable with you?” he asks resting his chin in his hand

“When we were in the tree.” A small smile crosses his lips... why does that look like her smile? It’s sad...

“She loves being in trees,” he whispers, I cock my head

“How’d you know? You only met her yesterday.” I fold my arms glaring at him.

“Oh! Er... it’s just something I heard,” he says quickly... why don’t I believe him? “Since when do you climb trees?” he asks suddenly.

“Well, she climbed the tree, said I should join her. Dude I do not like being in trees, this wolf is a ground wolf.” I emphasise my point by pointing to the floor.

“Maybe you need to suck it up and climb some trees with her. Do stuff she likes, not what you think she likes. I don’t think she’s one for candlelit dinners.” He’s folded his arms, glaring at me, an anger burning in his eyes, why is he angry?

“How do I know what she likes?” I ask, frustration building. He gives me that look to say I’ve just asked a really stupid question. Oh if anyone can make me feel like the thickest wolf in the room, it’s my future Beta.

Trey stands and cuffs me on the back of the head “Ow.” I rub my head – that hurt

“Listen to her dickhead!” And he flounces from the room as if he just got away with murder. I sigh as I sink into the sofa under the window, he’s right. He’s always right. That’s why he’s going to be an amazing Beta. Although, when I’m Alpha... he will not be allowed to smack me... much.

I suppose I should go see her. Maybe I can ask what films she wants to watch tonight. I make my way down the corridor and can hear voices. Is she talking to herself? I get to the door Wait... that’s Trey’s voice. Why’s he in her room?

“Princess, I know he can appear crass and ill-mannered... but please give him another chance. He really does like you.”

“I don’t think he does, and I’m not wasting my time with someone who doesn’t actually like me,” her beautiful voice floating through the door. She thinks I’m not interested?

“Princess, just give him a few more days.”

“Fine, you can go.” I hear footsteps and start walking away, I hear Trey’s voice

“Please still join us for films in the games room.” His footsteps get closer to the door. I sprint back to my room and hear her door open as my foot goes over the threshold.