Chapter 15: Chapter 14

He hadn’t moved from his spot of disgruntled despair when there was a knock on the door. “Busy,” he muttered.

The door opened anyway, “Doesn’t look like it,” came a familiar voice.

Chris glanced up to Trey for a moment before looking away.

“Wow, not seen that look in a long time. Tour going that bad?”

“You didn’t need to come. Sorry he made you.”

“I offered.” Trey shrugged.

Chris scrubbed a hand down his face before getting to his feet. “Well, I’m sorry. The Luna sorted you a room… just…” He walked into the adjoined bathroom, shutting the door. He had nothing to say. He had no mind for anything. He felt like he was going to be sick with the rolling seas his stomach was emulating. He sunk to the floor, curling his arms around his legs. The world crashing around him.

“Chris? What’s going on?”

“Go away!” He didn’t want to see anyone.

“Alright, I’ll go find my room, see you at dinner.”

Chris pressed his hands into his face, he would have to go down for dinner, keep up some level of appearance. He was through with keeping up appearances, he was ready to snap.

After dinner, he debated what to do, he couldn’t stay in his room to go over and over his thoughts, that would kill him. His wolf battling to get to Jaxson, his skin side desperate to do anything else. In times like this, he would reach for a bottle, it numbed the torrent enough. Where would he get some from?

It was either that or find someone to take to bed, he doubted he would be allowed to do that, however.

Opening his door, he was surprised to find the hall deserted. Frowning, he slipped out and turned, only to find Callum and Jaxson stood to attention at the stairs. Trey had notified him at dinner that the rotation would be changing, it looked like Jaxson was now on earlier.

He pretended the guards weren’t there, descending the stairs to hear their boots following him as he expected.

He found The Luna sitting sewing at the kitchen table, “Sorry to disturb, Luna, you wouldn’t happen to have something for a nightcap would you?”

“Of course, what would you like?”

“Sack or whisky if you have it.”

“You know the humans call it sherry?” she asked as she uncorked a bottle, pouring out the dark wine.

“I didn’t. Thank you.” He accepted the drink, wanting the bottle but knowing that wasn’t acceptable. He needed enough to dull his wolf, however. Spending all day with his wolf nagging was driving him insane. He couldn’t keep doing it.

“I leave you to it, My Prince.”

“Thank you.” He sat with his glass, as soon as her back was turned, he downed the small amount she had given him.

Knowing he was being sneaky and inappropriate, he waiting until he heard her move up the stairs, before standing and going to the bottle she had left on the side. Pouring more into the glass, he downed it, knowing the quicker he drank, the less he needed.

Looking in the cupboard she had retrieved the sherry from, he found a bottle with the cork poking out, it was labelled botanics, he knew that to be stronger than sack. Taking it down, he poured it into the same glass. “Evening.”

Chris jumped, spilling a little of the clear alcohol onto the side. “Dammit,” he mumbled. Trey grabbed a cloth and handed it to him. “You really know how to sneak up on somebody.”

“Do I? Didn’t realise I was being sneaky.” Trey took the glass and sipped.

“That was mine.”

“No it wasn’t. I’ve heard you and alcohol doesn’t appear to mix. Do you fancy going for a run?”

“Am I to be escorted by you everywhere I go?”

“Afraid so, buddy.”

“It really hasn’t been that bad. There were just a few, tiny incidents. I don’t need a chaperone.”

“Your brother and father disagree, sorry.”

“Trey!” Chris whined.

“Look, just… behave for a few days. If I can prove you gained trust, you can have the same freedom again. You have to uphold a level of decorum, you know that.”

Chris ground his teeth before nodding. Knowing there was no arguing.

It was the next morning when Chris had decided to go for a walk, Trey and two guards following, Trey couldn’t see a reason for the walk, Chris was usually a much more reserved individual, he left the palace early morning and to do official business. He never knew him to walk around looking lost. “What’s wrong with you?” Trey asked suspiciously as Chris took his third walk around the woods. The young royal was by far acting out of character, it was concerning to Trey. He thought he knew Chris pretty well.

“Nothing,” he snapped back. The friendliness in his tone had gone, he hadn’t heard the male he knew since arriving. Something was going on.

Trey said nothing about the tone, merely glanced back at the two guards trailing them.

“Can’t you fall back and just be a guard, I need fucking space.”

“Woah!” Trey’s eyes flew up, Chris had never sworn at him before. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

“Fuck off!” Chris growled. He ran, instantly turning into his large raven wolf, fabric from his clothes flying everywhere.

Trey instantly followed suit, transforming and sprinting until he was on Chris’ heels. ’Is this what he’s been like?’ he linked back to Jaxson.

’Yes Royal Gamma, my concern forced my call to the King.’

’When did this start?’

‘The first night, but he’s been worse the last week.’

‘Was there a trigger? A reason?’ he asked the Guard, concern swirling in his mind.

There was a moment of silence over the link, making Trey frown.

’No, Royal Gamma.’

His teeth clenched, wondering why the Guard was lying to him.

He fell back a little, letting Chris run ahead, he needed space, and it was hard to keep up with a royal wolf.

It took an hour of Chris running full sprint before he slowed, Trey wasn’t as young as he once was, keeping up with a normal wolf for an hour was easy enough… a royal? Not so much.

Chris wasn’t ready to stop, at least his wolf was happy their mate was chasing after them, if he hadn’t been, it would be a whole different story of which way he’d be running. ‘We need mate,’ his wolf growled at him, padding up to a small natural stream.

He was starting to give up his fight, the only thing… Jaxson would never ever accept him. He didn’t want to make a fool of himself, and he didn’t deserve to be accepted.

He plonked down with a huff still in fur form, he felt there was no way out. No solution.

His exhaustion meant his wolf’s thoughts were blending into his own, like the wish to feel Jaxson’s fur against his fur, his warmth as they lay together. He wanted to nuzzle the burnt orange silk he could see out of the corner of his eye. He huffed again and spread onto his belly, crossing his paws under his chin.

’Chris, I can’t see you like this,’ the link was a whisper, as if they were speaking. He wanted to close the link, normally he’d be able to, but his wolf was all ears to the caramel smooth voice.

He shifted his head away, as if that would help.

’The Royal Gamma is asking questions, questions I can’t answer without lying. Anyone looking knows there’s something wrong,’ Jaxson murmured, an understanding in his tone within Chris’ head.

’No one can know… no one can ever know.’

’I think you’re expecting a worse reaction to what is true…’

Chris’ furry head snapped to Jaxson. ’Who have you told?’

’I haven’t told anyone.’

’Then you can’t know. Find a forced mate, you’re strong, a royal warrior, easy to find someone.’

‘I won’t take a forced mate.’

‘I order you to-’

“What are you talking about!” Trey’s yell came from behind Chris, he hadn’t noticed Callum had approached with clothes, Trey was hurriedly throwing on jeans.

“It’s all over the packland, I don’t think we’re safe.”

Chris transformed, approaching the pair, “What are you talking about?”

“There are rumours, My Prince, about you. With permission from Gamma Trey, I will collect your belongings and meet you at the pack entrance.”

Chris plucked a pair of jeans from the pile. “What rumours?”

“Ridiculous slander, My Prince.”

“If it’s ridiculous, there is no reason for me to hide.”

“Chris, I think it best we move on. I will stay and clear up the mess then meet you at Foxglove,” Trey announced.

Chris ignored him slipping on a pair of shoes and a t-shirt before heading back towards town. “Marc stated I had to stay a week, I have a few nights left. If it is merely a lie to make me look weak, I can handle it.”

Trey’s eyes glazed and before Chris knew it, four bodies had surrounded him, matching his steps. He sighed, the overprotective skin shield was only used for absolute protection, he felt it was serious overkill. But at least they weren’t stopping him.

Fortunately, they weren’t far from the border of town, it took a mere five minutes in their tight formation to breach the treeline. Chris could see above Callum and Trey’s shoulders that the streets were busy. The usual whispering accompanied wherever he went.

“No wonder he’s always surrounded by big males.”

“Didn’t he have Ella in his bed a few nights ago though?”

“You think he’s after the Royal Gamma too?”

Chris narrowed his eyes at the voices that were reaching his sensitive ears. While they were whispering, they weren’t being quiet, as if they didn’t care if he heard. What were they talking about?

“Who’s ever heard of a true mate being the same gender? Clearly a lie, he’s just a whore.”

“Yeah, probably manipulated the poor guard, but neither have marks so clearly he wants attention.”

Chris stopped dead in his tracks, making Terance bump into him. He turned to Jaxson, his gold eyes ablaze with his jaw firmly clenched. “You told someone,” Chris hissed, not audible for anyone but the guards surrounding him.

“I think it best to get back to the Alpha House, get you away from this,” Jaxson murmured.

“My Prince, let’s go,” Trey demanded less gently.

Chris whirled around in panic, all around him were jeers and looks of pure disgust.

They knew, how could they possibly know? Screw going to another pack, this would spread like wildfire, he had to get out of the kingdom!