Chapter 22

The trip was a long one. We’d be on the road all day, but it was still quicker than taking the detour around the border.

I was gazing out the car window at the passing scenery when I felt Christopher’s warm hand on my leg, caressing the exposed skin not covered by my dress. Instantly, a jolt of electricity shot through my body, settling between my thighs.

“Are you okay?” Christopher asked, pulling my attention back to him.

“Yes,” I managed to reply, my voice catching as I felt the gentle touch of his hand on my skin. My eyes were drawn to Christopher’s strong hand on my thigh. His touch sent familiar shivers through me, and I could feel myself growing wet. The wave of arousal was so potent that I saw Christopher catch the scent. His nostrils flared and an eyebrow arched in question.

“It’s the hormones,” I tried to explain, my voice shaky. I shook my head, waiting for him to remove his hand. But to my dismay, Christopher’s hand moved higher, his fingers lightly tracing the inside of my thigh. He moved slowly, agonizingly so, until he reached the hem of my dress. His fingers toyed with the fabric, and I found myself silently begging him to continue. Rational thought had abandoned me, and I could see my fingers clutching the seat fabric as I struggled to maintain control.

Christopher withdrew his hand, eliciting a frustrated groan from me. But then he removed his suit jacket, draped it over my legs, and leaned in close until his lips were near my ear.

“You’ll need to be discreet—try not to scream,” he whispered, his voice husky and commanding. I felt a thrill of anticipation. His hand was back on my legs, hidden beneath his jacket, his fingers slowly moving higher. I parted my legs to welcome his touch. I felt my dress bunching up around my hips, but I didn’t care. I was just grateful I’d chosen a dress made of soft, stretchy fabric. When his fingers pushed my panties aside and his thumb brushed against my swollen clit, I couldn’t suppress a moan.

“Shhhh, be quiet, Scarlett, otherwise I’ll stop,” he warned. His threat sent a pang of fear through me.

“Please don’t stop,” I whispered, my voice pleading. I saw a wicked smile play on his lips.

He slipped his other arm behind my neck, allowing me to lean into him while his fingers continued their tantalizing circles on my sensitive spot. I was so aroused that I couldn’t control my breathing, and it wasn’t long before I lost all control. I couldn’t hold back my scream.

The pleasure surged through me, building until I was trembling on the brink of orgasm. Then I was swept away in one of the most intense waves of pleasure I’d ever experienced. I clamped a hand over my mouth to muffle my scream, biting into my palm as my wolf instincts threatened to take over. For the first time, I felt my canines descend. I quickly covered my mouth and closed my eyes, resting my head on Christopher’s arm as I tried to catch my breath.

“Better?” he asked, his thumb gently stroking my cheek.

“Yes, thank you,” I replied, leaning in to kiss him. He returned my kiss, but it was restrained. Things had escalated quickly between us. I took a deep breath, snuggled into his embrace, and drifted off to sleep.

The cars in our convoy changed positions every hour, breaking up the monotony of the long journey. Christopher had ensured that all the cars were stocked with fruit and snacks, so we wouldn’t need to stop for meals.

As we continued to drive, the landscape became more wintry. The trees transitioned from deciduous to coniferous, the temperature dropped, and signs of civilization became scarce. The road grew steeper, the air thinner, and then the snow began to fall.

By the time we arrived, it was dusk. Tall pine trees lined the stone path leading to a large, ornate iron gate. After identifying ourselves to the council guards, we were allowed to pass.

We followed a path that led to the main castle, which looked like something out of a fairy tale. It was a medieval stone castle, complete with a grand staircase at the front. The golden and orange hues of the setting sun contrasted with the white snow, creating a surreal landscape.

As we parked, the convoy disbanded, and guards gathered around our car. I heard Christopher let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness we made it here safely,” he said, giving my knee a reassuring squeeze and a smile. “We’ll just announce our arrival, then head to the apartment. The meeting isn’t until tomorrow.” Christopher exited the car and walked around to open my door.

“Take our bags to the apartment,” he instructed the guards.

He extended his hand to help me out of the car. I quickly wrapped one of my coats around me to ward off the cold. Christopher put an arm around me as we ascended the stairs, the guards dispersing since we were in neutral—supposedly safe—territory.

Or so we thought.

At the top of the stairs, Christopher brushed the snow off my shoulders, and we entered the castle’s main corridor. The marble floor and medieval decor gave the place an air of ancient importance. The doors were massive and made of solid wood.

The echo of my heels on the marble filled the corridor. I was still taking in the walls adorned with weapons and shields when I noticed Christopher had stopped. I turned to see him pale, his lips parted in shock.

I followed his gaze to a man shorter than Christopher, with green eyes and a thick beard. Something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

He grinned broadly at us and approached.

“Hello, cousin. It’s been a while,” he said. His voice was deep and sent a chill down my spine. He was addressing Christopher, but his eyes were fixed on me. When I heard the word “cousin,” I understood Christopher’s panic. It was Joshua. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new bitch, Christopher?”

I drew in a sharp breath, ready to defend myself, but before I could react, Christopher was in motion. He strode past me, grabbed Joshua by the collar, and slammed him against a wall.

“Don’t you dare talk about Scarlett,” Christopher growled.

“Listen, Law Thirty-Seven, cuz. No violent acts are allowed on council grounds. Do I need to get someone to escort you out?” Joshua’s voice was steady, a clear sign he knew Christopher was powerless in this situation.

Christopher seemed to snap back to reality, releasing his cousin and letting him drop to the floor. Joshua smoothed his clothes, as if straightening himself out after the confrontation.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you around, ~cousin~.” Joshua spat out the last word as if it left a bitter taste in his mouth, hoping it would somehow get under Christopher’s skin.

“If you dare mention her again, I’ll make you eat your words along with your own guts,” Christopher threatened.

“Law Fifty-Nine, no threats or hate speech on council grounds,” Joshua retorted, his voice fading as he disappeared down a hallway.

I watched as Christopher turned to the wall beside us—his fist colliding with the solid structure. His scream was raw, filled with pain and anger, a clear sign he was losing control. The wall cracked under the force, and I saw blood begin to trickle from his knuckles.