The Princess & Hunter (Book #2)

Chapter 5

~Katerina pov.~

I woke up I was in the woods. I was happy because I was finally free. I knew nobody noticed I was gone but I didn't care. I got up and try to find some water, it wasn't easy but I found a stream. I looked in the water and saw myself, I looked so happy. I just washed off and then kept going. I don't know where I am going, but I'll know when I get there. I kept going only stopping here and there. I started getting hungry, it was time for a hunt. I took off my clothes and put them in a safe spot then shifted into my white wolf. I hated doing it but I killed a deer. I ate it in this forum , and then I went back to where I left my clothes and shifted back and put my clothes on quickly. When I finished I looked around and saw that no one was telling me what to do. It felt amazing, so I just walked for at least another mile before I stopped and took a break. I saw a big oak tree so I started climbing it when I got high enough to where I know no one will see me. I made sure I couldn't fall off the branch and I fell asleep, even though it wasn't dark.

~Hunter's pov.~

We have been walking for hours it's a good thing that no one was hurt or killed but Leo. I know he would have been glad about that. We are 25 miles from our home deep in the woods. I saw this giant oak tree and I thought that would be a good place to make camp. When we got there the kids started climbing the tree while the rest of us made camp. "Uncle Hunter, the princess is in the tree," Chloe said pointing up.

"Hun that's not funny," Elizabeth said knowing that's a soft subject with me right now.

"But I'm not kidding momma she really is there."

"That is enough, Hunter I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Elizabeth." I said calmly.

"Uncle Hunter, please just come look," Chloe begged pulling on my arm. I took a deep breath and started climbing the tree. When I got to the middle I saw something white, and believe it or not there she was. Katerina herself sound asleep. I put my arm around her and slowly picked her up I started to climb back down the tree holding her. I loved the way she clung to me, when we got to the bottom everyone was looking at me and her. Elizabeth opened up a tent, "Get some rest you both need it."

"Go find the King and his men." I said while climbing in. I set her down in the sleeping bag and just looked at her. She was beautiful I want to hold her, but she loves that Christopher I heard her say it with my own ears. And I want her to be happy, I kissed her forehead and climbed out of the tent. I helped finish setting up camp and by the time we were done it was dark. We lit a campfire and waited. I heard a howl and I knew the King and his men were close, I also saw Katerina coming out of the tent. "Katerina," I said standing up and as did everyone else.

"Stop following me," she growled and started going into the woods until I grabbed her arm.

"Now where do you think you are going?"

"I'm free now I can do whatever I please, so let me go."

"I don't think so your father and boyfriend are on there way."

"So you are just going to throw me under the bus?"

"Yes," her face fell.

"So you would sell me without a second thought?"

"You say you love that prick so yes," her face when I said that look like I just broke her. I saw Christopher, Carmicheal, Anastasia and Billy. I guess the Queen made the King go home and rest. "Here you go," I picked her up and handed her off to Christopher.

"I figured you would have tried to keep her," he said making a face and she wiggled out of his hold and tried to run until I grabbed her.

"You love her and she loves you I want her to be happy so try not to let her go again. Also she is not a piece of land, and if I find out you treat her like she is I will personally take time out of my busy schedule to beat your ass." Everyone couldn't believe that I just said this to him.

"Why would you care I mean you are handing her off right now?"

"Keep playing and I will kick your ass right now." I growled. I felt a small hand on my arm and I knew it was Katerina.

"Just give me her and I will spare you the humiliation of beating you in front of your people and mate." I let go of Katerina and pulled her behind me. I wasn't going to let this guy take her now.

"You know what I'm going to take her in the morning and you can get lost." I started flashing my eyes I really wanted to beat his ass. I felt Katerina running her fingers up and down my spine and I instantly started calming down.

"No, she is coming with me now," he tried to reach around me to grabbed her but I grabbed his arm and threw him back.

"You will see her when she wants you to. She will be back in the castle by noon," Anastasia and Carmicheal didn't look sure but Carmicheal helped Christopher up and then started leaving. I knew Katerina was still behind me. I was glad that she hadn't ran. I turned and looked at her, "I am going to go for a run, you can either come with me or lay back down."

"I could go for a run," she said quietly. We started jogging and it was nice it felt natural. We got to a stream after a while and it looked nice. I sat next to it and she sat next to me. "Hunter," she said quietly. "Could you ever forgive me?"

I wanted to instantly to scream about how could I ever forgive her when she never gave me a chance. How she never gave me a chance. But I couldn't do it, "I don't know,"I said flatly.

"Okay," she got up and started walking back in the woods.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to give you time to think and hopefully you will forgive me and not send me back in the morning." I looked at the ground I didn't want to send her back but it was the right thing to do. God this girl was going to be the death of me.

~Katerina pov~

I got back to the campsite and everyone was just looking at me. I immediately felt like I was intruding so I just walked back to the tent that I woke up in and I just waited for Hunter to come back.

It has been a couple of hours and I knew everyone was asleep but what about him? I walked out of the tent and saw him laying next to the fire asleep. "Hunter," I whispered and he instantly sat up.

"Yeah what's up?"

"I can't sleep can you come lay down with me until I do?" I knew it was a stupid request but that's all I wanted was to be close to him even though I don't deserve him. He nodded and got up and crawled into the tent holding it open so I could climb in. He quickly laid down and started falling back asleep. I laid next to him wanting him to hold me but I knew it was stupid. I fell asleep after a while and it felt amazing to be next to him.