Lost and Found

165 4 0
                                    

The frustration and hurt I felt were like a storm churning inside me. I knew David had his reasons for wanting to verify my story, but it stung deeply that he didn't trust me enough to come directly to me first. Instead, he had chosen to investigate on his own. I understood that he needed proof, especially as a royal wolf with responsibilities and protocols, but the feeling of being scrutinized hurt nonetheless. It made me question whether our bond, so newly formed, could withstand such breaches of trust.

As I wandered aimlessly through the pack's territory, the trees and plants around me seemed to blur together, making it nearly impossible to find my way back. The dense foliage and unfamiliar surroundings only added to my growing anxiety. My breath became shallow, and my heart pounded in my chest as I tried to get my bearings. The more I struggled, the more disoriented I felt.

"Calm down," a soothing voice echoed in my mind. "Take a deep breath. Close your eyes and listen. Let your feet and your mind guide you home. Become one with the nature around you."

The voice was gentle yet firm, and I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me as I followed its instructions. I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing and the sensations around me. Slowly, my feet began to move on their own, guided by an instinctive sense of direction that I didn't fully understand but trusted nonetheless.

When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself standing in front of the castle. The sight of the guards rushing around, their movements frantic and disorganized, was both a relief and a concern. I had clearly been gone longer than I realized, and the panic in the guards' expressions told me that my absence had caused quite a stir.

I approached one of the guards, placing a hand on his shoulder. "What's going on?" I started to ask, but before I could finish my question, the guard's eyes widened in shock.

"Young prince! We found you!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and urgency. Suddenly, all eyes were on me, and the atmosphere grew tense.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my confusion growing. "I wasn't gone for that long, was I?"

The guard's eyes darted to his watch and then back to me. "It's been three hours since His Highness informed us that you were missing. We've been searching for you for an hour now, so approximately four hours, young prince."

I was taken aback. Four hours? It felt like only a short while since I had wandered into the woods. The realization hit me hard. I had been gone much longer than I intended, and the worry I had caused David and the others weighed heavily on me.

"Where have you been?" the guard asked, his tone shifting from relief to concern.

"I... I got lost," I admitted, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. "I was trying to clear my head and lost track of time."

The guard nodded, though his expression remained serious. "We were very worried. His Highness was beside himself with concern. We're glad you're safe."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. "Thank you for finding me. I'm sorry for causing such a commotion."

As I made my way back into the castle, the sight of David waiting anxiously at the entrance made my heart ache. His face was a mask of worry and relief, and seeing him like this only deepened my own sense of guilt.

"Daniel!" he exclaimed, rushing towards me as soon as I was within reach. He pulled me into a tight embrace, his grip firm and desperate. "I was so worried. I thought something terrible had happened to you."

I returned his embrace, though my emotions were conflicted. The anger I had felt earlier was still there, but the sight of his genuine concern was hard to ignore. "I'm sorry," I murmured. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I just needed some time alone, and I got lost."

David pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine for any signs of distress. "Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?"

I shook my head, forcing a small smile. "No, I'm fine. Just a little disoriented."

David's expression softened, but I could see the lingering concern in his eyes. "I'm glad you're okay. Let's get you inside and make sure you're alright."

As we walked back into the castle together, the atmosphere was a mix of relief and tension. I knew we needed to talk about what had happened, but for now, I was just grateful to be safe and back with him.

Once inside, we settled into a quiet corner of the castle. David looked at me with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "Daniel, I need to explain why I did the background check. I should have come to you first, and I'm sorry for that."

I nodded, appreciating his willingness to address the issue. "I understand why you did it, but it hurt that you didn't trust me enough to come directly to me first. I thought we had something real, and that's why it stung so much."

David sighed, his expression filled with regret. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I wanted to understand more about your past, especially since it involves something as serious as your mother. But I should have trusted you more. I'm sorry."

The sincerity in his voice made it easier to accept his apology, though the hurt didn't disappear completely. "I appreciate that you're sorry. It's just hard to feel like I'm not being trusted, especially when I'm trying to open up."

David took my hands in his, his gaze steady. "I promise to do better. I want us to be honest with each other and build a foundation of trust. You're important to me, and I don't want to jeopardize what we have."

I squeezed his hands, trying to push aside the lingering anger. "I want that too. But I need time to process everything. It's been a lot to handle, and I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with it all."

David nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Take all the time you need. I'm here for you, and I'll do everything I can to support you."

As we sat together, the tension began to ease. The emotional storm inside me was still present, but David's presence and his willingness to work through our issues were comforting. We had a long way to go, but I hoped that with time, we could find a way to navigate the complexities of our relationship and build something strong and lasting.

My omega boyxboyWhere stories live. Discover now