The Prince and The Rogue

26: Caught In A Trap

|Samantha|

For a good portion of the banquette Theo stayed by my side, or didn't let me too far out of his sight. He was kind enough to introduce me to everyone, even if they weren't to nice to return it. I expected that kind of reaction. Truly I was not shocked. Hurt, but not shocked.

My eyes were drawn to the royal couple walking over to us, Queen Natalie and King Maxwell making their way over to us. Everyone dropping into bows or curtsies as they approached. We followed suite and rose when they were before us.

"I am glad to see you, son," the King tells. "And you too, Samantha. I was hoping to talk to you during my visit earlier today."

"I am sorry, your majesty. I was unaware of your visit," I lie.

He smirks, probably smelling my fear, my lie.

"What exactly is this banquette for," Theo asks.

"I am so glad you asked. Obviously this is your first public appearance together since finding one another. Also, we are celebrating the newly renovated sparring grounds. Come, it has had some major upgrades."

I froze up. No. I felt sick, we fell right into his trap. I jump feeling Theo's hand on my lower back, unknowingly guiding me to my doom.

"It is okay, Samantha," he coaxes.

And so I knowingly follow my mate to my doom, to my fate.

Before us is indeed a newly renovated sparring grounds. The sand freshly laid and raked, the hedges freshly trimmed. All the weapons and equipment sparkled, newly from the blacksmith awaiting to be used.

"Beautiful, isn't it," The King asks.

"Yes, father, it will serve us for many more years," Theo agrees.

He nods. "And tonight it will be used for the first time."

Theo's head wipes around quickly and I am pushed into the ring. I fall face first into the sand, everyone frozen in shock. I look up to see a iridescent dome go up and Theo being restrained.

"What the hell! Let me go," Theo growls out.

"Maxwell, stop this," the Queen cries out. "Is this really necessary?"

A dark grin spreads across Maxwell's lips. "My royal subjects, calm down, my hands are tried. Samantha here is wolf-less, tonight is a trial of her capability. She either sinks or swims."

My eyes widen seeing a wolf entering the ring. Two iron leads attached to a collar and being probed with iron pokers. I freeze realizing who I share the ring with, the leader of my little rogue group. He snarled, clearly lost from hunger, torture, and being in his wolf form for too long.

I get to my feet, abandoning my heels and ripping the slit of the dress higher up. Sorry Rosabella, it was a beautiful dress.

Only one weapon was given to me, how kind, how generous. A knife lay in the sand beside me. I had to kill this male to prove my worth. I needed my wolf to surface, I needed something to help me survive this.

"Trinity, please," I call out to my wolf.

Nothing.

Guess I am on my own with this one.

The large male charges at me, full speed. His body low to the ground, aiming to take out my legs and most likely pin me. I knew his fighting style, he trained me. I used his techniques all the time out in the wild when hunting. That is probably why my fighting style sucked, because he was a shitty fighter. I was better now, Theo was training me. Helping me improve.

He maws dripping with saliva as he ran, his mouth snapping at my leg. Just barely missing my thigh. I was able to get get a few hints in myself. I dragged the dagger across the soft spot between the shoulder blades. I watch as he runs into the barrier, burning himself, yet he is quick to recover.

This was such an awkward fight, human versus a wolf, because that is what I was right now. A human without my wolf.

That moment of hesitation cost me since he was barreling back at me and took me by surprise by taking advantage of my dress.

"No," I hear Theo cry as I hit the ground.

My head bounced of the sand, while yes it was sand it still hurt. I saw stars for a moment and then the light was blocked out by his hulking body. I narrowly avoided his teeth every time he went in for the kill. My arms restrained beneath his paws, my knife just a hair out of reach.

For being malnourished he was still heavy and a better fighter than I. I would be winning this if I was prepared. I was hoping for a nice sit down dinner with my Mate's family, no they are trying to kill me.

I fucked up. I went right instead of left and he had me by my neck. A silence washed over the court as the watched. His teeth sinking deeper and deeper. Frozen in shock and awaiting my death I didn't notice my body changing. Shifting.

"Trinity," I cry.

My nails grew, my bones broke and realigned, fur sprouted and my senses were once again heightened. My fur was different now, I was an ashy gray and not the chocolate brown I once was.

A sigh of relief leaves Theo's lungs as he continues to watch from his restraints. I was quick to end the fight, my wolf completely taking over. I basically in the passengers seat watching as she took on our previous leader. Quick to get him on his back and instead of ripping out his throat, she went for the heart.

Standing over his dead body, she eyes the King who smirks, proudly.

"Now, was it that hard," The King asks.

A low growl leaves our chest and she charges for the dome, going for the King. Now I was fighting to regain control so she didn't get us killed. Slowly but surely I regained control, but remained in this form since I had no clothes.

The dome came down and Theo broke free and ran to me, assessing the damage.

"What the actual fuck was that," Theo exclaims.

"A test," The King explains, shrugging. "Clearly it worked."

"She could've died!"

"All apart of the test. Now clean up and we will return for the celebration dinner."

"No, we are going home. Back to the Alpha Mansion. I refuse to be under the same roof as you. You could have killed her, could have killed me in doing so. Did you ever think of that? No, only thought of your own selfish needs."

"My hands were tied, Theo! The council was demanding we surface her wolf or find you a new mate. I did what I thought would help and clearly it did."

"And if it didn't?"

"It didn't, so we do not have to question what could have happened."

Theo simply shakes his head and kneels before me, pressing his forehead to mine. "I am so sorry."

With that he simply stands and starts walking towards the palace. I follow his lead and we end up at his old bedroom. Inside he goes through drawers and grabs a shirt and sweatpants. Before I know it, I am dressed and we are leaving.