Yes, Your Highness (18+)

12

As we finally arrived at Sasha's so-called friend's place, I couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline. It was nestled deep within the woodland valley, accessible only by a bumpy dirt road winding up the mountain. I was grateful Sasha drove us away from the main road, but my mind was racing with thoughts following Riley's ominous warning about being cautious. Who was this guy Sasha called a friend? Was he a ruthless brute like Riley's father, or a charming sweet-talker? These days, it felt like the latter were few and far between.

An exciting mix of dread and anticipation simmered inside me as I thought about what lay ahead. Change was in the air, but why was I suddenly second-guessing my feelings for a guy I barely knew? Confusion was my specialty when it came to understanding my emotions, that was for sure.

But here's what I'd figured out: My wolf had major issues with Riley, but somewhere deep down, I still held feelings for him—I just couldn't admit it. Stubbornness ran in my veins, and anyone who knew my family would agree that we were known for having strong heads. Yet, I could also be incredibly pigheaded. With a heavy sigh, I gazed out the window, watching the trees blur past. The solitude of the road was eerie; no other cars ventured here, thanks to Sasha's detour to find Dimitri's hideout.

Could this guy be a werewolf too?

"Alright girl, we're here! But before we jump out and meet the team, I need to lay down some ground rules," Sasha announced, jolting me from my thoughts. I turned to her, brow raised. "Team? Since when is this guy part of your 'team'?" 

"He's not exactly in it, but he's an old friend. So, be nice, alright?" she urged, amusement dancing in her eyes. I rolled my own, but couldn't help smirking. "Fine, I'll play nice. But if he turns out to be a creep like Hedrick, I'll make sure he gets a swift kick," I joked, though it held an edge of seriousness. 

"Trust me, he'll love you! You've got that sass and spunk he's into," Sasha replied with a grin.

Truth be told, I often felt unlikable—except for maybe Riley. The mere thought of our complicated marriage sent a shiver down my spine. Riley Augustine, the son of the alpha and now the alpha himself, was protective and demanding. I was beginning to understand his intensity, though I refused to admit it! No way! I couldn't let myself acknowledge how jealous I felt when I thought about him and Samara. It stung to see him caught up with her—she was effortlessly beautiful and so much more deserving in my eyes. But she held a secret; she was a hybrid—a wolf and a vampire. Only a handful of us knew the truth, me, Riley, and Sasha. I remember the day we met her, right after we crossed paths with that mysterious guy at the mall.

My thoughts were interrupted as I recalled the time I ran away from home and encountered the big black bear—or whatever it was. I still remembered its voice, strikingly familiar to that of a guy I'd met a year ago and hadn't seen since. The thrill of uncertainty gripped me; tonight would change everything.

Unless I was just imagining things—likely a dream—waking up sick in bed felt surreal. Life can be downright odd, right? The moment it began to snow, we tumbled out of the car and ventured down the pathway, which would soon be blanketed in soft, white powder. At the end of the driveway stood a cozy, glowing cabin that beckoned us inside. Just as we approached, the front door burst open and a massive white wolf came barreling toward us, teeth bared in a playful snarl. 

I should clarify: we were the girls intruding on their territory. "Who dares enter our domain?" he growled, and before I could catch my breath, a woman behind him lunged forward to tackle him. "Don't you ever just leap out like that again, or I swear I'll slap you silly!" Was she his mate? It made me wonder: how come all the wolves in the woods seemed to have mates, accepting their fates so casually? I was lost in thought.