The Princess And The Alpha *Excerpt Only*

Back Home

It was fairly dark by the time I was leaving the rogue packlands. Poison felt weary beneath me, not recovered to the extent that I had hoped, but still willing to go. I had been astonished when Ryan had taken me to see him earlier. My jumpy, skittish horse was calmer than ever on the rogue territory. He had been grazing in someone's fenced in yard, his tack removed and his coat glossy from a recent brushing. I was impressed with how well taken care of, but even a good grooming couldn't undo several hours of work under the saddle. I was just thankful that my horse hadn't worn himself out further by causing a fuss about being in an unknown environment.

So I didn't rush Poison as he plodded back to my home. We would take our time as my mind ran on over drive and his body tried to recuperate. As much as I had wanted to get away from Ryan to think, now that I had done it I felt my heart ache. I knew that a big part of it was the mate bond, clearly I didn't love him already, but I still felt awful when I glanced over my shoulder and saw his saddened face. My heart clenched painfully in my chest every time I thought of the way he looked at me when he asked me if I would ever come back to him. I knew already that I would have to go back to him, I just didn't know when or how I would tell my parents. And after my parents the news would have to be broken to the whole werewolf community. I could already imagine the uproar it would cause. People wouldn't think I was a fit queen if I was naïve enough to accept a rogue as my mate.

Poison's ears flicked back and forth as he sensed my unstable emotions and I sighed before patting his strong neck. I could think about my troubles later, right now I had to focus on guiding my tired horse home and coming up with a feasible excuse to my parents. I needed to tell them that I had disappeared into a nearby pack when Poison had bolted and he had been too exhausted to return until later. I decided that I would tell them I hadn't bothered to get in contact with them because I thought the guards would've found me earlier. I don't really think my parents would care too much for an explanation, they would simply be thrilled that nothing bad had happened to me.

I rode for about an hour and half as the forest darkened around us before I arrived back on royal property and I was immediately spotted by two guard wolves. Both of them raced over to my horse, unconcerned about the flighty animal and I nearly rolled my eyes before I quickly dismounted my prancing horse. I swear these guards never learned.

As the guards neared Poison's ears went flat against his head and he began showing the whites of his eyes before I held up a hand and glared darkly at the running wolves. Both wolves slowed immediately and I laid a calming hand on my horse's neck. Poison stamped a hoof in agitation but settle quickly when he realized these wolves were no threat.

"I'm fine." I announced to the guards, walking towards them with Poison in tow. "Honestly, I'm alright. My horse merely bolted with me, taking me to a nearby pack. It's not a big deal. Would you please just alert my parents?" I asked.

Both wolves took off instantly and I continued to walk towards the palace, ignoring the curious and worried glances of the other guards. I was too emotionally exhausted and my brain was too scrambled for me to care about what they thought. All I was concerned with was getting Poison in a stall, giving him a good brushing and hiding away in my room until my thought processes made sense.

At least I was able to accomplish some of my wishes. I got into the barn with a lethargic horse ambling behind me. Several grooms approached me, looking surprised, but politely asked me if I needed help. I shooed them all away as I usually did. I got his saddle and bridle off before I ran some brushes over him, then he was tucked back in his stall. Poison seemed to shake away the effects of his journey the instant he was in his stall, quietly munching on his hay.

"Oh God, Adeline." My mom gasped in shock, causing the other horses to stir slightly. I turned around just in time to see my mom run towards me then throw her arms around me in a very uncharacteristic display of affection and relief.

"Mom, it's okay, I'm okay." I whispered, feeling guilty immediately. How could I have been such a selfish daughter? I knew the lengths my parents went through to keep me safe and here I was disappearing for twenty four hours without letting them know I was safe. Hell, I had been more worried about myself than them for most of my absence.

But now I could see what I had done. My mom, who always looked like a goddess, was a mess. I remember my father telling me stories about how she was this unrefined alpha who didn't care what anyone thought. I never really believed him until now. My mother was out of her normal dresses and crowns and had instead, opted for a baggy grey hoodie, ill fitting jeans, and her hair was tangled up in a bun. In that moment she didn't look like a level headed queen or a bad ass alpha, but she definitely looked like a woman who didn't care about anyone else's opinions. She looked like a parent who had been expecting the worst.

"Why on earth were you riding that beast that late at night?" my mom demanded, moving away from me slightly. In a flash, the queen side of her wafted away again as she pulled me back into her impossibly tight hold, "You know what, I don't even care. I just care that you're home and nothing bad happened to you. Wait, nothing bad happened to you, right?"

"No mom, nothing happened. I just ended up in another packland and when I felt Poison was strong enough we came back home, that's all." I answered.

"Which packlands? Why didn't their alpha inform me and your father?" my mom demanded, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Adeline!" my dad yelled, bursting into the barn. His excitement effectively cut off my mother's questions, which I was grateful for. Two seconds later I was squeezed into another hug and asked repeatedly if I was alright.

After another few minutes of questions I sighed deeply. "Listen, I know you guys were really worried about me, but I'm really tired, can we talk about this tomorrow?"

"But-"

"Dad, please, I can explain everything tomorrow, right now I'm just feeling overwhelmed."

My dad began to protest but my mom laid a gentle hand on his arm, "Sure sweety, we understand."