The Princess And The Alpha *Excerpt Only*

Catch And Release

The next morning I demanded breakfast be brought to my room. I told Preston that I was not ready to see my parents just yet and I would be spending my day in solitude around the barns. The foul man grunted as if I were the biggest burden but left to fetch me breakfast and once again, the second he was gone I began darting around my room, stuffing my old backpack full of things. Part of me wasn't even sure what to bring, I usually had other people pack for me when my family went on vacations, however I think I knew the necessities. Hair brush, tooth brush, lots of underwear, and a couple changes of clothes, even some water bottles this time. I felt deeply unprepared, but I knew I was running out of time.

Eventually, Preston returned to my room with a tray full of food. I heard him mutter something snarky under his breath, perhaps something about my less than royal outfit, but I was too distracted to care. He set the tray down, bowed deeply and told me that my parents were demanding my presence for lunch. I gave out an annoyed sigh but agreed that I would be there to prevent an argument. Preston dismissed himself and I quickly got to work shove my breakfast into the Tupperware containers I had smuggled from the kitchen. My stomach grumbled at all the food, but I forced myself to stay away from the omelets and waffles and just eat the orange slices and drink the milk. Once all of my breakfast was sealed away in my backpack or in my tummy I tugged on a hoodie and swung the heavy bag over my shoulder.

Thankfully, unlike last night, I didn't have to sneak out of the house. I assumed that the little weasel, Preston, had already told my parents that I would be spending my morning in the barns so no one questioned me as I walked straight out of the palace, only pausing to pull on a pair of runners.

I made of a point of not talking to anyone as I strolled towards the stables. I didn't want anyone wasting my time this morning, nor did I want to have a slip up. I took deep, even breaths as I moved, reminding myself that this was the right thing to do. I was a princess, but I remember my mom always telling me that her queen status was second to myself and my father. Her mate and child would never be second best. And my mate would not be second best to me either. Well, not anymore. I had made my decision and if the werewolf community no longer stood behind me then my parents could appoint whoever they pleased.

"Preston informed us you would be coming down for a ride." A groom said, grinning, "Poison has already been tacked up for you and someone is setting up a jumping course as we speak."

"Oh," I murmured, a little flustered, "that's so lovely, thank you. But I think I've worked him hard enough recently. I was going to go on a light hack today instead."

The groom nodded his head and smiled, "Very well, would you like the course taken down then?"

"No, no, leave the course up, I think I'll take another horse over it tonight. But, can I trouble you with something else?"

"Absolutely."

"Could you please switch Poison's tack from English to Western please?" I asked, then quickly added, "I want to see how he responds to different tack. Who knows, maybe he'll be a great pleasure horse." I laughed nervously, my voice sounding terribly fake among the quiet rustle of the horses.

"Of course, Princess, I switch his tack right now." the groom agreed, smiling.

I gave him a grateful grin before he turned away to tend to my horse, then I tried to walk as casually as I could to the nearby tack room. Once I was surrounded by a handful of saddles and the scent of leather I began reasoning with myself. Nothing was out of the ordinary, I was allowed to take carrots and apples for Poison, I did it all the time. It wasn't stealing. I also managed to smuggle a brush and hoof pick into my backpack before the groom found me to tell me Poison was ready. I thanked him repeatedly, hoping he hadn't noticed how much food I was taking with me.

I led Poison out of the barn slowly, almost laughing at how my show jumping horse looked with a western saddle on his back, but I reminded myself that the saddle was a good idea. Western saddles had horns that could be held on to if an inexperienced rider was on the horse. The saddle was also bigger so it was easier to balance in and more pleasant to ride in for longer periods of time. still, I was so used to my little black English saddles so I almost had to laugh out loud when I mounted and relaxed into the leather.

"Alright, come on boy." I cooed, clucking to my horse as I squeezed his sides, "I need you to be on your best behavior today."

I wanted to roam around the grounds with Poison, act like I wasn't up to anything, like I was just riding my horse around for fun, trying to get over the commotion of yesterday. But I didn't have enough time to play it cool, my parents expected me to be back for lunch. I pushed Poison into a gentle trot and rode around the driveway, allowing some guards to see us, then, when I thought no one was looking I squeezed Poison into a strong canter.

The gelding moved wonderfully under me, loping along as he peered around, assessing the scenarios that were around him. He continued to move smoothly as we entered a more forested area and he didn't spook when a little mouse skittered into his path. I would've been delighted at the progress my horse was making if we weren't so close to the holding cells.

I reined Poison in just beside the door to the cells and dropped the reins, ground tying him. Then I tied my backpack to the saddle before I steeled my spine with false confidence and yanked open the cellar door. I forced myself to storm down the creaky stairs before a guard could even think of questioning me and when I hit the last step I found the closest guard to me and barked for him to get the cells keys in royal tone.

A second later I was unlocking the cell door of the first prisoner. He was standing up but watching me warily for the distance.

"Are you his beta?" I demanded. I was almost surprised by how much I sounded like my mother. I felt like I had this emotionless mask on and I was in complete control of the situation at hand despite the fact that I was practically a whirlwind of anxiety and fear.

"Yes." The man answered, still staying back.

"Good, you're going to go back to your pack and run it in his absence." I said.

"Princess!" one of the guards protested.

"You will let him through!" I ordered.

All of the guards in the prison snapped their mouths shut, unable to fight my commands. Once I was satisfied that they would do as they were told I moved to the next cell. I tried not to gasp when I saw my mate huddled up in the blanket I had given him, looking ill. At least he looked like he had healed significantly since last night.

"I won't leave my alpha." The beta murmured, finally coming out of his cell. I watched his eyes flicker towards the guards who all seemed to be frozen. He was desperately afraid of being down here, which made it all that much more courageous that he wouldn't leave.

I yanked the cell door open with a grunt, "That's awfully nice of you, and I'm sure Ryan appreciates it, but you can't come with us and someone is going to need to run that pack in your alpha's absence. So, please, go and don't make me order you around."

The beta looked like he was about to say something else, maybe protest again or thank me for letting him go. I couldn't tell and I really didn't care either. I was just thankful when he thought better of it, shut his mouth and bolted out of the underground prison. With him dealt with I turned back to my mate who was staring at me intently with an expression I couldn't read.

"Ever ridden a horse before?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Today is a good day to learn then." I dropped the keys for the cell locks and turned to the guards, "You will not tell my father that I was here or that I took my mate out of his cell and that is final." I barked. Then, without looking back to see if Ryan was following me, I walked to and up the stairs, leaving those disgusting cells behind me.

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