Crown and Shackles: The Princes Mate (Story Updated)

When Instinct Takes Hold

Freedom felt amazing.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I was walking on my own. No chains. No watchful eyes. Just me—and the wild calling my name. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, practically vibrating with excitement. She hadn’t run in weeks, not since… well. That night.

I was halfway to the back door—yes, that door, the one I’d used as a slave—when a familiar voice echoed down the staircase.

"Ally? Where are you going?"

I paused, fingers on the doorknob. My heart skipped. Busted.

Turning slowly, I caught sight of Logan at the top of the stairs. Shirtless. Sleep-tousled hair. He looked like he’d just woken up—or hadn’t slept at all.

“Oh... Logan. I was… going for a run.”

He descended the stairs slowly, that alpha stride full of quiet command. “A run,” he repeated. “Ally, you were almost killed the last time you ran off. Alone. In rogue territory.”

I winced. Right. That little detail.

“I wasn’t trying to disappear,” I said softly. “I just… need it. My wolf’s losing her mind being caged. She needs to feel the earth again.”

His jaw clenched as he reached me. “You didn’t even tell me.”

“I didn’t want to wake you,” I murmured, suddenly fascinated by the floor. “I thought I could be quick. Just a short run.”

He sighed and gently lifted my chin. “Look at me, love.”

Reluctantly, I met his eyes. As usual, I got completely lost in them.

“I get it. I do,” he said, voice low. “But I can’t lose you again. The last time you ran, I found you bloodied and ....you nearly died in my arms.”

My breath caught. I remembered that night—how cold the forest had felt, how warm his hands had been as he’d carried me home, whispering my name like a prayer.

“I wasn’t thinking,” I admitted. “I just… wanted to feel free.”

Logan pulled me into his arms, holding me like I might vanish if he let go. “You are free now. But you don’t have to run alone anymore. I’m here.”

My heart softened at that. “So… you’ll come with me?”

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. “Of course. I want to spend time with my mate before we leave. Just you and me.”

I laughed softly. “I guess I should be flattered the big, scary Alpha wants to frolic in the woods with me.”

He gave me a mock glare. “Frolic?”

“What? That’s what this is, right?” I grinned up at him. “A romantic, moonlit frolic?”

He rolled his eyes, clearly amused. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here I am. Irresistible.”

We made it deep into the woods before the teasing started again.

Logan stopped and turned to me, his expression shifting to something more playful. Without a word, he started to undress—just casually tossing his shirt aside like we weren’t in the middle of nowhere alone.

“Seriously?” I raised a brow, pretending to shield my eyes. “No warning or dramatic speech?”

He smirked. “What, nervous?”

“No. Just trying to figure out if this is a run or a strip show.”

Logan laughed and stretched, the movement showing off far too much smooth muscle. “Eyes up here, Ally.”