Chains to Crowns

“Derrek. What do do’ng?” she slurred almost incoherently.

“Keep your eyes on me.” He slapped her as her eyes shut.

The room was spinning as she became numb all over.

Marc strode quickly from the palace down the hill, he could hear the disruption and chaos already despite still being a mile from the town. He went past the first two-story houses, his feet moving from cobblestones to paving slabs. He quickened his pace, Wade was on his way too but Marc hoped he was going to be the first just to be able to see for his own eyes the wolves who were responsible for such a din. The sun was setting already and he was just about to leave his office for the day when a mind link had come through from Jesse that a brawl had broken out and the guards were struggling to contain it.

Marc entered the centre of the town, a water fountain stood centrally but the sound of trickling water was completely drowned out by the sounds of fighting. He straightened, his wolf gave a little smirk before he bellowed, “WHAT’S GOING ON HERE!” The four guards that were trying to grab fists instantly stepped back to show ten adolescent wolves. One had heard his shout and looked towards him, the young wolf’s eyes going wide before a fist landed on his jaw. Frustrated with the lack of control, the Wolf King roared, the animalistic sound rumbling deep from his chest. They all froze, each pair of eyes turning to face him. And each pair of eyes changing from fury, to wide in fear.

Wade appeared next to Marc, taking in the rabble of young wolves, many sporting cuts and bruises. Marc folded his arms making eye contact with each young male. They were all silent. “Explain yourselves!” Wade ordered, his Alpha wolf evident. All the young males started talking at once, the din ensuring no-one be heard. “ENOUGH!” Marc bellowed and they instantly shut their mouths. “All of you. Guard training grounds. 6am,” Marc barked. “If you wish to fight you can all join the guards. Find out what it really means to fight.” Each young face turned to a look of disbelief.

He turned to Jesse, his dark blonde hair dishevelled, “Gamma, make sure each one of these pups are there. If they’re late or missing… they can spend that day in the cells.”

“Yes, my King.”

“Don’t go easy on them, same training as if they were grown.”

“Yes my King.” Jesse smirked as he bowed his head.

“Beta, make sure they get home and notify their parents.” Wade nodded stiffly before storming to the group. Marc heard him reprimanding them as he strode confidently away until he was out of view before picking up speed to a jog.

“Marc!” A skinny adolescent caught him before he could enter the palace.

“Hey Chris, what are you doing?”

“Was going to try the guard run.” His gold eyes flashed excitedly.

“It’s dinner time, does nanny know you’ve left?” Marc’s eyebrow raised challengingly.

“I’m twelve.” He crossed his arms. “Amelia doesn’t need to know where I am!” Marc chuckled to his little brother. “March back in there and tell her! She’ll be worried.”

“I’ll mind link when I’m there,” he sassed, trying to stride past Marc.

Marc caught his forearm, “Don’t pretend you’re all grown and can mind link.”

“How would you know? You’re all busy being boring,” his voice slightly squeaking, making him cough.

Marc tried to hide his smile of his brother’s little voice change. “I’m not boring.” Marc folded his arms.

“Are!”

“Not,” Marc retorted, his gold eyes narrowing.

“Are.”

“Not!”

“You are! You would never tell me to tell Amelia what I’m up to.” Marc sighed then smiled mischievously.

He had been busy and Christopher hadn’t been one of his top priorities. The youngest Prince saw the change in his brother’s facial expression and got ready to run.“Give you three seconds,” Marc warned. Cristopher instantly bolted in the direction of the guard obstacle course. “1… 2.... 3,” Marc raced after him.

Christopher was an inch from hitting the grass of the guard training ground when Marc tackled him. “Shit!” Christopher exclaimed.

Marc cackled, “You’re getting quicker, titch.” He untangled himself and stood. “You know the rules.” Marc grinned. Christopher rolled his eyes, “How many?” he grumbled getting into a push-up position.

“Thirty, plus ten for swearing.”

“What!?”

“You know not to swear.” Christopher made a noise of protest but started. It wasn’t a punishment, it made him stronger and he would have done twenty as a warm-up anyway- that's what he told himself.

For the last ten, Marc put his foot on Christopher’s small back, adding extra weight. “Oi!” he protested as he struggled to push against him. “Come on, nine more.” Christopher gritted his teeth but pushed himself harder, completing his forfeit. He stood, “Can you run the course with me?”

“Ah, Chris… I need to get back.” Marc gestured to the Palace.

“Please?” Christopher gave puppy eyes, Marc sighed and nodded. He couldn’t ever say no to his little brother.

The moon was much higher than Marc would have wanted by the time he climbed the stairs to his private floor. He hoped Klara had eaten, Chef would have brought something up but he’d never been this late. He looked into the living area seeing two plates on the side. He sighed as he saw both were full. He ate one, ignoring that it was cold before looking in on the den, no-one was there.

*

Klara stared at the ceiling, she felt less tired than during the day. She hadn’t seen Marc that evening but didn’t look for him, she had hoped they could watch TV so she could safely hug him. Maybe he didn’t want her to hug him and that’s why he didn’t come see her.

Her wolf whined.

She rolled over, males don’t want to hug… they only want ‘it’. But if he wanted it that bad he would make her. A knock on the door made her freeze, “Klara?” Marc’s voice came from the other side of the door. She had her back to the door but she pretended to be asleep anyway just in case. She heard his footsteps walk away from the door and she let out the breath she’d been holding.

’If you let him in I’ll let you sleep,’ Klara’s wolf said proudly.

‘It hurts you as well,’ Klara protested.

‘It won’t hurt.’

’You’re stupid.’ Klara retorted, annoying her wolf enough that she started pacing then tried to get to the front. Klara battled her back knowing what she was going to do. Her wolf wanted her mate, Klara had never known her wolf to be as stubborn as she was in that moment.

Klara was close to tears as the sun rose, she just wanted to sleep and she didn’t want to do what her wolf was telling her she had to. How was her wolf not tired? She hadn’t stopped. Klara struggled to get out of bed with aching limbs, she didn’t bother getting ready, she was too tired.

She pulled the door open to be greeted with Marc, fist up as if he was about to knock. “I wanted to apologise for last night, I got…” he trailed off as he saw her pale face, the dark circles he had noticed the day before had turned into bags under her eyes. “Do you need a hug?” he asked carefully, unsure if last time was a one-time thing or he was going to get physical touch with her. Klara nodded her head and gingerly wrapped her arms around his waist. His arms gently wrapped around her back and Klara’s eyes instantly drooped shut.

“Did you want breakfast?” Marc asked as he rested his chin gently on the top of her head. All he got in response was her deep breathing. “Klara?” He looked down realising that he was holding her weight. He frowned slightly wondering why she was so tired that she’d fall asleep standing up.

He carefully moved her arms to around his neck and lifted under her legs, carrying her into the bedroom. She sighed in her sleep nuzzling his chest. Marc sniffed the room and could only smell Klara’s scent. He closed his eyes both happy to having her in his arms and being engulfed in the sweet smell of the moment before a downpour. But, he couldn’t smell himself in the room anymore, which explained her tiredness. He’d had to trick his wolf with her clothing.

Every wolf pairing was different with the intensity of need, some wolves can be apart from their mate happily at the beginning, others struggled to be apart until they had mated. Marc sighed realising that Klara had likely been experiencing the same as him but probably too scared to admit it.

‘Mate, mate, mate.’

He put her down in bed and unbuttoned his grey shirt. He sighed at her perfectly petite form, her face relaxed, her lips pouty and… there… for him.

’Mark, mark, mark.’

He removed his shirt, leaning down to her, he lay a gentle kiss to her forehead. His eyes cast down to her neck, a small growl rumbling in his chest as his canines extended.