The Prince's Guard

Chris flung himself face down on the bed, he had half an hour to get his arse in gear and get down to the ball that had been thrown for him. Luca was going to show him the way to the hall in the centre of their town.

He didn’t want to go.

Call him a whingy baby, but he hated social gatherings, he felt it would be fine if he didn’t have to have a massive smile on his face and dance with every available female. He was dreading it. He’d been kept busy during the day being shown their packland.

He had to admit it was a lovely place, he could see that everyone was happy. Pups ran around without a care in the world. Full growns spent their spare time in little eateries selling sandwiches and cakes. He’d love to go in and eat, but he didn’t fancy being gawked at while he did so.

Everywhere he went heads turned… that wasn’t something he was used to. Sure they were always under a form of watch when out and about, they’d get glances, a few small bows or curtsies, he was used to that. But he didn’t think he’d ever get used to the whispering.

That didn’t happen at home.

He felt like everyone around him was talking about him.

The Prince that’s never left home before.

The Prince that’s a loner.

The Prince that was kidnapped.

It was all true but not things he wanted people whispering as he went past. He felt judged, felt isolated.

He wanted to go home.

He forced himself up and changed into one of the many formal suits he’d packed for the trip. There would be a ball at every pack he would visit. He huffed thinking about it.

Why did he agree to this?

Oh yeah, to get away from his mate… look how that fucking turned out!

He ran wax through his hair, tugging unnecessarily in frustration. What was the male thinking being his guard? He knew! He knew what he was and yet he still came? Was he there to torture Chris further? Or merely beg for him to accept the bond?

He’d purposely put him on the night shift so at least he wouldn’t need to see him too often. If he retired at ten, then not leave his room until nine for breakfast, he only had to clap eyes on him for an hour.

Not really good enough for his wolf but it was all he was going to get because he was not going to spend unnecessary time with him. No way. It was bad enough he knew he was there and could smell him during the night.

There was a knock on the door, “Your High- I mean, Christopher, are you ready?” Luca’s voice came through the door.

Chris plastered a measured smile and pulled on the handle. “Yes, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

“No! Not at all, I just thought I’d come and collect you.”

Chris nodded and allowed Luca to lead him down the stairs, Matilda and Callum on his heel. He had not managed to convince them that it was overkill, he’d tried all day to no avail.

They travelled through the town in silence, lamps already on despite it only just being dusk. “Are you excited?” Luca asked politely.

“Of course, it’s always wonderful for an excuse to celebrate. Are you mated?” Chris hadn’t seen a mark on him but it could be hidden under his shirt.

“No, I’m happy to wait a little though. May tour next year. I haven’t been to royal packlands since being of age.”

“You should come, at least have fun at a few balls and stay at the palace if you don’t find your mate.”

“I will.”

“Would you like to learn under other Alpha’s before you take over?” Chris asked politely.

“Oh, yes. Dad’s great but I want more knowledge. Celestine works too similar to us for me to learn anything different.”

“You have a very amicable relationship?”

“Yes, something I’d like to keep. We have a school that both packs go to, we share resources, some even have houses in each other’s territory,” Luca announced proudly.

“No!”

“Yeah,” he confirmed.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Chris stated. Packs, by definition, were very territorial.

“As you said, very amicable.”

“And you’ll keep that?”

“Of course, I’m best friends with Kevin, their future Alpha.”

“Would be nice if all packs were like that,” Chris muttered. Even though all the packs were ruled under The Crown, they were not all harmonious. Recently it had all been quiet, but he knew how many treaties had been put in place to get it that way.

They reached the building in the centre of town, spires reaching high into the air, a clock face showing almost eight o’clock. The music had been obvious from a few streets away, it was loud, louder than they usually had the music at the palace… it was also different. No string quartet, but definitely guitars. “It may be less formal than you’re used to,” Luca suddenly sounded very nervous as he stopped just before the door.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Chris reassured. He already preferred the music coming from the hall.

Luca gave a small, somewhat embarrassed smile before pushing the door open. Chris’ eyes lit up with the sight before him. THERE WERE NO BALL GOWNS IN SIGHT! He’d never been to a party where females weren’t in ball gowns and seeing the difference somehow made him relax. The whole hall felt light and airy even though the lights were dimmed. Heads turned as they entered and parted, allowing Luca and Chris through, his hackles rose a little as the whispering started but he noticed smiles, bright welcoming smiles… Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

He looked around seeing the source of the music. That was unusual for him, often those playing were in another room so the music was mere background, but here the guitar strings were being plucked in full view, a violin accompanied them. It was upbeat, lively. He made his way to the Alpha, the path parting for him without asking.

“Thank you for throwing such a party,” Chris stated politely as he reached the dark-haired alpha.

“It’s my pleasure. I just hope you enjoy yourself… I know it’s not what you’ll be used to but-”

“It’s lovely to see how others celebrate. There is no need to explain.” Chris smiled warmly, he’d be happy if the packs made zero effort on his behalf, but he appreciated all they did.

A smell knocked him for six… he was off duty! What was he doing? He scanned the room, easily spotting the source of the too delicious smell, he was a mere ten feet from him.

“Please, go mingle. I would hope you are successful tonight, but if not, at least you can have a good time.”

“Thank you.”

Chris gritted his teeth towards Jaxson before heading in the opposite direction, ’Mate looks good.’ Chris ignored the internal voice, unhappy his wolf had decided his mate. He still believed he was wrong… well wanted to believe. Deep down, he knew a wolf didn’t declare unless it was true.

Chris suddenly didn’t much feel like dancing. Every time he approached someone with a mind to dance, his wolf grumbled and started kicking up a fuss causing him a headache. He was painfully aware of Jaxson’s eyes on him. Chris wished he’d just go and find someone, he may not be allowed to go and force mark but Jaxson could… which would instantly break their bond.

Granted… that would make Chris mateless for life.

His wolf whined.

He pushed his fingers through his hair, ignoring the thumping in his head he asked a pretty woman with long mahogany tresses. She was only too pleased to accept and show Chris how they danced in this pack… like the party, it was a far-removed affair compared to the palace.

She rubbed her backside against his groin. Chris’ eyes widened in surprise. More surprised how much his body reacted to the feel. He gripped her hips, wanting more, it was pleasurable and arousing. Instinctively he nuzzled her neck, “What do you think about sex before mateship?” she whispered in his ear.

That was a thing?

“It’s not proper,” he whispered back.

“You care about being proper?”

“I…”

“Live a little, My Prince. Does your human truly only wish to fuck one person your whole life? Try it out before you’re tied.”

Chris chewed on his lip, his arousal straining against his fitted trousers. He knew she could feel it, it was much too obvious against her backside. Was this what other packs did? Was it common to not wait for your mate? She pressed harder against him, making a gasp leave his lips.

“Think what it would feel without the clothes,” her seductive tone went straight to his balls.

He gripped her stomach, pulling her flush against him, “Go outside, wait for me around the corner to the left,” he growled into her ear. She giggled and broke away from him, giving him a small curtsy before heading through the crowd.

Chris looked around, knowing he had had eyes on him the whole time. He smirked to the auburn-haired male before heading in the direction he assumed the bathrooms would be. He was correct as he found the plaqued door.

He looked around, groaning at the small window. Maybe he’d be able to squeeze through. He slid the small window above his head open.

Squeezing his shoulders through the gap, he let out a breath of triumph, “Was this the plan?” her voice surprised him, he hadn’t contemplated this was where the window led out to.

“Of course,” he replied cockily, getting a good hold on the window sill above him before sliding the rest of his body out through the hole.

With more elegance than he deemed he was capable of, he dropped to the ground, finding the mahogany haired woman beside him. She immediately pressed him against the wall with her body, sliding her hands up to his shoulders, “It’s an honour to have you here in our pack.”

“Thanks?”

“You’ve never done this before, have you?”

Chris licked his lips, his wolf was not a happy bunny but his body was screaming at him for some release.

“It’s mating season,” he groaned out when she cupped him through his trousers.

“You’ll pull out.”

“But…”

“I have no wish to have a pup while unmated, just tell me when you’re close.”

Was this a good idea?

His eyes snapped open from her rubbing him, he twisted his fingers into her hair, “Knees,” he growled. He pushed her down, she looked shocked before she broke out in a sultry smile. Even through his grip, she delicately got to the floor before her hands fiddled with his zip. “I’m not going to take that risk,” he hissed down to her while her hand plunged into his underwear.

Making quick work of the buckle on his belt he unfastened the clasp to make it easier and before he knew it he was free and a warm hot mouth surrounded him. He stifled his groan; it was nothing like his hand.

Oh, it was miles better.

She sucked him down and he was struggling to think straight. He gripped onto her head to steady himself before his hips began thrusting, her throat constricted around him and he already felt the need.

The world zeroed in, his only focus was her and the image of himself disappearing between her lips, “Your Highness!” a male voice sounded further up the alley. He couldn’t stop it, at the same moment Chris burst and he let out a gasp as his release pumped down her throat.

She quickly got up, knowing they’d been caught and disappeared around the building, away from his guard. Still coming down from his orgasm he fumbled to put himself away. “Your Highness, you must not leave the party without alerting us,” Callum reprimanded.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, a flush to his cheeks, he knew Callum knew what he was doing. It sent a wash of embarrassment through him.

He straightened himself before approaching Callum, “Are you wishing to turn in, My Prince?”

He did, but it wasn’t nearly late enough, and he hadn’t danced enough to appear like he was looking for his mate.

“No, I will return to the party.”

As he entered the hall again, he realised something.

His wolf was silent.

He could feel a murmur of anger, an irritation… but for some reason, it was all very muted, almost like his wolf wasn’t even there. He felt some of it was due to the release, the endorphins buzzing around his veins from, quite frankly, a rather good blow job… not that he had anything to compare it to.

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Michelle, Amanda Pfister, Lucia Crumpton, Sarah Meek and Stephanie Ware