Page 32 of Snows Sinful Seven

“Snow,” he says my name so softly as if he’s afraid to spook me.

The others haven’t stopped talking yet, not even noticing us, which gives us a little bit more time to have our moment. I give him a hesitant smile as I start to sit up.

Unfortunately, that has everyone shutting up. All of their heads jerk in my direction at the same time, just as the bedroom door opens.

I shrink back into the bed. Not because I’m afraid of them, it’s just that I’m not used to having so many eyes on me at once.

You would think being the princess, I’d be used to having everyone's attention. And while that is true if I’m at a big event, normally, on a day-to-day basis, I do a wonderful job of blending in. Just how I like it.

Right now, though, there is no blending in.

“Hi,” I squeak. “I’m so sorry about the mess. I promise I’ll clean it up. Really. I just needed a place to sleep. A little bit to eat. Okay, I also used your bathroom. But trust me, I really did smell and no one wanted that. I’ll pay you, I promise. Anything you wa–”

“Woah, woah, woah,” the one who just walked into the room interrupts. He’s bigger than the others, a deep grey with some white on his chest. “It’s okay.” He chuckles. “You don’t need to repay us for anything. We’re happy that we could help you have a safe place to stay.”

“Oh.” I blink slowly. “You’re not mad?”

“Mad?” the lighter grey one questions, a toothy grin taking over his face. “I don’t think any of us could get mad at you.”

My brows furrow. “It’s because I’m the princess, isn’t it?”

“Ah, yeah,” the one with red fur answers, looking at the others. “That's why.”

“Could never get mad at the princess,” the brown one adds, and it’s almost like he’s... teasing, when you combine the way he says it with that smile he gives.

“No, that's not why,” the lighter grey one argues, looking at him confused. “It’s because she’s our–”

He gets cut off as the black-furred one hits him in the stomach while shooting him a glaring look, making him grunt.

“Shut. Up!” he growls.

“What was that for?” I ask the grumpy, rude one. “You didn’t need to hit him. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

His eyes flick my way, and I gasp in recognition. “You!” I jump up onto the bed and scramble over to him. “Those eyes. I’d recognize them anywhere.” The deep, golden eyes from the forest. “It’s you.” They all have a variety of golden eyes, but his... his I’d know anywhere. “You’re the one who’s been stalking me.”

A bark of laughter sounds next to us. “Dude, you’ve been called out.”

“Shut the fuck up,” the black-furred one snaps before looking back at me warily. “How do you know?”

“Are you going to deny it?” I counter, raising a brow as I cross my arms. I’m vaguely aware I’m only dressed in one of their shirts. No panties. No bra. My cheeks heat, but I refuse to let it show.

“Nope. It’s him, totally him,” the lighter grey lycan chuckles. “He’s been stalking you for weeks. Even going as far as waiting outside the palace.”

“I swear to the gods, Henry, if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to shove my fist so far down your throat, it’s going to come out your ass.”

“Oh, kinky. But again, not into that kind of stuff. Ask Sterling.” Henry grins, seeming to enjoy taunting the grumpy one.

“You're the one I’ve been hearing howling outside at night, too, aren’t you?”

“Oh, shit.” Henry’s face falls. “Dude.” I’m not sure what changed or what about my words caused it. Is howling bad?

The black-furred one closes his eyes and takes deep breaths as if he’s trying to calm himself down. I take that moment to distract them.

“Okay, can I please get some names?” I ask, lowering myself to the bed and sitting back on my knees. “Because in my head, I’m calling you by the color of your fur. Hi, I’m Snow.”

“I’m Henry,” the lighter grey one confirms. “This grumpy fucker is Gabe.” He points to the black fur one. “The one who looks like he’s about to pass out is Sterling.” The sleepy red fur one’s head jerks up, eyes widening.

“Shit. Sorry, did I fall asleep again?” He looks around, worried.

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