Page 22 of Asking Fur Trouble

Charov pivoted just as another beast attempted to dart past. He charged, forcing it back toward the ravine exit where they wanted the pack to flee. As crown prince, Charov had learned long ago that conservation mattered more than dominance. These weren’t evil creatures—just predators seeking prey in his territory. They needed redirection, not extermination.

Together, they herded the pack, strategically blocking escape routes except the one that led away from settled lands. The alpha beast made a final, desperate lunge at Charov, who caught it with his massive paws and lifted it off the ground. He stared into its eyes, communicating one primal message: this territory is protected.

When he dropped the creature, it scampered away, the rest of the pack following in a disorderly retreat.

They won’t be back for a season at least, Oberon projected.That alpha will remember your scent in its nightmares.

Charov nodded his massive head, watching until the last creature disappeared over the ridge. Only then did he allow his bear form to recede, bones cracking and reshaping as he transformed back to his human form.

Naked and covered in dirt, he stood tall, unconcerned with his nudity. Being royal had taught him dignity existed regardless of circumstances.

Oberon shifted beside him with a groan. “I’m getting too old for this shit.”

“You’re two years younger than me,” Charov scoffed, running his fingers through his dark hair.

“Yes, but I don’t have a beautiful Earth woman waiting to see if I survived.” Oberon smirked as he walked toward the transport, his muscles flexing with each step.

The mention of Bess sent an unexpected surge of possessiveness through Charov. He hadn’t planned for, or even originally wanted, this fire she ignited in him, hadn’t expected the thrill of showing her his world—or the satisfaction of protecting it while she watched.

Oberon popped the trunk and tossed him a bundle of clothes. “Your Highness’s royal garments.”

“Shut up,” Charov laughed, catching the simple clothes—black tactical pants and a fitted T-shirt that wouldn’t announce his royal status. He pulled them on with practiced efficiency. “Those kids were from the valley village, weren’t they?”

“Yep. Third time this season they’ve wandered too far.” Oberon dressed quickly. “But first time they had a royal escort and an Earth guardian angel.”

Charov paused. “How was she with them?”

“Your mate?” Oberon’s emphasis made Charov’s eyes narrow. “She had them wrapped safely in her arms by the time I left. She was completely calm despite never seeing shifting before. Not the reaction I expected from a boring human.”

There was that word again—boring—but somehow it didn’t seem to fit anymore. Not after seeing Bess leap from a plane with a wild laugh, not after watching her face light up throughout the day.

Charov felt his bear stir restlessly, hungry for something beyond the simple adrenaline of the fight. “Let’s not keep her waiting then.”

Charov climbed into the back of the elegant transport, his body still humming with post-battle energy. The scent hit him first—Bess’s delicate floral-citrus perfume mixed with the faint sugar smell of young children. The combination stirred something primal in his chest.

“—and that’s how astronauts manage to eat in space,” Bess was saying, her hands gesturing in a way that had all three children utterly captivated.

The kids—two boys and a girl from the valley village, all with the distinctive silver-flecked hair of hill-dwelling Nova Aurorans—sat cross-legged on the floor of the spacious vehicle. Their eyes widened when they spotted him.

“Your Highness!” The tallest boy scrambled to his knees. “You saved us from the gall wolves!”

“That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” the girl whispered, her fingers curling into small fists of excitement.

Charov slid onto the leather seat beside Bess, his thigh pressing against hers. He allowed himself a small smile, enjoying both the children’s reverence and Bess’s subtle shift toward him rather than away.

“I’m just glad I was nearby to hear you.” He leaned forward, dropping his tone to a conspiratorial level. “Though perhaps next time, you three could honor your parents’ warnings about wandering past the eastern ridge?”

The kids squirmed, exchanging guilty glances.

“We were tracking star beetles,” the smallest boy admitted.

“A beetle collection isn’t worth your lives.” Charov’s voice remained even but firm. “My father once told me the true measure of courage is knowing when adventure crosses into foolishness.”

Bess’s hand brushed his, a featherlight touch that sent heat racing up his arm. “The prince is right. Even Earth has dangerous places where children shouldn’t go alone.”

“Do Earth children have royal protectors too?” the girl asked, scooting closer with unabashed curiosity.

Bess laughed, the sound ringing against the transport’s windows like music. “Not exactly. But we have our own kinds of heroes.”

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