Page 38 of The Wolf's Prince
“Hey, I could have done a lot worse than Soren,” he shrugged.
That drew a couple of chuckles.
“You have no idea,” someone muttered. Nikolai looked around, not seeing who it was. They were probably right. He was in way over his head, but at this point, he wasn't in the mood to go running home again. He wanted to follow this road and see where it would lead.
“We are going to go wash up,” Nikolai informed Andrey. “Do you want to join?”
Andrey gave him a look, then gave Soren one, then looked back at Nikolai.
“I think I'm good. You two go alone.”
“It's a public place,” Nikolai argued. “We aren't going to do anything.”
A couple of people giggled.
Andrey blushed and looked around hastily.
“I'm good.”
Seriously. Nikolai had no idea whyhewas blushing. Andrey was so awkward.
Sighing, he turned to Soren who was watching the exchange with an amused smile.
“Let's go,” he said.
Soren didn't argue, immediately leading him away.
It was a bit of a trek down a smoothly beaten path that wove into the trees. Nikolai knew they were getting close when he heard water flowing, growing louder as they neared.
Finally, they emerged from the trees to an amazing sight.
The waterfall wasn't huge, but it cascaded from high above in sheets of white that fell into the pool below. It was surrounded by trees with light filtering in from above, sparkling on the water's surface like jewels.
“Wow,” Nikolai breathed.
Soren was watching him, his gaze unreadable.
“What?” he asked self-consciously.
“I forgot that humans are so far removed from nature,” he said. “Seeing you appreciate the beauty of this place is a reminder. We mustn’t take for granted the good things we have.”
Nikolai shook his head in wonder.
“How could you possibly take this place for granted?”
Soren grinned.
“Well, I’ve always known this spot. But that's why I have you here now, to remind me of how beautiful it is.”
Nikolai wasn't sure what to make of that statement. It didn’t matter though, because Soren was already removing his clothing as Nikolai looked around in continued awe. The sight of him, in the flickering sunlight surrounded by nature, naked and proud, was equally as breathtaking.
Remembering why they were there, Nikolai hastily removed his clothing, glad to get out of the wrinkled fabric. None of it felt like it was quite fitting him anymore. It was all very stiff and uncomfortable, especially the hard parts in the groin area.
Soren watched, his gaze traveling down Nikolai’s body appreciatively.
Nikolai knew he was attractive in a certain way. His body was slim, graceful, and unblemished, and many men liked that. He was especially glad for that fact when it made Soren look at him in such a way.
From what Nikolai had seen, he was different from most of the shifters. For the most part, they seemed strong. Even the feminine ones were wiry. Perhaps it had to do with their lifestyles, or perhaps it was more to do with their wolf blood.
