Page 13 of Protected By the Wolf Prince

Luna storms out of the room, and I quickly move to the side of the house where her bedroom is located. I remember it well, for the last time I was here, I snuck in while she was sleeping to surprise her.

I leap up onto her balcony, concealing myself in the shadows of the heavy vines that climb the exterior of the house. The window is open just enough to allow in the cool evening air. It is lavishly furnished, with a large four-poster bed along the far wall, with a wardrobe to rival the size of my brother’s. There is a table, and a sofa across from it that sits before a roaring fireplace.

Luna enters and then slams the door shut behind her. I reach up to tap on the glass but stop as her mother knocks on the door.

“Luna?” she calls softly. “Please, let me in. I want to talk to you.”

“No,” she replies quickly. “I want to be left alone.”

One of the estate guards walks below the balcony and I duck beneath the window. Taking shallow breaths, I remain completely still, hiding in the shadows. Luna’s father obviously dislikes me, and I’d rather not be caught before I can speak with her.

Once the guard passes, I glance in the window again, and observe curiously as she tiptoes to the door and carefully turns the handle, peering out into the hallway a moment before shutting it again quietly and turning the lock. She fastens her red cloak around herself, and then turns to the window.

Quickly, I duck again, and when I hear it begin to lift, I slip around the corner to observe from my hiding place, wondering what she is doing.

It is dark outside as she makes her way to the gardens. Human night vision is poor compared to my people, but the light of the full harvest moon provides enough illumination for her to travel without lighting the lantern she carries in one hand until she reaches the edge of the dense woods.

Alarm skitters through me as she enters the forest. She must not realize the dangers that lurk in this dark place. Although it is close to the estate, and there are few creatures bold enough to hunt so close to a human establishment, I know there are some that would if they knew such a treat as her had ventured into their domain.

I follow Luna as she makes her way beneath the thick tree canopy until it opens up into a clearing. Several large boulders are arranged in a circle in the center.

Luna drops to her knees and sets the lantern down beside her. With her arms outstretched, she lifts her gaze to the sky. “Goddess of the Moon,” she speaks softly. “I know I am not one of your children, but I come to seek your favor. Please, Goddess. Grant me that which my heart desires most.”

My mouth drifts open as she recites the prayer I taught her long ago, when we were just children, and she had been so curious about the ways of my people.

She pulls a moonstone from her pocket and then carefully places it in the circle of boulders before rising to her feet with her lantern and turning back to the woods.

Still in my two-legged form, I follow closely behind her. When she is almost at the edge of the forest, near the estate, I purposefully step on a twig.

The sharp snap breaks the silence in the darkness, and she stills.

“Who’s there?” she calls softly. “Show yourself.”

Anticipation thrums in my chest as I sneak up behind her and lean close as I whisper in her ear. “Did you—” She spins to face me, dagger in hand and the tip already at my throat before her eyes widen in recognition. “Miss me?” I finish.

“Malak?”

A sly smirk twists my lips.

“Seven hells!” She places her hand over her heart. “I nearly stabbed you!”

CHAPTER6

LUNA

Malak flashes his devastatingly handsome and rather wolfish grin. “Surprised to see me?”

“What were you thinking?” I ask exasperated, tucking the dagger back in my belt. “I could have accidentally killed you, Mal.”

“Killed?” He arches a teasing brow and makes a show of glancing down at his sharp, black claws. “I think not.” He tips up his chin and straightens his shoulders. “I am a Wolf-Shifter. We are not easy to kill.”

I stop short of rolling my eyes, and instead level an irritated glare at him. He’s much taller than me. The top of my head sits just below his chin. His glowing green eyes study me with piercing intensity as my gaze travels over his sharply pointed ears to his heavy-set, dark brows, his sharp nose and square jaw. It’s difficult, but I force myself to bite back a sigh. He is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

He’s dressed only in black pants, leaving his torso completely bare. My mouth runs dry at the sight of his exposed upper half. With broad shoulders, a powerful chest, and chiseled stomach, his entire body is thick layers of solid muscle. Not an ounce of fat on him.

He loops an arm around my waist and pulls me close. His other hand tangles in my hair as his fingers grip the long, auburn strands to tip my head to one side, revealing my neck to him.

He skims his nose along the column of my neck, inhaling deeply as he scents me. “I missed you.” His breath is warm against my skin, sending a small shiver of pleasure down my spine.

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