Page 30 of Protected By the Wolf Prince

“You said most,” I point out. “Why wouldn’t everyone get this rune for protection?”

His gaze sweeps to mine, and he hesitates a moment before finally answering. “It is… painful.”

The slight clench of his jaw and his reluctance to answer tells me that it must be horrible indeed. Mal has never been one to complain.

“But worth it,” he continues. He tips up his chin. “As my mate, the protection extends to you and any pups we may have later on.”

At the mention of children, I lower my gaze, unable to meet his eyes as my cheeks flush with heat. My mind replays the memory of his kiss and the feeling of his body against mine. Many times, I have imagined a future where he took me then, claiming me completely that night in the woods.

Most couples conceive during the mating chase, and I often wonder if the same would have been true for us.

“There is a river nearby where we can drink if you are thirsty,” he says, interrupting my thoughts.

While I am thirsty, I have another need I must attend to first. The slight twinge in my bladder is becoming more insistent now that I’m awake. “I’ll be right back,” I tell him as I stand.

“I’ll come with you.”

I frown. “No. I will be fine.”

He opens his mouth to protest, but I interrupt. “This is not the first time I’ve ever had to relieve myself in the woods, Malak.”

“Yes, but we were not hunted then, as we are now,” he counters. “I will stand far enough away to give you privacy, but close enough to be on guard in case—”

“I do not need you to stand guard,” I reply. “I promise not to go far.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he narrows his eyes, considering. “Fine. But call out immediately if you need anything.”

I stop short of rolling my eyes. “I will.”

I make sure to keep the campfire in sight as I make my way through the woods. The gentle roar of running water echoes through the forest, growing louder the further I walk. Moving behind a large trunk, I dart a glance around me to make sure no one and nothing is nearby before I finally relieve myself.

When I’m finished, I walk back around the tree and nearly collide with Malak. “What are you doing here?” I ask, unable to hide the irritation in my tone.

“You said you would not go far,” he replies accusingly.

“I could still see our camp.” I gesture angrily toward the fire.

He growls low in his throat. “You are mine to protect. And I will not—”

“I’m not yours.” I cut him off, and his eyes widen slightly. “You lost the right to call me that when you sent your letter.” The angry words leave my mouth without thinking.

“You carry my mark,” he states firmly. “That means that you are—”

“You told me to move on without you,” I lash out. “Or did you forget?”

“I had no choice, Luna. My father—”

“Yes, you did,” I snap. “You could have used our code to tell me the truth.” Angry tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back. “I gave you my heart and you let me believe that I wasnothingto you. And now you’re here… and you expect me to just fall back into your arms as if you never hurt me. As if you never shattered my heart.”

I shake my head softly as a tear slips down my cheek. “So, you do not get to call me yours,” I repeat bitterly. “And I can take care of myself, Mal. While you wereprotectingme from your father, I was left with this.” I tilt my head to the side, baring my neck and his mark. “You asked why I covered it. It’s because it made me a target—an outcast among my own people. So, I had to hide it.” I level an angry glare at him. “And I do not need you toprotectme. I am perfectly capable of protecting myself.”

Without waiting for him to respond, I turn and head toward the river. Dappled sunlight spears through the trees, reflecting off the turbulent water as it flows through the heart of the woods. When I reach the river’s edge, I dip both hands into the crystalline liquid and wash my face before drinking.

A strange ripple cuts through the flowing water, against the current. Cold fear sweeps down my spine as a distorted face with pitch black eyes and shimmering green scales peers up at me from the river’s depths. Its lips pull back in a feral grin, revealing two rows of black, razor-sharp fangs.

“Malak!” I cry out, stumbling back from the edge. I twist onto my stomach to push up from the ground, but something wet and slimy wraps around my ankle in an iron grip, jerking me back. I claw at the ground as it drags me toward the water’s edge.

“Luna!” Mal races toward me, his eyes wide with panic.

---