Page 44 of The Forgotten Princess

“Probably,” I admit. “But at least he wouldn’t be an evil dictator in charge of an entire species of people.”

“He won’t be for long.” Devin bends over, kissing my forehead.

I swallow hard. “Well, the thing is, when he’s not in charge any more that means I will be in charge. I could possibly be queen before I even graduate high school.”

He frowns. “You could be queen before we even get married—that’s messed up. My brother thinks we’re too young to be mated, but we’re not too young to rule.”

“Maybe he will change his mind,” I say, trying to be hopeful.

“If he doesn’t, I will change it for him,” Devin says with a determined look in his eyes.

If anybody could change an alpha’s mind, it would be Devin. He is stubborn, though that is one of the things I like about him. He knows what he wants and he isn’t afraid to fight for it. I’m just lucky that I’m somebody he deems worthy of fighting for.

Devin stands up from the couch, tossing the throw to the side. “It’s time for bed. Let me walk you to your room.”

Every single night, Devin walks me to my bedroom door. It’s really sweet, even if it gets harder and harder to say goodnight. I hate parting from him, but I take comfort in the fact that we won’t have to part for much longer.

When we get to my door, Devin gives me the softest kiss before disappearing down the hall into his own room. My heart races so fast that I’m sure everybody in the house can hear it, but I don’t care. Devin’s my mate—heshouldmake my heart race.

I can’t believe I get forever with him.

Friday, February 12

A wanted criminal.

The next day, instead of doing our school work as we usually do, Damian tells us to get dressed and to wear something ‘nice.’ I wonder what’s going on, but I know better than to question him as I look through my closet for an outfit.

The weather is a lot nicer today. It’s supposed to be in the seventies, so I put on a dress. I grab a cardigan, just in case I get cool. Shifters always seem to be fine, no matter what the temperature is. I, unfortunately, didn’t get this shifter trait from my mix of hybrid blood.

Devin and Damian are waiting for me in the living room when I come out of my room. Devin’s shoulders are tight. I look between the two alphas, wondering if they were fighting about something. Damian seems completely relaxed without a care in the world.

“Are you guys ready?” Damian asks.

I can’t get a read on his emotions at all, which likely means he’s fine.

Devin looks at me. “Tori?”

“I’m ready.” I slip my cardigan on as we head out the front door of the beach house. The golf cart is parked in front of the porch. Devin and I get in the back while Damian drives.

On the drive, Devin holds my hand. He’s stressing about something, but I can’t quite figure out what.

“Are you okay?” I squeeze Devin’s fingers, trying to distract him.

His shoulders sag forward. “Yes. No.” He pauses. “I’m not sure.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

His green eyes meet mine, but I notice there is a gold ring outlining his eye. His wolf is close to the surface. “I just have no idea what to expect today. Damian wants us to go with him and King Basilicus, so that meanssomethingis going on. I hate not knowing what.”

I get it. Devin’s an alpha. He’s used to knowing everything.

Even though Devin is young, Damian has done a good job of training him. Devin’s been allowed in meetings and has played a crucial role in important wolf shifter politics. The fact that Damian is leaving him out of something is making him antsy. In turn, it’s also makingmeantsy. I don’t like not knowing what today holds, but I’m not sure if that’s really my emotions or Devin’s. Our emotions are running together until I can’t get a read on what I’m personally feeling.

“Areyouokay?” Devin eyes me carefully. “Your eyes are bright orange.”

I shrug. “To be honest, I’m not sure. Your emotions are feeding into mine, so I’m not sure what is me and what is you.”

Devin frowns. “Tori, baby, I’m sorry.”

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