Wolf mate wolf princess.., p.1
Wolf Mate (Wolf Princess Book 3), page 1
WOLF MATE
M GUIDA
Copyright © 2022 by M Guida
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Dear Reader
About the Author
Also by M Guida
CHAPTER 1
I picked up the crumpled letter that my uncle, King Calvin, had sent to Highburn Fortress, my friend Prince Ashton’s home, where I had been offered shelter and protection, and re-read it for the millionth time.
* * *
My dear Salem,
* * *
You have done me a great injustice by stealing one of my demon wolves, kidnapping my daughter, and freeing prisoners that are enemies of my crown. You have also turned my allies, specifically the Tundra Kingdom, against me.
These are insults I cannot abide. Therefore, I must teach you a lesson.
First, you will bring the demon wolf with you to Iredale Palace, and turn her over to Velkan.
Second, you will then face me alone in Iredale Palace’s arena. We will fight to the death.
If you fail to bring the demon wolf, or come with anyone else, I will execute the Vindicators one at a time, starting with your mate, Mateo.
We will meet on the Winter Solstice. Do not disappoint me.
* * *
King Calvin
* * *
So. There it was. My uncle had drawn the lines and had dared me to step over them.
My eyes blurred, and a lump formed in my throat. Just thinking of losing Mateo tore out my heart. I couldn’t lose him, I just couldn’t. He was my mate, and I had never told him I loved him. I wasn’t going to let him die. I’d find a way to rescue him.
To do that, I had to beat Calvin. According to his daughter Gloria, who was now on our side, Calvin had never lost a fight. Maybe so, but I would die trying.
It wasn’t just Mateo I had to rescue. It was also the rest of the Vindicators: Gunnar, king of the Dark Demons, my Aunt Remi, and the vampire Quint. They were my family, and once again, Calvin was threatening to kill my family. No way was I going to let him. If he wanted to fight to the death, then bring it on, douchebag.
I glanced down at Luna, the demon wolf my uncle wanted back, twice as big as any wolf except for mine. She was lying on the hardwood floor, resting her head on her paws. Ever since I had freed her from the Unseelie spell binding her to the demon Velkan, she hadn’t left my side.
“I shouldn’t have eaten so much at breakfast, girl.” The rich food of croissants, Eggs Benedict, and biscuits and gravy rolled around inside my tummy like a bowling ball.
She whined and licked my hand, as if she understood.
“I’m okay.” I cupped her soft cheeks with my palms. “You’re such a good girl.” She wagged her tail and then hurried over toward the bedroom door, telling me it was time to leave.
“Not yet, girl. I have to finish packing.”
She dropped her head and flopped in front of me, lying on her belly, resting her head on her paws again. I swear she was pouting.
“I won’t take too long. I promise.” I unzipped my backpack that was on my four-poster king-sized bed. I couldn’t help but run my fingers across the soft white quilt, wishing I could take it and the bed with me. No such luck. Sleeping on the hard frozen ground was in my future.
Someone knocked on the door. “Salem, may I come in?” I recognized the regal voice and smiled. I thought she had already left and returned to her kingdom.
I quickly wiped my tears off and cleared my throat. “Sure.”
The Fae Queen Gwendoline of the Starlight Kingdom entered. Her yellow gown shimmered as she entered, and a crown of white roses rested on her head. Concern flickered in her lovely green eyes. “Do you know much about witches?”
“Just what everyone has told me.” I opened a drawer in the hand-carved cherry wood dresser that matched the bed and the nightstand. I pulled out a pair of jeans and a purple sweatshirt and placed them carefully on top of the Book of Goody spell book that was already in my backpack. That was something else my uncle desperately wanted that I would never let him have. I glanced over my shoulder. “Why? What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you had left for your kingdom.”
“I started out, but my scouts reported some disturbing news to me, so I returned here. What do you know about a witch’s familiar?” The tone in her voice didn’t bode well.
I frowned and turned around to face her. “Um, not much. Why?”
“My scouts have learned that King Calvin has discovered an ancient spell that can turn a familiar into a human. Not for long. Usually, they only remain in human form for twenty-four hours.”
I had never heard of such a thing, but then again, my knowledge of the supernatural was somewhat limited. “Seriously? So, familiars are some kind of shifter?”
She shook her head. “No. They are animals. Calvin is sending his special forces to hunt down Hayley’s familiar, Freedom.”
“Great.” I threw up my arms. “Fucking great. The Winter Solstice is less than a month away and it’s a race between us and them. What does my uncle want with Freedom, anyway?”
The queen stroked Luna’s soft fur. “From what my scouts have learned, Freedom may or may not have been present when your uncle murdered your father, and Calvin wants to find out what he knows about it. Also, if he really does know where the key to the Rose Box is located.”
I stilled, and the blood drained from my face. “What?” I clenched and unclenched my fists. “Freedom just watched my father choke on the poison?” My wolf pushed against me. I bared my teeth. “He just sat and watched and did nothing?” I couldn’t keep the fury out of my voice. I’d rip his feathers out one by one when I caught him.
“Easy, girl. Calm down.” She gripped my shoulders gently. “He was locked in a cage. What would you have liked him to do?”
I took several deep breaths and then, when I was in better control of my anger. I gave her a small smile. “How did Freedom get out of the cage?”
The queen dropped her arms, and her brows furrowed. “I’m not quite sure, but Hayley somehow freed him. Witches are connected to their familiars—they’re almost part of them. I’m guessing she’d rather sacrifice herself than watch Freedom suffer.”
I scrubbed my face with my hand. “God, my uncle really is a bastard, isn’t he?”
“He’s determined to keep his crown and will do anything—and I mean anything—to keep it. Even make deals with the devil himself.”
The bowling ball rolling around in my gut rammed into my ribs hard. “You mean like the Unseelie?”
“And Demons.”
“Including Velkan?”
“Yes. If Calvin finds the key and opens the Rose Box, all demon wolves will align with him. He’ll be invincible.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Well, that sucks.”
Sadness flickered in the queen’s eyes. “I’m afraid there’s more.”
Panic flared through me and I blurted, “He didn’t kill Mateo, did he?”
“No, my dear. As far as I know, he’s alive. But rumors have been flying around for months that there’s a plot to remove Gunnar from his crown. According to my scouts, they’re all true.”
An icy chill crawled down my spine. I paced back and forth. “Oh, my God, this is getting worse and worse.” I stopped suddenly. “Does Ebony know?” Ebony had vowed to help me retake my crown and was a friend.
“She’s Gunnar’s Queen, Salem. I’m sure she does.”
I hugged my waist. “God, this is all my fault.”
“No, it’s not. There’s a lot of Dark Demons who would be happy to see something unpleasant happen to Gunnar at Iredale Palace. He’s made some decisions that have angered some of the more powerful Dark Demon families, like organizing a Dark Demon Academy.”
I snatched my hairbrush and comb off the top of the dresser and then stuffed them in my backpack. “That’s stupid. Don’t they want their kids to learn?”
The queen sat on the bed and folded her hands in her lap. “Change is hard, Salem. The Dark Demons are afraid that their children will be taught to be ashamed of their heritage and trained to be submissive to the other supernaturals. Ryker had convinced them to fear us and go to war against us.”
I jammed my underwear into the bag. “Sounds like Calvin is doing the same thing.”
“Perhaps. But Ryker was subtle in manipulating his kingdom. That’s not Calvin’s way. He’s bolder and, I believe, thus even more dangerous. My scouts have learned that he’s planning on sending a renegade band of Unseelie and Dark Demons to attack the Hollows to fre
I tossed a small cosmetic bag in my backpack that contained only a tube of toothpaste, toothbrush, mascara, and lip gloss. Doing my makeup wasn’t big on my list. “Do you think she’ll go for it?”
“She’s in prison. The Hollows can be a terrifying place.” She flashed me a sad smile. “What would you do to get out?” Her soft voice didn’t do anything to calm the anger simmering inside me.
I yanked my red hair back into a loose ponytail. “I wouldn’t swear allegiance to a madman.” Especially an asshole that enjoyed killing families.
“Kara was loyal to her father, Ryker, and he wasn’t exactly sane,” she said dryly.
I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants, thinking of the road ahead of me. “Can I ask you a question?”
She looked at me and clasped my shaking hand. “You’re worried about whether or not you can defeat your uncle, aren’t you?”
I nodded glumly. “Yeah, I am. Gloria said he’s never lost a fight. If I lose, everyone I love dies.”
She put her palm over mine. “Calvin has never fought anyone who possesses the same power as the first king, though. I believe his winning streak is about to end.”
“But what about King Christopher? Calvin’s declared war on him because he granted me sanctuary. Is he strong enough to defeat Calvin?”
“I hope so.”
I looked down at my boots, and a lump of guilt formed in my throat. “That’s not what I wanted to hear.” I scanned the guest bedroom where I had been holed up for the last couple of weeks. “If I hadn’t come to Highburn Fortress to heal after I escaped from Iredale Palace, King Christopher and his people wouldn’t be in danger.” My voice cracked.
“Salem, war has been brewing slowly between the different wolf kingdoms for years. You can’t keep blaming yourself.”
I stared into her wise eyes. “What happens if Calvin finds Freedom and the key before we do? The Solstice is only three weeks away.”
She smiled. “Sometimes we just have to have faith.”
Faith wasn’t a luxury I had. I released her hand and pulled my blue parka out of the closet.
“Here, let me help you.” The queen held the coat out while I slipped my arms into the sleeves. She patted me on the back. “Comfy?”
“Yes.” I put on some leather gloves. “By the way, what’s this spell that Calvin has uncovered?”
“It’s the Curasi Perfio spell.” She held my gaze. “When you find Freedom, use it wisely.”
“I will.” I zipped up my backpack and then flung it over my shoulder. “I promise.”
Luna raced over to the door, wagging her thick, bushy tail. I laughed. “Ready to go, girl?”
She scratched the door with her paw. “Okay, okay.”
I opened the door and Luna raced out. She turned and looked between me and the queen eagerly. We followed her down the stairs. My team was waiting for me in the formal dining room. A long, dark wooden table had a white lace tablecloth and unlit candles in sticks. My buddy Hades, the little Catalan dragon, stood next to Ebony who got up from one of the chairs when she saw us. Hades had the head of a lion and the body of a dragon, but his golden scales were soft to the touch.
“Ready to go find Freedom?” Ebony smiled as she stroked Hades’ thick mane. Like me, she had pulled her white hair into a ponytail and had a backpack strapped to her. She had on a red parka and blue jeans. Her sword was belted to her hip.
Hades roared as if to say, let’s go.
“I’m ready, too.” Gloria got up from another chair. I bit back a laugh. She was trying so hard to be like Ebony and me, but her blond hair was curled perfectly and she’d slathered on eyeshadow, mascara, blush, and bright red lipstick. Rather than jeans, she had on black tight yoga pants and a long leather jacket. She looked more ready to go out partying than backpacking through the woods.
Ashton came up alongside her and cast his gaze over her. “You look great.”
Gloria blushed and flashed him a shy smile. “Thank you.”
Ashton led us out of the kitchen and down a long hallway that had fancy light fixtures overhead. “My dad is busy in a meeting, and he apologizes for not seeing us off. The Queen’s scouts have reported that Calvin’s sent a garrison that is approaching our borders. Right now, my father and his advisors are busy coming up with strategies on the best way to defend the Tundra Kingdom.”
Guilt drilled through my heart and gut. My shoulders sagged.
This is your fault. This is your fault. This is your fault.
Ashton caught my eye. “Don’t blame yourself, Salem. Really. War was inevitable between the wolf kingdoms. Calvin’s lust for power has gotten out of control, endangering all of us.”
“I just can’t help thinking that if King Christopher hadn’t given me refuge, none of this would be happening.” I bit my lip. “Maybe—”
“There is no maybe, Salem.” His eyes darkened. “You’ve seen it up close—Calvin’s an evil bastard, and he won’t be satisfied until we’re all under his thumb.”
I nodded and didn’t answer. Calvin had tortured Ashton when he had him as his prisoner, and I knew in my heart that the same thing was happening to the others even now. The tyranny had to end.
Ashton led us toward the living room. It had a fancy chandelier dangling from the ceiling, and white couches and loveseats so elegant I was always afraid to sit down in case I left a mark. He stretched out his arm. “My SUV’s all warmed up and running. We’ll drive it to Remi’s home.”
I thought fondly of Remi’s A-frame cabin. It was nestled deep in the woods near the witch’s house and I had had my own room with a balcony that looked over the forest. I’d even had a fireplace and a walk-in closet. I’d grown to love that place—but once again, Calvin hunted me down and Remi and I had been forced to flee. I wasn’t even sure the place was still standing.
We weren’t the only ones in the living room. Three tall blond men were in the marble entryway. They had swords strapped to their hips, and one of them held a bow and had a quiver of arrows on his back. They were unusually handsome—definitely Fae.
But none of them was looking at us. They were focused on Queen Gwendoline, who swept past me.
She clasped one of them by the arm. “Aaron, have you relayed the information you told me to King Christopher?”
The one with the quiver of arrows strapped to his back bent his head. “I have, your Majesty, as you requested. Are you ready to return to the Starlight Kingdom?”
She smiled. “I am.” She turned to me and gently kissed me on the brow. “Return to me, Salem. The world is a better place with you in it than out of it.”
“I will.” At least I hoped I would. Fighting my uncle one-on-one scared the crap out of me. But if I didn’t, all would be lost.
CHAPTER 2
Ashton led us out of Highburn Fortress. It was midday, and cloudy. I glanced over my shoulder, wondering whether I would ever see the place again. I had grown to love it there, but it seemed with every home that I’d grown to love, from Aunt Remi’s mountain home, to Ashton’s hidden cabin, and now this, somehow Calvin managed to rip it away from me, making me once again the nomad foster kid that always bounced from home to home. Just once, I’d like to stay in a place I loved without the worry of being forced to move again.
Two muscular guards held machetes. I wouldn’t want to meet them in a dark alley. Thank goodness they were on our side.
They smiled as Ashton walked by them. “Good luck, Prince,” one of them said.
“Thanks.” Ashton opened the door to his black 4Runner that was indeed running. “Keep Highburn Fortress safe, gentlemen.”
The guards nodded grimly.
I sighed heavily. The upcoming days would be bloody for all of us.
