The Last Princess

Evernight Publishing www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2011 Stacey Espino

ISBN: 978-1-926950-86-0

Cover Artist: LF Designs Editor: Marie Buttineau

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATIO' To the wonderful group of menage authors who blog with me on When One Is ot Enough. http://www.menageromance.blogspot.com

THE LAST PRI'CESS Pack Seduction, 3 Stacey Espino Copyright © 2011

Chapter One "Give up the address, geek boy!" Delia held the blade to the base of his skull. She had the young fox pinned to the desk, bent over at the waist. He hadn't heard her coming, nobody ever did. "I've already told you. They're all in the city, but I don't have an address. It's not like they've kept in contact with me. As soon as they left to find Carna, they took the SUV and deserted me here." She dropped the knife on the desk beside his head with a clang of metal and stood up straight. He wasn't a threat, and if he became one, she didn't need a weapon to defend herself. There was no use trying to force the information from him. She had become excellent at deciphering if a person was lying to her—the fox was being honest. He slowly twisted around to face her, sitting on the edge of the desk, eying the knife at his side. "You can try," she taunted. "You already know I'm not a threat to you." Then he looked at her, really looked at her, his eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute. You're the last princess, aren't you?" "Shouldn't you be smarter for a computer nerd?" She walked around the small cabin, lit only by the flames dancing in the fireplace. Carna had been here, she could sense it. She'd kept tabs on both her sisters over the years, and she knew the bitter-sweet truth that they'd both given up the fight and mated. That would never be her. "Hey, I can only do so much way out here. The 3G signal's shitty as hell, and I haven't exactly been raring to find another royal sister. Thanks to the first one, I was stranded out here in the middle of nowhere."

She scoffed, "That's what you get for kidnapping a princess." Delia sorted through the books and papers on a wooden shelf, and dug through bins of loose clothing in hopes of finding a clue. Nothing. She'd heard through the grapevine about Carna's mating, and Freya's soon after. They were supposedly together in the city which brought her a measure of relief. At least they had each other, not destined to walk the earth alone like her. "I hope you're gonna clean that up," he said, looking at the mess of papers that had fallen to the ground. She ignored him and paced the room, the wooden floor boards groaning in the same spots. Her original goal when escaping the royal palace, so many years ago, was to gain the freedom of choice. Being born a princess meant Delia and her sisters would have males chosen for them, ones who'd be the best match for creating future generations. There was no choice. Love wasn't even an afterthought. She wanted so much more for her sisters. It would be a cold day in hell when she sat back and watched her mother force three males onto one of her younger siblings. Now she felt lost. Her sisters had chosen from their own free will—mated for love. Where did that leave her? As they kept in hiding, attempting not to be found and returned to the palace, Delia became used to the idea of running. It became a part of who she was. Mating no longer entered her mind. The longer she lived on her own, the more she plotted ways to overthrow the royal family—her family. What good would her sacrifices do if the subsequent generations had to live through the same nightmare? Would her mother seek out Carna and Freya's future children and subject them to her rule? It had to end, and she was the only one for the job. The fox inched closer, drawing up her hackles. "You have beautiful eyes." Delia glared at him. He was tall and lean muscled, a boy next door charm about him. But he was a fox, the lowest on the totem pole for shifter races. She growled and stomped away, looking for something to eat. She'd driven the highway half the night to get to the remote cottage. "I didn't mean that," he said. "No--I mean, your eyes are beautiful, but it wasn't me who said it. It was me, but—" "Don't worry about it. It's my blood. You can't help yourself." She squatted down to look through a box of canned goods near the fireplace. Male advances had become as common as the

breeze tickling her skin when she was outdoors. She barely noticed any more. Only males who forced themselves on her got hurt. Men like the fox shifter couldn’t control their base desires, and she didn't fault him for it. He could hardly be blamed. All royal females had unique blood—it could change a human to a shifter and had rare healing qualities. More annoyingly, it attracted unmated shifters like moths to a flame. For her it was a curse. She just wanted to be left alone, to be normal. "It's true then. Wow. I thought the stories were more hype than anything." He kept a safe distance from her, watching what she was doing from behind his computer screen. "I've studied you, you know? You, your sisters—the whole history of royal blood." She whirled around, her hunger no longer of importance. "Do you know about the palace?" "Are you kidding? I have the specs on my laptop. It has higher security than Fort Knox." Maybe the little fox would be more use to her than she imagined. If he could get her into the palace, she could leave a fiery streak of destruction in her wake. It would look good on her mother for what she'd put her through. Delia adjusted her leather jacket over her matching black leather pants before sitting on the edge of the desk. "What's your name, fox?" He rolled his eyes. "Caleb. You know, just because I'm a fox doesn't make me less of a man." She gave him the once over. He was no alpha, but she'd had enough drama from alphas to last her five lifetimes. This man was safe. His green eyes did give her a little thrill, but she blew off any attraction. Caleb was good for one thing only—getting her into the royal palace. "My wolf could eat you for breakfast." "And my fox could outrun you." He winked. "But I'm not too worried. You're tiny in your human skin. If I wanted to I could overpower you right here, right now." "I'd love to see you try," she dared. Hadn't he already learned his lesson when he was at her mercy not twenty minutes ago? He shrugged. "Nah." "Caleb, I have a proposition for you. I'm a princess, so it would be dutiful of you." "I'm listening."

She had to handle this diplomatically. The average shifter wouldn't challenge the queen, especially not a good boy like Caleb. Delia would have to tell a few white lies to get what she wanted. It would beat having to force him to help her, constantly watching her back, and prodding him to comply. "You have to help me find my sisters. I haven't spoken with them in years." "What's the proposition?" "If you help me find what I want, I'll let you have whatever you want." She unzipped her jacket an inch to give the clueless shifter the idea. He began typing away at his keyboard with both hands. "Don't try and sell your body to me, princess. I'm not interested. If you'd just have asked me, I would have agreed to help you." She zipped her coat back up. Delia had no intention of hopping into bed with anyone, but a little cleavage often went a long way according to Carna. "Even better." "What's that supposed to mean?" He looked up from his screen with a scowl. "Never mind." Caleb swung the monitor around for her to look at. "What is it?" "Club Frenzy. One of Freya's mates owns it, so I expect you can find your sisters from there." "We." She needed Caleb to get her into the palace, not just to the city. She'd been to Club Frenzy before and didn't need to be told how to find her sisters if she really needed to. When she was ready, she could track them down through one of her connections. Delia came to the little cabin hoping to find Carna, but it appeared she lived in the city, along with Freya. "I could use a ride into the city. I wouldn't even attempt to navigate the forest on my own. Too many wolves out there." "Nice friends you have, deserting you out here with no way to get home." He closed his laptop and slipped it into a leather satchel. "It was the mating call. Who am I to argue?" Caleb stood at attention as if waiting on her. "Aren't we leaving?" That was easy. He sure seemed eager to get back to civilization. "Sure. We can go now." She'd love to stop and rest, get a bite to eat, but the mission always had to be the number one priority.

The sun was over an hour from rising, the moon still dominating the night sky. There was a sharp chill in the air, but she was dressed appropriately enough. The leaf litter crunched beneath her feet as she walked away from the cabin. It was eerily quiet, only starlight providing illumination. Delia had nothing to fear. She owned the night. In the blink of an eye she could shift into a lethal wolf. There were few predators out there worse than her. "Where's the car?" Caleb shifted his computer bag higher on his shoulder and scanned the lot around the cabin. "Over here." She moved to the shadowed overhang where she'd hid her motorcycle. After clearing away some of the debris she used for camouflage, she walked it into the clearing. "A bike? Are you kidding me? I'm not riding on that death trap." "Get on, geek boy. I don't have time for this." She straddled her bike, feeling at home on the familiar seat. It was home when she didn't have any roots. "Do you know the statistics on motorcycle fatalities?" She exhaled her irritation. "We had a deal. Now save the lecture and get on." Delia glanced over her shoulder. "Or do you want to rot out here by yourself?" Caleb's eyes glowed even greener in the shroud of darkness. He wasn't like any fox she knew of. They were usually lanky, creepy little guys. Caleb could easily pass for a young panther shifter with his hard body, and unique sex appeal. He lifted one of his long legs over the bike behind her and lowered into place. His body pressed tight behind her was a new sensation. She'd always driven alone. Delia cranked the engine a little longer than necessary, held on, and hit the gas. Caleb yelped and wrapped his arms around her as they accelerated. "Holy shit!" She laughed out loud, feeling quite calm around the fox shifter. He put her at ease and made her smile. Normally she'd never trust someone at her back, but Caleb didn't feel threatening. Almost…comforting. She reasoned it was because he was her key into the palace. Besides her sisters, she never warmed up to anyone, especially men. They made it to the highway after a bumpy ride through the rough path in the forest. Underbrush had whipped by, roots and stones testing her bike's suspension. Caleb's strong arms held her tight, nearly cutting off her air supply.

"Shouldn't we have helmets," he yelled against the strength of the wind. "Don't be a pussy." She revved the engine and brought the bike to new speeds. The wind, the velocity, the untamed abandon—it was all a rush. It only she could drive an endless highway, never needing to stop, never needing to think. This was the only time she could forget the world and just live in the perfect moment. Once she set two feet back on the city streets it would be the same battles. She'd have to fight off suitors who only saw her as an object to claim, a prize to gloat over. Her inner demons would assault her—loneliness, worry for her sisters, fear of the future, and the wicked urges that besieged her every full moon. After hours on the road, the distant lights of the city sparkled like a million tiny stars fallen from the night sky. Her peace would soon come to an end, and a great journey would start. She knew her plans were weak and poorly thought out, but she was the last princess—what did she have to lose? Delia wanted to make a final statement. Show her mother physical pain by destroying the things she cherished. It would help make up for the internal pain Delia had suffered. When she was younger she'd look at happily mated couples with envy, knowing that would never be her. Rather, she'd be forced into a contracted mating with males she didn't know nor choose on her own. Now, she'd grown closed and bitter, and those same happy couples made her feel nothing at all. Love was not in the cards for her. She slowed to a stop along the sidewalk on the outskirts of the city. After setting her foot down, she nudged her passenger. "We're here. Where to next?" "Yonge and Maple." Caleb didn't sound too good, but at least he wasn't nagging. It would be morning soon, so Club Frenzy would be deserted. She just wanted to get close to the area so she could take off on her own for an hour or so, then she'd deal with getting the fox to help her. Once she returned to the palace, she may never leave. With the trouble she planned to stir up, she wouldn't be surprised if it was her last hoorah. Knowing this, she wanted to see Carna and Freya one last time, to see them happy with her own eyes. That was the only peace she needed at this point.

She pulled up into the parking lot of a cheap motel she'd stayed at on a few occasions. Cash, no questions asked—it was the only type of place she dared to stay at with her mother's henchmen always on the lookout for her. She'd been close by when Freya and Carna had been captured, but before she could step in, a bunch of alpha shifters moved into action. That's when she'd found out about Carna's mating. It was tough to acknowledge her sister had given up the fight. At least she'd ended up with males of her choosing which would have certainly pissed off the queen. "What's this place? Club Frenzy is another five minutes south." She slipped off the bike, bent over, and shook out her hair. Delia would need some sleep before they left. She'd need all the energy she could muster for the fight she planned. Her memories of the royal palace included fortified walls, moats, and some of the most bad-ass shifters on guard duty—the Royal Elite. "We're going to stop here and rest for awhile." She pointed to the sky, now shifting from navy to pale blue as dawn approached. "Nobody will be at the club yet." Caleb followed her to the registration desk, and then to the room on the second level. She never stayed on the first floor, too risky. "This is nice," he said, his voice dripping of sarcasm. "I'd say it's an improvement over a shack in the woods with no running water." She unzipped her leather jacket and tossed it on the end of the bed. She ignored the stained sink and let the water in the small bathroom run, splashing her face from the long ride. Delia looked up into the mirror. She looked tired, defeated. "What have you done, Delia?" she whispered to her reflection. When she'd escaped the palace with her two younger sisters, she thought they craved freedom as much as she did. But the fact she didn't care if she ever mated wasn't shared. She should have seen it coming. All sentient beings whether human or shifter felt the pull to bond with a mate, to love and be loved. She knew the lure because every full moon her body battled with her mind. It wanted to give up, fuck the first male in her path, and never look back. But each month was a victory because her maidenhead was still intact. She'd die a virgin and a martyr.

Chapter Two Caleb looked around the room. There were two single beds, retro carpeting, and stained, peeling wallpaper. He was surprised a dive like this was allowed to operate in such a thriving city. Immediately, he sought out a place to set up his laptop. He had to be connected. His livelihood was online. When his old friends asked him to help them locate one of the lost princesses, he was up for the challenge. He wasn't surprised when they took their prize and deserted him at the cabin. Nobody ever took Caleb seriously, especially women. He supposed it's what he got for putting no effort into finding a mate of his own. He had a list of jobs he was already contracted for. Caleb was known for his unsurpassed skills on a computer. He'd done more hacking in the past few years, but it was the only way he knew how to earn a dollar. "I can look up their addresses. Then we can visit them now instead of waiting for the club to open." He was anxious to get out of this shithole. Now that he was free of the distant cottage, he could travel by transit and get his life back in order. She shouted from the bathroom, the running water muffling her voice. "No! I need rest." When she finally joined him in the main room he had to do a double take. She only wore a thin black tank top under her leather jacket, complete with spaghetti straps and no bra. He didn't need the pull of her royal blood to know he was attracted to her. But Caleb and a gorgeous wolf shifting princess? Yeah, never gonna happen. He was the guy women talked to about the "real" men they wanted to date—the alphas, the dominant breeds. It was the role he'd grown accustomed to. If a woman actually hit on him he may just drop dead from shock. "How much rest do you need, princess? This ain't exactly the Hilton." She tugged off her leather pants in the middle of the room, not paying him any mind. Women even changed in front of him now, not even seeing his as a fucking male. "Get used to it, fox. This is as good as it gets." She tossed her leathers on the back of the chair across from his and climbed on the bed. Her body was lithe, softly curved, and wonderful to look at. Within seconds she was under the covers

and appeared to be asleep. She even trusted him not to leave or harm her? Shit, did he have sucker written on his forehead? He couldn't sleep if he tried, so decided to do a little research while the princess slept. What was so bad about living at the royal palace that all three sisters would be on the run for so many years? They were royalty, held the position and blood that every shifter could only dream of. Finding general information was easy. He'd done it before when looking for the sisters for Blue and the guys. This one was the eldest, Delia. There weren’t any recent pictures of her online. She was the most elusive, the one nobody could keep tabs on. The only reason he'd seen her now was because she'd found him. There were a ton of websites, blogs, and tweets from male shifters everywhere who were looking for the last princess. In fact, one of his emails was from a potential client wanting him to find Delia, and supposedly cost wasn't an issue. Good thing for the sleeping beauty that he still had some morals. He wouldn’t sell out. He'd regretted helping his friends find Carna soon after they'd brought her to the remote cabin. Delia was still royalty, and he'd always been taught to have respect for the queen and her role in society. Without royal blood all races of shifters would eventually die out. He must have fallen asleep at the table—not an uncommon thing for him to do. When he woke up, his arm numb from the weight of his head, it took him a while to figure out where he was. Sunlight peeked in from the crack in the heavy curtains. Daylight. When he stood and stretched out his back and legs, he didn't notice Delia asleep on the bed. The bathroom was empty. Had she gone to Club Frenzy alone? What time was it? She shouldn't be mingling in a crowd of drunken men, not with blood as intoxicating as hers. **** She sat on the roof of the neighboring condo. From her vantage point she could see in the windows of Freya's living room. Carna was there, as well as several half-dressed male shifters. She hadn't kept track of who was mated to whom, but it didn’t matter. Her focus was on the two beautiful girls, now women. Freya's blonde hair was easy to spot at the distance, as were the whites of her teeth as she smiled. They were happy, had moved on without her. She

couldn’t ask for much more. Delia just needed visual confirmation that her sisters were indeed content, settled, and safe—they were. Birds chattered in the distance, car engines droned, and the sky was coming to life over the already bustling city. She'd have to return to the hotel soon, before the fox woke up. Just thinking of his face, so boyish and innocent as he slept, helped settle the pain in her heart. The mix of regret, guilt, and mourning soured her stomach. The gods knew she planned to come back for her sisters after they fled the palace. She told them to hide, not let any of the desperate, filthy males find them. Delia was single-handedly going to make things right, to tear down the royal palace, its rules, and outdated ways. Then she'd come for them. They'd be able to walk free, safe, and have free will. They could fall in love like other women, choose their own mates, and live in peace. But she'd taken too long. Her sisters had found their own place and happiness without her. She had failed. There was no more need for Delia. All that was left was to keep her promise to make change happen. Maybe she'd be able to make a difference for her future nieces so they wouldn't be subjected to the same forced matings and unbearably rigid rules. She slipped back into the hotel room. It was quiet, but the fox wasn't slumped over the small table where she'd left him. Had he run away? How would she get into the castle without him? "Where've you been, princess?" Delia whirled around. He'd been to the right of the door, and looked very much awake. Her mind was so adrift she hadn't even sensed him behind her. "I just needed some fresh air." "For two hours?" "Don't question me, fox." "You know, I have a name. It's Caleb." He stepped forward, an aggressive move considering she was a more powerful shifter. "I've been thinking. You don't need me to find your sisters at all, do you? What's your game, princess?" "I don't know what you're talking about," she said dismissively. "Who'd willingly leave the palace? Were you cast out? You must have done something really heinous." Delia was fuming inside. How dare he question her. She'd never have left the security of a home and family if things had been

peaches and cream. Everything she did was out of necessity, not some juvenile game. After coming back from saying a silent good-bye to her sisters, her emotions were on her sleeve. She couldn’t deal with Caleb and his plethora of questions and accusations now. If he knew the truth he'd have kept his mouth shut. "The palace isn't everything it appears to be." She sat on the edge of the unmade bed and twirled her hair to the side. It would have been better if he'd still been asleep. She needed time to come to grips with her reality, to think. She stared at the stains on the carpet, not focusing, but half in a trance. Her sisters had been so beautiful, so grown up. She wanted to reach, touch them, close that bridge of space dividing them from each other. But she only returned here, not revealing herself or getting the connection she so desperately craved. It would only hurt more when she had to say good-bye. "Tell me about it." He actually sat beside her, his tone layered with compassion. Why? He didn't know her. It made no sense that he'd want to know anything about her history. "You wouldn't believe me anyway." She attempted to stand up, but he moved so fast. His hand on her thigh brought her back down into a seated position. "I'm listening, Delia." No more "princess"? Her name on his lips sounded so personal. She rarely felt like a person these days, more like a forgotten shadow. When was the last time she'd even been addressed by her real name? Her natural tendency to keep everything locked up tight in a vault was wavering. All her well laid plans had already unraveled at the seams, so talking with this beta shifter couldn’t do any harm. "If you know our history, then you know we carry the royal blood. It's the life force for all shifter races, including yours, fox. It's a great responsibility to be born a princess, but also a heavy burden. Our mother follows the tradition passed down from so many generations. She choose three alpha shifters from differing races that would best aid the bloodlines, just as her mother did before her, and so on. These arranged matings are done without any input from the princesses." She took a breath. "We have no say in anything. We're vessels, no more. I wanted more for my little sisters." "So you ran away? That's not always the answer to our problems. Did you talk to anyone about this?"

"What would be the point? Only female wolves can carry on the lines. We were oddities—three born to the same queen. Because everyone knew about us, it was even harder getting away and staying hidden." "Was it worth it?" His hand was still on her thigh, but it was an afterthought to this emotional release. "When I saw their smiling faces, I knew all the sacrifices hadn't been in vain. They know what it is to love. To be loved." She whispered the last words, knowing she'd never experience the same. "Why am I here? You said yourself you saw your sisters. You don’t need my help finding them." He didn't sound angry but he wanted answers that she wasn't ready to give. "Just…let me think for a minute." She bolted to her feet and began pacing the room. "Think of more ways to lie and deceive me? How about the truth? You don't have to think about that." He stood up, swinging her around with a hand to the shoulder, forcing her to face him. She hadn't noticed how tall he was. Even for not having a large, bulky frame, he had broad shoulders and strong forearms. The rest was hidden, but she could imagine he'd be all lean muscled. What did she have to lose at this point? "I need to get inside the royal palace." "You're the last princess, they'll roll out the red carpet for you." She shook her head. "I'm not going for tea and biscuits. I intend to shake the place down by its foundation."

Chapter Three "I grow weary of excuses," said Alexander. He set down his crystal glass at the head of the table, the crimson liquid swirled before settling. One of the servants offered a bowl of fresh fruit, but he swatted the man away. "Where the fuck could she be? Doesn't she realize how embarrassing this is for me?" "We've hired the best, sir. It's only a matter of time until they flush her out of hiding. With the other two princesses mated, she'll be all alone." "And come crawling back? Beg for forgiveness? Not likely." His betrothed, the young Delia Demori, was over five years late to the wedding. He'd been chosen out of thousands of males, gone through painstaking tests of strength and intellect. Then when the day came to claim his bride, to become a part of history, and to join the royal family—he was jilted. Every passing year, month, week made him grow more and more agitated. He looked the fool. For the first time in history, an entire generation of princesses had abandoned their calling. At least his was still unmated, as far as he knew. The other two had publically chosen unapproved males, giving no hope to their betrothed. Once mated, the game was over. No shifter in his right mind would try to take a woman away from their mate, approved or not. It would be a death sentence. Alexander was the last male left waiting for Delia. The other two had given up hope and found mates of their own. He should have walked away years ago, but held onto the hope she'd return. It was important to him to join the royals. His mother's dying wish was that their line would continue, to carry on her husband's legacy. She'd never been the same after his father's death. Nothing could make up for the loss until he had the chance to apply for a royal courtship. If the fool she-wolf had lived up to her expectations, his mother would have seen them wed and died in peace. As it was, she passed on with only with the hope that the princess would return. He couldn't understand why Delia wouldn't be thrilled to have him as a mate. As if she could get better than a purebred wolf like him. The queen entered the dining hall, followed by a small entourage. There was a great shuffling of feet and clattering of silverware as everyone around the table stood. Alexander had been

invited to stay at the palace after his mother's death. The queen was convinced at least one of her daughters would return that she already considered him a son. "Your majesty." He bowed slightly until she took a seat. Her long black hair was coiled at the back of her head, her robe flowing as she moved. She was a beautiful woman for her age, and he imagined his bride-to-be would age just as well. "Alexander. I hear you're discontented today." He grumbled. Holding back his tongue, even within earshot of the queen, was not something he was capable of. "Another full moon approaches tomorrow. Still no sign of her." Every month he imagined his intended bride screwing around with different males when she should be in his bed, pleasing him, making their children. He adjusted his collar. How long could he live under this roof before he felt like an unwelcome guest? How could one little female evade a small army of the best trackers? "She's a bright girl. I know she'll come to her senses. Her wolf is untamed, seeking a bit of adventure before she returns home." "A proper princess doesn't go looking for adventure," he said, not condoning Delia's actions. If she ever returned, the first thing he'd do would be to take her upstairs to their master bedroom and turn her over his knee for a spanking, whether the queen approved or not. "Patience, Alexander." The queen held up her empty glass, awaiting service. She clearly didn't feel the same urgency he did. This was her home, her monarchy, and she didn’t seem too concerned that her daughter may or may not return in the foreseeable future. As for him, he was chewing at the bit to complete his intended mating. "Your majesty, if you'll excuse me?" He dabbed at the corner of his mouth with the cloth napkin and then set it over his plate. The queen nodded, and he gladly escaped into the stone passageway leading to the rear yard. The tunnel was lit by wall sconces, the candle light flickering from the constant flow of air howling through. One of his best friends, a bear shifter named Ulric, was on guard at the entrance. There wasn't an unattended gap in the palace. Some days it felt claustrophobic, and he couldn't blame the princess for wanting to escape the tyranny. Those days were few. "Are you on until late?" Ulric turned around, his large frame shadowed by the nearly full moon above them. He leaned against the stony entrance to the

castle, only the symphony of insects to keep him company. "All night. Any word on your little princess?" "The bitch is still on the run. I've committed to a female I can't even touch. The only release I have is running the perimeter of the royal gardens each night." He blew out a heavy breath. "What I need is a proper fucking." They both laughed, trying to make light of a serious situation. Alexander's life was passing him by as he waited. One year moved into the next so flawlessly that one day he'd look in the mirror and find he was old and grey, no longer able to court a woman. "I know her well. We grew up together, and if Delia is anything, it's determined. If she doesn't want to be found, I expect she never will be." "You're not helping, Ulric." He ran both hands through his hair and growled. The moon already called to him, urged him to shed his human skin and run wild. "How do you manage without a mate?" The bear shifter shrugged his wide shoulders. "The docile lambs in the palace could never handle me. I need a woman with strong hips, and a fiery spirit." He chuckled, apparently lost in the fantasy of his ideal mate. "I expect I'll have to venture away from town to find what I'm looking for." "Agreed, the women here are quite tame. But maybe that's exactly what I need rather than waiting for my little hell cat to return. I haven't even seen her in the flesh." "Last time I saw Delia we were both adolescents, raising hell around the palace. She loved to break the rules then, and it appears nothing has changed." Alexander ground his teeth together. He didn't need to hear about his betrothed and her wild spirit. What good did any of this information do when she was still missing? He began to strip off his tailored clothing, folding the material in a neat pile on a stone pedestal. "Mind my things, will you. It's time for me to vent my frustration." With that he allowed the shift to overtake him. With the strength of the moon showering over him, it came quickly. His bones and tendons morphed, his skin broke out in thick fur, and he dropped to all fours as the last of the change enveloped him. Once in his wolf skin, he shook out his thick hide, pawed the ground, and then ran with no destination in mind. ****

"You expect me to help you break into the palace?" "Yes." She had hoped her makeshift plan would have fallen together better. Now she had to deal with a reluctant fox shifter. "I'm a princess, so it would be dutiful of you to aid me." "Hah! Dutiful of me to go against the queen? They'll hang me by my balls if I'm caught!" He was wearing the carpet thin from his pacing. "You're the best, Caleb. I wouldn't have asked you to help me if I didn't think you'd succeed." If he refused to help she'd be screwed. One way or another she was getting in that palace, and she needed his help to do it stealthily. He began to pack up his laptop, unzipping the shoulder bag. She was losing this battle. She'd seen Carna in action, using her sexuality to get her way with males. It didn't come naturally for Delia. She was used to using force or intimidation to get others to help her. Caleb was a becoming a problem. She didn't want to hurt him and he didn't threaten easily. "Our deal was for me to get you to the city. You already know where Club Frenzy is, so I'm done." He shoved the computer into the bag. Delia grabbed his arm. "Please. You don't understand. Do you think it's easy being the golden child for every race of shifter? To be treated as an object, not a flesh and blood woman, even by my own mother? It's not, Caleb. It's the fucking nightmare I have to live every day. If I can make a difference for another generation, then nothing will stop me. I'll get in the palace on my own if I have to. But I'm asking for your help." She didn't have to fake the sentiment in her voice when she spoke because it was all the truth. He breathed in deeply, his pupils dilating as if a cloud crossed the sun. Would her royal blood aid her today, rather than hinder her progress? "What do you expect me to do?" "Find out the layout of the castle, any weak areas that would make a good entry point. If you could disable their security system, it would make my life even easier." He looked offended. "Of course I could disable their security. That's the easy part. The challenge will be getting by the Royal Elite. It's well documented that the queen keeps the highly trained alpha shifters at every entryway into the castle."

"Caleb, I grew up there. I know about my mother's security detail. She only has guards at key locations." "I can't believe I'm even considering this." He adjusted her spaghetti strap, the contact searing her skin, setting her nerves afire. "And your damn blood is driving me nuts." Caleb scrubbed his jaw, and she saw the tip of his fangs behind his lips. She felt the hunger herself. The moon would be full in a day or two, the one time per month that she dreaded. Control was everything, but for that brief time each month her hormones ruled. For the most part she handled herself well, but inside she was a mess, and her weakness was a trait she wished she could shed, like her fur when she shifted. Her virginity was a testament to her self sacrifice. Unlike her sisters who indulged themselves when their needs made themselves known, she stifled her desires. They stared at each other. Until she saw his fangs, she barely remembered he was a shifter. He was so humanized, and his fox didn't give off a dominant vibe. Seeing his feral side peeking out aroused her in ways she never expected. The fact he seemed just as determined to maintain control made her want to challenge him, test his resolve. Other males didn't hold back when they caught her scent. It sickened her having to constantly battle unwanted advances. Staying in hiding, only sneaking out at night for supplies was the life she knew. She'd never really considered the future until her last sister mated. Their lives were just beginning now, while Delia felt hers was already ending. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll just stay over there, get everything set up for your little adventure and then I'll be out of your hair." He swiped his tongue across his teeth from behind his lips. The subtle move wasn't lost to her. If ever she had to lose her maidenhead, she guessed Caleb would be gentle, attentive, and patient—so unlike the alpha shifters her mother probably planned for her to marry. Those animals would tear her apart with little regard to her pleasure or well being. "I'm not afraid of anything," she said. Delia had outrun and outlasted all the henchmen her mother dispatched to find her. She was a survivor. In the many years since her escape she'd trained in every major art of attack and defense. Her fears were internal.

Each passing day made her terrified of growing old alone. She'd rather die than face decades moving from one shitty motel to the next with no one to love, no one to share life with. It was foolish of her to think her sisters could provide that love and companionship. The natural desire to mate was too strong in them. Now they were gone—mated, happy, and moved on without her. "Nothing at all?" He narrowed his eyes conspiratorially. "I think you may be just a tad intimidated by me." She laughed. It was so unlike her to laugh, but this shifter had her feeling lighthearted, even in such emotionally unsettling times. "You haven't seen my wolf. She's quite capable of taking care of herself." He shrugged. "Everyone needs someone, princess. If I had a family, like you, I wouldn't be running from them." "I've already explained why I'm on my own. I don't do dictatorships. How would you feel if you were forced to mate with a female you hadn't chosen for yourself?" Caleb was quiet for an exaggerated moment. His chest rose and fell more rapidly as if his fox was clawing to get free. She knew the feeling well. Her wolf had become especially anxious since returning to the hotel this morning. Then he whispered, "If I was forced to mate you, I wouldn't mind." She swallowed hard. This wasn't supposed to happen. Her plan was simple—solicit the help of the computer geek, break into the castle, speak her mind, create an uproar to be remembered, and then…Well, she hadn't planned after that, but her life was already a forfeit. But she hadn't even gotten out of the hotel and already her accomplice was turning into a temptation. She barely tolerated males as a whole, but this young fox was appealing to her on so many levels. Her mother would never approve of a beta shifter, especially from one of the lowest races. Maybe that's why she wanted him, because her mother would hate their pairing. "You and about a million other shifters," she said, hoping to dismiss the uncomfortable intimacy. "Then why haven't you chosen one if your selection is so plentiful?"

The hell if she knew. Delia had always taught her younger sisters to never trust a male. They'd only lie, backstab, and offer sweet nothings because of the blood they carried. No male would ever truly love them, just what they represented. But Carna and Freya had found love, so her theories must have been way off—or only apply to her. She certainly couldn't imagine a man wanting her if she were a regular wolf, no magic blood, no royal lineage. "I choose not to choose. Does that make any sense?" "Not coming from a princess. You're supposed to carry on shifter bloodlines for future generations." "No more talking," she said. Having the same conversation over and over bored her. She might as well be home at the palace listening to her mother's lectures on duty and tradition. Besides, her sisters would carry on the bloodlines, so there would be no mass extinction just because she decided to stay barren. She turned away from him, but he twisted her back around. "What exactly is going on here? Do you want to break into the castle to bring about positive changes or are you just feeling sorry for yourself?" "Sorry for what?" she spat, shrugging his hand off. "Sorry that you're miserable and alone while your sisters are happily mated—all because they didn't follow your example." He tilted his head slightly to the side in challenge. Why was he doing this? If he wanted money to help her, she had a shitload in several bank accounts. Money meant nothing to her. But why the test? "Hah! You couldn’t be more wrong. My sisters' happiness is the only thing keeping me going. They're all that matters, all I live for. It was all for them!" She began to break down, but fought tooth and nail to keep her emotions in check. He lowered his voice. "Don't you see? Those are all past-tense goals. Like you said, they're happy now. So what keeps you going from this day forward? What does Delia live for now that her sisters no longer need her?" Tears began to fill her eyes. Her traitorous body was crumbling from the inside out. "They do need me!" She felt the hot streaks make paths down her cheeks. How could this stranger know more about herself than she did? Why did the truth hurt so fucking much?

Caleb reached out to her and tugged her against his body. He cooed softly, resting his chin on the top on her head as he rubbed circles over her back. Neither of them said another word. She fought a bit, still uncomfortable with touch, with compassion. But Caleb held her fast, his strength surprising, until she had no choice but to melt against him and spend her tears.

Chapter Four "Take the next right," Caleb yelled to be heard over the force of the wind. He'd found the information the princess wanted, including layouts of the castle, guard details, and how to disable the security system. It would have been easy enough to explain to Delia how to accomplish all the tasks on her own, but she insisted he come along and do everything for her. He had the suspicion that she didn't want to be alone. That was okay because the thought of walking away from her was indigestible. He felt such a pull from Delia, but he reasoned it was her unique blood calling to him, doing its job to attract mates. She was beautiful, tough, with an intangible vulnerability. They veered off the highway, the motorcycle taking the ramp at a sharp angle. Caleb had had enough of riding a bike to last him a lifetime. His heart was in his stomach, especially with the way she drove. "You don't need to give me any more directions, fox. This is my home town, I know it well." They slowed as the neared civilization. Caleb had never been to the royal town, although he'd wanted to since he was young. It was the epicenter of their history, almost exclusively inhabited by shifters, and lost in time—not infiltrated by every bit of modern technology. It was the human equivalent to their Mecca. The castle itself was highly guarded, but more reliant on physical guards rather than hi-tech security. "We'll stop here and decide our next move," said Delia as they pulled into the parking lot of a two-story hotel. "I'll be recognized. You have to go in and register us for a room. It will take just one shifter sensing my blood and we're screwed. My mother will have her men dispatched within minutes and there'll be no escaping." "Well that wouldn't be good." He remembered his comment about getting hanged by the balls. It wasn't a huge leap from the truth. Shifters loyal to the queen were ruthless in their attempts to please and protect her. "I'll be back." It felt good to be on solid ground again. This hotel was maintained—the lawn mowed, bushed trimmed, and paint fresh. Caleb suspected most of this royal town would be in good order, but Delia was right, she'd be easily recognized. Her picture was displayed in the lobby, along with her two other sisters, and the queen. There was no sign of the king

because, like Delia ranted about, matings were not out of love, only duty. "Can I help you?" Caleb hadn't noticed the older man come out from behind the counter. He was busy studying Delia's photo. She was years younger with a sweet innocence she now lacked. Although she was still beautiful, there was a sadness in her eyes now. He turned to the large window to ensure she was still okay and waiting for him. "Sir?" "Sorry... I need a room for the night, two nights at the most. I have cash." The man didn't rush to get him a room key. He stood beside him, hands clasped behind his back, looking at the pictures with great interest. "Have you met the royal family?" Caleb shook his head. In actuality he'd met two of the sisters. Carna he helped kidnap, and Delia—the princess who was getting under his skin and invading his thoughts. "Two of my boys guard the castle. Chosen out of thousands." The pride in his voice was evident. "It's not an easy job, you know. They have to be highly educated, pass countless physical and mental tests, and then pledge allegiance to the queen. I keep telling my wife that not having any grandchildren is a small price to pay for the honor of having two of our sons bestowed such a position." "How many guards are there?" "Oh, I wouldn't know. Dozens, I'd expect. And my two boys, of course." "Of course." Caleb returned his attention to the photos. Delia looked so happy then, as did all three sisters. Their lot in life had hardened them, made them bitter, lonely, and volatile. He wanted to see Delia really smile again, to live without looking over her shoulder. After getting the room key, he returned to where the motorcycle was kept and found it missing, along with the driver. "Shit! Now what?" he muttered to himself. At least he had the room key. Caleb settled in the suite and began his online reconnaissance. Hopefully Delia would be back. He was tired of being abandoned with no ride. **** Her curiosity got the better of her. She wanted to do a perimeter check of the castle. Caleb appeared busy chatting up the hotel staff, so if she slipped away for a few minutes he probably

wouldn't even notice. As she neared the imposing structure, it brought back an array of old feelings. The first thing that struck her was the feeling of coming home. She felt comfortable in the familiar surroundings—the lush flower gardens, the crystal clear stream cutting across the land that fed the moat protecting the palace. Delia knew all its secrets—the secret tunnels and hidden rooms. They were her childhood stomping grounds, the place where she got into mischief with her friends. But then her trip down memory lane blackened. She'd left this place. Once she reached puberty she was no longer granted the privileges she was as a youth. No more playing and flitting away her time. She was expected to prepare for a forced mating. Delia and her younger sisters had been betrothed to men they had never met or seen. No matter how much she tried to convince her mother it was unethical, even if they were of royal blood, the queen would not humor her. She would give the usual lecture about history, duty, and responsibility. When her youngest sister cried herself to sleep one night, claiming she'd never know what it felt like to love a man, it was the final push she needed. She packed up a few belongings and got her sisters the hell out of that deceptive paradise. As she looked at the distant castle now, she felt the bitter sting of regret. She couldn't have changed the series of events which led to her need to run away, but she wished things had turned out differently. If only they had been allowed to choose, they could all be living together in the palace right now. Her sisters would be by her side, her childhood friends would be making her laugh, and she'd have roots. She'd almost forgotten what it felt like to belong. She hadn't realized how long she'd been frozen in place, remembering a time long past, when a horn honked. Delia abruptly shifted into reality, noticing the sun had advanced across the sky while she'd been daydreaming. She started up her motorcycle and dared to get even closer. There was a lot of ruckus around the east side of the castle. The large forms were likely the alpha guards, deadly protectors and assassins hired to do the queen's bidding. Others appeared to be females. With the full moon on the verge of completion the males would be feeling the pull. Since the Royal Elite weren't allowed to mate, they'd service their needs with whores or unmated shifters in the same desperate predicament. Hormones

reigned supreme at this time of month making aggression and desire overwhelming. The base emotions were part of their culture, ruling all races, reminding them what they were. She wondered how she'd get into the castle. It would have to be night. Even though shifters could see through the darkness, it wasn't as clear as the light of day. There was one tunnel in particular she used to use to sneak out of at night, to run wild in her wolf form. If it was the same as she remembered it would be the entry point she'd use when she returned. Hopefully Caleb had some more information for her to use to her advantage. She chuckled to herself. The fox shifter would kill her when she finally showed up at the hotel. What was supposed to be a couple minutes had turned into hours of exploration and mental drifting. Caleb had left one of their bags outside the door so she could find the room. The door swung open seconds after she knocked. "Disappearing on me again? Your sisters are miles away so what's the excuse this time?" "I was checking out the area, getting familiar with all the changes to the town. Then I lost track of time and got hungry." She held out a brown paper bag. "Take-out?" He mock-snatched it from her hand with a scowl. "I haven't eaten since yesterday. I may not be a wolf, but I still require sustenance." The fox was adorable when angry, if angry could even be used to describe him. He was so patient, mellow, and fun to be around. As she drove back to the hotel, she had an unfamiliar giddiness knowing she'd see him again. "Sorry about that. I tend to forget to eat when my mind is elsewhere. It'll be sundown in a couple more hours, so we'll just hang low for now." She stripped off her leather jacket, the oversized scarf she used to disguise her face, and tugged the elastic from her hair. "At least it's better than our last place, no?" "It's fine," he said, his voice coming out more like a sigh. He ate his food in silence, and she drifted off to sleep in the bed, feeling safe with Caleb near. When she awoke, the sky beyond the parted curtains was black, not even the ever-glowing light of the distant city to morph the color to grey. Caleb sat in a chair, leaning over his legs. "What's wrong with you?" she asked.

He got up and joined her on the bed, sitting on the edge. "You don't have to do this you know. You have nothing to prove." He rested a hand on her thigh. "Delia, you could get hurt, or worse. This isn't a game." "Do I look like I'm playing a game, Caleb? I'm quite committed to following through with our plan—" "Your plan. None of this was my idea. The longer I'm with you, the more I think it's a very bad idea." She couldn't turn back now. She'd come this far. If Delia ran, they'd never stop following her. Even more so, it would mean giving up when she promised to see this through to the end. The way princesses were treated had to change. They were living in the Dark Ages. The light from the moon filtered into the darkened room. It carried strength and power and brought her sexual needs to the surface. Caleb was so close, his shoulders broad, his lips full. Did he feel the same raw energy coursing through his veins? "I'm not quitting," she whispered, watching his lips, unable to look away. "Changing your mind doesn’t mean you're quitting. You don't have to continue this crusade. Princess, you can find your own peace, your own happiness…like your sisters." She shook her head slowly, still transfixed on the strong line of his jaw, the waves in his hair, and the glow of his green eyes. "Don't call me princess. I'm just me. Just Delia." "Okay, Delia." He tucked her sleep-tousled hair behind her ear. "Would you take a chance on me or am I only dreaming to think I could have a mate as beautiful and intelligent as you?" Was he actually saying what she thought he was? No, he couldn't want her. It was the moon—it was always the moon or her blood. "I'm no good for you, Caleb." After tomorrow she may not even be alive to stand by his side. She couldn't offer a commitment now even if she wanted to. "Why? Is it because I'm a fox? I'm still a man." The determination in his voice, the depth of his gaze, and the sensual energy in the room all tilted her world off axis. She couldn’t speak, only shook her head. He may be a fox shifter, but she really didn’t give a shit. Caleb was sweet, sexy, caring, and a man she could see herself spending a lifetime with. But a happily ever after wasn't in

the stars for Delia, and she still had so much to do. She had to complete her mission or she'd forever regret it. "I've always wondered what it would feel like to kiss one of the princesses." He chuckled to himself. "But I guess every prepubescent shifter has had the same thought at some point…" She shouldn't encourage him, but her body demanded to learn the texture of his lips and feel of his lean muscles. She was a puppet—the moon and her heart's desire pulling the strings. Delia silenced his ramblings with the kiss he sought. She leaned against him, pressing her mouth softly to his. His breath was hot, his lips firm, yet soft. The simple contact started a chain reaction. Her blood heated, her pussy pulsed, and her fangs pricked at her gumline. He spoke against her lips. "It's better than I imagined." But he took more, tasting her, exploring her mouth with his tongue. The weight of his body shifted towards her, forcing her to lower to the mattress. Her stomach fluttered, so needy. Just a little more… Delia savored his taste, his warmth, the physical and emotional bond they created. She tugged at his T-shirt, wanting to feel his flesh against hers. He assisted her, tossing the material away with disregard. Caleb's body was lithe, all hard and lean muscled. She wanted to bite, to take, to fuck. Her desires were commandeering her logical thoughts, making her forget she was an inexperienced virgin with no plans of mating. She smoothed her hands over his shoulders as he braced himself over her body with his arms. "I've never been bitten," she said. It sounded better than being unskilled in the bedroom. She was the eldest sister and the last to know a man's body intimately. It was embarrassing. "Would you like me to bite you?" He smirked, those green eyes cutting through the darkness with a supernatural glow. If she was going to throw caution to the wind tomorrow, maybe she should experience everything she could tonight. She'd always wondered what a mating bite would feel like—pain, pleasure, or a mixture of both. Ever since she saw Caleb's bone-white fangs the night before, she hadn't stopped thinking of being bitten. She lifted his lip with the pad of her thumb. Once again they were fully extended—ready from arousal, just as the hard cock pressed against her stomach signaled. She admired his feral canines, debating if this was the best idea. When he ground that steely

erection against her throbbing clit, she dropped her head back and exposed her throat. He sniffed her hairline and licked her pulse point. She was coiled so tight, she didn't know how much more stimulation she could handle without losing her human skin. Delia would have to run for an hour straight in wolf form to spend even a fraction of her wanton desire.

Chapter Five If it was possible for sex to have a smell, it was lingering around them like a living force. The combination of his budding feelings for Delia, her royal blood, and the potency of the moon pushed him over the edge. Caleb admired the smooth plane of her neck. It was utterly tempting. He could scent the sweetness of her blood only a bite away. She'd given him the go ahead to mark her, to make her his. Did she not realize the significance of the act? Once he tasted her, branded her, they'd be forever linked. She seemed to be acting in the heat of the moment, not thinking logically. All he had to do was sink his aching incisors into her neck. But he couldn't do it. He was too much a gentleman, or maybe he was a fool. Either way, he wouldn't take this gift unless she was making an informed decision regarding the rest of her life. But he would have her body. Caleb prided himself on his willpower as he rose above her, putting distance between her vein and his deadly teeth. "I'm taking your shirt off," he said before undressing her. "And your pants." The leather was tight against her skin and difficult to tug off. He felt like a complete amateur, giving her a play by play rather than taking, and unable to get her clothes off as swiftly as he'd hoped. Why was she even giving a beta the time of day? She must be used to the best, men like the guards the hotel owner spoke of—fearless, huge, above average in intelligence and strength. What was he? A lowly fox shifter who could use a computer? "What are you going to do with me now, fox?" He hadn't realized he was straddling her body, staring blankly, and not moving. "I'm going to get your bra off. At least I hope I can. It looks even more difficult than the pants." So much for the romance. He was failing epically in that department. Caleb managed to unfasten the clasp after several failed attempts. Her breasts were indescribable—full, soft, and finely shaped. The nipples were a soft rosy color, beaded and tempting. He leaned over her prone body and tentatively lapped at the tight bud. She closed her eyes and groaned as if he'd hurt her. "Sorry. I should have mentioned I was about to do that." "No. Just do it. I won't stop you."

That was his invitation. But Caleb had never been invited to such a party. He hadn't even so much as kissed a woman. They all wanted alphas or had their curiosity piqued by human males. His race was the bottom of the barrel, and he'd always been quiet and shy regardless. Now he had the ultimate prize—a princess. She wanted him, demanded he act, so who was he to deny royalty? But he didn't want to fail or be humiliated due to his inexperience. He decided to return to those fleshy mounds begging for his attention. He covered her areola with his mouth and then sucked in the nipple in a slow, deep pull. With his free hand he squeezed her breast, forcing more into his mouth. The more he took the hungrier he became. And as his hunger increased, his insecurities began to diminish. "You're perfect, princess." "I’m not a princess tonight, Caleb. It's just you and me, and this one night." She sounded so entranced, so final. There was a macabre romanticism surrounding her words. He slid his hand down her flat stomach to the thatch of curls hidden in her panties. Those needed to go. She helped him by lifting her hips when he tugged at the silk undergarment. Once fully naked she was stunning, a body made to be appreciated. As much as he'd love to worship her body, study every muscle and curve, it was her eyes that held him captive. She had been watching him undress her, watching him study her nudity. "Should I stop?" he asked. Her eyes were so dominant on her face, like green gemstones sparkling in the moonlight. She shook her head. "I trust you, Caleb." Then she bent up one knee, making the perfect cradle for him to lower his frame into. When he started to position himself, she stopped him with a palm to the chest. "Lose the pants." **** Delia may have never known a man intimately, but there was no way Caleb had been with a woman, either. He fumbled and struggled, stopped and started. Everything about him from his looks to his actions only further endeared him to her. If she were to offer her maidenhead to a male of her choosing, she'd choose his kind, a loving fox shifter. Her nether lips were moist, nearly dripping. She wanted to feel a man breaking her walls down and filling her to the brink. Not with any man, but with Caleb. There were so many years of pent up

desires locked up inside her. All those full moons when she'd sheltered herself away from the world. Caleb kicked off his jeans. He looked edible in just his black boxer briefs. His body was killer and she yearned to sink her teeth into him. He still hadn't bitten her. She wondered if he second guessed the choice to bond himself forever with a princess and all her baggage. He probably wanted a normal girl, maybe a fox shifter like him. "You're too slow, Caleb. Get on with it," she insisted, pulling him to her mouth. Rivulets of moisture seeped down to her ass. She was so primed and ready to be fucked that her whole body quivered. "Remember what you said? You're not a princess now, Delia. It's just me and you, so no demanding." He kissed her lips, silencing her retort. Every time they kissed, it was more than just a joining of their bodies, it was an emotional bonding. They were part of each other, exploring tenderly and patiently. She suspected Caleb had more patience than her tonight because all she could think about was moving to the next step. "Please?" She let her fangs graze his neck, and he shuddered. "I didn't say you had to beg." He smiled at her through the darkness. Despite the heat of the moment, he was still able to play with her. She knew at that moment that she'd miss him if she walked out of his life. He was the type of male who'd stay by her side through thick and thin, sickness and health. The stability he offered was so tempting when she lacked even a permanent address. Caleb shimmied out of his boxers, and she instantly felt the hard flesh of his cock slap her leg. He was more than ready to take her, and her body was ripe. This was it, the moment she'd held off for all her adult life out of protest. She reached down to feel him for herself, not knowing what to expect. "Oh gods, Delia. You'll make me come before we start." Caleb's weight was over her now, his heartbeat deafening, and his breathing ragged. He grabbed his cock and positioned himself, only to realize her panties were still on. In a flash, he tore them from her body, burning a streak across her hip. The smooth head of his cock pressed against her cunt, seeking entrance. "Tell me if I hurt you," he mumbled. Despite his feral lust, she knew he'd stop if she asked him to. Other shifters wouldn't be able to, or care to if they could. She had no plans in stopping Caleb.

He was well endowed, stretching her with just the head inside her walls. Another slow inch later, he paused. "You're untouched," he said, disbelief ringing in his voice. His shock stung a bit. Did he think she was a whore, fucking different men each month when her hormones blew off the charts? "You'll be my first, Caleb, so fuck me good." She arched up with her hips to capture another inch of his thick cock. He groaned and closed his eyes as if desperate to keep some semblance of control. "No pressure on me, right?" He secured her hip and thrust deep—a smooth, measured movement with her comfort in mind. The moment her royal maidenhead was punctured, she gasped. It wasn't painful, but more a realization that there was no going back. She'd done it, and felt an instant bond with her lover. "You're tight, Delia. So fucking tight…" He was losing it, and she was glad. Caleb needed to let loose, allow his beast out to play once in a while. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, needing to be as close as possible, to feel every inch of her flesh covered by his. With her heels, she prodded his tight ass, ensuring he didn't hold back. "Caleb, take me proper." He began to thrust, slowly at first, creating a delicious rhythm. It only ignited her needs rather than soothe them. "I want to mark you, Delia. Make you mine." She didn't respond. This wasn't just some cheap thrill. They had feelings and an indescribable bond between them. If she allowed Caleb to bite her, knowing she may never return after breaking in the palace, it would be cruel. Shifters mated for life, and she wouldn't condemn him to that kind of loneliness. She had been ready to give herself over to him, but it had been selfish on her part. "Breaking into the castle is dangerous. Maybe we should wait." She didn't want to think about the future, the palace, mating, or anything at all except the here and now. The moment was perfect, and she wanted to savor it, remember every sensation and touch to memory. He exhaled, pausing his thrusts, looking at her with those dominant green eyes. "Don't go to the castle. Stay with me." Did he know she had a death wish? Or did he want a future with her, man and woman? "Hush. I want to enjoy this." She closed her eyes, almost tempted to listen to the fox shifter. Forget the past, forget the present, and just start fresh with him somewhere far away.

But running from her pain wouldn't solve anything, and she'd always regret not going through with her plans. Caleb narrowed his eyes briefly, but complied. He dropped his head and rimmed the shell of her ear with his tongue as he continued his assault on her pussy. She felt so full, so alive. Every pump of his hips sent her spiraling, an intense pressure building up in her core. Delia wasn't sure how long it would stay locked away before breaking free. "You're so beautiful," he continually murmured near her ear. Even his hot breath sent her nerves racing. Their sweat glistened bodies rubbed against each other, creating one writhing mass of flesh and fucking. She enjoyed his domination, which grew stronger, rougher by the minute. He was attentive to her needs, pursuing every moan and sigh she made by delivering exactly what she craved. It amazed Delia how sex could unite two people on such a soul deep level. How could others have random encounters without feeling the same thing? How could her sisters not feel a connection to the men they used for pleasure in the past? Was Caleb unique? Was he truly her mate? The one fate decided, not her mother? "Caleb, you're bringing me close. Don't stop." Her orgasm loomed on the surface, begging for release. It hummed within her, heated her blood, and cast off pleasure of the likes she'd never known. "If there's one thing I want, Delia, it's to bring you there." He fucked her harder, his pubic bone rubbing her clit mercilessly. The pleasure and pressure peaked, bringing her into a realm of calm satisfaction before ripping through her body with the intensity of an electric charge. "Caleb! Oh gods!" She throbbed around his cock, milking him, wave after wave of contractions gripping him tighter. He growled, a canine sound, his teeth dangerously close to her neck as he spent his seed inside her. The afterglow of her first sexual experience lulled her. Caleb crawled up alongside her once she'd shifted to lay her head on the pillow. "Come here," he said, tucking her under his arm. She draped an arm over his chest, resting her head over the steady beat of his heart. Delia knew, even without sampling his blood, that she loved him. Love. It was such a vague word, impossible to describe. But she knew it in her heart as if the gods had whispered it in her ear.

Chapter Six Ulric was on this fourth nightshift in a row. But he couldn't complain about something he'd signed up for. Being a palace guard was one of the highest honors, next to being chosen to mate with one of the princesses. One of his best friends, Alexander, was destined to marry Ulric's childhood sweetheart, Delia Demori—the last princess. Of course, she didn't know how he felt. They were young and foolish back then, and Delia very much a Tom Boy. He'd originally applied to be a palace guard to get close to her, not willing to let their social statuses separate them as adults. But it had all been in vain. Three males were chosen for her, and within a year of finding out, she fled with her sisters, never to be seen or heard from again. Now only one of her original mates remained, impatiently waiting for her return. If she ever came back home they'd be married as soon as two other males were selected. They'd be chosen from the list of qualified shifters who'd applied and passed every test with flying colors. Ulric was restricted from applying because the royals said this generation already had a bear shifter, thanks to Carna's mating, and they didn't want another. More than one wolf was fine, but not another bear? Whatever. Ulric may grumble about his life, but he'd chosen his path. Like all palace guards, he had to devote his life to the monarchy, just as a human priest gave up everything for their church. He couldn't mate, couldn't even allow himself to become distracted by life outside the castle grounds. His placement was an honor, and he kept reminding himself of the fact. Why couldn't he be as content as his comrades? It would make his life more bearable. "You're not very alert tonight. I could have snuck right in the passageway and you'd never have been the wiser." Wesley blew out a cloud of smoke which mutated into eerie shapes with only the glow of the moon shining down on them. "I can always smell you a mile away. That's exactly why we're not allowed to smoke. Other shifters can detect us." He winked. "It'll be our little secret. Besides, do you remember a time when someone tried to break into the castle?" No one dared to come near the palace grounds, never mind the castle. The Royal Elite Ops were known for their training, strength,

and lethality. "And who's guarding your station while you're here busting my balls?" Wesley shrugged, nonchalantly taking another drag on his cigarillo. He looked up at the moon and exhaled. "Every fucking month. We should be paid extra for full moon shifts. All I can think about is eating pussy." "Join the club." All Ulric could focus on was the girl he'd lost so many years ago. But he'd never have a chance with her. He was a Royal Elite and didn't conform to what the queen wanted for the next prince. There was a rustling in the distance—the faintest sound that Ulric and Wesley detected at the same moment. His friend tossed his smoke and crouched low, his yellowish panther eyes glowing. He was so still that one could mistake him for a gargoyle, like the decorative ones mounted on the roof of the palace. Neither of them spoke, awaiting their prey—any human or shifter who dared to enter their territory. "It's just Alexander," Ulric finally announced, his muscles relaxing as he rose to his feet and slumped against the stone wall. "Running at night again? That man has the patience of a saint. If I were him, I'd be long gone, mated with five kids by now." Wesley scanned the grass at his feet. "And I just wasted a perfectly good smoke." He cursed, and then disappeared around the side of the castle towards his own post. The black wolf eyed him as it neared. That same look would scare the piss out of a human, but not him. There was very little that could frighten a bear shifter, and few who would be foolish enough to challenge him. Alexander shifted with practiced grace and donned the clothes he'd left behind a low lying rock on one of the stone pillars. Wearing just a pair of black linen pants and holding the rest of his items, he joined Ulric at the entrance. "I ran for two hours straight today, can you believe it? Every full moon brings me closer to the point of insanity." Alexander ran a hand through his damp hair, his jaw clenched down hard. "I'll kill her when she returns." Ulric's hackles immediately rose. Even after all these years, he had an innate instinct to protect Delia. "If she returns." As much as he'd love to see her again, and know she was safe, it would destroy him to watch the woman he loved mated to his friend. He'd have to

smile and play nice when all he'd want to do was steal off into the forest with the woman he believed was always meant to be his. "Don't test me today, Ulric. I'm exceptionally moody this evening. I think I'll take a long, cold shower and then force myself to sleep." "Seems the moon is having a stronger effect than usual this month. Ronan and Westley both stopped by my post to aggregate me." "Cade was out by the fence line. I image jerking off to the sight of the females passing beyond the border." Alexander laughed. Their predicament was laughable, but when all the joking was aside, it was painful being an unmated male during the full moon. Ulric's balls ached and his dick wouldn't settle down. The need for blood and sex challenged even the most experienced mind. Besides shifting it was the main thing that separated shifters from humans, reminding them of their feral roots. "Am I the only one taking his duty seriously? The Elite shouldn't be slacking like this. One day it'll backfire." He wasn't usually such a stickler for the rules, but his mood was just as black as Alexander's. "The sun will be up soon, my friend." Alexander laid a hand on his shoulder. "Then you can squander the day in the local pub— plenty of booze and women will ease your sorrows." Footsteps, barely audible, came from deep within the interior tunnels of the castle, as hushed as mice feet. Ulric's canines lengthened. His inner bear warned him of an intruder. If it were another Royal Elite or one of the palace inhabitants his senses wouldn't be firing off. He whispered harshly, "You see! This is what happens when the guards let their dicks reign over their logic." Alexander dropped low on the opposite side of the opening. "What will you do?" Ulric growled. If he hadn't been distracted by Alexander and Wesley, he'd have heard the intruder sneaking in behind their defenses. "Stay here! If anything happens to the last of Delia's betrothed, the queen will have a coronary." He stayed close to the grey stone wall, its irregular surface scratching his back. This could be dangerous, but he eagerly awaited surprising his prey. Slip in the castle on his watch? No way in hell. He'd be the laughing stock of

the town and banished from the Royal Elite with a black mark to follow him until the day he died. The intruder was near, lurking through the numerous corridors, the great stony maze. He began to remove his shirt so he'd be ready for a sudden shift. With the material coiled in one hand, he kept his back flat against the wall as he heard one of the secret passage doors being unlocked. If the intruder infiltrated the castle, he could go for the queen. Ulric had to ensure this problem didn't pass the outer walls. He lunged forward, swinging around the hidden entrance before slamming the intruder against the wall. Ulric hadn't expected a female. She was tiny compared to him. He loosened the grip he had on the back of her neck and took a cautious step back. "Turn around," he commanded. She eased her small frame around until she faced him. He couldn't see her features with the black scarf that covered her head, but he could have sworn he recognized her scent. "Show yourself." Those yellowish-green eyes stared up at him through the darkness, transfixed. "Ulric," she murmured. At that moment the main alarm sounded, the blazing sirens deafening, capturing his attention, distracting him for one second too long. He caught movement in his peripheral vision. A second dark figure raced through a distant passage. Were these trespassers working together? If not, who was the greater threat? All the recent complacency of the Royal Elite was backfiring as he'd predicted. When he turned back to the woman, she was gone. He twisted his head to each side, and then spun around. How could she move so fast? He raced back down the stone passage. The voices of the other Elite echoed through the tunnels, spotlights scanning the grounds beyond the entrance. He burst out of the passage, breathless, his bare chest slick. Blake ran up to him from the left. "What the fuck is happening?" he shouted to be heard. Blake was the rookie, only entering the Elite in the spring. They'd all had their laughs breaking him in, but the determined set of his eyes made Ulric proud. The wolf would no doubt rip apart any threat, as he was taught in his training, rather than bow out with his tail between his legs in the face of real danger.

"At least two have infiltrated the outer wall. They were in the tunnels only moments ago." There was a vast tunnel system between the moat and the interior of the castle. The staff and residents were well acquainted with its secrets, but an intruder would be easily lost, confused long enough to be caught. "We need to shift and flush them out. One is a female," he added. Blake didn't stall or ask questions. "I'll scent them. Female or not, the intruder will pay." He dropped to all fours, not bothering to save his clothing. Another rookie mistake. He'd learn soon enough when all his money went to the purchase of new clothing. The wolf shifter bound off, disappearing into the darkened treeline. Where had Alexander run off to? That soon-to-be royal wolf had probably retreated to the safety of the castle. Preserving his life was of utmost importance, but Ulric would never hide and allow others to protect him. He needed to be in the heart of the action, deal with the threat personally. His role as royal guard was well suited to him, but it still wasn't enough. He could see countless shifters prowling the area now. He'd head back into the tunnels to hunt. That female could still be trying to gain access to the castle interior. He dashed through the tunnels, testing the air as he moved. When he turned another corner, he could smell the acrid scent of fear and body odor. He smiled to himself. His bear roared, craving a chance to get his paws on the bastard who slipped by their perimeter. A low crevice normally used for storing gardening equipment was the chosen hiding place for the male. "Are you playing dead because I'm a bear shifter? That only works for animals. Personally, it just pisses me off." He kicked his boot into the dark grotto, hitting a flesh and blood being. "Get out before I drag you out." When he didn't emerge, Ulric reached in and pulled him out by the shirt. He smelled like a fox, those pathetic, shady little creatures. "Please, it wasn't my idea…" Ulric gave him a shake, making the man's tremors increase. "What wasn't? Who sent you? Were you hired to kill the queen?" Wesley, Cade and Ronan joined him in the narrow corridor, naked from shifting. "We can't find the other. He's elusive, disappeared like a ghost." "She," Ulric corrected before returning his attention to the blue-eyed fox. "Answer my questions."

"He'll kill me." "Do we look like we're ready to have a tea party with you? Answer my fucking questions!" "I--I was paid. Paid to kidnap the princess." He laughed out loud, as did his friends. "There is no princess here. Where have you been for the past few years?" "She's returned." He spoke like some twisted cult member, confident in his claim. "Sure, pal. Cade, take him to the cells in the sub-level. We'll deal with him after we secure the perimeter." Ulric leaned against the wall once he was alone with Wesley and Ronan. "There's a female loose. If the others still haven't tracked her outside that means she's in here somewhere. I caught her tying to sneak in one of the hidden doorways—" "So you're saying she could be inside?" Ronan was gnawing at the bit. He was one of their more lethal members, highly dedicated to the queen. Ulric had never heard a complaint uttered from his lips. He bound off before receiving an answer. The moment the alarms sounded the Elites stationed inside the castle would have checked on the queen and created a wall of protection around her room, so Ulric was more concerned with searching the outside. "I'll head to the east, you take the west," he said to Wesley. His friend nodded, shifted back into a panther, and raced down the west tunnel. **** His life had been dull and uneventful since moving into the royal palace. The sense of urgency in the air now kept him entertained. Shifters scoured the grounds. He watched from the small, stone terrace off his bedroom. The lot of them looked like search dogs, trying to find the fool crazy enough to break into the castle. Ulric had pissed him off, treating him like a delicate female. He needed no protecting, and his friend should know that by now. The tests to get on the suitor list for a princess were nearly as involved as the ones to become an Elite. He could handle himself in the face of danger. A little excitement would help hedge the monotonous days of waiting for a wayward princess. The door to his bedroom opened and closed, capturing his attention. It was probably one of the guards doing another room

check. He stepped back into the bedroom from the terrace to find someone rooting through his dresser drawer. "I don't think the criminal would fit in my sock drawer," he said. This invasion of privacy would be reported to the queen first thing in the morning. It would give him something new to grumble about at breakfast. The man turned to face him—make that a woman. Her scarf fell partway off her head, revealing shiny black hair and a beautiful heart-shaped face. His cock twitched, a result of the large white moon shining down through the open patio doors and having a beautiful female alone in his private quarters. He'd like to think she was a gift for him to soil his oats, but the multiple partner matings in shifter culture always included one woman and numerous men, never the other way around. It was something founded by the monarchy. "Who are you?" she asked as if he'd entered her room and not the other way around.

Chapter Seven "Me? This is my bedroom. The more appropriate question is, who are you?" Judging by his eyes, the stranger was a wolf shifter. It was easy to hold a soft spot for her own race, a natural attraction of her wolf to his. "You live here?" He wasn't a royal male. She'd be able to sense a relative. This man was new to her, a sinfully sexy wolf with a confident swagger. "I'm waiting for my rebellious bride. Personally, I'd sooner have you in my bed." He stepped closer, the wind drawing the sheer white curtains out the open patio doors where they fluttered like trapped spirits. "Do you work here?" She couldn't let him get too close or he'd recognize her for who she was. And if this man was truly one of her betrothed, selected by her mother, she wanted nothing to do with him out of principle. His very presence in her old bedroom was an insult, a slap in the face. Despite his pretty-boy good looks and mesmerizing wolf eyes, she'd never be forced to mate him. "Oh no. I don't work here. Just passing through." She touched the items on the dresser. A few she remembered from her childhood. Others were not hers, including bottles of musk-scented cologne and other masculine hygiene items. There was a small jade carved wolf on a leather necklace. She picked it up and examined it. When she was little, her grandmother used to tell her a jade wolf would guide her to one of her future mate. It seemed too much of a coincidence that the man waiting for her also had the exact icon her late grandmother mentioned so many years ago. "Tell me, why wait for a princess who clearly isn't interested in mating with you. It's always caused me pause." She watched as he stepped down from the upper level by the balcony to the level she occupied. He didn't approach her, but moved around the room, like a predator circling his prey. "It's an honor." He was silent for a few moments. "Who am I kidding? I'm the only one foolish enough to stick around. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my mother. It meant everything for her that I immortalize the lines of my father by mating with royal blood. So, I sit here in this gods-forsaken castle day after day, year after year, waiting for a princess who could very well be mated like her sisters. What I'd really like to do is free

myself of this stone prison and live my life before I have no good years left." She hadn't expected the shifter's life story. At least he didn't sugar coat anything, but then again, he didn't know who he was speaking to. "You look like you have many good years left. I'm surprised you didn't leave to build your life with a real woman, rather than holding out for an illusion of one. You're the last suitor. All the others left, but you stayed. Why?" Delia rubbed the small wolf between her fingers, shifting it to and fro. Was this a sign? "Did you ever think maybe fate intervened somewhere along the way? That maybe, despite the involved selection process, you were actually destined for the princess?" "Who did you say you were again?" When she didn't answer, he continued, "Doesn't matter. This moon has me under its spell. I normally bite my tongue, but I can't seem to shut-up tonight. I think my wolf is trying to tell me something." "You should listen to it. My wolf has never led me astray." "Your wolf?" He closed the distance between them, and reached out to touch the necklace she held. "Do you like it? It was my mother's. She wanted me to give it to my future bride." It was time for Delia to make her exit. She'd said too much when she shouldn't have allowed herself to even be seen. Her emotions were scattered, so unlike her. She loved the fox, now felt a soul deep bond to the one man she should be avoiding. "Where does the queen sleep?" She had to find her mother, to speak her mind before she went for the weapons lockers on the lower level. There would be a small scale Armageddon before the night was through. Just then the door burst open and Ulric burst inside, all six and a half feet of him. The bear shifter was a brick house of solid male muscle. His hair was cropped short to his head, the same way his mother kept it when he was young. She'd recognized Ulric in the tunnels immediately. He'd changed, no longer an awkward youth, but a dominant male presence. Did he remember her? In her heart, she'd always felt a connection between them. But love, lust, and infatuation were often confused when women were young. She wasn't so sure what she felt back then, but she couldn't deny the little leap in her stomach when she saw him up close. "Close the glass doors, Alexander. I don't want her escaping again."

He moved in on her like a huntsman. She tucked her scarf tighter around her face to disguise her identity. "Escaping? Who is this woman?" asked the wolf shifter. She could hear the concern in his voice. Delia was a nobody to him so why should he care? "An intruder. She breached the outer defenses. I think she means to kill the queen." Delia laughed. No, she didn't plan on killing her own mother. As much as she'd been tempted over the years, she would never sink so low. Deep down she still loved her. "Let me pass or you'll both be sorry." Ulric may be twice her size, but she'd fight to her last breath if she had to. Never again would she be set on display like a bird in a gilded cage. She had to maintain her freedom under all circumstances. If she managed to leave the castle tonight with her life, she would return to Caleb and accept the love he offered. Just thinking of the fox made her heart ache. She'd left him as he slept, not warning him that she was heading to the castle immediately, rather than waiting for a new day. The full moon energized her, spurring her to act. Now she felt selfish for risking her life after what they'd shared together. "Come here, little wolf," Ulric coaxed with venom in his eyes. He was a noble guard. The markings on his arm symbolized he was one of the Royal Elite. If she'd been given the freedom to choose all those years ago, she may have asked to have Ulric as a mate. Now the future was more uncertain than the conflicting emotions impeding her judgment. She wouldn't hurt him, but wouldn't be captured. Both men moved in on her, cornering her near the bedside table and lamp. She grabbed the floor lamp by the metallic base and swung it out in an arch, daring them to move within her reach. "She's a feisty one. Let me play with her for a while before you lock her in the dungeon." The wolf grinned at her, a vision of sex and sin. How could her mother think she'd be happy with such a superficial creature as a mate? He was supposed to be waiting for her, the last princess, but here he was ready to bed a strange female. "Alexander, let me handle this." He moved closer, and she swung, the full force of her muscles working together to deliver a massive blow—which he stopped abruptly with his hand. He pulled the lamp out of her grip with ease and tossed it behind him in a clatter that rattled her nerves. She gasped, shocked, horrified, and thoroughly

turned on by his display of strength. It was only natural for her to desire an alpha male, one who would be a good provider and protector. It was the law of nature, but had nothing to do with love. Then again, this was Ulric, the man she'd thought about numerous times over the years. They were terrible as a team when they were kids, sneaking out at night, tormenting the guards, and playing tricks on the royal family members. Those were the days she remembered with a smile, the days before she struck puberty and the endless demands of being a princess. "Don’t hurt her." The wolf was following their every move like a shadow. Ulric closed the remaining distance between them, moving with calculated steps. The scarf floated down off her face when she stepped back against the wall. She bared her fangs, ready to use them in combination with her claws. He stopped short, straightening his guarded stance. "Delia? Is it you?" "Delia Demori? The last princess?" asked Alexander. "Let me leave, Ulric. I won't go to the prison. I'd sooner die than be confined once again." "Why the hell did you come here then? Do you plan to kill your mother?" She tugged the suffocating scarf off her neck and tossed it on the bed now that the ruse was up. "I just came to make things right." Alexander spoke up, "It was you all along. Somehow my wolf knew..." He took her hand and opened her palm, and then pressed the jade necklace into her grip and closed her fingers. "I guess this is yours now, my bride." The way he looked at her told countless stories. This male wanted more from her than just her pedigree—a future, a family—and it felt wrong to take the opportunity away from him. But she didn't come home just to give up, falling for the first handsome face. "I didn't return to be mated, not to you or anyone my mother chose." She searched the room and all exits for a possible means of escape. "I came to talk some sense into the queen; to create an uproar so all shifters can finally be aware of the lives we're forced to live as princesses. I haven't spoke with my sisters in years. I'm without a home, roots, safety, a mate, or family—all because of the undo pressures put on me by our culture."

"I'll speak with the queen first thing in the morning so we can arrange the wedding. We'll make everything right." Then the wolf's tone deepened, "I can't say I'm disappointed with how you've turned out, princess." He had no perception of just how far the queen's rule reached. Her choices, her feelings, her dreams—they all meant nothing in the face of her mother's ideals. She growled, bolting away from the wolf shifter and the happily ever after that would always elude her. Ulric caught her in his arms. Her breath hitched as she hit the hard length of his body. He was so warm, so strong, and so familiar. She looked up at him, studying his strong jaw, full lips, and dark eyes. Was it the power of the moon in the darkened room or genuine feelings for the bear shifter that stole her breath? Why hadn't she fought to get away yet? She felt protected in his embrace—even though his job as a Royal Elite would be to capture her, to bring her to the queen for punishment. Ulric was her heart from a childhood past, a window into happier times. "No more running, Delia," he whispered. "What do you expect me to do, Ulric? Fulfill a prophecy that goes against my better judgment, one that alienates sisters from each other? I should be able to choose my mates or choose not to mate at all." "You can't abandon your calling, princess," said Ulric. "You'll condemn us all if you don't mate." "My sisters will carry on the lines. There's no need for me." "Do you realize the hell I had to go through to get on the suitor list—the tests, the challenges? Then I had to sit back and wait for my fickle bride to return while I was the laughing stock of the palace." "This isn't about you, Alexander. I never asked for you to wait for me. Until today, I didn't even know your name." "Until today I didn't give a shit about the person my bride would be. Now, for the first time in a long time, I'm excited about what tomorrow brings. Your scent is calling to me, confirming we're the right match." She scoffed. "It's just my royal blood. You're no different than any unmated male." "Don't take me for a common wolf. I can control my needs, and I have for five long years."

There was a loud whine and then an abrupt bang that shook the floors for a second. The power to the castle and grounds shut off. All lights and electronics were put to rest, leaving them with only the glow of the moon for illumination. "They've shut down the power. The Elites are on the hunt now." Her heartbeat increased. She'd never get past all those mercenaries now. Ulric was her only hope. "Please, take me to my mother before it's too late." "Her room is the most guarded. If you go in there you won't be coming out a free woman." She tried to struggle away from him, but he held her shoulders and gave her a little shake. "I won't have you living a life you despise, even if it means never seeing you again." He removed one hand and smoothed her hair back in a loving caress. "I became an Elite to be closer to you, but the same rigid rules that entrap you also keep me from taking what I want." Delia swallowed hard. "What is it you want?" He leaned down and kissed her, his mouth aggressive but tender at once. She accepted him, feeling as if she'd come home—in him. This was a kiss she'd dreamt about, a forbidden act between childhood friends, but they were both grown adults now. The energy of the night enriched her desire, her needs. She'd only just learned the pleasures of the flesh and already she craved more.

Chapter Eight Ulric never wanted to let her go. Now that he had Delia in his grasp it was his ultimate wish fulfillment, and he couldn't give her up. He understood her plight now more than ever. The queen didn't want another bear shifter in the family, but he couldn't change the race he was born into. To be with her meant going against the rules, rebelling as Delia chose to do. His best friend, Alexander, had been patiently waiting for her. As cocky as he came across at times, Ulric knew him to be a good man. He was a shifter of honor, strong family ties, and duty. If he had to share Delia, he would choose his friend to join them. Ulric wasn't so naïve to believe he'd ever get the princess for himself, not when she was destined for a multiple mating. He'd resigned to the fact, and didn't desire her any less because of it. "I've dreamt of this day," he said against her lips. Her scent was so alive, surrounding them both in an erotic veil. "If you want to piss off your mother, there's no better way than allowing an unapproved suitor to take your body." "Tempting offer, bear. Only I'm immune to the charms and tactics of men." Her hands smoothed up his bare chest, squeezing the testing. She was playing games like when they were young, only now they were adult games. "She needs a wolf to tame her. Let me have a go at my future bride. After tonight she'll have no doubts where she belongs." Alexander was in their midst now, tucking Delia's hair behind her ear—hair as black as the shroud of night blanketing the palace. Her eyes were so green and dominant of her face, beckoning him closer. "Does her blood call to you as it does me?" asked Ulric, mesmerized by the little wolf. "More than I expected." The crazy shifter worked his way into the front of Delia's leather pants. He expected her to throttle the highly sexual wolf, but she let out a strangled groan and tossed her head back. "Tell me, princess. Have you saved yourself for me? Will I be the first cock in this lovely little pussy?" She shook her head. There was a slight sting when Ulric heard the truth, but he was far from innocent himself. He still wanted her.

"Then we won't have to teach you anything, will we?" He prodded Alexander out of the way and scooped Delia up by the backs of her thighs. Once face to face they kissed again. It was so easy to get lost in her taste and the swirling energy of her lust. He laid her down on the neatly made bed. Alexander was anal about cleanliness after spending too many years being pampered in the palace. Ulric rented a shitty little bachelor apartment above a store in town—far from glamorous. He rarely spent time at home since he was on duty for so many hours per day. He unbuttoned her pants and tugged them down her hips. She wore whisper thin panties, and he couldn't help but bring his nose to her cunt to breath in her royal scent. For a moment he swore he smelled the vile odor of a fox shifter, but disregarded it. The smell from the intruder probably still lingered on him, or was he with Delia working as a team? The questions could wait, had to wait. One way or another the princess would be his. Even if he had to live off the grid as she did for most of her adult life, it would be worth it to finally have a mate he loved, the one he longed for these many years. She arched up into his face, forcing his fangs to the surface. Alexander was removing her shirt, revealing plump, beautiful breasts. The air reeked of sex, intoxicating. Ulric slipped off her panties and parted her legs. He'd been fantasizing about this for far too long. He delved into her pussy, hungrier than he'd ever been. She was already wet, her honey sweet-smelling, her labia swollen. He indulged himself, fucking her with his tongue before settling over her clit. The princess would soon learn what she was missing if she disregarded him as a mate. "Ulric," she cried out, music to his ears. "Hush, little wolf. Let him enjoy himself. I can just imagine how delectable you taste." He glanced up to see Alexander now stark naked. The crazy wolf. He sat on the edge of the bed beside her, pawing and suckling her bare tits. She writhed from their joint ministrations, moaned, and pleaded. Ulric wanted to bring her to the edge, the place where she'd drop all inhibitions and give in to the double-fucking he had planned for her. **** Delia was floating in that peaceful realm of exquisite pleasure, the calm before the storm. Ulric's skilled mouth had her entire body

quivering, her pussy pulsing strong and demanding. Then it all stopped as she was transported into pre-orgasmic bliss. Sounds were muffled, the world went away. All she could focus on was the feel of Alexander's mouth over her sensitive nipples and Ulric's tongue practically vibrating over her swollen clit. She never expected to come to the castle and end up on her back, being explored by two eager males. What happened to her well laid plans to bring mayhem and destruction? She blamed the moon and her recent orgasm with Caleb for her wanton desire. "I'm burning," she cried out. It seemed all the heat in her body pulled in from her extremities and pooled deep in her cunt where Ulric's tongue couldn’t reach. She needed more, needed to feel the bear shifter filling her, settling the itch that drove her mad. "That's good, Delia. It means you're very close. Let Ulric finish eating your pussy. Any minute now and you'll be glad you waited." Alexander was so keen on sharing her. His confidence was a turn on. She'd expect a royal suitor to be spoiled and snotty, not damn gorgeous and friends with Ulric. Royal suitors usually thought themselves too good to befriend guards or commoners, but she could feel the connection between the two men. "If you need an outlet, I'm not adverse to you sucking my cock. Would you like that?" It's not something she was experienced in, but her inner shewolf demanded it. She parted her lips and turned her head. Alexander was already stripped of all clothing, his body lean muscled, tanned, and delicious to look at. The moonlight cast shadows over every ridge of muscle and the outline of his prominent erection. He braced one knee on the mattress and held the base of his dick with a firm fist, directing it to her mouth. As soon as she latched on, she sighed. The vibration from the sound made the alpha wolf groan and thread his hand through her hair. "Suck it hard, princess. I've had blue balls for five years. You owe me this." She ignored his comment and suckled the thick meat, savoring the musky taste of his wolf. He must have shifted recently— she could taste his feral essence. Without being told what to do she pressed the cock between her tongue and palate, sucked on the head, and then accepted the length when he fed it down her throat. It was difficult to concentrate on two tasks. She had to anchor herself from the exquisite torture of her pussy while fully enjoying the wolf's dick in her mouth.

Then she came. The orgasm snuck up on her, surprising her with its strength. Her hips bucked and body lurched as wave after wave of heady pleasure washed through her veins. She released Alexander for fear of biting off his member when she was so far gone. Ulric climbed up from between her legs and lowered over her body. The roughness of his denim jeans teased her hypersensitive pussy. He kissed her, offering her a taste of her own flavor. "You're ready for us now, Delia." She knew her eyes were glazed over as she could barely focus. The afterglow of her peak lingered on and on. He rolled her to her stomach. Every nerve was hotwired and responsive. Each touch brought her dangerously close to a new orgasm. She wasn't sure how much she could take, never having had the chance to explore her limits. When she glanced up, Alexander was stroking his erection, pumping it back and forth like a piston. She was mesmerized by his size, the beauty of his male form, and the intensity in his eyes as he watched her. "Ouch!" Ulric bit her right on the ass. A play bite, but it still hurt. "Should I stop?" he teased. "Just behave," she said. "It's a full moon, princess. We're both alphas on the verge of shifting. You're naked on my bed, filling the room with your pungent scent." Alexander laughed, still stroking himself. "We will most certainly not be behaving tonight." She could feel the moisture seeping from between her legs. Ulric kissed her ass to make it better, trailing more kisses lower. When he spread her cheeks apart with his hands and kissed her puckered rosette, millions of little sparks fired to life making her shudder. She'd never realized so much pleasure could be encased in such a small, forbidden area. Delia thought of Caleb alone at the hotel, maybe worrying if he'd woken up. Her heart cried out to him, wishing he were here. The fox was so different from these males, more emotionally attentive, gentler. This experience tested all her boundaries. Ulric's tongue lapped at her nether hole, as he spread her legs further apart. Her breasts pressed against the bedspread, taunting her pebbled nipples, increasing her needs. She craved more attention. She truly must be a royal princess because she realized less than three males would never do. Without saying it aloud, she'd chosen of her

own free will. Delia would bond with Caleb, Ulric and Alexander. Perhaps having one royal suitor would appease her mother, but it would still happen this way regardless. It was as if everything orchestrated as it had for a reason. All her years of lonely suffering led her back home, into the welcoming arms of three delicious and worthy males. Although she had yet to get to know Alexander, Ulric would never have allowed him to get close to her if he thought negatively of the wolf. She always knew she'd take at least one wolf if she chose mates—her she-wolf demanded it. "I know you have a stockpile of toys, Alexander. Pass me the lube." Delia turned her neck around. "For what?" Ulric lapped at her ass cheek, flashing thick, white canines at her when he grinned. She gasped as the thrill of his dominant display sent a thrill rushing through her womb. "For your cute little ass. It will be a snug fit for my cock, don't you think?" What was she doing? She tried to remind herself that Carna and Freya had been down this road long before her and lived it every day of their lives. Carna had four alpha males and Freya three. Surely Delia could handle a little double and triple action. She was the eldest and supposed to be the most experienced. But in matters of sex she knew very little, only what she'd experienced with Caleb earlier in the night. Alexander handed Ulric a small white tube. She heard a spurt of liquid and then a cool jolt as he pressed a moist finger deep into her ass. Delia bit her lip not to squeal. She abhorred weakness in women even more than men. "You're tight. You've never taken a cock in your ass before, have you?" She shook her head, glad he knew the truth so he'd take it easy on her. If Caleb were here he'd be a patient and loving teacher. Of course, he was just as inexperienced in the bedroom as Delia, so she needed these wicked men to thrust her into their world. She only hoped she come out unscathed on the other side. Ulric eased his finger in and out, slow and steady. The tight hold her anus had on his digit assisted in ignited countless dormant nerves. He leaned over her back, his heat scorching her skin. She sighed, savoring the intimacy, the physical affection she lacked for so long. The bear snaked his hand between the mattress and her body, searching until he found her clit. Then the torment truly began. He

finger fucked her ass while rubbing circles over her bundle of nerves at the front. When he added a second finger, he quickened his teasing on her clit. She felt his hot breath against her neck and shoulder as he groaned, a primitive sound. Somehow he enjoyed giving her pleasure as much as she did receiving it. Then he bit her. Not like before, not a playful nip, but a deep, penetrating love bite with his fangs. It burned, a new heat flushing her face, her body. She couldn’t contain the pressure so desperate for escape. "Ulric!" She detonated, her pressure releasing in a chorus of guttural moans as her ass clenched his fingers, her pussy spasmed, and a new connection was born. Ulric had marked her, making them as one for all time. It felt satisfying. Right. "Two orgasms before we even begin? You'll be dead to the world when we're through with you. Perhaps you'll be bed ridden for days," said Alexander. "Don't flatter yourself, wolf. I'm a big girl. I can take anything the two of you can dish out." "You should be more careful of what you say, little one." Ulric mounted her from behind and in moments she felt the same cool jolt, but this time it wasn't a finger to toy with her, but the head of a monster cock. It would never fit inside her. How could a male be so well endowed? She blamed it on his bear heritage. "You're in for a treat, princess. My friend has been blessed by the gods it seems." Alexander was nothing to laugh at so Ulric must be obscenely large, but she couldn't see from the position on her stomach. "Relax, Delia. I must get my cock inside you, even if it takes all night. You're mine now so your body needs to adjust to my size." She wanted to take him all, every inch. Just the thought of all that hard cock filling her made her juices flow again. She was so wet. He eased the head of his erection into her too tight ass. Even with the stretching he'd done with his fingers, it wasn't much use now. It burned as he forged his way deeper. She wanted to cry out, to tell him to stop, but refused to appear weak in front of these men. Alexander knelt by the bed so they were eye to eye. "Look at me," he said. She lifted just her eyes. "It's normal to feel pressure and discomfort for your first time. But I promise, once you've adjusted

you'll be begging for more." He cupped her face and kissed her lips. This was another new kiss, different, but equally welcome. "Oh gods, you're too big, Ulric!" He must have had a couple inches embedded inside her when he froze. "Take all the time you need. I'll wait for you." She could hear his heavy breaths coming out as stifled growls. The big bad, bear shifting Royal Elite was taking his time with her, putting her needs ahead of his. She never thought she'd adjust to his thick girth, but after a couple minutes the burning diminished, and when she clenched down there was no discomfort, only need. Alexander kissed her lips, once. "Her eyes have never been this green, Ulric. I think she likes it. Good timing because I don't think my dick has ever been harder." He tilted her chin up with a finger. "Will you suckle me while Ulric primes your ass? It shouldn't take long before I join you both." What on earth did they have planned for her? She licked her lips in invitation, so he stood and aimed his deep red cock at her face again. As she wrapped her lips around the familiar length, Ulric thrust deeper and deeper into her ass until she was panting around the dick in her mouth. Once fully seated, all that cock stuffed in her ass, she thought she may gag from the fullness. She loved it. It felt dirty and forbidden, but oh so right. He grabbed her hips in a bruising grip. She had the suspicion he didn't know his own strength because he'd never intentionally hurt her. Then he rocked back and forth, thrusting slow and deep, building up her excitement. "She's very good with her mouth. You'll have to try later," said Alexander, guided her head over his cock. "Her tight little ass won't let me hold on long. If you're going to join us, you best do it now," said Ulric, his voice deep and gravely. "She's my betrothed. It's only fitting I fill her with my seed." Both men withdrew from her body and shifted her to the centre of the bed. She was lost in a daze, an erotic slumber where she didn't have the energy to do anything but experience what they offered. Saying no was not an option. Alexander laid on the bed, his virile cock jutting up from the dark thatch of hair at his groin. "Sit on my dick, little wolf. Impale yourself all the way to the hilt." As if a robot acting on command, she straddled his lap and sunk into relief. She sighed, loving the feel of having her pussy filled once again. It reminded her of Caleb and felt

so fucking good. Alexander didn't wait. His jaw was hard set, his eyes lethal. He was no longer a man but a shifter barely holding onto control. Her she-wolf howled within her as she began to ride his cock, up and down, harder and faster. "Lean forward, Delia. I'm joining the both of you." Ulric used a palm to force her against the other man's chest as he positioned himself behind her. This time she received no complimentary adjustment period. He found his mark and fucked her hard, filling her ass full of cock. The additional penis fought for space with the other one, only a thin membrane separating them. The fullness was unreal. Every minute movement sent her nerves racing. She drifted. There were hands touching her, lips kissing her, and hard male bodies making love to her. It was impossible to focus on one flame of sensation when her body was afire. As Ulric continued to pump into her ass, his balls and thighs slapping against her, Alexander pulled her closer. "You're worth the wait," he said before cracking the taut layer of skin at her neck. His canines sunk deep, marking her as Ulric did. There would be no martyrdom for her, not with two mates now linked to her soul. Why hadn't Caleb claimed her? She'd asked him to at first, wanted him to, but he held back. Why? The fresh bite brought her spiraling towards a third orgasm. Her body was so spent that she feared the intensity this one promised. When the light and heat and passion released from her body, both men were there to hold her steady, to help her ride out the lengthy orgasm while joining her themselves. Ulric rolled off onto the mattress, and as she attempted to move to a bare spot on the bed, Alexander tucked her under his arm and kissed her damp forehead. "You're my mate, whether the queen says so or not. This I know." She smiled, pleased with his words and the perfect moment she was in. "I'm beat," said Ulric. "But I still have to interrogate that fucking fox. I'll be back as soon as I can, princess. I promise." "What fox?"

Chapter 'ine Delia followed him all the way down into the dank basement of the castle, wearing the black scarf for discretion. Alexander wasn't too far behind, not willing to leave his prize to wander out of sight. Ulric had imagined this day in his dreams, wondered how he would feel about sharing Delia should he have the miracle to mate with her. Now it was reality and he didn't feel threatened at all. It was as if this mating was meant to be, declared by the gods. Alexander was his friend, a man devoted to bringing the dying wish of his mother to fruitation. But there was more. He saw the look in his eyes after he'd marked Delia. Ulric knew he felt the same connection, the one binding the three of them for life. But two mates were unheard of for a princess. Delia's sisters had three or four each. How would he feel about another male joining their trio? "When exactly did you capture him?" she asked again as they navigated the twisting stone staircase, lit only by candle wall sconces. The power was still out, but as shifters, predators of the night, they could see well enough. "I've told you. It was soon after I caught you the first time. He claimed to be looking for a princess, which is ridiculous because until today we didn't have one." Delia was overly concerned about the prisoner. It was just another pesky fox. Surely she couldn't feel pity for the man, especially since he claimed he was trying to kidnap a royal. He's lucky Delia didn't find him before Ulric did. She was capable of ripping a fox shifter to shreds with her skilled she-wolf. He still remembered the sleekness and agility of her wolf. It would be a treat to run through the woods with her like they did when they were youngsters. Soon. He pushed open the heavy iron door, dismissing another Elite who was keeping watch. "Are you ready to talk?" he asked the prisoner. Delia swatted him out of her way and burst into the cool room. "Caleb!" She stopped short, her brow creasing. "Where's Caleb?" "Who's Caleb?" asked Alexander. "My first mate." She left the cell, returning to the candlelight of the main prison room. The fact so spoke so matter-of-factly blew him away. She had no love bites on her and he'd thoroughly explored her decadent body.

"You have no other mate besides us," said Ulric, prisoner now forgotten entirely. "It happened suddenly. Recently. He's waiting for me at a hotel nearby." Alexander crossed his arms over his chest, his face stoic. "Who is this fellow exactly? What species? Where's he from? Does he realize princesses take more than one male?" She exhaled in exasperation. "This is not a contest. The bond I have with each of you is unique, but also binding us as a whole." "Well, I for one would like to know about the other piece of our 'whole'," said Ulric. "He's of no threat to either of you. He's—" "Oh gods, not another fucking bear?" "Watch it, Alexander," he mock-warned. "A fox. He's a fox, okay." She said it like a curse, and it was. A fox shifter? With a princess? It was absurd, disgusting, unnatural. Royal princesses were destined for greatness—top breeds, strongest alpha males. For her to add a measly fox to their collective was laughable. Alexander did, laughing out loud, the deep sound echoing in the small stony room. "A fox you say? What will you do with him when you have us?" "He's smart, funny, handsome, and wonderful. If you can't accept my choice then stay away!" She glared at both of them and then stormed out. Alexander gave chase. Ulric returned his attention to the fox in the holding cell. "You! Tell me how you knew there was a princess here. Was it another fox who hired you? Tell me now!" "What would one of us want with a royal? It was a wolf, but I don't know his name. He knew the last princess would return here." "How?" The man hesitated. "Because I told him. I hacked into this guy's computer and found out he was coming here with the princess." He dragged a hand through his hair. "Don't judge me! We all have to make a living somehow." "You fox shifters are all the same. Grow some fucking balls. Ronan will be down soon to teach you what we do to traders of the throne."

He slammed the cell door closed and locked it. The mere idea of living out his days under the same roof as one of those creepy little beta shifters made his skin crawl. The thought of one of them touching Delia, fucking her, enraged him. **** The moment he sat up in the bed and opened his eyes, he knew she was gone. There wasn't even any lingering warmth on her side of the bed. He'd checked the room and found her clothes and boots missing. There was no doubt in his mind that Delia went to the castle alone. She was going to make a martyr out of herself. Why couldn't she understand that nothing she did would change age-old laws and customs? What mattered was living her own life, a new life—with him. Caleb didn't have any special training in combat or stealth. He spent his days doing odd jobs online. But he wouldn't let Delia make the worst mistake of her life if he could stop it. Even without marking her, he knew she was meant to be his. There were so many layers to the princess, much more than meet the eye. He wanted to uncover every one, to learn about the woman he planned to devote his life to. He called a taxi, considering the motorcycle was gone and he had no way of getting to the castle. Caleb had them park a block away so he could creep up without announcing his arrival. The night sky was lighter than usual, highlighted by the full white sphere of the moon. He cursed the moon and its strength, tonight of all night he needed his full wits. Even under the dire circumstances, all he could play in his head were the mewling sounds Delia made as he fucked her. She was tight, responsive, perfect. He didn't want his first time to be his last. Caleb used the large oaks surrounding the palace as shields. The grounds were so dark, not even a glow of light from the main windows. It seemed unlikely the entire palace would be asleep, even at the unholy hour. There would be staff, guards, and nocturnal royals up and about even now. Something wasn't right. When he approached the perimeter fence, he cursed. It was too high, and perilous to climb with the barbed wire coiled above. The rungs were too tight for him to squeeze through. His only hope was to shift, something he hadn't done since…he couldn't even remember when. Only the havoc the full moon wreaked on his libido

reminded him he wasn't human. It was so easy to get lost in a world dominated by the weaker species. He shed his clothing and quickly shifted. It was like riding a bike, the change taking over without too much discomfort or difficulty. He tested his fur, his paws, his fangs. It felt good to be on all fours again, although it would be better if he were born a predator, not a scavenger. He wanted to be worthy of Delia's love. She was a princess and deserved better than his pathetic pedigree. Caleb slipped between the bars and crept through the underbrush of the outlying forest. As he neared the castle, he picked up Delia's scent. He'd been right. She had come looking for redemption. What would it take for her to accept his love and give up this quest of hers? She wasn't the only one living a lonely life without roots. Caleb never expected to claim a mate, but once he'd mentally decided on Delia, knew in his heart she was his, endless possibilities erupted. She was stealing those chances away from him by risking her life so foolishly. There was a rumbling in the trees capturing his attention to the forest canopy above. Then a crushing weight knocked him to his side, and he continued to roll through the leaf litter with the other shifter bound to him. It was a panther, he recognized the scent thanks to his friend, Blue, which meant he was screwed. He got to his feet and started to run. As a kid he'd learned that running was best unless he wanted his ass handed to him by an alpha. But he was blocked by a wolf ahead of him and then more shifters to his right and left. They were huge. Their eyes blazed, glowing unnaturally under the shadow of the forest. The full moon didn't just heighten sexual energy, but also aggression. These Royal Elite guards were trained to rip him apart, probably as painfully as possible. Had Delia gotten through or had she come across these same males already? Anger built up inside him as he imagined even one of them harming a single hair on her head. The wolf began to growl, baring his fangs. Caleb decided to follow suite, flashing his own sharp incisors. It was a stupid move when dealing with a dominant race. In the blink of an eye they converged on him. He fought back, clawing and biting any body part in reach. Pain sluiced through his body as the shifters invoked damage of their own. He could smell the acrid scent of his own

blood, feel the jarring pain in his thigh where fangs clamped down hard, and couldn't help but curse his weakness when all he wanted to do was get to Delia. If he had to die here, he'd go down like a man, despite what these alphas thought of foxes as a whole. He battled with every breath he had. When he was a bite away from giving up, another wolf came to his aid. A black beauty, a female, Delia. She came out of nowhere, her eyes blazing a primal mix of greens and yellows. Her fangs were lethal, tearing through even the largest male shifters. She ducked and leapt, bit and tore. It was like watching a beautifully synchronized ballet, but this one was deadly. Any minute and she could be mortally wounded. He suspected his leg was broken but that didn't stop him. He limped closer and pounced on the back of the panther attempting to claw his mate. His mate. It sounded right even saying it in his head. If only they could get out of this alive, but the odds of that happening were stacked against them. Delia was vicious, growling and barking, ignoring the pain inflicted on her, but appearing to use it as a catalyst to fight harder, dirtier. When she yelped, he felt it all the way in the pit of his stomach, but she didn't falter. There were several wolves in the melee, and he could have sworn one of them was working against the guards. When the weight of the Elite Ops was too much for both of them, Delia pinned beneath a male nearly twice her size, a bear came charging across the lawn. Caleb thought his eyes deceived him at first. The animal was massive in size. He'd only seen one other bear shifter in its natural form before, his friend, Jacob. But this male was new to him. He'd kill Delia with one swat of his oversized paw. But rather than go for the princess, he used his strength against the male above her, sending him hurdling into the trees with a drawn out cry. He stood over Delia, rearing onto his hind legs in a dominant display for the others. His height and bulk were intimidating. All the guards cowered away, backing up to give him the space he demanded. **** Ulric heard the snarling fight as soon as he stepped out into the open air. Delia and Alexander had been well ahead of him, so he knew they had to be part of the ruckus. He thought maybe his Royal Elite brothers had found another intruder, but then realized they were attacking his woman, their own princess. His body rumbled and the

shift took over even before he commanded it. Ulric only saw red. He focused on defending his mate, with his death if necessary. It was easy to create a protective bubble around her, his comrades not stupid enough to challenge him. It was only after they shifted back to their human form that he began to catalogue Delia's injuries. "Who dared to harm the princess? Tell me!" The other guards looked down, ashamed. He had no doubt they were clueless as to who they fought in the heat of battle, but surely they should have scented her royal blood or the fact she was female. Ulric dropped to his knees beside her. The stubborn thing was already pushing herself up into a sit. "Caleb. Where's Caleb?" she repeated. He remembered her mentioning that name in the cells when she thought her first mate was being held captive. Ulric scanned the grounds, easily pinpointing the fox shifter. He wasn't pathetic like the other fox who'd tried to break into the castle. This one was larger than most, well toned, and carrying serious injuries without whining like a little bitch. The fact he'd seen the other man fight for Delia despite half a dozen alpha males attacking him earned him respect in Ulric's book. "He's fine. He's right over there. Now lay still while I look you over." Of course she was completely naked after shifting, as was everyone in sight, including the fox. Ulric didn't want any roving eyes focusing on his mate so he commanded them all to return to the castle. The queen would no doubt hear about Delia's return within the next few minutes. Alexander had fought for Delia, too. Something Ulric knew the wolf shifter wouldn't have bothered with unless he deeply cared about his new woman. The gods had brought true mates together, a miracle granted for each princess despite going against the queen's wishes. Perhaps it was a sign of a new age. Then he remembered the fox. "Caleb!" she called out again. Ulric left Delia with Alexander and went to check on the fox. "Are you hurt?" he asked, looking down at the man. "Where am I not hurt?" he said with a twist of sarcasm and humor. The fox should be in agony, not being sociable. Ulric admired

a man who could handle pain, just as he respected a man who'd die for their mate. "Can you stand? Delia needs you close by, but I won't have you whimpering, getting her all upset." "Whimpering? Am I a puppy now? Just help me to my feet and I'll manage on my own." Maybe having a third male in their ménage wouldn't be as torturous as he'd expected. In fact, he could already see what the princess saw in the young shifter. He was refreshing after dealing with the alphas in the Royal Elite day in day out. Ulric hoisted him up with ease. He had a limp. The bone had likely been broken, but shifter blood healed in a fraction of the time it took humans, and without clumsy casts and stitches. "You don't look like a fox." "I'm guessing that's a compliment but, trust me, my size only got me ostracized right out of my own race. Different isn't always a good thing." "It is in my books. Now go to her." The fox shifter carefully lowered himself beside the princess. She smiled for Caleb, wrapping her arms around his neck. Did she love him more than Ulric? As much as he wanted to see her happy, he couldn’t ignore the little burn of jealousy. Did Alexander feel it, too? "Why, Delia? Why'd you leave without telling me?" Caleb smoothed her tousled hair from her face. "Why'd you come after me? Look at you! You could have been killed." "Because I love you, and I can't imagine a future without you. So any thoughts you had of martyrdom need to be flushed out." She nodded, dropping her head against his chest as they sat beside each other on the forest floor. Ulric saw the fox wince as she pressed against his injuries. Did she prefer beta males? Would she be the first princess with one mate? Ulric may not have a fear of enemies or death, but he feared having his heart broken by the only woman he'd ever loved.

Chapter Ten Delia knew she'd have to face her mother as soon as her body healed. This was one time she wished she was a human needing months of recover, anything to avoid the inevitable. But she was already close to perfectly healed, thanks to her unique royal blood. "Bite me, Caleb. You need my blood to help you recover." He shook his head. "Why? Why are you refusing me again? Why come to the rescue if you want nothing to do with me?" "You're only trying to help me heal. I don't want you to mate with me for anything but love. I'll mend just fine on my own." She smiled, leaning over to kiss his full lips. "Silly fox. Of course I love you. Now bite me. I want our ménage official before I face my mother. I won't have her deny any of you because you failed to complete the love bite." The energy of the moon was even more intense being out in their natural setting, nothing impeding the strength of the rays or beauty of the sight in the sky. Delia knew her arousal would be insatiable once she was bitten. The three men she planned to build a new life with were all naked and utterly tempting. Each one was different in build, but no less appetizing than the next. She already played every scenario over in her head. She'd never been with all three before. Would she take Ulric's huge cock in her mouth this time? Caleb's eager dick in her ass? What would it feel like to have six hands touching, petting, fondling? Three mouths suckling, kissing, nipping? Once her fox partook of her blood, he'd heal in minutes, as good as new. Then there would be no excuses. "Are you sure?" "Positive." She lowered to her back and closed her eyes. Leave it to Caleb to question her at the eleventh hour. She loved that he cared for her, put her needs first. But Delia had no doubt in her mind that this was what she wanted. Her sisters had found peace in the loving arms of men, and she never expected to have her chance. Now she was about to create a new path, a new history built on love and commitment, rather than death and destruction. Caleb's words from earlier filtered into her mind with more clarity. She had lived in

the past for far too long, bitter and resentful. It was time to live her own life, make a positive future like her sisters had. His hand cupped her breast as he lowered over her neck and shoulder. First he kissed his target, and then she felt the slow, sharp crack of her skin as it gave way to his bite. He drew in her blood, his mouth suckling as he bit. Her clit began to throb and warmth spread from her neck to her cunt, heating her like a forest fire. She half expected the woods to be up in flames when she opened her eyes. Instead she found Caleb's loving smile. "It's done, princess. A common fox and a royal wolf. I never thought I'd live to see the day." He kissed her lips, a delicate brush of affection. Delia felt complete, as if fate had led her to meet these three men. She had no reservations, only anticipation for what was to come. "I can smell your honey from here, little wolf. How about we consummate this new relationship before heading inside to face the music?" Alexander's cock was proud, a virile arrow protruding from his body. The sight aroused her, made her pussy swell in preparation. These shifters were always ready. They'd only had relations an hour ago, but here they were raring to go again. The moon ensured that their priority was sex and more sex when it was at its fullest. She rose to her feet, wanting Caleb to have the time he needed for her blood to take affect and heal him fully. The needy, seductive look in Alexander's eyes drew her to him. He was the male she needed to bond with the most. She had a strong history with Ulric and had quickly fallen in love with her computer whiz. Alexander was new to her, but no less her life mate than the other men. She didn’t need a jade trinket to tell her that. He was wolf, a mate her she-wolf approved of. "You're not obligated to be my mate, Alexander. I've already broken all the rules. For all I know, my mother will banish us. So if you're with me for glory, you'll be disappointed." "I think you dropped this." He fastened the wolf necklace around her neck, and then hooked her around the waist, pulling her flush to his body. His cock prodded her stomach. The wolf was taller than she'd realized, his chest and abs ripped to perfection. He whispered against her ear, "I've already done what I can to honor my mother. If I were to choose a mate for myself, I would still be drawn

to you. Your wolf was magnificent out there. You're a woman I'm proud to call my mate, my lover." "I can be a pain in the ass." "I'm sure the three of us can handle you. In fact, I'd be bored to tears if you were a good little princess." "I don't think any of us Demori sisters are what you'd consider good girls." He leaned down and kissed her, a sensual exploration. She could taste the wolf, sense its power and self-assurance. Ulric's palmed her ass from behind. "Sugar and spice is highly overrated," he said against her neck in between peppering kisses. "The girl I remember, the one I fell in love with, took life by the horns and didn't worry about getting dirty. I would have been disappointed if you'd turned out like your mother." She wanted to scream out her thanks to the night sky, to whatever higher power was responsible for bringing Ulric, Caleb, and Alexander into her life. Her happiness mingling with her heightened hormones made her dizzy with desire. She craved the attention of her mates, the untiring fucking she knew each was capable of. "My wolf is clawing inside me," she confessed. "Is she hungry for cock?" asked Ulric. He was the one she'd fantasized about tasting. Would she even be able to swallow him without choking? It was a test she was eager to conduct. Delia dropped to her knees in front of him, zeroing in on his stiff erection. She licked his balls, gently sucking one into her mouth at a time, earning her a blissful groan. Then she lapped his full length from root to tip before sucking on the broad head. It was the most natural thing in the world to do. She could steal even the great bear shifter's power just by taking him in her mouth. Her sisters' must have learned this secret long before her—males were easily controlled by their cocks. Alexander took up residence behind her. He was on his knees, her legs safely tucked between his. As she sucked Ulric, he rubbed her nipples between his fingers, bringing her pleasure up another level. Then she felt the rigid line of his dick as he scissored it between her folds. He used the moisture he collected to push into her ass. She hadn't expected it and clenched down instinctively. "Oh gods, Delia. You're tight." He continued to spear her ass in a slow,

measured entry. She was so consumed by her lust and the strength of the moon that she barely noticed the discomfort this time. This new position allowed him to penetrate her deeper with more control. He fucked her up the ass in long, full thrusts. She was tingling on the surface while a volcano built in her core. It was difficult to stay latched on Ulric's dick with Alexander continuously rocking her body as he pummeled her. "Delia." She opened her eyes and released her hold on Ulric. Caleb stood near her, his body strong and healed, his own cock magnificent and rigid. "Caleb," she said breathlessly. "Have you ever shared a woman before?" Ulric asked him. He shook his head. Delia wasn't about to tell her other lovers of Caleb's inexperience. She loved him, and wanted the two men, already friends, to acknowledge the new addition to their little pack. "You're in for a treat then, fox. Lie down so Delia can straddle you. It'll feel different with a second cock sharing her body. I doubt you'll last long." Caleb lowered himself to the ground. "Just because I'm a fox doesn't mean I don't have self control. If Delia wishes it, I can go all night long." Alexander and Ulric laughed, a sound of approval and acceptance. Once Caleb was flat on his back, the wolf, still penetrating her rear, shuffled them forward. She straddled Caleb, leaning over his chest to kiss him. A thousand kisses would never be enough to transmit the affection she felt for him. He'd come looking for her, fought for her, loved her. Once she was in position she bore down on Caleb's erection. It squeezed in tight, fighting for space with Alexander's cock. The fullness itself brought her relief. She took a deep breath, savoring the sweet scent of pine and earth. Being outdoors brought her back to her roots. She felt free, strong, and finally found a place for herself in the world. This was her pack now and she'd do everything in her power to keep it intact. Alexander and Caleb worked well together, pistoning in and out of her body as a team. The constant pressure and friction brought her quickly to a precipice. She hovered there in a constant state of perfection as long as she could hold off. Once Alexander began to growl, his fingers biting into her hips, she almost lost it. Delia cried

out into the night, calling for Ulric. She wanted all her males to bond with her together, sealing their connection. His cock was still obscenely engorged. He'd been stroking himself as he watched which she didn't find fair. She planned to finish what she started with him. Once he was close enough, she braced herself on his strong thigh and opened for his cock. He gladly fed it to her, supporting her head as the other men worked her body without faltering. Ulric tasted salty and earthy. As her orgasm drew nearer, she sucked more vigorously, earning her growls deep in his chest. She wondered if the Royal Elite were watching from the shadows. If they were she didn't care. She was protected, claimed, and if somehow her mother's guards overpowered her, she had no doubt Alexander, Ulric, and Caleb would come to her rescue. As if a switch was flipped inside her, her orgasm was released. It was powerful, surprising her with strong contractions. She milked both cocks so tight that the men groaned and fucked her faster, soon filling her with their seed. Ulric pumped the base of his cock rapidly as she suckled the head. He pulled her hair back sharply as he released down her throat, healthy sprays of ejaculate nearly making her choke. Alexander slipped away, dropping to his back. Delia fell to the side in the crook of Caleb's arm. Together, they all watched the moon, in quiet reflection, as it slowly crossed the sky. There wasn't too much night left, and soon they'd have to head inside and deal with the aftermath of their choices. Would Ulric lose his position as Royal Elite? She knew they weren't allowed to take mates, but had to devote their lives to the monarchy. Another cruel law imposed by the royals. It was unjust to deny a male shifter the right to find a mate, to procreate. Alexander was only following his calling, so couldn't be faulted for mating with Delia. Of course, her mother would have a conniption when she found out one of her new sons was a fox. Whatever. The queen could take them or leave them. Their bond was secure and neither heaven nor hell could separate them now. **** Alexander knew the queen well. They'd shared every meal together for years as they waited for Delia and her sisters to return. She wasn't a cruel woman, just set in her ways, determined to maintain the heritage passed down through the generations.

He considered what Delia had asked him before. Did he think fate had intervened somewhere along the way? Yes. He had been ready for a loveless mating, one of duty and honor, but nothing he would want to raise a family around. His own parents had been hardworking, dedicated wolf shifters. They raised him and his siblings with a strong hand but also an unconditional love he still remembered fondly. Alexander wanted that for his own children. He wanted a mating filled with love, laughter, and happy memories. The thought of living in that stifling castle with a wife he didn't love or care about was not one he wanted to entertain. Caleb was the most worried as they walked through the stone tunnels. And so he should be. A fox had never been mated to a royal wolf shifter. If Alexander knew the queen at all, she would be less than impressed. But Delia bore the love bite, so there was no refuting their mating. It was legal, binding, and eternal. Alexander felt excited. Change was on the horizon. He had a mate with character and fire after such a long wait. She was a beauty, one he planned to love and spoil as any good mate should. He no longer had to worry about a lonely future, growing old alone and unwanted. Not only had his bride returned, but Ulric and Caleb were her chosen others. Ulric was his best friend, a man who had been a lost cause since he'd known him. Caleb was young, full of optimism and positive energy. Their pack would thrive—grow in love and affection from this day onward. They dressed in one of the private rooms. The rookie guards often destroyed their clothing on night shifts before thinking, so there was a wardrobe room off the maze of tunnels leading to the interior of the castle. "Ready?" asked Alexander. "I was. I came here with every intention of speaking my mind, knowing they could be my last words." She paused. "But things are different now. I didn't have anything to live for. Now I do." "Everything will be fine, Delia." Ulric tucked her against his side and kissed the top of her head. "I'll be right beside you." She turned to face him. "That's just it, Ulric. You'll lose your job. Not just any job, either. Do you realize how many shifters would kill to be in your shoes?"

"Look, it's a done deal, princess. You're mine and if I'm banished, so be it. The only reason I applied for the job was to be closer to you." Alexander threw up his hands. "All these years and you're crushing over my bride? This wasn't something you think you should have mentioned?" "What would be the point? I wasn't approved, you were. I'd rather my friend have her than a complete stranger—" "Well, now you all have me. Come on, let's get this nightmare over with." They head back into the cool tunnels. They were only halfway to the secret entrance when the main power boomed on, returning emergency lighting to the stony path. Caleb held her hand as they walked. The love in his eyes for the princess was clear as the moon. "You won't have to keep away from your sisters anymore, Delia. Everything will be in the open. No more hiding." She nodded, but he could feel her unease. Once they entered the castle, they were flanked by the Royal Elite. "Let us pass," ordered Ulric. "You're a traitor now. No one is permitted to enter except the last princess." "Fuck you, Ronan! How long have we known each other? Do you really think I'm a threat to the queen?" The guard exhaled, his stance softening. "Rules are rules. I should be taking you three to the cells, so consider yourself lucky." He held out his arm and motioned for Delia to pass. "Princess, if you'd come with me." Alexander knew in that moment it wasn't just fate that connected him to the beautiful she-wolf. It was new love. The thought of never seeing her again, of her being harmed, or of the queen ordering her to marry three new males made his fangs poke at his gumline. He wanted to fight for Delia, to keep her close where he could keep her safe. **** She didn't want to go without her mates. Not only was she afraid to face her mother, but more afraid for what they may do to her men when she wasn't looking. Delia didn't fear pain or reprimand,

only the possibility that the queen could separate her from her mates or punish them in revenge. "What will happen to Ulric?" she asked the guard as they walked down the long hallways. "He'll be punished." She stopped dead in her tracks. "Punished for what? For following his heart?" "You know very well the Elite aren't permitted to mate. He broke the rules, and the queen likes order." They continued to walk. "So I suppose you never plan to have a woman of your own, then?" He shook his head. It wasn’t natural. This guard was tall with hair as black as her own. From the scent of him, she guessed he was a tiger. How did he handle the full moon when his kitty wanted to come out and play? They arrived at the sunroom, the one she used to play in as a child. Her mother rose to her feet immediately, briefly closing her eyes as if she may faint. "Delia!" She rushed over, waving the guards away. "Leave us." Her mother reached her arms out to hug her, but stopped midway when she noted her love bites. "Mated? You actually went through with it?" "Yes. It's done." "Come. Sit." They proceeded to the small wrought iron table by the glass wall which looked across the grounds, acres of fields and forest, an island in an ever growing town. "You know, I came here to tear down the palace. I was going to destroy everything you loved." The queen nodded, taking a sip of the hot tea on the table. "You took my sisters from me. We were on the run for years, living like dogs just to avoid being forced to mate who you declared fit." "Delia, I never told you to leave, and I never took your sisters from you." "So this is all my fault?" She reached across the table and beckoned for Delia's hand. When her mother touched her, holding her hand between two of hers, Delia felt tears prick at the backs of her eyes. Why?

"I was young once, too." She smiled. "I can bore you with talk of our royal legacy and the great responsibility entrusted to us, but you already know the stories. When the three of you left, you took my heart with you. I tried to get you back, sending my best men to hunt you down and bring you home. But you girls were stealthier than I expected. Why didn't you at least call?" "I was running for the sake of Carna and Freya. I wouldn't have them forced into a loveless marriage like you and our fathers. They had the right to know what love and freedom was." "Sweet Delia, you always were my most difficult child, always running wild with that bear shifter from town. I spent half my day chasing you down and thinking up new punishments to get you to behave like your sisters." "Did they work?" Her mother laughed. "No. I suppose I should have expected no less from you when you came of age. Our system has worked for hundreds of years. Just because I'm not in love with my mates, doesn't mean you wouldn't be. Your grandmother was in an arranged marriage and loved our fathers until the day she died." "But that should be up to us." "It's too late now, darling. You've all gone and chosen your futures. There's nothing I can do about that now. But I want to ask one thing of you." "What?" "Come home."

Epilogue "So tell me again why this is a good idea?" asked Caleb. He wasn't convinced that living in the royal palace was a positive thing. Not that it was a bad, just unexpected. Since moving to the palace things had been in an uproar. Times were changing and the queen was finally realizing that change wasn't always a horrible thing. Although life was coming together for the royals, there was trouble lurking in the shadows. The fox shifter, who was certainly no relation to Caleb, warned of a threat to the royals during his interrogation. The Royal Elite would be needed more than ever after so many years of peace. They now had the freedom to mate if they chose, thanks to Ulric and the princess, but many decided to maintain the old code. Caleb was ready for the future and whatever it dished out. He had no personal items besides his laptop and the clothes on his back, and Ulric only had a thread-bare sofa and cardboard boxes for dressers at his little apartment. So moving in wasn't a difficult task. It was getting used to the idea of not struggling, not working shitty or illegal internet jobs just to put food on the table. Caleb wasn't sure he'd ever get used to being mated to the most beautiful woman alive. "Because I worked things out with my mother, and my sisters have agreed to move back home." "Right. Great. So that's four and three…so seven more alpha males living under our roof." Delia pulled him by the collar of his shirt and kissed him on the mouth. "They're mated to my sisters. You have nothing to worry about, fox. I love you, not them." The big, white moving trucks pulled up out front. Ulric and Alexander were already outside to meet them and help them carry furniture into the house. Delia's sisters had both mated well-off men and the four large trucks carting their possessions proved that. Delia had been quiet all day. They'd been at the palace for six weeks. This was the first day she wasn't acting like herself. He knew she was anxious about seeing her sisters again after so long. "You gonna be okay?" he asked. "What if they've changed? What if they blame me? What if they don't love me anymore?" "Delia, they wouldn't be moving in if they hated you. Everything will be okay."

She shook her head. "You don't understand. It's all my fault. I'm the one who left, dragging them with me. So many years wasted…" "Maybe it took that dramatic step for the queen to see the light. Maybe she wouldn’t have budged on the rules, but losing her only three daughters helped her see the error of her ways." "Did I mention I love you?" He chuckled. "I'm leaving now. I'll send the girls up to see you." **** She could barely catch her breath as she awaited the long anticipated reunion with her beloved Carna and Freya. The moment they entered the castle, she knew. She was so in tune with their scent, their emotions, that they were like an extension of herself, even after all this time. When the door knocked, her heart stopped for a second. She stood in the middle of the room, frozen in place. "Delia? Caleb said you were in the sunroom…" Freya's blonde head poked in the door. She couldn't help but smile. Her sister was so beautiful, familiar but different. "Delia!" Freya ran forward after spotting her, crashing into her arms, almost knocking her over. Carna joined them in a group hug. Delia's tears came without warning, a mixture of nerves and happiness, regrets better left forgotten. "We're home," said Carna, wiping away tears of her own. "This time we're all mated women, not naïve young girls," added Freya. Carna ran her hands over Delia's hair, assessing every detail of her face. When they were younger, people used to mistake them for twins. "We have a lot of catching up to do." They moved to the glass walls, looking down at the ten shifters unloading the boxes and furniture. Freya laughed. "There'll be a lion in the palace for the first time in history. Don't worry—he's a big softie." "And two bears apparently," said Delia. Carna stifled a laugh, cupping her hands over her mouth. "And…and a fox," she teased. "Hey, he's a very sexy fox."

"I saw that. You've done well, Delia. We all have." Delia kissed both of her sisters, energized by their presence. It was as if all the years of heartache and loneliness dissipated into nothingness. All that mattered was that they were a family again, everything else a lesson learned. Delia wasn't the last princess. This was just the beginning. The End

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Other Books by Stacey Espino: Beyond the Wall 'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas Catch Me If You Can Claiming Their Mate Freya's Mates

Evernight Publishing www.evernightpublishing.com