I was restless beyond belief. I was pacing almost religiously, still in wolf form and panting with each step that I took. My body was exhausted from the long journey I had just taken, but I couldn't stop myself. Back and forth across the length of my room. It was so strange to be in wolf form in such a lavish space after spending so much time in the wilderness as my true self. Even if I had been in human form for the majority of the time I still realized how much I missed the freedom. It made me all the more anxious and agitated.

Agatha said nothing, her keen eyes just following my movements for a very long time. There was no attempt to coax me into the bathtub or to shift out of my wolf. She was just patiently watching, giving me my space as my mind began to work on an endless loop of thoughts.

No, I hadn't planned on my excursion off of the palace grounds. Hell, I was barely given time to process why my body was forcing me to shift before I was sprinting towards my friends. The people who had become my family. My wolf had been so excited to see them that I felt like I had no control over what was happening. They had been here. They were alive. They hadn't given up on me after I had been captured. It had been a wonderful feeling to see my sweet Hunter again and knowing that Thorn was still the guiding force he had always been was comforting. I had gone to them on impulse and once the excitement had worn off I was too deep to leave without notice.

But I had hurt Griffin and though I hadn't truly thought about it before I had been selfish. I had been too filled with heady excitement and attempting to breech hard conversations to think about the state that I had left my mate in. One morning I refused to see him and then I was gone. I didn't know if anyone had seen me leave and alerted him or if he ordered his guards to search the surrounding area. I could just imagine him standing in front of a large window, watching his men mill around the grounds, hoping that one of them would find me and it made my stomach twist with regret. And when he had found me I had been with the same rogues that had been tormenting his guards. I could only imagine what he would think of me.

But I had fought for him. I had turned against those I loved for him. He had seen a glimpse of it, but he wouldn't know the whole story. He wouldn't know how I defended him from Thorn or how much those rogue wolves meant to me. The only way he could understand what I had given up for him would be through me telling him. but I couldn't do that if I was locked up in this room.

With a defeated sigh I laid myself down on the ornate carpet, feeling my ears droop downward. Perhaps he would come and see me after he had some time to cool down, but I was helpless and distraught.

"Are you ready for a bath now, My Lady?" Agatha asked, tilting her head to one side.

I just let tout a little grunt of agreement.

Agatha seemed pleased enough with my response and walked to the heavy door, knocking hard with her fist. My ear pricked as I heard the lock slide then the door creak open. Hushed words were spoken to a guard who immediately shut the door again.

I laid on the floor with my muzzle nestled in the rug for a while. My ear twitched with every sound that passed outside, but I was attempting to appear as uninterested as I could.

The door opened again after a short time. Part of me was hoping it would be Griffin. It wasn't. One maid strode in, lugging a bucket filled with steaming water. Then another. And another one after her. There was a steady line of them and the door stayed open with each maid that passed.

Griffin would not know what I had done for him, the whole story of how my wolf took over, unless I told him. and I wouldn't be able to tell him if I allowed myself to stay locked up in this room.

As to not startle Agatha, I rose to my paws slowly. Her eyes flickered to me briefly, but then her attention refocused on the maids filling the tub. I just gave my dusty coat a lazy shake. She seemed content with this and floated into the room that housed the tub.

I took my opportunity as it came. There was a small gap in the flow of maids. I shifted my weight onto my haunches and launched my body towards the door. I saw Agatha jerk, her eyes locked onto me from the other room. But then I saw the maid before me whose mouth fell open in shock before she leapt out of the way, sloshing the steaming water on the floor.

"My Lady!" Agatha shouted.

I ignored her. The same way that I ignored the guard who was watching the commotion and was attempting to stop me. I used the speed and the agility that the wilderness had taught me to pivot around him, my nose low to the ground as I attempted to find my mate's scent. And there it was, clinging to the floor, and when it hit my nose I thought of nothing else.

My paws struck the ground rhythmically, my claws scraping the floor. All I could think about was his scent and what I would do when I found him. I vaguely heard the guard yelling at me and I saw another attempt to cut me off, but I dodged him just as easily as the first. He was gangly and awkward in his human form.

My mind was filled with very simple recurring thoughts. I had to get to Griffin. I would lean against him, let him feel the mate bond, remind him who I was to him. I knew he would be annoyed and perhaps angry to see me again but with each touch his eye would soften and he would eventually stroke my head and take me somewhere quiet, hopefully somewhere I could shift with clothing that would cover my nakedness. Then I would tell him everything.

His scent was stronger. I lifted my nose slightly, allowing my other senses to engage more. I heard his voice. Low and concerned, but so lovely to hear nonetheless. I couldn't make out what he was saying but it was enough to give me chills.

Then a higher voice responded to him, louder and firmer than he had been. It was Selene and hearing her voice made me slow my pace ever so slightly. She was loud enough that I could make out clear words. They were words I didn't want to here. Not from her. Not from anyone.

"She ran back to that pack that was actively working against." Selene stated.

"I know, but-"

"You can't spend the rest of your life attempting to tame this rogue into a queen, or even a livable wife."

I twisted around a corner, slowing to a collected lope now. I could hear the guards also slowing down and I assumed it because they didn't want to interfere with my mate and his wishes. But as I moved into a wing of the palace I saw Griffin standing in the middle of the room. He looked as handsome as ever wearing a loose white shirt and navy britches. But he ran a nervous hand through his thick hair. His attention was focused solely on Selene, not noticing my abrupt arrival.

"What am I supposed to do?" he whispered.

Selene placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Maybe it's time to reconsider looking for a human wife."

The thought of mending my wrong actions with Griffin disappeared out of my mind with alarming speed. Selene was trying to steer him away from me. She was trying to wedge the possibility of a human wife between us. She didn't want me to be with my own mate. She wanted him to be with a human. Like her. The first time I met her flashed through my mind. My teeth clenched in my powerful jaw.

I was livid.

My speed picked up once more. I was sprinting towards the woman who was trying to get my mate to boycott me. She must've been trying to turn him against me the entire time I was gone.

Finally, they heard the sound of my loud panting or my claws scrapping against the flooring.

"Lettie." Griffin gasped. His shockingly blue eyes wafted over my entire, racing body.

But he didn't see the way my lips were curled back right away. He didn't understand that my breakneck speed was not going to be an act of affection or desperation to get away from the guards. He didn't know that I heard the conversation, that my wolf eyes were locked onto the hand that rested on his shoulder still.

But when Selene's eyes landed on me she knew.

"Dear God." She gasped. Her hand dropped. She stumbled away from Griffin. It didn't matter.

I lunged, shutting my eyes tightly and opening my jaws. No, I didn't want to kill her. But I wanted to hurt her. I wanted to scare her and I wanted her to know that she had no right to chase my mate away from me.

My jagged teeth connected with flesh.

But I didn't receive that satisfaction I thought I would. Instead, my stomach rolled with regret that was so severe I almost let out an impulsive whimper. My eyes opened in confusion, peering up at my victim. And there was Griffin, glaring down at me with his teeth clenched.

My jaw released immediately and Griffin's hands instinctively cradled his now bleeding thigh.

I reeled backwards. Horrified.

I had no idea what to do.

But the prince wasted no time.

"Johnson, take her down to the cells." 

***I know that it has been forever since I updated. I've been working on editing The First Queen. I think it's turning out quite lovely. if you've read it before I would be delighted if you read it again, I think I've changed a substantial amount and addressed many of the concerns.***