Princess Hayden walked away from me, up the long driveway where I spotted the rest of her family standing, waiting for her.

This was for the best, she didn't belong in my world, yet I knew how much she craved a normal life, yet there was no way to escape the dangers lurking in the dark, waiting for a chance to attack the young Princess.

What I had said to her was for her safety, I didn't mean a word but it keeps her safe, and most importantly, my head above my shoulders.

Once I see that she is indeed safe, with her family huddled around her, I take my leave, with one last look I raise my hood and walk away, ignoring the faces of the knights who glare horribly at me.

My job is over, Princess Hayden Black has proved exactly what The King employed me to, to protect his daughter, and report to him about everything that I see, hear and do with the Princess.

I was planted in her life, to ruin her nightly activities, which he had suspected for some time, and given it was an order, I couldn't turn it down, even if I wanted to.

It was a job, and it was all fake, the smiles, the sex, the way I looked at her, fake...

I was never supposed to sleep with her though, that was the only rule taking this job that was pushed onto me, The King will find me sooner rather than later to implement my punishment unless Alpha Kane found me first, then I'd have to explain the situation.

What a mess.

Whatever my job is over, and most importantly, I can go back to my actual job, the one where I teach young shadow members the ways of the League, where I am an instructor.

These past two days have felt longer, I already missed work the moment Hayden asked to know more about me, and like a stupid man I told her, without realizing the error of my actions, letting her know too much could possibly destroy everything I've built.

The league knows I've been to prison, and why, The King gave me a pardon and since doing my time, I had to rebuild my life, my miserable life that not even Hayden would admire, despite her constant displacement with her flashy life.

Hayden Black was... someone like me could never reach, it didn't matter then I liked being around her, talking to her, touching her, or being inside of her, there was no way I could be anything more to her than a mistake.

Saying those words to her... that she was a spoilt child, although I find her attitude towards the King questionable, I don't find her particularly childlike, I meant what I said when I called her beautiful, a fool would only deny it.

To me, she looked like a wild horse, kicking the doors trying to break free, I felt like I could relate with her, given the way I was brought up until I was old enough to leave that life behind, to be free has never felt so good, so I know why she craves it so.

Spending a hundred years in the notorious prison under The Vale made me think a lot about the life I wanted to live, once I got out of that dark hell maze, I made a promise to myself to never care about anyone ever again, after all, caring is what landed me there.

I killed another for someone who didn't even know me, because of what? Pride? Justice? Or maybe perhaps because he really pissed me off that day, whatever it was, was stupid, Hayden was right, I should've just told someone, but I made my choice, and I'd make the exact same one again.

Hayden Black... she doesn't even know me, but the things I did for her...

It's all in the past now, I need to move on with my life, and stop thinking of that damn girl.

Opening the door to the league guild bar, I see just the person I was looking for, walking up behind him, I grab my knife from my wrist bank and try to surprise him, but he was quick, and matched my action with his own knife, turning around on the bar stool.

Knifes clanked together and once he realizes who I am after I put my hood down, he grins.

"You- what the hell are you doing here?" He exclaimed happily, putting his knife away and bringing me in for a hug.

Smiling, I pull back and sit on the stool next to his. "Taking time off."

Reece snorts. "Time off? I didn't think you knew the word." He joked. "Really, what are you doing here and not at the academy?" He asked, drinking the remaining of his whisky.

"I've known you for a year, and you've never taken a minute to yourself, so tell me, what's got you this far into town?"

"I did a job for the King." I tell him, as his eyes widen slightly with a nod of his head.

His eyes flash with realization then he shakes his head. "I heard whispers about a new Protector, that was you?"

So the news has already reached even the likes of Reece, just how much does he know? I wonder.

"It took longer than expected." I admitted.

"How long?"

"Two days." I say, making Reece break out laughing.

"The young Princess really must've hated you, two days?!" He laughed again. "That's what, a record for her?"

I grunt out, not wanting to go into the full details of my job. "It wasn't meant to last, just information gathering, you know the work."

He nods his head with a hum. "That I do, but Hayden's a character, I met her once you know."

I look at him. "When?"

He looked at me weirdly then grinned out. "She's joining the rookies next week, was a big deal, thought you knew? Some of the higher-ups met the King and discussed it"

I forgot... of course she is, she mentioned it, how did I forget that? "Oh."

"You might just be lucky enough to train her, she's quite the beauty isn't she?" He said, making me flinch. "Lots of other commanders have their eyes on her, possessive fucks obsessed with anything royalty, pathetic isn't it?" He laughed out.

My muscles felt tense as the words left his mouth, already knowing how popular she was, and how much the... male population sought after her, but to hear it from another commander...

"I hope the King knows what he's doing, rank and titles don't mean shit in the league, if the girl can't cut it, the shadows will swallow her whole."

The noise in the bar surrounded me as I tried to calm myself down, the thought of Hayden being surrounded and hounded by anyone somehow set my blood on fire, so much that I felt like an asshole because she wasn't mine and I had no right to be protective over her.

"Right." I need to look after her. "She's strong, but I guess we'll see." Nobody will mess with her.

Reece slaps me on the back and then ordered me a drink, and the night goes on like that, trying to keep up with Reece while trying not to think too much about Hayden and the situation I'm in.

If I survive the night, and her family doesn't kill me, I'll do what I must watch her, even if it's from the shadows, after all, she's the only woman I've ever looked at.

She'll always be my weakness, ever since that day...

Even now, I still can't back away when she's involved.