The Rogue Lycan Princess

Chapter 118

CALIFF

I still felt her gripping around my cock. I didn’t know if I should admire her self-control or piss off. I guess I got the answer. I was still pissed off and hard.

I didn’t stop her when she got off the bed, trudging to the bathroom. I breathed noisily as I looked down at my groin.

Damn. She was hardheaded.

On the other hand, it was also my fault. Even though my intention was good, I didn’t want her to make a mistake or wrong decision that she couldn’t take back.

Deciding during sex with a mind filled with lust was not a great idea, but I could have said it nicely. Now, it was over. There was no going back.

After in the bathroom, she put her clothes on and went downstairs. I had to get up from the bed and take the coldest shower. I opened my duffel to get clean clothes and saw the small rectangular box that seemed to be taunting me.

Shit. If I was going to do it, there was a ninety-nine percent chance she would hate me for the rest of her life.

“Can I use your sat phone?”

She threw at me. “I want you to leave today.”

“Right. Is there a way to call Zack?”

“There is a reception in Alpha Frye’s area.”

I dialed Zack’s number. Thankfully, he picked up right away.

“Hello? Who’s this?”

“Come back to the cabin. We’re leaving.” I ended the call before he could interrogate me about what went wrong. Then I joined Shadow on the couch— she hadn’t looked at me.

“I’m sorry. You can be mad at me all you want, but I love you more than anything. Marking you is easy, but I want to make sure that’s what you want.”

“It’s over between us, Califf,” she said flatly. “You don’t trust me to make my own decisions because I’m just human.”

My brows furrowed. “Where did that come from?”

“I need time, but you kept barging in and questioning everything I do.” She turned to me. “I may be human, but I didn’t hit my head, I didn’t have amnesia, and whatever I drank, or the witches did to me, it didn’t affect my cognitive process, but this is what I’m scared of. I’m scared of everyone’s rejection and you seeing me differently. And it just did.”

“I think nobody sees you differently but yourself, Shadow. Your insecurities of being a human and losing your gift just hit you hard in your head. The pack is worried about you and misses you, but here you are, belittling yourself when we accept you, not because you’re a Lycan or your healing gift or Hybrid, but because you win our hearts. That’s why we love you.”

“I don’t wanna hear your great speech, Califf. Just leave me alone.”

“I will say what I came here to say. After all, maybe this is the last you see me.” I looked down, swallowing, painfully aware of the possibility of losing her. So, I would say what was left unsaid.

She didn’t move, but I had a feeling she was listening to me.

“You are our Luna, and your humility, your compassion, and the way you make everyone calm are something we value the most in you. You don’t give a shit even if they once bullied you. You still gave them a chance because everyone deserves it. And the way you help those women in the pack is award-worthy because you never expect anything back. That’s what made them fall in love with you. Come with me, please?”

“I can’t.”

“Why? What’s so important here than us, Shadow? Make me understand.”

She met me in the eye. “I’ve been trying to explain, Califf, but you never wanted to get my point. You and I will never be going to work.”

“That’s not even true. I know deep inside you still care, and don’t you see it? You’re human now, but your feelings for me never faded. I know you can’t ever forgive me for what I did, but Zarah is doing her best to find a way to get your wolf back. Just have a little more faith in her, and I’m not giving up either.”

“You should call Zack and Zarah.”

I rose from the chair and went to the window. “I need you, Shadow, as your husband. I need you as my wife. Please, come with me.” I ignored the pain in my chest. “I will turn over the Alpha rank to Duke or Calder. Let’s live a normal life away from the pack. I’d rather give up everything to be with you. I have enough money. We’ll go to the Southampton and live there.”

She snorted, turning to me. “Why would you ever do that?”

I faced her and saw the misery in her eyes. It almost gave me hope. After all these antics as if she didn’t give a shit about me, I finally saw what she’d been doing— she’d been shutting me off because she cared. After all, those eyes never lied. “Because I want to be with you. I love you, Shadow.”

“No. I can’t let you do that, Califf.” She just proved me right. “Pack is your life—”

“That’s not fucking true. Before I met you, yeah. Maybe. I loved what I did. Since I was a kid, I was groomed to be the Alpha, but if you don’t wanna be with me because you lost your wolf, let me sacrifice something important to me. That’s how much I love you. If you can’t see it, then.” I sighed heavily. “Then I don’t know what else to do, for you believe how much more you mean to me than my own life.”

“Just go home, Califf. There’s nothing left for you here.” She went back to the sofa.

My frustration in convincing her to come back with me made me insane. I took the injection in my jacket packet.

Fuck. She was going to kill me for betraying her.

Oblivious of what I was about to do, she sat there with her arms crossed over her chest.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” From behind, I wrapped my arm around her, holding her arms tight, then injected the needle into her jugular and pushed the plunger.

“What— Califf—” Her eyes rolled. The sedative worked fast on her because she was human. Her body relaxed. I let her lie on the couch. She would hate me later, but I had to call Zarah right now.

I quickly grabbed the sat phone and dialed Zarah. “You two made up?”

“The opposite. Come take us before she wakes up.”

“What do you mean?” There was an alarm in her tone that made me groan.

“Don’t hate me, but I sedated her.”

“Oh, boy.” She sighed. “On my way.”

“Thanks.”

A few minutes later, I heard a knock. “Califf, it’s me.”

I ran towards the door. Zarah and Zack were already outside.

“Zack, take her things with us. Hurry up.”

“Shadow is coming with us?” His face lit up, grinning.

“Involuntarily.”

“Shit.” His smile faded as he found Shadow lying on the sofa. “Just to clear things up. I have nothing to do with your plan, Alpha. And she will kill you once she wakes up. Trust me.” Zack went upstairs.

“I’ll take the blame. Don’t worry.”

Zack came downstairs with Shadow’s cases while Zarah was still angry.

“Is that all?”

“Yeah.” Zack put the cases beside the sofa.

“Are you building an army?” Zarah asked amusedly.

“Ask her that. She’s been training nonstop.”

“She wants to find the person responsible, and you can’t blame her. I would do the same in a heartbeat. At least she will go to a war prepared,” said Zarah, regret still deep in her voice.

“You were on this, too, weren’t you?”

“If her father allowed her, then who am I to stop her.”

I scooped her up when Zarah began with the portal. “I let the shield down. Just be ready.”

“We are.”

***

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Kindra met me in the solitary, glaring. “Is this some kind of a deja vu? Wait until she wakes up, Alpha—”

“She’s going to kill me. I know that. Just check her vitals before the sedative wears off.” I unlocked the door.

“Whatever you say, Alpha.” She stomped inside the solitary.

“I need her here, Kindra.” I joined her inside. Shadow was still lying in bed. At least there was a mattress this time. She wasn’t treated like a rogue, and she wouldn’t feel like she was in a jail cell anymore, but who was I trying to convince her when the door was locked from the outside? The place had a two-way mirror window, and the security system was updated months ago.

“And you can’t do that by convincing her.” She worked on checking Shadow’s vital signs while I checked what was in the drawers. There were some clothes in there.

“I did everything possible, Kindra, but if she puts her mind to it, no words can convince her to change her plan. That’s who she is. I don’t want to do this. This is my last resort, but she forced my hand.”

“You’re making things worse, you know.” She fixed her things. “Done, and she will be okay but a hangover.”

“At least I know she’s safe.” I followed her outside and locked the door when I heard a tsk.

“You’re dead. You are so dead, man. Luna will cut your balls.”

I looked at Duke. “Nice haircut.”

“Yeah, because I have time to get a haircut, while you, on the other hand, for an alpha, look like a hobo. When was the last time you shaved?”

I rubbed my beard and grinned. “Shadow likes it.”

“Well, I’m sure not anymore after your little antics. Let me guess, you took the sedative from the infirmary.” He scoffed as he came with me to the command room.

“Yeah. Last week. Where do you think I can take it from without a prescription? Anyway, any news about Elder Aciano?”

“No, man. I feel terrible for Claire.”

“We all are.” I blew my breath. “I couldn’t believe we have so many problems all at once. And with my relationship with Shadow on the verge of collapsing, I feel like I lost all my will to live.”

“Then make it right, Cal. It’s not too late.”

“You should have seen what Shadow has.” Zack just walked in. “She’s badass, deadly as nightshade, and you’re doomed, Alpha.”