“W-What happened Selene? Did anyone say anything to you?” Channing was a bit taken aback by my hug, after all, I didn’t say anything, just continued to hug him like an idiot.

“I thought you needed this hug, I can’t understand other people’s emotions like you, neither can I comfort them. But I understand you must be hurt by the news, so I think you need this hug!” I replied without leaving the hug, as I was truly very bad at handling such situations.

He caressed my head finally returning the hug and relaxed, “Thank you Selene for being so considerate, I kinda did need this hug”

His heartbeat was so evident to my ear now, I was glad I came back for him and hugged him till he didn’t break the hug. As he did he looked at me with a smile, “Don’t wait up for me, go back the pack must be waiting for you.”

I nodded, taking my distance from him now a little awkward by my own actions. As a princess, betrothed for that matter, I was always told to keep my distance from men but I was already getting way comfortable around Channing.

Just then a deep raspy voice filled the atmosphere, “Channing!” We turned to see Fang standing behind us, “how are you? It must be a shock for you to hear about John’s betrayal.”

“It will take some time for me to learn from this lesson!” Replied Channing to which Fang laughed and patted his shoulders,

“It’s okay buddy, you still have a lot to learn,” stated Fang with a bit of care ringing in his words, “are you lodging in the capital city?”

“Yes” answered Channing.

“Okay, let us go drinking tonight then!” Fang had a big grin on his face, a genuine one.

“Sure!” Channing was totally wagging his tail at the offer, “I’ll give you a call once I’m done here”

Fang looked a bit concerned about Channing despite his wicked personality, ‘wasn’t there a state of war between Waterwoods and Winterwells? They both seem pretty close though!’

Their relationship made me feel giddy, it was like two brothers looking after each other.

Suddenly Fang turned towards me and walked between me and Channing, a chill ran down my spine remembering his price. I wanted to tell him how I won’t fulfil it but my lips glued together now that he was this close.

He extended his hand ahead and I instinctively took it, “Congratulations Ms Selene, are you headed outside? Let’s walk together”

“No, thank yo-”

“Channing, call me later I will accompany Selene outside”, Fang interrupted and I couldn’t protest yet again. Channing waved a bye to me and I waved back looking over my shoulders as Fang was calmly dragging me with him.

As soon as we were out my heartbeat raced, last time we were alone he cornered me into agreeing to a price that did not need to be paid.

“I am sorry I didn’t catch your last name”, he asked politely as if it was going to be a normal conversation.

My lips pursed as I did a weird smile, “I prefer you call me Selene, I am a bit void of parents”

“Really!” He exclaimed, raising his eyebrows as if he knew it was a lie.

There was a silence which I wish could be filled up as soon as possible. Fang pressed the question further, “it’s very rude to not know a lady’s full name.” To which I simply nodded with a polite smile.

But he leaned in closer to my ear, whispering words that made me stop in my path, “Don’t I make a point your highness. Princess Selene Adalwolfa!”

I gulped trying not to react so evidently but my heartbeat was ringing in my ear.

He knew!

And that is why he asked for that price!

No, he shouldn’t, I will deny it and simply wiggle out of the price as planned before, “We aren’t married yet for you to be calling me princess Mr Fang!” I tried to change the topic.

He made his distance from me giving me some space to breathe, “Princess, I know how you plan to run away.”

“What?” I did not understand what he was indicating

“If you think I confessed in court because you agreed to the price, then you are gravely mistaken!” Fang walked ahead, making me do a little stride to keep up with him.

“So… you conned me?” My eyes were getting red now, how dare he.

His laugh got further on my nerves, “Why would you do that Fang?”

Those dark eyes turned to be delighted with this situation, “Why wouldn’t I take a golden opportunity as such? A foolish princess falling for a stupid trap. I would have done it for Channing any which way.”

My fist clenched at his outrageous words, why has this been happening to me since I came here. People are not as good as those books, this entire kingdom must be filled with foxes and snakes.

“You are right my princess, the world is in fact filled with reptiles and foxes. Looks like you are visibly easy pray”, Fang claimed as if he wasn’t one of them, how can he even say something like that after making me a victim to his trickery.

I gritted my teeth finally saying it, exploiting my powers, “Fang Warchild, I order you to bow and apologise for your behaviour”

I had promised my father I would never do this, never let anyone know of my identity. But It was done now, what is the use of kindness if such people don’t know their place. I was very well aware of the fact that this behaviour is unsuitable for authority, but I have had it now.

Fang’s lips twisted, watching what he saw, “You are just like your father aren’t you. Unworthy of power yet exploit it like an unruly leech”

What did he say? Like my father? The man who abandoned his daughter just because the queen birthed a boy! I am not that man, never!

My chest heaved trying to control my rage. This is not what I would do, why did I do this? My eyes couldn’t meet Fang’s anymore and I walked away.

But his hand reached out pulling me by my wrist turning me to face him, his face as straight as a line.

What was he seeing on my face right now? How pathetic must I be looking? What is the use of him stopping me now, he has done his deed of pushing me off the edge, being yet another snake that wanted nothing good for me.

And then I remembered, yes of course his price. My head raised straightening my neck “Fang your price will not be paid, I never agreed to it and you would marry me over my dead body”

What was this frustration I felt? Was it because he got to know of a secret that would get me in trouble, I would have broken my promise and my mission would come to end without getting completed. I will have to return back to the castle, like a failed princess.

Or was it because I was finally free from that stupid Chief Jack, the prison mess and John Walter’s case, now this problem followed. It wasn’t even as big as I reacted to it, but I don’t understand where my annoyance came from.

Fang narrowed his eyes, “You look, frustrated princess!”

I exhaled drinking all my rage, “Fang I am not marrying you for that stupid testimonial, now let me go!” I jerked my wrist but his hold only got tighter.

“I knew you’d run away saying you never agreed because there is no proof of it. That is a stupid trick yet works wonders in politics, I guess you are not as dumb as I thought you to be! I guess it is only fair for me to get tricked as I deceived you first”

His words were still prickly but they weren’t selfish this time, this man was utterly double-faced. I staged a smile “Good thing, it is called Karma. Now let go of my hand”

I jerked again but this time he let it go making me stumble as my back hit the walk. A smirk curled up on Fang’s lips as his body closed on mine with me having nowhere to go.

He was taller than Channing so I had to strain my neck to look at his face, “what are you doing, Move!” My hands tried to push him away but he wouldn’t budge.

“Enjoying the beauty,” he said slyly, totally changing the mood of this tense environment.

“Get away Fang!” I struggled yet again but he was way too strong, his stiff muscular body flexed against my palms as he pressed further nearing me.

Fang lifted my chin to meet his eyes, they were amused by what he saw. “If it is a secret that takes you away from me, back to the castle…then my lips are sealed. And rest assured princess, I will take my price as and how I want it”

His tongue moistened his lower lip as his face came closer and closer, till it was inches away from mine. I wanted to turn away but his fingers held my chin tightly in place.

His eyes fixated on my lips and they slowly rose, staring into my eyes. There was a volcano ready to erupt in his jet black eyes and I gulped helplessly, with nowhere for me to escape.

I closed my eyes and Fang suddenly started laughing, a huff of breath that turned into an ear-soothing sound. My expressions were puzzled at what had happened.

“Ah, you don’t fail to amuse me, little one”, he covered his face, giggling. When he moved his hand away his eyes stopped laughing first and then his lips with only a lingering smile.

I rolled my eyes, turning to get away when Fang’s actions halted me in place, he slowly bowed with his hand on his chest. His torso went full length making a 90 degree with his body,

“Well how can I not follow your orders, I apologise,” Fang raised with his hand still covering his heart. What was he trying to do? This is not him, this looks rather dangerous to me.

His devious smile covered his face once again as he finished his words, “Of course, I would even cut my head if asked by My Queen-to-be!”

My heart skipped a beat and yet it pranced crazily knowing what he meant. He had already marked me to be his future wife, and his words meant he would go to any length to acquire that!