Page 14 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

Reaching out, Drake hooked a finger under my eye and captured a stray tear. I sniffled. “What is it? Why are you crying?”

I could see the genuine concern in his gaze; his brow furrowed, eyes widened.

I licked my lips and said, “The flower…” I pointed to the said plant. “It’s a flower of my home territory. I—” The words were lodged in my throat and refused to budge. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek to stifle the sobs that threatened to break forth.

Understanding dawned on his features. His gaze softened, and the hard planes of his face smoothed out. “You miss your home.” It was worded as a statement and not a question.

I let out a wet laugh. “Am I that obvious?” I said sarcastically, pointing at the tears that now ran freely down my cheeks. Shame punched through my core. I dropped my gaze. I was a werewolf princess, raised to be independent, intelligent, and brave—a future leader after the death of my brother. Here I was, blubbering over home, and I hadn’t even been gone for more than a day.

A calloused palm pressed against my cheek, and I flinched at the sudden contact. My eyes shot up to Drake. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that commanded my attention.

“There is no shame in missing your home,” he said, his deep voice sweeping over me like a soothing balm. His eyes grew half-lidded, and he brushed his thumb under my eye again, swiping away at the tears.

I found my lower lip trembling at the sheer kindness he displayed—the way in which he tenderly held me. I closed my eyes and pressed further into his touch. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Drake kept his hand on my cheek, and a soft calmness washed over me, my nerves settling. I drew comfort from his touch. My inner wolf rolled onto her back in my mind, preening for our fated mate.

I should pull away. This is wrong. I have to stop letting him touch me like this…

Yet…I couldn’t tear myself away. My feet remained rooted in place as if I were held hostage by Drake’s mere touch—a captive.

After several long moments, Drake slowly slid his hand from my cheek. The instant coldness left in its wake was like ice water doused over me. My eyes snapped wide. Drake stood before me; his lips twisted, brow hard. Indecision flashed in his eyes. I knew then that he was as conflicted as I was. And somehow, that thought comforted me. It made me aware I wasn’t the only one at war with myself and this new ground we found ourselves embarking on together.

A growl roared in the air. My breath caught in my throat. My damn stomach was grumbling with a lack of food.

Drake raised a brow, his head whipping about as he searched for the source of the noise. Heat swept all the way down to my toes. I willed my stomach to settle. Of course, it didn’t listen to me.

Another growl, this time louder, sounded. Drake’s amethyst gaze snagged on my belly. I wished the ground would swallow me up right then and there.

A slow smirk toyed with the edge of his lips. “I see someone is hungry.”

I ducked my head. A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. He drew away. “Come on,” he said, extending a hand toward me. “I’ll take you to the dining room and have the kitchen staff whip you up a meal.”

My eyes were riveted on his strong hand, the long graceful fingers.

Does he really mean for me to hold his hand?

My questioning gaze drilled into him. He narrowed an eye at me in irritation. “I’m allowing you skin contact just this once.” His jaw clenched. Then he muttered, “You’re hurting. I’m not a bastard to let a female go on suffering. You wolves take comfort in touch, right?”

“How’d you know?—-”

“One has to research the opponent he’s coming up against.”

That’s right. It would serve as an advantage on the battlefield to know everything about your enemy, every intimate, closely guarded secret.

I bit my lower lip, still eyeing his hand. My inner wolf whined, pawing at the confines of my mind, yearning for his touch. The longer I hesitated, the more she pawed. In the last swipe, I felt a rake of claws at my insides.

Fine, you mangy fur ball,I snapped at her.

Reaching out an arm, I slipped my hand in his. Drake interlaced our fingers, and the contact of his skin sent delicious jolts of electricity dancing over my skin.

“Let’s get one thing clear,” I told Drake. “I’m only accepting this once.”

His eyes hardened. “And I’m only allowing it once.”

“Then we have a deal?” I raised my brow.

“You got it, princess.” He said the word princess more like a tease. I glowered at him. Shaking his head, he stepped forward, and we walked hand in hand to the dining room.

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