Page 70 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
Even as the thought strikes me, I know it’s just an excuse.
I could always kill that human fiancé of hers. She’d be alone again, and then I could take her with me.
And do what?
I can’t seem to think beyond keeping her near me. She makes me feel like I’m more than just a prince. Being around her, watching her smile, it makes me feel like the sun is shining a little bit brighter, all my worries fading away. When she tries to wheedle me into doing something, I can’t say no. It’s impossible for me to deny her anything. Since when am I, the terrifying crown prince of the Wolf Kingdom, so easily controlled?
I plucked herbs for her.
I gave her my shirt.
I pretended to be a mercenary so I could protect her.
I hunted for her.
Growling under my breath, I stare at the lights in the town below.
Why?
Why did I do all that? What was I expecting to happen?
My jaw tightens as I think of the way the light faded from her eyes.
Pathetic. Annoying. Desperate.
Did I really say those things to her?
“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head.
A large wolf emerges from the tree line behind me, padding silently through the underbrush. I don’t turn around.
“What do you want, Seth?”
He shifts into human form with a soft rustle of displaced air. “You’re in a charming mood, I see.”
“Don’t.” My voice comes out sharper than he deserves. “Just tell me what you found.”
He walks around to face me where I’m leaning against the ancient oak. I can feel his tension even before he speaks. Whatever he has found, it’s bad.
“Andrew Crew,” he begins without preamble. “You were right to be suspicious.”
I straighten slightly but maintain my position against the tree trunk. “What did you find?”
“He’s not just some herb shop owner.” Seth’s jaw is tight. “He’s a trafficker. Specializes in exotic animals—specifically, shifter children.”
My blood turns to ice. “What?”
“Seven years ago, the Moonridge Pack had five newborn pups kidnapped right out of their nursery. They completely vanished, without a trace.” Seth’s voice grows darker. “The pack tracked them down eventually—found the children in cages, being prepared for sale to human collectors. Rich people who wanted exotic pets.”
“Why am I hearing about this for the first time?” I snarl, pushing myself off the tree. “Kidnapped pups should have been reported to the crown immediately.”
“The Moonridge Pack kept it under wraps,” Seth says grimly. “They didn’t want other packs knowing that humans had managed to infiltrate their most guarded place: the nursery. It would have made them look weak, vulnerable.”
Rage builds in my chest, hot and deadly. “You’re saying they hid information about child traffickers rather than face embarrassment? Tell me they at least killed whoever was responsible.”
“That’s where it gets interesting.” Seth’s expression darkens further. “The human who took them managed to slip away before they could capture him. Left the children behind when he realized he’d been found. The pack rescued the pups, but the trafficker vanished into thin air.”
“And?”
