The quake

Prince Greg’s POV

Eldric’s eyes softened with understanding. "Your determination is admirable, Greg. And you’re right—your magic is a gift, one that should not be suppressed. But you must also be wise in how you use it. Power, when wielded without caution, can lead to unintended consequences. I think that is what your brother is trying to avoid."

"I won’t let fear control me," I replied firmly. "But maybe you’re right. I will be cautious. I’ll use my magic when it’s necessary, and I’ll do so with the intention of protecting and helping others."

Eldric nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "That is a wise approach, Prince Greg but I’ll have to still tell you to not use your magic around your brother or risk him giving out an order against you.”

He was right. The alpha was a paranoid man. My powers once seen would make him feel like I had been using it against him and he would not like it.

“Fine,” I sighed before getting to my feet. “I have things to do.”

With that, I started away from him.

After leaving him, my mind was still buzzing with the conversation we had had.

His wise words were still on my mind, yet a part of me remained restless. I needed to clear my head, and there was only one person who could help me do that—Anna.

Somehow in just a few days I had grown accustomed to her.

That one touch in the woods that had brought us together was something I wanted again.

I wanted to feel that pull, that electricity course through my veins.

I made my way to her room, knowing that seeing her would bring me some peace.

The hallways of the palace were quiet, the evening air cool and filled with the scent of pine from the nearby woods. When I reached her door, I paused for a moment, feeling the familiar thrill that came with the anticipation of seeing her.

I knocked softly before pushing the door open. Anna stood by the window, her silhouette bathed in the soft glow of the sun.

She was staring out at the afternoon sky, lost in thought. The sight of her, serene and beautiful, made my heart skip a beat.

This fox had somehow grabbed my heart and I was ready to let her know.

She turned as I entered, and when our eyes met, she smiled—a smile that never failed to warm my soul.

She looked radiant, like she was preparing for something special.

Her scent, fresh and inviting, filled the room, and I realized she had likely been getting ready for a quiet evening alone, or perhaps she had been waiting for me.

“Greg,” she said softly, her voice like a melody that eased the tension in my chest.

I closed the door behind me, locking out the rest of the world, and with a burst of super speed, I was before her in an instant.

The gap between us vanished as I reached out, my hands finding their way to her skin.

My fingers brushed against the soft fabric of the dress she wore, tracing the curve of her arm before coming to rest at her waist.

The dress was simple but elegant, perfectly complementing her natural beauty.

“You look incredible,” I whispered, my voice low as I leaned in closer, inhaling her scent, letting it fill my senses.

Anna blushed, a soft pink spreading across her cheeks as she looked up at me. “Thank you, Greg. You seem to have a knack for catching me off guard.”

I smiled, unable to resist the urge to touch her more.

My hand moved to her back, gently pulling her closer until our bodies were almost touching. “I can’t help it.”

I could see the sadness in her eyes and I knew something was definitely wrong.

“How was the meeting with my brother?”

“It was… okay,” she shrugged and the smile she gave off was fake.

I didn’t want to argue so I nodded and looked out of the window.

“Come with me,” I said, my voice soft but insistent. “Let’s go for a walk. Just the two of us.”

Anna’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Where to?”

“The woods,” I replied with a grin.

“Why?”

“Because you work for me now and I want you close,” was my excuse.

She nodded, her smile widening. “Alright, let’s go.”

We couldn’t leave hand in hand, so we left her room with me in front nad her trailing behind as made our way through the halls.

We didn’t speak much as we made our way deeper into the forest, content to simply be in each other’s presence.

We walked along the sunny path with our eyes scanning the environment.

“So… care to share what happened between you and my brother?”

Her eyes darted away from me as she immediately shuddered. That was when I knew something had happened between them.

“Did he hurt you?” I asked as she shook her head.

“No, he didn’t. It’s just the thing he said that made me wonder if he wouldn’t already know the truth about us.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he may think something is happening between us.”

“Something like what?” I asked as she shrugged.

“For starters, we are in the woods alone. That should speak for something… should it not?”

“Anna, you are my assistant. You should follow me everywhere. And if there was something between us, should it not be to his own advantage seeing as he wants you to spy on me and take whatever information you can from me through whatever means necessary?”

She nodded. “You are a smart prince. No wonder you could see through my actions.”

“I’ve lived in this palace for long. Raxon and my brother are still babies compared to what I’ve seen and what I know.”

There was a little quake as she was about to fall before I grabbed her close to me with her breaths hitting against each other.