Chapter 22 - Conditions

Kai pulled up the car just on the outskirts of the capital near Adalyn’s home. Kai had told her everything that Arrow had updated him on and that he’d have to leave to go and fight against the rogues round the border.

He turned off the car engine and they sat a moment in silence. Adalyn had been particularly quiet for most of the car journey and Kai was struggling to get a read on her.

“Talk to me,” Kai spoke up.

Adalyn wasn’t sure what to say to about everything that was happening. A few days ago, all she was thinking about were the insignificant plans she made for herself for the day and now she had someone in her life she already cared about, and he had real issues and problems on his hands. His closeness to her had been such a comfort and she was already feeling sad that it would be coming to a temporary end so soon. “It’s nothing, I just feel like I’m still just getting to know you and now you’re leaving.”

Kai couldn’t help but smile a little at this. She’d spent the last couple of days trying to run away from him and now she was sharing how much she wanted to stay with him. “It won’t be for long. You won’t be able to keep me away now.”

Adalyn offered Kai a tight smile in response.

“Come take and take a walk with me.” Kai stepped out of the car and walked round to Adalyn’s side to open the door for her. He definitely had manners. Even more-so than expected for a prince. Kai took her hand and they started walking through the forest that surrounded her family home.

“So, are you gonna tell me about these ‘conditions’ for me being able to return back home?” Adalyn looked at Kai mockingly.

Kai raised an eyebrow at her tone of voice. “Look, it’s important, plus I only have two and they’re all with the aim of keeping you and your family safe. Please let me do that.”

“Okay, lay them on me.” Adalyn acquiesced.

Kai looked up in to the trees. “Well, the first one is here already.”

Adalyn looked at where Kai had briefly focused. “What do you mean?”

Kai whistled and Arrow dropped down from the trees above in to the clearing in front of them. Adalyn jumped back startled. “Woah! That was stealthy. I had no idea you were here” she said, clearly impressed by him.

“That’s the idea Ady. Nice to see you again.” Arrow gave her a quick wink.

“Hey Arrow.” Adalyn smiled back.

A pang of jealousy stung Kai after Arrow called her by her nickname again. She hadn’t yet offered Kai the same courtesy.

“So, I'll guess we'll be back to our usual program of me looking out for you.” Arrow continued.

Adalyn raised her eyebrow. “Usual program? Wait, does that you mean you used to stalk me as well?”

Arrow could already feel the death stare emanating from Kai so he avoided eye contact with him at all costs. “I have a funny feeling I wasn’t supposed to say that?”

Adalyn spun on her feet. “Really Kaiden? Was there anybody else watching me this whole time that I need to be aware of?” She braced her hands on her hips and stared Kai down. Arrow was transfixed by her little display. Watching her stand off against Kai like he was just some ordinary guy had him impressed. She didn’t seem even remotely phased that he was royalty and an alpha.

“It was just me and him, that was it.” Kai responded. He rested a hand on her shoulder to try and placate her. His touch as her mate instantly had a calming effect and the tension in her shoulder started to ease. “While I’m gone, Arrow will just be looking out for you. Like you said, you won’t even notice that he’s there.”

Adalyn sighed heavily. This whole watch party thing felt really over the top. She couldn’t help but be slightly annoyed that he thought of her as some fragile flower. She had been training a lot with Gabriel. She knew how to take care of herself too.

“You know I’m not as delicate as you make me out to be. Maybe I could even do something to help while you’re gone. Like look in to the people that kidnapped me and…”

“No!” Kai shouted abruptly. He was determined to shut down that conversation before she could even attempt to make a case for it. “This is not for you to deal with. It’s my issue alone, so let me handle it.”

Adalyn rolled her eyes at this. Without getting more detailed accounts of what they did know already she knew it would be difficult to act on it, but having some friends from the Star Howlers pack, she figured that she could at least track down the guy caught on the CCTV footage.

The defiant look in her eyes was making Kai nervous. “I’m serious Adalyn. I don’t want you getting involved.”

“I’m already involved!” she snapped back. The silent stare-down commenced with neither party looking to give an inch.

Arrow’s gaze went from one side to the other. “Well, this is awkward,” Arrow tried to joke but it didn’t even seem to register with either of them.

Adalyn was the first to break. “Fine!” she huffed. She knew that she wasn’t going to be able to convince him, so she decided to drop it in front of him, but deep down she was already formulating plans to get around it.

Kai was pleasantly surprised that she let it go easily. He wasn’t entirely convinced she had, given her past track record, but with Arrow keeping tabs on her, he knew that she wouldn’t be able to get up to much without his knowledge. “I promised that I’d keep you in the loop but please be patient. Arrow is following this up already. He can be a bit of a dick at times but he's reliable. Let him do his job.” Kai pleaded after seeing the annoyance in her eyes.

“Hey!” Arrow piped up, after hearing Kai’s snide comment. “Thanks for my glowing report, I'll be sure to add that line to my resume.” Arrow crossed his arms and pulled a face.

Adalyn couldn’t help but crack a smile as she conceded without saying a word.

Kai physically relaxed seeing her starting to accept it. He started pulling Adalyn to the side to talk to her in private. “If he tries anything funny, you 100% have my permission to kick him where it hurts.”

“Err…you know I can still hear you from here right!” Arrow spoke from behind them.

Adalyn tried to stifle a laugh but failed. “You wanted him to hear that didn't you?”

Kai gave a soft smile as a reply. He had 100% meant it but found it amusing that she had found it funny. Kai proceeded to pull her out further in to the woods. “How come you asked him to call you Ady anyway?” Kai queried. He was trying to hide that it bothered him but his lack of eye contact as he spoke made Adalyn suspicious.

“All my friends call me Ads or Ady.” Adalyn eyed him curiously at his question.

“Oh?” She already considered Arrow a friend? Kai couldn’t help but wonder where he stood with her. He had confessed his full intentions but she hadn’t divulged much at all about how she felt towards him. “Would you prefer I call you that too?”

Adalyn blushed. “No, to be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of my name, but it sounds nice when you say it. It makes it seem… special.” Adalyn stared at the ground feeling a bit embarrassed to share how hot it was to hear him say her full name.

The fact that she found it special that he called her by her full name instantly washed away the jealous pang he felt earlier. Kai tipped her head up to make eye contact with him. “Okay, Adalyn it is.” He retook her hand and then continued walking with her.

“So, what is the second condition *your highness*?” Adalyn asked cheekily. She was straight back to business again.

“Kai smirked at her ‘highness’ comment. “For my second request, I hate to ask this of you given everything that's happened but I'm gonna need you to keep the last couple of days to yourself.” Kai looked down at her as they walked, to gauge her response.

“In other words, don't tell my family about us, or what's happened?”

Kai tightened his lips. “Yeah, I'm sorry to have to put more on you like this, but there are a lot of people that I still can't trust, so the less people that know the better. It's better for their safety as well.”

“I understand.” She looked up at Kai to see some relief appearing in his eyes. “But I need a request in return” she countered.