It was an eerie sound, more animal than man.
Ella shivered as it was echoed by Adrian, the chorus of cries freezing her in place.
It was a sound that every young child in the kingdom had learned to fear, despite the fact that wolves had been hunted out of the region nearly a century ago.
The princes twisted and turned, convulsing and letting out pained whimpers as fur sprouted everywhere and their faces elongated into distinctive snouts with wickedly sharp teeth. The whines turned into mournful pleas, as if some small part of them that was still human knew what was happening and was mourning the loss.
As the full moon illuminated the gardens with its eerie glow, the princes were gone. Replaced by a pair of wolves that were each larger than any man. As if becoming beasts had made them grow in some strange way.
The creature that had once been Prince Luke still faced Ella’s general location. She held her breath as it raised its muzzle in the air, sniffing hard. The wind was blowing her scent right toward him.
He let out a snarl and lunged forward. Ella stumbled backwards, her ill-fitting shoes sliding off her feet as she turned to run. There was no time to recover the slippers, no time for anything else at all.
There was a heavy hedge between her and the former prince and it seemed he could not pass through it easily. It might just buy her enough time…
She raced back toward the palace, ignoring the way that the gravel and stones of the garden paths tore at her feet. Only when she could run no longer and her lungs felt like they were about to burst did she fall to her knees and waited to be torn to shreds.
But there was nothing now. Just silence.
She glanced over her shoulder, and from the slightly elevated position she could just get a glimpse of the two black wolves as they disappeared into the dark forest…
Chapter Two
It was the first morning since he had been cursed that Luke didn’t wake up with the taste of blood in his mouth after a full moon. He let out a groan and heard an answering sound nearby and glanced at Adrian. His brother looked as dazed as he was, but at least there was no sign of any gore on him anywhere.
Not that there was much for them to hunt now that they were home. Though the forest behind the palace was considered a hunting ground for their family, it was mostly stocked with fowl and other small animals. He remembered there being some deer as well, but it was obvious that they had not encountered any of those creatures during the night.
Luke’s valet emerged from the bushes, carrying fresh sets of clothing for both he and Adrian. Carter had been with them during their travels, and was one of only two people who were entrusted with the truth of the brothers’ curse.
As they dressed in their simple shirts and trousers, Luke could not look at his brother and he sensed Adrian was feeling much the same way. This was how it always happened during a full moon. Even though they went through it together, it was not an experience that was easily shared.
Carter cleared his throat. “I beg your pardon, Your Highnesses. But I’m afraid there might have been an incident last night.”
“Incident?” He and Adrian had deliberately moved as far away from the palace as they could before the moon had taken control of their bodies. Even Luke’s valet had stayed away, per their instructions, until now.
And yet he had a vague memory of someone watching him last night. A pair of bright green eyes in a pretty, heart-shaped face…
But that had to be nothing more than just another form of madness. Wasn’t it?
“I found these near the last hedgerows.” In the same area where he and Adrian had undergone their transformation. Carter held out a pair of very worn-looking leather shoes. The delicate embroidery on the leather indicated that it had to belong to a woman. “And there are some traces of blood on the paths leading from the garden back to the palace.”
Luke silently cursed. Adrian was far more vocal in his displeasure. He glared at his older brother’s valet with a growl that nearly matched the one he might have given while in the shape of a wolf. “You were supposed to make sure that no one would disturb us last night.”
“Adrian. He couldn’t possibly have been everywhere at once, and these gardens are vast with many paths.”
His younger brother scowled. “And what if we inflicted some woman with this curse? It’s bad enough for us, but—”
“I know, I know. You don’t have to tell me that.” Luke held out some small hope that things were not as bad as that. After all, if either he or his brother had actually bitten or clawed someone, surely there would’ve been some evidence on their hands or their mouths this morning? He took the shoes from his servant and examined them more closely, but there was no trace of any damage to the leather. “Show me where you found these.”
Carter guided them back to the edge of the garden. Showing them the delicate footprints and the very faint traces of red splattered on the stones and rocks along the path.
Luke knelt down for a closer look. Though he hated the way the curse took control of his body, he had to admit that it was somewhat useful in that it also enhanced his senses during times that he was not controlled by the full moon. He could still smell some of the fear that the woman had been feeling, but there was no hint that she had been in any real pain.
Still… “We need to find her.”
“How, Your Highness? We can’t simply go about the city and ask anyone if they lost a pair of slippers at the ball last night.”
“That won’t be necessary. I should be able to track her by her scent.”
“I don’t know about this Luke.”
“We have to find out what she knows.” But how would he be able to talk to her alone? Despite the age of the slippers, the quality of the original workmanship made it clear that whoever they would be dealing with was most likely not a servant, but probably one of the young debutantes who had come to the ball the night before.
And no proper young lady would be allowed to speak with him without a chaperone. Unless… “We’ll pretend that I met her last night,” Luke said. “Then we’ll tell the family that I am considering making my proposals to her.”
“That’s mad, big brother! Do you really want to risk being tied down to someone you don’t even know?”
“If she knows the truth about us, she’ll definitely refuse me. Or at least do her best to try.” Depending on how ambitious her family was, he might indeed end up married to this woman. But he wasn’t about to tell his brother about that. Something about this woman’s scent intrigued him and appealed to a basic instinct. Rousing his body.
Perhaps it was the animal in him, somehow trying to claim her as a mate or some primitive thing like that. “Either way, it will be less awkward than finding a bride and then showing her what the curse is all about. At least this woman will know the truth from the beginning.”
It was decided that Carter should be the one to make the first approach. The first official approach at any rate. He would be the one to announce to the family that Luke was coming to visit.
Luke followed the faint trail away from the palace. He was a little surprised to find it led into one of the more fashionable districts of the city, but not to a home that he was in any way familiar with. It looked rather run down and neglected, an eyesore to its neighbors, with overgrown gardens and signs of disrepair on the structure itself.
Which perhaps explained the state of the young lady’s slippers. This wouldn’t be the first noble family to find themselves in difficult times.
He turned and was about to return to fetch Carter when a faint sound caught his attention. Coming from the back of the manor house.
Curiosity got the best of him and he slipped through the gates and onto the property. It does not appear to anyone was working, so he was able to make his way around the building unseen.
A young woman knelt on the paving stones near the service entrance of the manor. She had her face buried in her hands and she was crying.
The wind brought a
trace of her scent to Luke and though he couldn’t see her face, he realized this had to be the girl he had seen the night before. The one who had most likely witnessed his transformation.
But there was something wrong now. The scent of blood was stronger.
Not to mention the fact that she was dressed in rags, rather like a very ill-treated servant. But that made no sense. The invitations to the ball had been very clear on who was to attend.
Then she turned ever so slightly, and even from this distance, he could see the marks on her pale skin, visible through rips in her clothing. Long, thin lines that could only have been made by a whip.
A low growl that rumbled deep in his chest. Whoever she was, she didn’t deserve to be beaten like this. He longed to step out of the shadows and take her in his arms, to shield her from whoever had heard her, but to do so now would only frighten her further.
Luke would have to rely on his valet to get some of the answers, but he already knew one thing for certain: this was the woman he was going to marry.
* * * *
It was foolish to cry. A weakness.
Ella smashed the heels of her palms into her eyes, but the tears would not stop falling. Her feet still ached from running barefoot on the stones the night before, but it was nothing compared to the fresh whip marks on her back.
Lady Isabelle had been furious to discover that Ella had lost her shoes and that was that excuse enough for her punishment. Ella had been beaten for far less previous offenses in the past.
Ella swept away the last of her tears, then hurried up to her room. She had a long list of chores to begin this morning, but couldn’t make an appearance anywhere in the home while in this state. Her stepmother would not care to see the results of her handiwork. Ella needed to get cleaned up as best as she could, and she would have to repair the new tears in her simple gown before she would be considered presentable enough to scrub floors and clean the kitchen.
She let out a harsh laugh. Though really, what was the worst that Lady Isabelle could do to her now? Ella would only obey for the sake of her stepsister, Catherine. She might notice if Ella ended up with further injuries and if she chose to question her mother…
Ella doubted her stepmother would ever be as cruel to one of her own daughters as she was to her, but she wasn’t about to take that risk. Catherine was often distracted, and had no mind for helping Ella with anything around the house, but she was kind in her own way.
She did not deserve her mother’s wrath.
Daphne, on the other hand…
That would never happen. Ella’s older stepsister never noticed anything or anyone except when it personally benefited herself. She was also clearly her mother’s favorite.
The stitches on her bodice were too sloppy for her liking, yet they would have to do. At least they were holding the garment together in a somewhat decent fashion. Ella dressed herself, then headed down the stairs and began sweeping the front hall tile floor in preparation for a deeper scrubbing.
As she grabbed her bucket and brush, there was a knock on the front door. Since Maria is light on the other hand, was busy upstairs in other parts of the house, Ella answered it. “Yes?” She hastily dropped in a courtesy when she recognized the livery that the two men were wearing. It was the cobalt and gold of the Royal Palace. “May I help you?”
“Palace business,” the older man said. His words were very proper, but his gaze made her feel a bit uncomfortable. There was nothing unfriendly about it. It just seemed to contain more curiosity than the moment truly merited. “I need to speak to ladies of the house, as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” Ella showed him into the sitting room and departed to fetch her stepmother. She was in Daphne’s room, of course, consulting with her daughter over some very serious matters of lace and other finery. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Stepmother. But a man from the palace has just arrived to speak with you.”
Lady Isabelle’s face lit up and twisted into a grimace that almost could be a smile. “Of course,” she said. “Come along, Daphne. Ella, go fetch my other daughter.”
“Whatever could this be about, mother?” Daphne asked. “Do you really think it’s important? We need to be placed our order scratch that as soon as possible, if I’m to have my new gowns for Lady [Name]’s social.”
“I have every confidence to believe that one of the princes was swept away by your beautiful face and perhaps wishes to pay his attentions to you.”
“Then why are you sending Ella to get Catherine?”
“Because this is an important moment, of course. For our entire family. Your sister should be there to witness it.” Her smile twisted again, becoming its more natural expression of a scowl as she looked at Ella. “Well, what are you still doing here? Get moving.”
Normally, that tone of voice might have made her wince, but at the moment she was too busy trying to hide her amusement. Knowing how the princes had slipped away from the ball the night before, and at such an early hour, it seemed unlikely that Daphne could’ve spent more than five minutes with either of them. Perhaps she had not even progressed beyond the simple introduction, considering how many other ladies had also been vying for them.
But then, Lady Isabelle’s arrogance would never allow her to admit that she could receive visitors from the palace for any other reason but a prince’s intentions towards her daughter. And only to her favorite daughter, of course.
Ella found Catherine in her usual spot, deep inside the library. There was quite a bit of dust in her stepsister’s dark hair, no doubt from some of the neglected books he had been digging about in. She helped her brush it off, and straightened her already rumpled gown, knowing that her stepmother would not approve of Catherine’s current appearance. But they had to make the best of it as possible.
As she did so, she explained the situation.
Catherine’s brow furrowed. “It’s very strange. There was quite a scandal, you know,” she said with a smile, the small dimple in her left cheek making a fleeting appearance. “What with the way the princes decided to abandon the company without asking for a single dance from any of the girls.”
“Well, the men are wearing the livery of the palace. And they asked to meet with the ladies of the house.”
“Are you coming with me?”
“You know your mother won’t want me there.” But Ella was extremely curious to know what was going on. “I’ll be just outside the room, however, if any of you need me.”
“No you’re not. You’re coming with me.” Catherine grabbed Ella by the hand and pulled her out of the library with her. “No matter what mother says, you’re still my sister.”
“That’s very kind of you, but—” Ella didn’t quite manage to pull her hand away before she was dragged down the stairs. To her surprise, the entire party was in the front hall, rather than in the room where she’d shown the men to earlier.
Whatever was going on couldn’t be good, judging by the way both Lady Isabelle and Daphne were pouting.
The elder of the two men turned and looked at her, with that same curious expression on his face. “Ah, yes. I believe that’s the young lady I have been sent here to find.”
“Me?” Catherine said.
“Why on earth would the prince be interested her? All she does is read books all day.” Daphne stomped her foot. “It’s not fair, mama. You said I would always be the one to get married first, not Catherine.”
Somehow, Ella didn’t know how, the men kept their composure. But when they stepped forward, they did not turn to her stepsister, but to her. Bowing to her as if they were attending a courtly function, rather than confronting a girl dressed in rags. “My lady, Prince Luke was quite taken with you last night.”
“There must be some mistake!” Lady Isabelle cried. “This girl would never have been at the ball.”
“She’s nothing but a scullery maid,” Daphne said. “Can’t you see that for yourself?”
Ella’s face flamed.
Before she
could say anything, however, Catherine cleared her throat. “Ella is our stepsister, the daughter of the late Lord Anthony.” She shot her mother and sister a glare, something she had never dared to do before. She was visibly shaking, yet her voice gained strength with every word. “The fact that she’s wearing rags right now cannot deny her birth.”
“Catherine! If I’ve told you about this once, I must have told you it a thousand times—”
“I don’t care how you complain, Mother. This is the right thing to do. You’ve been denying Ella’s place in our family for too long.”
The elder of the palace servants coughed. It was impossible to tell if it was a way to cover up laughter, or if he was just trying to get their attention. “I beg your pardon, but I do believe that if you allow me to send for the prince, we can have all of this sorted out in very short order.”
Lady Isabelle nodded. “I believe that’s a good idea. It’s clear that he sent a fool who can’t judge properly in his place.”
The younger of the two servants headed off at a run, and it wasn’t long before the sound of the carriage being drawn up to the front of the manor was heard. Ella would have retreated if she could, but Catherine still held onto her hand and would not release her.
This time, it was Lady Isabelle herself who chose to open the door and Prince Luke strode in. Alone.
“Oh, Your Highness,” Ella’s stepmother said. “Thank you for gracing us with your presence in our humble home.”
He barely nodded, his eyes locking on Ella immediately. “Lady Ella?”
Daphne let out a wail. “She’s not—”
“Hush,” Catherine said.
Luke stepped forward and bowed before her. He reached for Ella’s hand and kissed the back of it. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
This couldn’t be happening. How had he found her? He had appeared to be completely consumed by his animal instincts when she had last seen him.
Somehow, she found the presence of mind to drop into a curtsy. “Your Highness.”
He had not released her hand. His grip was very warm and solid. And once again, those strange feelings were racing throughout her body. She began to tremble.
The Wolf Prince: The Cursed Princes, Book One Page 2
