Cora Queen of All Werewolves

Cora- Chapter 5

Prince Joseph had dinner sent to my room tonight. I don’t know if I should be thankful I didn’t have to see him again or upset that he didn’t want to eat with his mate.

Hazel left while I ate dinner alone. It would have been weird to ask her to stay since he did not send food for her. She returned, though, and drew a bath for me. She didn’t even have to boil the water to warm it.

That’s the strangest thing here- the palace has electricity. I’ve never been somewhere with it before, much less lived with it. The lamps light up with a switch. There’s no need for a candle. The water must heat somewhere else as well.

I sink into the tub, letting the warm water wrap around me in comfort. I’m shocked, however, when Hazel stays with me. “You can leave,” I tell her.

“I should wash your hair, Princess,” she says hesitantly.

“I’ve washed my own hair for years,” I tell her. “Is… is that what’s expected of a princess?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she says. “The Queen’s maid does the same.”

I’m so shocked. Why would a grown shewolf need someone to wash their hair? “The queen has her own maid?”

Hazel giggles slightly. “Of course,” she says. “Just as I am your maid.”

“What?” I ask, turning to meet her. My eyes are wide with shock. “What does that mean?”

“I thought you knew,” she tells me. “I’m here to serve you, and only you, ma’am. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll take care of it.”

I turn back, leaning against the tub. I have my own maid. I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I’m the princess, but it seems more realistic than having someone to help take care of me.

“Should I wash your hair?” she asks nervously.

“Will it hurt your feelings if I say no?”

“It’s my job,” she says softly. “The Queen will move me somewhere else if you don’t need me.”

From the tone of her voice, that doesn't seem good. I’d hate for that to happen. “Then sure. You’ll have to tell me how a princess is supposed to act. I… I don’t know how to do this.”

“I’m happy to,” she says before dumping water onto my hair.

I have to admit that being bathed was nice. Not only did she wash my hair, but she also scrubbed my scalp and skin. The water smelled so good, and then she put oils on my skin with the same scent. I feel amazing.

Hazel pulls out a white nightgown and pulls it over my head. I push my arms through, finding the humor that I’m now a mated adult and have someone to dress me.

“Thanks,” I tell her with a smile.

“Would you prefer that we keep the furnace going tonight, or would you rather have a fire?”

I blink. “I… I don’t know what a furnace is.” This feels so embarrassing.

“We add coal in the dungeon, under the palace, and it will heat your room,” she tells me. “It’s fairly new, but it works well.”

Heating from another room? I’m not used to having any heat in my room at all. At home, if it got too cold during the winter, we all had to sleep in the main room where the fireplace was. My father would usually add more wood, letting the rest of us sleep.

The thought of someone having to stay awake to keep my room warm makes me feel bad. Would Hazel be the one to do it? I don’t want that. Winter has been slowly shying away. The sun was out today, and it felt warm when we arrived.

“It’s not that cold,” I tell her awkwardly. “I don’t think I need any. The bed looks warm.”

She bows her head before leaving me for the evening. “If you’re sure, ma’am.”

It’s strange to be in such a large room. It’s windy outside, and the large windows creak with each gust as it slices through the cracks. I climb into the bed, hoping it will feel smaller than the enormous room.

It doesn’t. I sniffle, pulling the blanket over my head. I want to go home.

We were poor, but our home was cozy. I didn’t understand how much I loved that until now. The temperature of the room becomes colder with each minute. The room is so large and dark. I miss my mom, and I miss Helen.

I wish I knew how to link properly. I don’t know how to find someone who isn’t in my pack. Prince Joseph hasn’t explained it to me, but I can’t fault him. I haven’t asked him. I haven’t felt the need to link anyone until now. If I knew how, I’d ask Hazel for help.

I get out of bed with chattering teeth and grab the blankets and pillow before going to the closet and lying on the floor. This is small. This feels safe, and for some reason, I don’t feel so alone in the smaller area. The small space is also warmer, and it doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep.

*Stomp*

*Stomp*

*Crash*

Something loud wakes me. Someone is stomping, and things are being thrown. “CORA!” a deep, angry voice yells.

I wipe my eyes, trying to figure out where I am. It’s completely dark. I sit up, and something soft brushes against my head. Reaching up, I grab what feels like a dress. “Huh?” I mumble.

A door is ripped open, and a man stands before me. He’s wearing plaid pants and no shirt. His hair is messy as if he just woke up, and he looks furious.

“What the hell, Mate?” he growls.

I pull the blanket up to try to block myself from his view, but he reaches down and grabs my arm, ripping me up forcefully. “Why are you in the closet like a peasant?”

I blink at him. I just woke up, and I’m barely able to understand what he’s saying.

“CORA!” he bellows, his dark eyes pinning me with something more than anger. “Answer me.” His face is red.

“I was scared,” I whisper as tears prick my eyes. I don’t want to admit this to him. I don’t want to look weak. “The room was too big, and the wind was loud.”

He continues to stare at me with his impossibly dark eyes. His breathing has slowed, but he’s still angry. Thankfully, he releases my arm.

“You are a princess,” he grumbles. “You cannot sleep on the floor like some commoner.”

His words make me angry. “I am a commoner,” I say, raising my voice. “I’ve never lived somewhere like this. I’ve never had light without a candle or warm water from the tap. I’m trying!” My voice gets louder with each word until I realize it’s probably too much. I’m embarrassed that I admitted that I was too poor to sleep here.

I look down at the ground, noticing both of our bare feet. It seems so normal and simple, not like a prince and princess at all. We’re two wolves- two mates- and neither of us is comfortable with the other.

“You said you’d give me time to adjust,” I say, my voice soft. “I’m trying. I swear I am. You can ask Hazel. I let her wash my hair.”

“Who washed your hair before you came here?” he asks.

I sigh. I guess most others in the kingdom have maids that wash their hair. “I did.”

“You were the daughter of a Beta,” he says, not finishing his thought. He said enough, though.

“I still am,” I tell him proudly. “Our pack was poor, but my father is a good man.” How dare he act like I’m less than.

His fingers are on my chin. He’s grabbed me like this before, but this time, he’s not rough. Gently, he tilts my head up to look at him. “You are the Princess. You will sleep in your bed, or you can sleep in mine, but you will never, ever sleep on the ground again.”

I swallow hard at what he’s said. It’s an order. He releases my chin, and I nod slowly.

“Well, where do you plan to sleep tonight?” he asks.

I look down again. Staring at his feet is more comfortable than looking into his piercing eyes. “With you.”

“Very well,” he says. “I’ll make the arrangements. You should keep this room so you have somewhere to go when you are mad at me.”