Cora Queen of All Werewolves

Cora- Chapter 7

Prince Joseph and I step into his bedroom. It’s similar to mine, though a bit larger. It’s decorated darkly in a way that can only be seen as masculine. Dark wood. Dark green velvet. Even the lights are dim.

I quickly realize it’s warm, but there is no fire. My room was like this yesterday, but I didn’t realize what it meant. I thought it was warmer outside than it was. “How does it heat from downstairs?” I ask.

Prince Joseph turns to me and arches an eyebrow. “Hazel did not explain it?”

“She asked what I preferred,” I tell him, my cheeks flaming from embarrassment. “I didn’t understand, though. I didn’t want her to stay up all night to keep my room warm.”

He snorts in laughter. SNORTS! “We have a team of omegas that handles that. Hazel will not be the one. If you prefer the fire, someone else will be the one to feed it through the night.”

I give him a small smile as I turn to look away. I feel so silly now.

“Is that why you were in the closet?” he asks. “Because you were cold?”

“No,” I tell him. “It was warmer, but no. I told you the truth this morning.”

He nods, accepting my answer. “Never be afraid to tell them if you’re cold. They can make it warmer. It’s their job.”

“Why do you want to watch me bathe?” I ask him nervously. “You’re disgusted by me.”

“I never said that,” he says, his dark eyes staring into mine. If you look deep enough, the darkness sparkles. “I never said that once.”

“You continue to tell me I am too skinny,” I point out. His words have hurt.

Prince Joseph shrugs. “You are. There wasn’t enough food for your family to begin with, and then you starved yourself to give your sister more.”

I want to roll my eyes, but I stop myself. “We’ve already discussed this.”

“We have,” he nods. “But you heard what you wanted to. I never said that I found you disgusting. It’s the opposite, really. But you are the Princess. Someday, you will be the queen. You must grow stronger so your wolf can grow.”

It’s the opposite? Does this mean that he finds me attractive? Why can’t this man just say what he means? I think he attempted to compliment me, but he’s always so formal, and I don’t know.

Hazel enters the room with the man she was standing beside while we ate dinner. They both bow to us. Prince Joseph seems unphased by their bowing, but I’m still uncomfortable.

Hazel and the man go into the bathroom, and I hear water running. A moment later, Hazel appears, bowing to me again. “Ma’am, your bath is ready.”

I nod and follow her in with my mate just behind me. He leans against the doorway, but I barely notice, too shocked by the sight before me. “Is that a shower?”

Prince Joseph smirks. “Yes.”

I wander to it, mesmerized. I’ve heard of them, and it’s my understanding that they are not uncommon. I don’t think anyone at my pack had one, though.

“They are for men,” he continues behind me. “The bath is for shewolves. You are far too delicate.”

I want to argue with him, but Hazel grabs my arm and shakes her head slightly, indicating for me to remain quiet. She tugs me to the bath and begins to help me undress. Joseph pushes between us, his fingers carefully undoing the buttons on the front of my dress.

“I’ll try not to rip your dress,” he drawls as a smirk tugs at his lips.

I quickly look away from him as he pushes the dress down my body. He was careful not to touch me when he did the buttons, but his fingers skim across my skin now. His movements make the bond between us surge like it’s pulling me toward him. He’s reluctant as he steps away but eyes me critically before turning to my maid. “The princess needs more lace.”

“Yes, sir,” Hazel says, quickly bowing to him.

He steps away and allows her to help remove my undergarments, which apparently need more lace. I step into the water and sink into it, hopeful that he doesn’t watch me.

When I turn to him, I find him stepping into the shower, letting the spray hit his face. It looks amazing. I don’t know why he thinks I’m too delicate for the shower because it doesn’t appear to be strong. Still, watching the water spray out of the wall is mesmerizing.

Hazel washes my hair as I hear the water in the shower stop. I crack my eyes and watch my mate dry off with the towel his butler hands him. Truly, he is handsome. His chest is strong, with broad shoulders and well-defined muscles. He catches me sneaking a look and smirks, but he doesn’t say anything.

Thankfully, he goes to the bedroom so I can get out of the bath without him watching me. Hazel helps me dry and braid my hair before grabbing the oil for my body.

“You may leave,” Prince Joseph says as he leans against the door frame. “We will not need you until the morning. Keep the furnace going tonight so the princess does not get cold.”

Hazel gives me an apologetic look before nodding and scurrying from the room, leaving me alone with my mate.

He crosses the room slowly, his eyes roaming over my body. Only a towel covers me, and it’s very little. He takes the bottle of oil from the counter and pours some into his hand. He rubs his hands together to warm it, his eyes never leaving mine, as his hands find my arms. It feels like a warm jolt shooting through me as he touches me. I gasp at the feeling, but he seems unphased.

I’m shocked at how he takes his time rubbing the oil into my skin. I’m even more shocked when he kneels and rubs oil into my legs, not moving his hands under the towel.

“You are rather attractive to look at,” he says as he stands. He turns me away from him to face the mirror. He begins to rub the oil into my exposed back before he tugs the towel from my body, leaving me completely bare before him. I swallow nervously as his hands go to my ribs. “But you are far too skinny. I fear I may break you. Anyone could hurt you in an attack. You are important now.”

“I was important before,” I tell him, trying to keep my nervous voice even. His hand rubs oil across my stomach.

“You are one of the most important wolves in the kingdom now, mate,” he whispers into my ear. His warm breath makes my n*****s harden, and the smirk on his face tells me he did not miss that. “You have to take care of yourself. You will carry the heir to the throne soon enough.”

Part of me wants to ask how soon, but I’m too afraid of the answer. My mother told me of my duties as a mate, and I’m nervous about them. I barely know the man, and he won’t even call me by my name. I don’t think I can be that close to him. Not now.

“Relax,” he tells me as he lifts my nightgown from the counter. He tugs it over my head. “Not tonight. Soon, though. Soon.”

He takes my hand and leads me back to the bedroom. He helps me into bed, still not asking which side I prefer. He tucks me in, and when he steps away, I see it.

“A candle?” I ask.

He nods as he climbs into bed beside me. “Yes. I thought it might make you feel more comfortable.”

I watch as the cream wax drips down and the flame flickers in the night. It does. I still miss my family, but it seems less overwhelming right now.

“Thank you,” I tell him softly.

Prince Joseph doesn’t respond. He just reaches over and pulls me against him as he lays on his side. He lets his chin rest on the top of my head as his arm drapes across my body, and he falls fast asleep.