Wolf Prince (Wolf Princess Book 2) Read online

  WOLF PRINCE

  M GUIDA

  Copyright © 2022 by M Guida

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Dear Reader

  About the Author

  Also by M Guida

  CHAPTER ONE

  Never in a billion years would I have thought I’d be heading toward a supernatural academy riding a silver dragon so I could meet with an ancient vampire. The last vampire I encountered tried to kill me, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about meeting one that was a thousand times more powerful.

  I glanced over my right shoulder and smiled at Hades, the little Catalan dragon with the head of a lion and a body covered in scales. He had no problem keeping up with Raven. Over these past few weeks, he’d become my buddy and I’m sure I couldn’t have gotten through this turmoil without him.

  I clutched Raven’s neck tightly. Besides dragon, she had two other bloodlines—vampire and Golden Demon—which made her the most powerful being in our world. I doubt even King Calvin would take her on, but this wasn’t her fight. It was mine.

  As she flew over the pine and aspen treetops, the moonlight glistened on the snow covering their branches. A cold wind blew through my hair and froze my bones, and my teeth wouldn’t stop chattering. Poor Ashton. Raven was clutching him in her talons, and he must have been a frozen popsicle by now. He was already in pretty bad shape from the torture inflicted on him at Iredale Palace after, my uncle, King Calvin, had discovered that he was a traitor. But Raven said there was a Fae doctor at Legacy Academy who could heal him. I hoped she was right.

  Through the trees, I saw turrets with flags flapping in the wind and Raven started to descend. That had to be Legacy Academy. It was a huge castle that reminded me of Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland, but much bigger. Uneasiness pooled and settled in my gut as I thought of meeting the ancient vampire. I held onto Raven’s neck tightly as she aimed for the snow-covered courtyard.

  A tall man was waiting for us in the courtyard and my stomach clenched. Oh, God. That had to be him.

  Stay Calm Stay Calm Stay Calm

  Raven gently released Ashton onto the snow and I slid off her back. I immediately knelt down next to Ashton who was still unconscious. He was deathly white and barely breathing.

  Hades landed next to Ashton and sniffed. He looked up at me with sorrowful eyes and whined.

  I pushed Ashton’s thick blond hair out of his eyes. “Can you hear me?”

  All I got was a weak groan.

  Someone knelt next to me. “I’ll send for Dr. Greenwood.”

  I slowly lifted my head to stare into the almost-black eyes of my host. The wind blew his long dark brown hair behind him and his thick robe hugged his broad shoulders.

  He smiled. “Hello, Salem. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Anton Lange, the Headmaster of Legacy Academy. Welcome to my home.”

  “Can you help Ashton?” I asked him worriedly.

  “Of course, my child. We have a wonderful Fae healer at Legacy.” He scooped Ashton’s limp body into arms. “Follow me, please.”

  Anton climbed a flight of stairs and then led me into one of the brick buildings. Hades was right behind me. I wasn’t sure where Raven had gone. I was too preoccupied with Ashton.

  Anton kicked open the door. “Dr. Greenwood? I have a patient for you.”

  I blinked, not believing what I was seeing. It looked more like a spa than a medical ward. Rather than smelling of antiseptic, the fragrance of eucalyptus and some other healing herbs filled my nostrils, making me want to have a massage. Comforters in a daisy print covered twin beds, and there were even daisies in vases on the nightstands next to the beds. Honestly, if more hospital rooms looked like this, maybe patients wouldn’t mind going there.

  Another tall, elegant man came out of a back room, yawning. He had long blond hair and was wearing a robe that sparkled as he moved. Concern filled his blues eyes that were flecked with brown and green. “Headmaster, what’s wrong?”

  Anton lowered Ashton gently onto a bed. “It’s Ashton Shaw. Looks like he’s been hurt pretty badly.”

  Dr. Greenwood hurried over and put his palm on Ashton’s forehead. Then he frowned. “He’s in a great amount of pain. His wolf is trying to shield his human side from it.”

  I bit my lip and shoved a hand through my tangled hair. “Can you help him?”

  Anton tilted his head. “Dr. Greenwood, this is Salem Willis, the missing Wolf Princess.”

  Dr. Greenwood flashed his gaze over me. “So you’re the one that Mateo sent word about. It is wonderful to meet you, but for now you must excuse me. I must attend to Ashton.”

  I dropped my arm. “Of course. Please do.” I slowly sat in a chair near Ashton’s bed, preparing to keep watch over him.

  “Dr. Greenwood will take care of Ashton, Salem. You look exhausted and need some rest.”

  I shook my head, still not quite sure if I should trust him. I couldn’t shake the memory of the other vampire who had attacked me at my aunt’s house. “No. I think I should stay with him.”

  “Your aunt is also a guest in my home. Will you not follow me? I can take you to her.”

  I hesitated, not sure what to do. Hades rubbed my leg as if to say it was all right. I was so glad he was here.

  Dr. Greenwood looked at me. “There’s nothing you can do right now, Salem. Get some rest and then you can see Ashton tomorrow.”

  “I promise you, Ashton is in excellent hands,” Anton said. “Shall we go?”

  “Can Hades come?” I blurted.

  He laughed. “I think I would have a hard time peeling him away from you.” He opened the door. “Please, this way.”

  Weariness came over me. I glanced down at Ashton and kissed him softly on the lips. “I’ll be back tomorrow, my prince.”

  Ashton’s lips didn’t move.

  I fought back tears as I held his limp hand. “What if I leave and something happens to him overnight?”

  Dr. Greenwood put his hand on my shoulder. “Ashton will not die, Salem. He’s come to the right place. I promise you he’ll be awake tomorrow, but he needs rest—as do you.”

  I sighed heavily, knowing there wasn’t anything else I could do. I headed toward the door with Hades at my side, then glanced over my shoulder one last time to look at Ashton. He was lying so still on that bed and his face was paler than the pillowcase.

  Please, please, please, let him be okay

  Tonight, between Ashton being wounded and Mateo being forced to play spy, I knew I would have a hard time sleeping. Either one of them could come to an untimely death because of me.

  “Come, Salem,” Anton urged.

  I reluctantly followed him out of the infirmary, praying Ashton would be awake tomorrow. In my experience, doctors weren’t always exactly trustworthy. I hoped Dr. Greenwood would prove me wrong.

  “Is my aunt awake?” I asked as he led me to a tower.

  “She’s been unable to sleep a wink worrying about you.”

  The tower door whipped open and my Aunt Remi raced over to me, pressing her palms against my cheeks. “Thank God you’re okay.”

  I hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”

  “Velkan and his demon wolves attacked. Hades and I didn’t have time to grab the Rose Box.” She burst into tears. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t worry.” I kissed her cheek. “We’ll get it back.”

  She sniffed. “I hope so. Anton tells me that’s the key to your regaining your crown.”

  I yawned. “That’s what Raven told me, too.” I scanned the courtyard. “Where is Raven, anyway?”

  “She’s inside with her mate, Lucien,” said Anton. “He’s been worried about her.”

  Remi chuckled. “I don’t think we’ll see either one of them until morning.”

  Heat warmed my cheeks as I thought of what they were probably doing. “So…now what?”

  “I suggest you get some much-needed rest,” Anton said.

  I frowned. “Won’t Calvin know I’m here?”

  Anton shrugged. “Probably, but it will take him some time to get here, and by then you’ll be gone.” He stuck out his arm. “Follow me, Salem. I have a bed prepared for you.”

  Hades growled.

  Anton laughed. “Don’t worry, buddy. You’ll be sleeping in the same room.”

  Hades nudged my leg as if to say ‘don’t worry, I’m not leaving you.’

  Anton escorted us through his quarters. They looked like Dracula had been his interior decorator. Long red velvet drapes covered the windows and the French doors that I suspected went out on a patio. The leath
er loveseat and couch were the same deep crimson and went perfectly with the hand-carved mahogany coffee table and end tables. A fire flickered in the white marble fireplace, chasing away the chill.

  It was all so inviting that I wanted to grab one of his thick afghans and curl up on the leather couch with Hades at my feet.

  Then my eye was caught by the sword with glittering moonstones in the handle lying on a nightstand next to my bed.

  “My sword!” I thought I had lost it. I ran over and picked it up. The familiar sensations ran up and down my arm and I felt like I was one with it once again. I grinned wildly. “Where did you find this? I thought Calvin had taken it.”

  “Mateo. He was able to retrieve it from the stolen artifacts room and give it to Raven.”

  My smile died on my face. “Won’t Calvin find out it’s missing?”

  “Perhaps. But Mateo thought it was worth the risk.”

  My stomach clenched, not sure I agreed. I glanced up at Anton. “Is the witch’s Book of Goody here?”

  “Yes. It’s in my study.”

  Renewed eagerness swelled inside me. “May I please look at it?”

  “In time. You need sleep, Salem. It is a powerful spell book and you must be well rested before you even attempt to look at it. If you’re in a weakened state, spells can go very badly.” His warning stomped all over my eagerness and my weariness came back with a vengeance.

  The last thing I wanted was for a spell to go wrong. There was too much at stake.

  And he was right: I was dead tired, tired of fighting demon wolves, tired of staying one step ahead of my crafty uncle. Tired of it all.

  Remi rubbed my back. “Salem, you look like you’re going to fall asleep on your feet. You need to get to bed. Come on, Hades.” She linked her arm through mine. “This way, darlin’. Good night, Anton.”

  “Good night,” he said. “Salem, you and Ashton are safe. Legacy’s walls will keep you out of harm’s way.”

  Remi led me down a hallway and then opened a door that led to a beautiful Dracula-style bedroom with a red canopy bed. I could hardly wait to stretch out on it. There was even a marble fireplace.

  “Anton sure does like nice things.”

  “He’s an ancient vampire,” Remi said. “He has loads of money, and his heart rests here at the Academy. He’d do anything to keep it looking good—and to protect it.”

  I sat on the bed. “Am I putting him and everybody else here in danger?”

  Hades hopped up on the bed and laid his head on my thigh. I stroked his mane gently, glad he was going to be guarding me tonight.

  Remi stacked some logs in the fireplace. “This isn’t the first time that enemies have tried to penetrate these walls and I suspect it won’t be the last. But with Raven, her mate Lucien and Anton all here, I don’t think Calvin will attack just yet.” She crumpled up some paper and placed it under the grate. “He’ll wait until you’re the most vulnerable.”

  Shivering, I rubbed my arms. “You mean after I leave here?”

  Remi lit a match on the stone hearth and the kindling ignited, stirring up a blazing flame. She lowered her head. “I’m sorry to say it, but yes.”

  “This is all a little overwhelming. What if Mateo gets caught spying?”

  She sat next to me on the bed and I laid my head on her shoulder. “Salem, he knows the risk he’s taking, but he thinks it’s worth it. Calvin is a cruel king. The people deserve to have the rightful heir sitting on the throne.”

  The fear and sorrow building up inside me burst forth and swirled around like an angry winter storm. I grabbed her shirt and buried my tearful face in her shoulder. “But what if…what if Calvin tortures Mateo like he did Ashton? People…” I bit back a sob. “People are getting hurt because of me.”

  Remi wrapped her arms around me, hugging me close. “Salem, what Calvin did to your parents and what he’s continuing to do to his people is terribly wrong. His evil knows no bounds. You have to stop him.”

  I looked up at her through blurry eyes. “What if I can’t?”

  She kissed my forehead. “I know you can, Salem. You have the first king’s blood running through your veins. That’s why Calvin is so afraid of you and is determined to kill you.”

  I took a deep, quaking breath. “The war is going to get worse, isn’t it?”

  She rubbed my back. “I’m afraid so. The storm is coming, Salem. You can’t stop it, but you’re not alone in this war. You have friends. That’s something that Calvin doesn’t have, for all his power.”

  I pulled away and wiped the tears off my face. “What do you mean? He has loads of alliances.”

  She cupped my chin in her hands and looked tenderly into my eyes. “That doesn’t mean they are his friends. They could turn on him on a dime. Calvin doesn’t understand love and friendship. That will be his undoing.”

  I thought of how he treated his daughter, Gloria, and hoped Remi was right. I knew I had friends that would back me up, but in the end, it would be me squaring off with Calvin alone.

  He wasn’t the only one who was afraid. Facing him scared the wolf out of me.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The next day, I woke with Hades sleeping at my feet. The fire in the hearth was still roaring and I wondered if magic had kept the flames going all night. I stretched out luxuriously like a cat, arching my back. A warm blue sweater, underwear, lacy bra, and a pair of leggings were all draped over a nearby chair. Next to my sword was a belt with a sheath. I hoped either Remi or Raven had left everything there and not Anton. It felt creepy for a male vampire to be picking out my undergarments.

  But then again, beggars couldn’t be choosers and I hadn’t brought a suitcase. There wasn’t an alarm clock next to the bed but I didn’t need it. My stomach told me it was time to get up.

  I stroked Hades’ soft body. “I’m going to take a shower, buddy.”

  He yawned and buried himself deeper into the covers.

  I grabbed my new clothes and hurried into a bathroom that blew my mind. Man, did Anton love luxury. I had never been in a white and black marble bathroom, let alone with golden fixtures. I felt like I had stepped into a billionaire’s home.

  Then again, according to my aunt, maybe I had. She’d said Anton had money, lots of it.

  I turned on the shower but instead of water coming out of a single shower head it was like a rainstorm dropping from the ceiling. This was so out of my league.

  I stripped out of the nightshirt I had found in one of the dresser drawers last night and hopped into my dream shower. Hot water softly splattered and massaged my aching muscles. I could stand in here all day, twirling around under this glorious waterfall. It was Heaven.

  It wasn’t every day I got to enjoy the most luxurious shower ever so I stayed where I was until finally, an hour later, the water ran cold. I stepped out and quickly got dressed and sheathed my sword in my belt. I wasn’t going anywhere without it again.

  When I opened the door, Hades stretched himself awake on the bed and yawned.

  I laughed. “Have you been sleeping this whole time, lazy bones?”

  His tail twitched as he glided off the bed, opening his wings. He landed at my feet and then shook his body as he closed his wings again.

  “Come on, boy. I bet you’re hungry.”

  Hades immediately headed toward the door and I opened it to a smell of frying bacon and the wonderful smell of fresh roasted coffee. My stomach let out a loud roar.

  The little Catalan dragon looked up at me as if he were grinning.

  “Guess I’m hungry too, dude. Let’s see what’s cooking.”

  Remi greeted me in the hallway. “I was just coming to get you two. Anton has a breakfast fit for a queen all ready.”

  “Sounds good to me.” I hoped he wasn’t doing this on my account—gosh, what was I thinking. Not me, Raven. She was destined to be the next queen of the Golden Demons.

  Hades and I followed Remi to the dining room and my mouth immediately watered. The table was laden with platters filled with gooey cinnamon rolls, plump sausages, crispy bacon, and scrambled eggs.