Chapter 32

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Nearly six weeks had passed since our amazing first date. Since then Caden has made it his personal mission to treat me to at least two dates a week. Even if it's a movie night.

Which happens to be one of my top five.

Two weeks ago, he told me to dress up warm in jeans and a jacket. To my utter surprise and happiness he had the servants set up a projector outside. The east wall provided the backdrop for the projector. A few hundred seats and blankets were placed around the yard.

Off to the side, a food court was set up. Pizza had been prepared throughout the week and kept frozen. Four hours before the gathering started, the kitchen handed out the pizza's to all the families asking for them to bake and bring them. Drinks were being dispensed out of ten soda machines.

Where in the world Caden had procured those ten machines, I had no clue. They showed up before the event and vanished afterwards. As did all the supplies.

Being a royalty, Caden and I's couch was smack dab in the front. Which meant sixty feet from the screen.

For protection, guards had been set up facing away from the couch. Their eyes catching each movement in case a threat would present itself.

For privacy we laid down against the couch. My back snuggled up against his firm chest. Since our first movie night with my family, he hasn't been able to eat popcorn without M&M's. I've even caught him twice walking around the castle with a bowl in his hands.

A big fat smile would grace my face whenever I saw him.

His attitude and behavior have taken a drastic turn for the better. It's as if he isn't the same man before my eighteen birthday. Not that I mind one bit. I'm actually enjoying myself quite a bit.

Yes, it's mind-boggling to be pampered each and every day. I'm still not used to it. I doubt I'll ever be.

Thought I can't say that's the case for Theo and Taylor. They are relishing in the royal funds. As the Princess's blood and adoptive brothers, they nearly get the same treatment as me. That is when they aren't training or protecting me.

For instances two nights away Caden shocked me once more with a trip to a carnival. That wasn't even the best part either.

As a servant growing up, we were short on money. My parents saved money for the future, in case of an emergency, wedding or funeral. As a result, carnival, movie theaters and zoos were all off limits.

It was the same way with half the servant families. At least the ones who gave a crap about their families.

As we walked through the gates of the carnival entrance followed by a team of ten bodyguards, I started to recognize families I used to work with.

I couldn't understand what was transpiring until Caden had brought me to a firm stop. Explaining in a pleased tone how he brought all the families with children under the ages of fifteen out for a night of fun.

When I asked why that age, he said because the older teens were allowed during the movie night he figured it was high time to spoil the youngsters.

He made the night exceptional. I couldn't keep my emotions in check all through the rides, games and carny food.

Little children would run up to him, hugging his legs with sticky fingers and wide open mouths. With the biggest smiles plastered to their faces. At first it startled him. He didn't know what to do.

Being an example, I leaned down and scooped up the little girl I knew to be named Krissy and swung her around, high up in the air as her musical giggle vibrated around us.

Soon enough we hand a line of giggling sugar high children waiting in line to get the chance to speak and have a picture taken with their Prince. I hadn't notice the camera man until flashes were creating little bright dots in my eyes.

Not once had I left his side. There wasn't a need to.

All in all, it was an astounding night. One I will hold dearly in my heart.

Shaking my head I leave the past weeks in the past. Today held a stepping stone. One that would easy my heavy heart.

Sighing I stand up from the bed I now share with Caden. For the first few weeks he continued to sleep on the couch, explaining to me we needed to take baby steps. Figuring he wouldn't take the first step, I crawled out of bed one night and snuggled up against his chest on the couch. He of course ended up waking up and shuffling us to the bed.

My mission had been accomplished for the night.

"Claudia, sweetheart are you ready? We need to be on time, if not a few minutes early," Caden calls from his office. As crown Prince he has duties he cannot neglect. The few days we spent in his office I became unbearably bored out of my mind. Which in turn frustrated Caden and his best friend Jason.

So from that day on he spent his time in the office off our living room. He could keep an eye on me while taking care of business, while I could either watch TV, read or nap. The one and only time I took a bubble bath, he all but came undone.

Jason informed me after he dragged a frothing at the mouth wolf out of the bedroom and out onto the training grounds, that I wasn't allowed to be naked in the same room as Caden unless I knew for sure I was ready for the next step. Wide eyed I could only nod my head.

"Claudia, are you day dreaming yet again?" Rolling my eyes at Caden's chuckles I march my dress covered body to the side of his desk.

"I've been sitting on the bed for the past twenty minutes waiting for a certain Prince to finish his business and come collect me." I give him a small smirk. He knew I'm never late.

"Alright, alright, I give." He mumbles with an erotic pout. I could feel my body heating up with that little gesture. Each day he would learn a new trick to get me turned on and it drove me crazy. I swear he is trying to kill me with sexual tension.

My heart beats with a love I never knew it could possibly feel as the man in front of me stands to his full height. Gorgeous dark brown hair trimmed suitably on his head. The same blue eyes which have kept me up at night.

"If you continue to examine my body, you will be forcing my hand. Please do not make me break my promise to you Claudia. I know you're not ready as of yet." I moan in the back of my throat as he links his lips with mine.

The kiss was quick and gentle. He hasn't pushed for more and I'm grateful. Especially on a day like today.

"If you wouldn't tease me during the course of the day, I wouldn't feel the need to gaze upon your athletic body." I slide my hand in his as we walk out of our bedroom door.

Silence rained down upon us as our minds concentrated on the trial taking place in mere minutes. Today would be the first of six trails.

The King integrated her for three solid months. As the crimes were against Caden and I, we weren't privy to the detail he retrieved. Today she would stand in front of the royal family, council members, commanders and her peers. Today she would learn her decision had consequences.

Two guards open the doors as we continue our way into the judgment room, which most of the times is the banquet hall.

Silently we take our seats on the right side behind four buff men in suits. If I hadn't met them before this day, I wouldn't have believed them to be warriors, not lawyers.

Sucking in a deep breath, I squeeze Caden's hand when the door across the room opens and in steps the female who had a helping hand in keeping Caden away. Her hips swinging side to side in an attempt to attract male attention.

"She has no hold over me, my little kitten," Caden whispers in my ear soft enough as not to catch unwanted attention. "You are the only female I crave in my arms, bed and soul. Do not let her pathetic words tarnish what we've built."

"I wouldn't dream of it my possessive wolf." Giving my head a tilt I reach up and place a heartfelt kiss to his lips. "Never again will I leave you at the hands of a vindictive female. That is my promise."

"If you continue to use that pet name, I'll feel obligated to prove its worth," he quietly growls in my ear.

"You've proven yourself plenty of times. How do you figure I came up with the name?" Staring him in the eyes, he knows he was beaten.

Before he could stick in the last word, the council members enter and take their seats.

"Today we are here to decide the fate of the female wolf called Jessica Lawrence. How do you plead?" I've met the council members a few times with Caden and his family and though I am now a Princess and out rank them, a shiver shakes its way down my body as their cold eyes peer at the dreadful women.

"Not guilty." Her love struck lawyer boomed.

"Very well. This trial starts now."

 From those six words began the agonizingly long list of facts not only the King stated publicly, but the servant Jessica threatened, her family and several guards. She had dug herself an enormously deep grave.

"You've heard your crimes detailed today Miss. Lawrence. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" One of the council member's questions.

Sitting on the stand she pretends to be the victim. Tears streaking down her face along with black eyeliner. She appeared fragile. A broken women.

We knew better. At least Caden, I and his family did.

"It all started five years ago. One afternoon I had been sitting out in the garden, letting the sun soak in my skin before the winter turned for the worst. I...I fell in love with prince Caden. It was love at first sight, first touch. He had move towards and sat next to me for nearly an hour poring his heart out. I felt his pain of his mate's rejection. The whole kingdom new she had ran from him and kept hidden." Biting her quivering lip she frowns in our direction. "I felt a bond with him from that moment on. We parted ways, but I kept my eye on him in case he needed me once more. And he did nearly four months later."

I felt my heart rate skip a beat. Caden had poured his out to her? A complete stranger at the time. Do they have a stronger bond that I assumed?

"I felt it in my heart he was hurting. That night I went to him and found him bleeding to death in his shower. His skin shredded off his body as his passed out body laid plastered against the glass shower wall. All by myself I turned the water off and held onto him. Whispering encouragements as I contacted a pack doctor. I had been told later that night as I sat with him, by a doctor that I had saved the Princes life. Without me, he would have died from blood loss."

Tarring my gaze away from her saddened face I murder my shoes with my eyes. I had caused him to nearly die. Instead, of being a proper mate, I forced another female into his hands. To protect and love him.

"From that day on, we kept in contact. We would hang out at least once a week, either by ourselves or with a group of our friends. He started to show improvement, his face would light up and his boisterous laugh brought warmth to my heart. I had done that to him. It was me who had dragged him out of his depression. Me and only me."

Gulping, I force the oncoming tears to stay where they belonged, inside my eyes. I have no right to cry. I did it to myself. I forced my own mate into her arms.

"After a year of becoming close I entered his room to retrieve him for an outing. I came upon a maid with a letter in her hands. I instructed her to give it to me. She obeyed. Hurriedly I read the note, I knew instantly it had been from Caden's runaway mate. I knew she would only harm him, bring him hope then run away, destroying him once more. I couldn't allow that. As his friend, I wouldn't allow it to transpire."

Friends? They were more than friends if he allowed her into his room. She had him in his clutched for six years as I hid like a child.

Not even the harsh squeeze on my hand can reassure me. I had failed.

"After that first letter I would sneak into his room and collect the cream colored envelope once a week. My fear for prince Caden's health and sanity forced me to keep the letters a secret. As the years passed it became a natural instinct to retrieve the letters and hide them. I kept each one, knowing in the feature once I felt he was strong and stable to survive the words, I would give them to him." Her voice slithered around the room. Convincing her peers of her loyalty to the crown.

Yea, after you became Queen. You had to make sure Caden' would push you out of the way for me. Oh god, no. She can't be pregnant.

Holding in the sob, I rip my fingers from Caden's. The very thought of him making love to her sickened me. The same hand I had been holding mere moments ago stroked her naked flesh.

Did he love her at one point in time? Love like that won't go away. Does he still love her in some pathetic kind of way? Only forcing himself to be with me because of the bond? My heart ached at that thought.

"One night nearly a year ago a man came to me. He threatened me and my family. Informing me if I didn't continue stealing the letters he would murder my family, slowly as I watched on. I knew not who he was. Brushing the man off as a silly old man I continued on with my daily life."

Harshly gripping my legs, I feel the slight flow of blood trickle out of the wound. Lies, she has to be telling lies. All she cared about was becoming Queen.

"Two nights later I walked into my parent's room to find my father bleeding to death on the carpet. He had been hit from behind. No clues were left, but I knew who had done it and why. Keeping my mouth shut for days I waited until he contacted me again. I wouldn't allow my parents to be killed because I couldn't obey an order."

If Caden hadn't put his hand on my thigh stopping me from standing I would have marched right out the door.

"One week later I walked into Caden's room to collect the later to find a new maid. She had it in her hands with wide eyes. Being nosey she had opened it up and read it. She knew it was from the missing Princess. Knowing my parents' lives were on the line I threatened her family. Not that I would follow through with any of my threats. I couldn't harm a soul."

Lies! All lies! The tears were silently falling down in gushes. I bite my lip to keep the sob in.

"The older man came to me the next day informing me I had done an excellent job. If I continued with the threatening and collection of the letters my family would be kept unharmed," she sobs out with grief.

Opening my link with Caden I try to question him, ask him he if loved her. Really loved her. Instead I came to a solid wall.

Mentally screaming I try to force myself to ignore her words. He loves me for me. He has to.

It's mean to say, but I pray with all my heart he only kept her for a year to use her body as a release. I prayed he didn't become attached, possibly fall in love.

"The man kept his distance from that moment on. I would of course see him in the shadows, keeping an eye on me." I hear her take a deep breath, as if trying to accumulate her memories. "A few days later Caden took real interest in me. We shared our time, bed and love. I knew he loved me as I did him. He even told me once."

Harshly yanking Caden's hand off my leg I scoot closer to my brother, his arm wrapping around my shoulder. Caden tried to reach for me. I smacked his hand away. With his walls up, I knew her words to be true. He had confessed his love to her.

He had loved her before me and without a bond.

"Let him explain Claudia before you jump the gun," Taylor demands inside my head with authority. I knew he couldn't command me to do a dang thing, but I loved him for trying.

"His walls are up Tay, he doesn't want to speak to me. To reassure me she is lying. I'm scared he is only with me because of the bond Tay. If he is, then I have no control over the future. He will surely cheat on me once he becomes King," I whisper with anguish. My heart breaking at the mere thought of him sleeping with another female now that I've come to truly love him.

"Would you want to go for a run after this ordeal is over? Clear your head before you speak with him? I love you little sis, I do not want to see you hurting all over again. Learn the truth from his mouth. I mean you could threaten to leave him if he doesn't. Marcus for sure wouldn't lie to you."

He was right, I had to be thinking clearly when we spoke. If not who knows what the outcome would be. "I would like that Tay. Bring Theo with us please. I need both my brothers."

The firm squeeze he gives me hand is all I need to know he understood.

"Thank you Miss. Lawrence. If you will please take a seat." Keeping my head down I listen to the click clack of her heels against the oak flooring. "As you all know we have six more trials to take place before we issue the judgments. Court is dismissed until tomorrow for Nikolai Silas's trial."

Hearing the loud bang, I wait until the court room has been cleared of all its occupants except for my family and the royals.

"Claudia-."

"I'm going for a run with Taylor and Theo." I cut Caden off before he could utter one more word. Taylor was right, I needed to cool my mind and going for a run would do just that.

"Please let me explain Claudia."

"I need this Caden. I need to go for a run. If I don't we will fight and I might run. I'm tired of running Caden. So please let me do this on my own terms." Passing him by, I hold in the anguish I feel through the bond. He had let his wall down the moment Jessica walked out of the room.

Reaching the forest line, I transform into my white wolf. I loved my black tipped ear. I felt special having it.

"Please my brothers, race me until I drop from exhaustion. Force my mind away from the drama inside the castle," I whisper to them through our links.

"Your wish is our command." Theo barks out before sprinting into the forest, forcing me to chase after him.

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So how did you like it?

Will CLaudia blow up on Caden?

Do you think he actually meant it for Jessica? If so does he still harbor those feelings for her?