POV: Claudia

Sneaking through the trap door, I silently tip toe over to Caden's desk. Pulling out the pen and note pad I constantly use, I scribble down my last love letter.

It's taken me the past three days to figure out what I wanted to write down. Not that I came up with good enough words. I doubt I could ever come up with the perfect 'fake' farewell love letter.

Silently crying, I watch as a tear splashes against the parchment before folding it up and placing it on his pillow. Taking one last peek at his room, I quickly rush out as I hear soft footsteps approaching the door.

Rushing towards our secret room, I throw myself into Taylors open arms. I didn't want to be alone today. My parents had to work double time to cover mine and Taylor's shifts. They demanded nicely I needed to stay hidden today.

"Do you want to go for a run or sit here and watch TV?" Over the years we have placed certain entertainment items. There was no electricity when we found the room. Nik, Taylor and my father spent nearly a year secretly wiring up the room. We have Christmas lights hanging around the ceiling, a large screen TV and stand, all courtesy of Nik. Nearly every item in the room is courtesy of Nik. My family's fortune is near to nothing.

"Run. Who knows when Caden will allow me free reign once he locks me up in his room?" We've all discussed the possibility of Caden keeping me from the world for days, maybe months. If this is the last chance to be in wolf form and run free, I'll take it.

"Do you want Theo to join us?" He asks me as he leads the way out of the room.

"Sure, why not. We all know Caden won't allow him near me until we are mated and happily married. Your my blood brother, Theo isn't."

Reaching the secret exit we step out, checking to make sure no one saw us. The castle has six exits hidden within the forest. My favorite is this one, the hollowed out tree.

"Hey beautiful." Grinning, I hug Theo before transforming into my white wolf.

"We running until midnight?" Tay questions as we dodge the first few trees.

"If you two don't mind?" I ask with uncertainty. I've always felt bad asking for things or peoples time. These two are my brothers, but that doesn't mean they want to spend hours upon hours running the forest with their little sister.

"Taylor I believe we need to knock some sense into our sisters head. She apparently lost her mind because she doesn't believe we would want to spend time with her before she goes into heat and meets her mate." Bashing into Theo, I try and veer him into a tree. Instead he comes to a complete stop making me stumble.

"You should know by now, never to mess me with darling. I always win." Hooting, he races off in front of me with Tay. Giving a loud snarl, I sprint after them.

This is who we are. Three siblings and best friends. We would do anything and everything for each other at the drop of a hat. I've always felt horrible not informing Theo that I've found my mate. My parents knew Theo would tell Caden. As a lower wolf he wouldn't have the power to keep such a secret from his from his Prince.

"Let's hit the watering hole." Tay says before cutting to the right in front of Theo. I may be a fast runner, but I'm nothing compared to those two. They kick my ass in fighting and running. Dashing after them, I think on our past adventures.

When I was twelve, Theo and Tay dared me to jump across no man's bridge. To say jump would be an understatement. The bridge is sixty feet long with ropes as hand rails and boards as the foot path. It's an impossible task to jump. Run across, yes, jump, no. Though it does have a break away leaver. Which I would have been completely insane to use.

It's whispered that a wizard created the bridge to mess with wolves who follow the crown. There have been rumors about wolves walking across the bridge become instantly paralyzed. Not that I've seen any evidence, no one has honestly.

If they don't become paralyzed they drop to their death. The bridge picks its victims. Who it desires to live or die.

I was lucky to live.

By running a crossed it, I touched down on no man's land for a mere few minutes before racing back onto crown territory. If the bridge wanted me die, it would have broken once I hit the center.

It's said if it deems you worthy of crossing you may cross anytime you desire. I don't know anyone who would desire to cross it unless they committed a crime or were dared too.

"Day dreaming?" Tay asks.

"Just thinking about our adventures. Particularly the one where you two dared me to jump no man's bridge." I've always wondered if they secretly wanted to cause me pain to see if it would effect Caden.

"That was an exciting day. Not that the ass whopping we got from mom and dad wasn't worth it. You screamed bloody murder all the way across the bridge. We couldn't stop laughing our asses off. I believe I had tears streaming down my cheeks." Tay says before transforming into his human behind the hollow tree.

"We both had tears flowing from your hilarious run. I wish I had a camera that day. It would have been an amazing video to play when you were down. No doubt it would have brought a smile to your face as it did for us while watching you in action."

"Shut up Theo, it wasn't that funny!" Stomping my foot, I glare at the back of their heads as they head towards the water.

They both wore swimming trunks. We keep swimsuits in the tree for this very reason. We may be family, but we aren't that close. It would be gross seeing my brother and Theo butt naked.

"Hurry up and get dressed. We don't have all day to swim and lay around," speaks Theo before his head goes under.

Rolling my eyes, I grab my swimsuit and pull it on before jumping in the watering hole with them.

We spent the next eight hours swimming, running, hunting and joking around. Fun times with my brothers. There's nothing I wouldn't want to do more on my last night of freedom then be with them.

Time flew by too quickly. By the time I knew it, it was ready to head to Nik's house.

To say I felt nervous would be an understatement.

"Ready to go?" Shaking my head, I stand up with the help of Tay. We had been sitting near the water, staring up at the stars for the past few hours. Theo had returned to the castle once to retrieve dessert. Chocolate cake with liquid fudge inside. It was heaven.

"I don't think I'll ever be ready Tay."

"Remember, he loves you Claudia. Yes, he will be furious beyond belief, but he will get over it once you're in his arms for more than a few seconds."

Sighing I transform back into my wolf form to head to our meeting spot. My parents wanted to wish me good luck and goodbye. This time Tay and Theo run on each side of me, protecting me from the creatures of the night.

"We love you sweetie. Don't you forget that," whispered my mother as her arms wrap around my waist in a warm hug. She through me a set of clothes once we reached the spot. Of course the guys turned their backs as the three of us got dressed. "We will see you once the dust has settled down."

Who knows when that will happen. I can pray its less than a month.

"I love you all as well." Hugging goodbye to the three males I love with all my heart before I quickly rush towards Nik's house. Keeping to the shadows, I try not to draw attention to myself.

"I was getting worried you wouldn't show." Shutting the front door I roll my eyes at Nik's words.

"Of course I came. I would be stupid to let this happen in the castle. To be honest Nik, I believe we are stupid for doing this here, in your house." Following him to my bedroom, I spare his house no glance. I knew it better than the back of my hand. Not because we spent romantic night here. This house has been a get away from my problems. Mainly Caden. "I know we've spoken about you being reprimanded..."

"Don't you start." Placing his hand over my mouth he promptly shuts me up. "It's too late now to have regrets Claudia. From this moment on fate is in charge. There is no need to think of punishments." Stepping away he glides towards the balcony doors to gaze outside.

His words do not for my heart.

"Strip down and get into bed. I need to tie you down. We can't have you running around naked when Caden barges into the house. He will surely believe we are up to no good."

Silently striping I slide into bed naked. We have discussed our plan over the last two months. Being naked isn't for Nik's pleasure, but my comfort. I'll get extremely hot and sweaty once my heat kicks in. At first my father wasn't supportive of my decision to be naked. My mother ended that argument instantly. I knew my father was only thinking of the consequences of Caden finding me naked in Nik's house. My mother on the other hand knew what being in heat would in tale. The pain, discomfort and need to be pleasured. If being naked would ease a tiny bit of my discomfort, then I will be naked.

"You know what's being said about the two of us, don't you?" He questions while tying my left wrist to my bedpost.

"I've heard rumors. Apparently your men do not know how to keep their mouths shut." I didn't expect them to in the first place. "For all we know Caden commanded them to spread them. To tarnish you for taking a female wolf who hasn't gone through her heat yet."

"After she died, you know what I was like." Gazing at him I try and hide my sorrow. When a mate is killed or dies of a natural death their soul mate usually follows shortly after, that is unless they have a child together. Nik had only known his mate for a few short days. They never got the chance to have the pleasure of making a child out of love.

It was hard seeing him during that time. All I wanted to do was console him. Take away the pain of losing a mate.

"For a while I hated your guts for having a mate and denying him the pleasure of having you. For the longest time I desired to go behind your back and tell Caden where his mate was."

I always had a feeling that's how he felt in the beginning. Not that I had any evidence. "You didn't in the end."

"No, although I attempted to multiple of times. I lost my mate, I felt Caden, even though he had messed up, deserved to know his mate. I've always known he would change his ways once he had you in his arms. You may not believe it, but males will do anything and give up everything once they have their soul mate in their arms."

"Through the years of you consoling me I secretly wished we were mates." It's true, Nik would have been the perfect mate. "I figured if you were my mate, miraculously my bond with Caden would vanish. How stupid I was. We've both grown and learned from our mistakes. I believe I will be learning loads in the next coming months."

"Yes, we've grown, in more ways than others."

"I do not fault you Nik in your way of thinking. I knew deep down how you felt in the beginning. Your eyes tell no lies to me. I can read you like an open book." Tugging on the silk ropes I make sure they are tight enough.

"Not to tight?" Sitting on the edge of the bed next to me he brushes my bangs behind my ears.

"No, just right." It's never been awkward between the two of us, but as of right now, I have no idea what to speak to him about.

"Your mother has informed you of the process of going into heat and meeting your soul mate, correct?" Blushing I turn my head away, to embarrassed to speak. "I'm not trying to embarrass you Claudia. I only want to make sure you're prepared for the feelings that will overtake you the moment you smell, see and feel him against you for the first time."

Was I prepared? Doubt it very much. My mother explained it would feel as if nothing I've ever felt before. Doesn't help in preparing me obviously.

"The moment his scent hits you, your body will feel as if you're engulfed in flames. The pain will intensify until he places his hands on your naked flesh. His touch is soothing to your aching body. Not even the thought of me being in danger will enter your mind. All thoughts will be on him pleasure you. You will crave his touch to the point of moaning and screaming out loud for him." Laughing he stands up.

"Please stop Nik, I can' take it anymore." Laughing I try to hide myself in the pillows.

"His hands grazing your smooth skin won't be enough. You will desire to strip naked and..." Glaring at him, I try and strike fear into him. Apparently it didn't work.

"If you finish that sentence I will..."

"You will what? As far as I can see you're tied up. You missy can't do a dang thing to me right now." Struggling to move is futile. The evil grin on his face tells a whole new story.

"You wouldn't dare. I'm helpless, I can't fight back. Don't you dare Nik!" A loud shriek escapes my lips as he jumps on the bed and attacks my sides with his hands. Tickling is my weakness and he knows it. "I'll sick Caden on you!" I laugh out between giggles.

Instantly his hands stop. Thinking I hurt his feelings I try to reach for him before I realize I can't. "Nik?"

"It's one minute until midnight. I need to leave. I can't be here when you go into heat." Without uttering another world, he gets off of me and walks out the door leaving me to myself to face an unimaginable agony.

********************************************

All three books are on this site. Book 3 will be finished in Jan 2024.

Https://www.reamstories.com/tessat

Chapter Questions:  What do you think is going to happen next?

Hope you liked it. Don't forget to show some loving if you did. :)