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Chapter 28: This Is a Trap
*Theo*
As I followed Ciana and her former governess, or so I'd learned, back to the Alpha's mansion, I couldn't
believe the story she'd made up about me. How dare she?!
The girl was obviously having way too much fun. It all seemed so amusing to her, and I just wanted to
shake some sense back into her-to take her in my arms, stare into her eyes, breathe in her scent-and
tell her it wasn't funny at all.
But I knew it wasn't the right time to do so, so I forced myself to filter the nonsense pouring out of those
two women and focused on the key piece of information-revolution?
Would it have anything to do with that Luther guy? What was their ultimate goal?
Regardless of the situation, something wasn't right here, and I needed to know exactly what was going
on, not only for Ciana and her pack, but also for the overall security of the country.
After turning the corner, we arrived at our destination. The Alpha's house was clean, fairly sizable, and
well kept. The moment we entered it, I could tell the owners put their heart into their home.
Unlike the royal palace, which was filled with meaningless luxuries, the design and decoration of this
place was quite simple. Yet, the mood was such that the moment anyone walked in, they would feel
welcome and relaxed, like a long time traveler who had finally reached their home.
Needless to say, Ciana's parents had good taste. Maybe one day, I would be able to meet them.
I followed Ciana through the door and noticed that, unlike most Alphas' residences, there weren't other
servants. The place was quiet-quiet and nice.
"Miss, you must be very tired," Susan said to Ciana while looking at me. Did she want anything from
me?
I ignored her and walked straight through the door, as I heard her mumble to Ciana, "Miss, he doesn't
act like a servant at all...
I can ask my nephew to come here to help, if you're okay with it." "Oh, no, no need, Susan! Um...
Thorn is actually very competent." "I don't see it. Miss, you need someone who is smart and
understands what his master wants to serve you."
I clenched my fists. Ciana better get this done quickly. My patience was limited. Obviously, Ciana could
tell I wasn't happy. She looked at me with a bright smile.
Good. And she'd better say something nice.
"Thorn, would you fix Susan and me a nice glass of lemonade?"
I frowned. She really wanted to treat me as a servant? Was I too nice to her?
But then she gave me a pleading look, and she mouthed, "Please."
I stared at her for a second, and for the reason I didn't understand, I nodded. Maybe I knew she was
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇttrying to put some distance between me and that Susan woman, so that I wouldn't hear more of her
ridiculous comments, or maybe I just couldn't seem to be able to turn her down....
As I was making the drinks, I saw Ciana offer Susan a chair and then struggle out of her jacket,
hanging it on the back of her seat as she pulled out the heavy chair and sat down.
Susan made a noise that drew my attention to her. "Really, Ciana, what kind of a servant is he that he
doesn't help with your jacket or pull out your chair for you?" "He was busy making our drinks," she said,
a bit more defensively than I would've expected for her to be when it came to defending good ol' thick-
headed Thorn.
"Still," Susan said, shaking her head. I supposed she thought I didn’t understand her-since I'd been
kicked in the head by a mule and all. "What is it that made you choose him as your servant? He's so...
daft and inept."
I had never in my life had someone talk about me like that right in my face. So I picked up the lemon
scooper-thingy and placed it down into the table with a clatter that startled them both.
"See!" Susan spoke again, trying to prove her point. "I told you he's-" "Susan!" Ciana prevented her
from saying anything more. Then she lowered her voice. Maybe she thought I really couldn’t hear her
when she whispered, "Well, he is... hot."
What?
Susan giggled and covered her mouth. "You've got that right, dear. Man, oh, man. He's got such a tight
bottom, and those abs—"
Ciana cleared her throat. "Anyway... what else is going on around here?"
Hot? Was that how she felt about me?
I couldn't help an up-curl on my lips. Good to know....
Susan started talking about this Raymond fellow, who clearly needed to be investigated by my people
and dealt with-easy enough-and Ciana sipped her lemonade. The face she made wasn't missed by me.
"Oh, my!" Susan also took a drink of hers and sputtered, sending the yellow, sticky liquid all over the
white tablecloth and nearly hitting Ciana in the face. "This is dreadful. It tastes like... piss."
Now Ciana almost spat out her drink.
I grunted and was about to say something but Ciana got out of her chair, standing between us.
"Thorn, it's all right, honey," she said, patting me on the shoulder while she gave me a look that was
meant to remind me not to blow our cover. "Susan didn't mean it."
I cemented my lips together in an effort to keep my language to myself.
Ciana turned back to Susan. "I think it might be time that Thorn lays down for a nap. He gets agitated
when he's tired. Perhaps you could go?" "Are you sure that's a good idea, dear?" Susan asked. "You
don' t know him that well. He might be dangerous."
Ciana laughed. "Susan, you know what I'm capable of." "True, true," she said, also laughing. She
pulled her plump bottom up out of the chair. "All right. We'll talk soon." She didn' t approach Ciana to
hug her, probably because she knew I'd strike her down like a bear swinging at a beehive looking for
honey.
The moment she was out of the room and we were left alone, I turned on Ciana. "Kicked by a mule,
huh?” "I'm sorry," she said, trying to bite back a laugh. "I just thought it would be more believable that
way, and if you did accidentally say you were the prince, I could blame it on your head injury." "Don’t be
mad... please?"
I didn't know what this girl did to me, but when she was not intentionally provoking me, it was hard for
me to stay angry at her.
I sighed. "It doesn't matter now," I said curtly. "We need to go."
Her forehead crinkled, and her eyes narrowed at me. "Go? Go where?" "Back to the palace of course."
I started to walk to the door, but she wasn't budging.
"What? No!" Ciana shouted. "I just got here, to see if my pack was in trouble, and it turns out it is. So
you want me to leave? No way!" "Ciana, I will take care of the situation here.” I folded my arms and
glared at her, thinking it would just be easier to pick her up and carry her out of there. But that would
cause alarm, so I didn't want to do it that way.
"You’ll take care of it?" she repeated. "And how exactly are you going to do that?' "I haven’t quite
worked out all of the details," I told her, but it wasn't her concern. "I’m responsible for the safety of the
country. Even in your packland, I’m still in charge here, over your father. I said I will handle it, and I will
—unless you want me to leave it to your father." "So you don't really have a plan!"
I frowned. We were running out of time. I tried to be as patient as I could. "But I will. I came all the way
here with you. You confirmed the situation, and now it's time to go." "You're the one who insisted on
coming with me. I didn't even want you here. This is my pack! I can't just leave when I know it's in
trouble!"
Letting out a loud sigh, I tried telling her the truth of the situation. "Listen—" "I don't want to." "Ciana,
think it through! You have just done exactly what those people wanted you to." "Those people?" "Those
who are trying to overthrow your parents. Can't you see? That Raymond will know you're back very
soon, and if what Susan said was true, I doubt you're welcome here." "I'm not welcome by my own
pack?" she asked, her hands on her hips now. "Please, just go ahead to make up more stories!" "You
waltzed right back into your home where they can get you." Leaning even closer to her, I said, "This. Is.
A. Trap."
She took a few moments. I was sure that as smart as she was, she understood the situation. "Now,
let's go," I urged her.
However, she didn't follow me. "Your Highness, I have an obligation to my pack members. My parents
are gone, and that leaves me as their only hope. I can't just leave."
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I looked her in the eye. "You no longer had an obligation to this pack from the day you were summoned
to the palace. Now, your one and only obligation is to me. And as your prince, I am ordering you to
return to the castle with me. Now."
She stared at me long and hard, a fire burning behind her eyes before she shook her head. "You are so
unbelievably selfish." "What?" I'd never dragged a woman forcefully before, and I wasn't planning to
start now, but damn if she wasn't making it hard.
"All you can think about is your stupid berry! I wish I could just slit my wrist and pour all of my blood out
for you right now."
It was true that her blood and the berry were important to me, but was that the only reason I wanted her
to come back to safety with me?
I didn't know. What I did know was that my patience was running out.
I took a few deep breaths so that I could reason with her.
"Let me make it clear, Ciana Black. A, you stole from me, and yes, because of that, you have an
obligation to keep yourself safe-to keep your blood safe. B, you put yourself in jeopardy. I am trying to
help you, even though I don't have to. C, let me remind you, you're still tasked with the royal duty and
you were not supposed to leave the palace. After everything I've done for you, I'd hope you would show
at least some appreciation and make the right choice. I'm done arguing with you. We're leaving." "No!"
She was up in my face again. "You mean, after everything you’ve done TO me? You want to play the
victim here because I ate a stupid berry of yours? If I hadn't been half-starved, maybe I wouldn’t have
eaten it!"
Our noses were so close together now, we were breathing the same air, and even though I was
frustrated with her, my bottom lip began to quiver, and other thoughts came to mind.
I pushed them away. This was stupid. She had been nothing but a pain in my ass since the moment I'd
met her, but why was I not able to control my thoughts around her, and why did I keep breaking my own
rules for her?
"No," she said, her tone quiet now as she took a step back. 'Tm not going. You volunteered to help me,
and while I appreciate the offer, I'll stay here and find out what's going on with Raymond on my own."
"Ciana, if you stay, I will not be able to protect you. If you get yourself into trouble, I won't be here to
bail you out."
Every word came out of my mouth with a hint of pleading. How she would interpret them, I wasn't sure,
but by the expression on her face, she thought I was threatening her.
"It's okay, Prince Theo," she said. "Strong people can accomplish great things all alone. You of all
people should know that."
I took one more look into her eyes before I turned and walked away.
"Do whatever you want!" I said as I slammed the door.
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