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CALYS
Selflessness came in many forms, and not every warrior’s deed had to be dipped in blood. It was like what The Dark Knight said when he had decided to give up his cape. That a hero could be anyone—-
Stefano Guidicelli, tall, blond, and blue-eyed like a real-life Prince Charming, came to stand in front of me. “Princess.” As he bowed, he not so gently stepped on my foot, saying under his breath, “Stop daydreaming.”
I blinked rapidly in pain even though I badly tried to look as if I was flirting with my father’s right hand man. I wanted to yelp in pain, but I didn’t. A true warrior always suffered in silence. When he straightened, I mumbled, “I’m sorry.” I had been daydreaming for the last couple of minutes. My eyes had started to glaze the moment the men started talking about going to beach parties and attending some event that sounded like a cross between a coach and Cinderella. I just couldn’t believe the future pack leaders of the Panthera were so...shallow. Didn’t they know that war was at our doorsteps this very moment?
As Stefano came to stand behind me, he murmured glacially, “You need to focus on sizing each and every eligible shifter that comes your way. One of them could potentially be leading your pack with you or for you. The future of your pack hinges on your choice of consort. Is that matter so boring to you?”
Stefano’s words had me paling. “I’m sorry.” God, what was wrong with me? I used to consider finding a consort an honorable task. I had looked forward to the opportunity to serve my pack. All I had been able to think back then was what I would gain for the Adelardi pack.
But after last night...
After Alejandro Moretti...
Now, I was starting to think of what I could lose.
Crap, crap, crap. This had to stop. Pushing the thought away, I straightened up and pinned another smile on my face. “Elias, Elijah.” The panthers I called immediately came to my side, stretching by my feet lazily before looking around them with disdain. I could empathize. All three of us were for show, but we had to do what we had to do for our pack.
A crowd of guests immediately surrounded us. The questions started coming in, and I answered them pleasantly while I calculated each shifter’s BMI. Sadly, not one of them rated below overweight. What kind of warrior training did these princes have? Did it take place next to the bed and the refrigerator?
It was nearing noon when Stefano spoke again. “Princess.”
I jumped at his voice. Crap. Had he seen my eyes glazing when the prince kept droning on and on about taking a selfie with my panthers? A selfie! He was a warrior! And he wanted a selfie!
“Would you like to take a walk while the panthers are given water?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. Stefano was allowing me to have a break from princess duties. “Yes, please.”
Stefano bowed to the crowd of disappointed guests in front of us, murmuring our excuses. I listened to him with admiration. Both of us had the same tutors, the same training, the same everything. But why was it he had mastered the art of smooth talking and I couldn’t?
Stefano walked beside me, a right he had earned as an honorary member of our family. My thoughts turned to Alejandro Moretti once more. I didn’t want to think about him, but I couldn’t help it.
If only he truly meant to be my Cavaliere, I thought wistfully. It would have been ideal, and it had nothing to do with the fact that the Lyccan prince happened to be very attractive and an absolutely great kisser. Absolutely not. Stuff like that was just like...like icing on the cake. Yes, icing – deliciously hot and sweet icing, with the way his lips so expertly claimed my own, with the way his large strong hands shaped my body as if it was a toy to be molded to his will, and oh with the way he could make my nipples—-
“Princess, you seem like you are about to drool.”
Stefano’s puzzled observation had my eyes flying open. Crap. I was about to drool. But before I could think of an excuse, someone called out to us. “If it isn’t the Human Monster and the Bastard.”
It was a group of young cubs, and the leader of the group had an insolent look on his face as he sauntered towards us.
“Take it back,” I said coldly.
“Princess,” Stefano said warningly.
I didn’t heed it. Stefano never liked it when we made a fuss over him, but he was family. And anyone who thought he could be insulted because he was a bastard did not deserve to be treated with respect.
“What are you going to do if I don’t?” the leader jeered.
