The Cursed Wolf’s Love

Adolphus extended his hand towards Iris, who initially hesitated but eventually placed her hand in his. With his assistance, she gracefully descended from the carriage, her eyes following his gaze towards Anthony, who stood nearby with a lowered head.

“Joshua, I’ll catch up with you later this evening,” Adolphus informed his friend before turning his attention back to Iris.

“Shall we proceed inside?” Adolphus gently suggested to Iris.

Iris whispered a concern to him, aware of Anthony’s sharp scrutiny. She knew she needed to be cautious about her actions around the Crown Prince within the palace.

“Today, Iris, you enter not as a maid but as my future wife,” Adolphus declared, causing her heart to flutter with that statement. Joshua smiled at the significance of those words and encouraged Iris not to dwell on it, instructing her to follow Adolphus.

Iris recalled how Dorothy advised her not to fear anything if her love for Adolphus was true. Moreover, Adolphus also loved her deeply or even more than she could imagine.

As Adolphus and Iris began to walk, they made their way into the palace. Anthony followed closely behind, finally gathering the courage to address his concerns.

“Your Grace, it might displease the King that his son has gone against his direct order,” Anthony reminded Adolphus, his voice filled with apprehension.

Adolphus abruptly halted, causing both Iris and Anthony to stop in their tracks. He turned to face Anthony and said firmly, “You are no longer in my service, Anthony. I appreciate the fifteen years of your loyal service. However, do not follow us. I have no desire to see you imprisoned.”

With that, Adolphus resumed walking, gently guiding Iris forward, while Anthony obediently complied with the order and chose not to follow them.

“Why would His Grace do that? Sir Anthony has been loyal to him all this time,” Iris voiced her displeasure, clearly not approving of Adolphus’s decision.

“He is loyal to my father, not just me. Now, let’s not argue about this,” Adolphus replied, maintaining his decision.

The palace servants who witnessed the scene were taken aback by the sight of the Crown Prince holding Iris’s hand. Their reactions ranged from jealousy to pity for Iris, making it clear that this unusual situation had not gone unnoticed.

Finally, they arrived at the Crown Prince’s manor, where Adolphus instructed a maidservant to guide Iris to a room.

“Here?” Iris questioned, her eyebrow still raised in surprise.

“Yes,” Adolphus reaffirmed. “I want you to stay close. And as I mentioned, you are no longer a maid. From now until our marriage, you are my fiancee,” he reiterated, leaving Iris in awe.

In the next instant, Adolphus retrieved a ring from his little finger, a keepsake from his late grandmother, and gently lifted Iris’s left hand.

Adolphus spoke with fond reminiscence of the past in his eyes, “When I turned twenty-three, my late grandmother crafted this ring for me. She imparted one significant instruction along with it. If I ever found myself in love and wanted to propose, I could give this ring as an amulet to the woman.”

With a heartfelt gaze, Adolphus delicately inserted the ring onto Iris’s middle finger. To their delight, it fit her perfectly, drawing a bright smile to Adolphus’s lips.

“This ring is both my amulet and a promise that binds us together. I will marry Iris Vinsant soon,” he declared, and Iris couldn’t help but fall for him all over again.

~~~~~~

King Xavier received the unsettling news of his son’s unexpected return, especially since Adolphus had disappeared for the entire day yesterday. Even more surprising was the fact that he hadn’t returned alone but had brought back Iris, the human he claimed to be in love with.

“Summon Hudson,” King Xavier commanded Valet Zach, who promptly bowed and exited the chamber.

As King Xavier paced the room, his anger and frustration evident, he muttered, “Why did my own son defy my orders?”

He knew how crucial it was for Adolphus to choose a suitable mate, a strong female werewolf, for the future of their lineage. Instead, he had opted for a human, one he had acquired from the slave market, which only fueled his father’s displeasure.

“Your Majesty, I’ve brought Hudson with me,” Valet Zach informed the King.

King Xavier turned his gaze towards Hudson, who immediately apologized to the King. “I couldn’t keep the Crown Prince in the dark, as we are close friends,” Hudson admitted truthfully, then proceeded to kneel.

“Your Majesty, I beg you to punish me for my disloyalty,” Hudson implored, bowing his head in submission.

As Adolphus entered the chamber, his voice reverberated through the room, dispelling the tension. “You won’t be punished,” he declared, prompting King Xavier and Valet Zach to turn their attention to the Crown Prince.

Adolphus stepped forward and took hold of Hudson’s arm, his expression a mixture of disbelief and anger. “My father ordered the execution of my mate last night. I can hardly fathom it,” he lamented, directing an accusatory gaze at King Xavier. “Why did you do this, Father?” he demanded an explanation.

King Xavier’s response was firm and unapologetic. “Why? You dare to question me? Iris deserves death for daring to seduce the Crown Prince,” he pronounced coldly.

“Iris never seduced me, Father. She is my mate. Why does Father not understand this? Does he even know what I went through last day? I clearly told Father not to harm the woman I love,” Adolphus loudly said as his eyes turned into a deep shade of green.

Valet Zach promptly lowered his eyes as Adolphus’s angry eyes always terrified him.

“You are cursed,” Xavier reminded Adolphus. “You cannot get the scent of your mate. Don’t forget that,” he added.

“That doesn’t mean that I cannot fall in love. I will prove to Father that Iris is my mate. I’ll uplift my curse,” Adolphus said with a determined tone.

“That’s impossible!” King Xavier affirmed.

“Blood Moon day is close. I’ll take back what I’d lost seven years ago,” Adolphus said with a confident tone.