The Alpha King's Mate novel Chapter 30

I help Ella and Grace onto their horse while Troy hoists Vivian onto hers and thanks him. Once we left Wellmore village, Troy and I shift into our wolf forms. Zayden climbs onto Troy's back holding our clothes. We all race towards Shadowguard village.

Maia

In Garnet Falls, my reception is just as loud, noisy, and boisterous as it was in Wellmore Village as I sit on the horse, properly this time, in front of Sir Hugo and can see everything. Hundreds of people gather around me, cheering and throwing flower petals at me.

"Thank you, Princess!" They shout.

I smile at their misplaced gratitude and avoid making eye contact with them.

They try to hand me gifts of food, flowers, fabrics, trinkets and smelling salts. I ignore all the gifts being passed to me, but Sir Hugo accepts anything of value and packs them in the overfilled saddle sacks behind himself.

"I'm feeling anxious, it's too much, and my head spins as people grab at my new dress and generally overwhelm me with their noise and presence. The energy inside me intensifies, and I wince in pain when the iron cuffs burn me. A few onlookers have noticed I'm in pain.

"Avoid using your powers. You'll only hurt yourself," Sir Hugo says, with a full handle on the reigns.

"I can't control it. Please get me away from here," I tell him.

Another surge of energy builds in my body before my wrists burn again.

"Sir Hugo. Please. Leave," I beg him.

Sir Hugo's horse walks backward out of the crowd, turns, and gallops away from the gathering.

Outside Garnet Falls, away from all the people, I'm much calmer, my breathing has slowed, and I'm able to relax and breathe properly. I exhale with relief.

"Can you tell me what all that was about?" Sir Hugo asks. His horse is walking at a nice steady pace in the direction of West Wallow Castle.

"The crowd, all the people. They were grabbing me and pulling my dress. They were so loud. They were thanking me for something I didn't want to do. Then, my powers came out of nowhere. I couldn't control it," I explain, fatigued.

"Well, I hope this isn't an ongoing issue," he says.

"Remove these iron cuffs, and it won't be an issue," I say. Sir Hugo laughs heartily.

"You know, you'd make quite the jester in our castle court," he says, chuckling.

"How long until we're at the castle?" I ask.

"Around a day and a half maybe sooner," he replies.