Wolf Prince

by Stephany Wallace

  “Donnerwetter noch einmal!” Zelin roared into my mind, scolding me like a German grandma would. “How could you be so careless?!”

  Yep, she was going to smack me in front of everyone. The anger flamed in her eyes as she stood, and walked to the napkin station. Gently peeling Sarah off me, I hurried after Zelin.

  “I knew something was off with her,” she scolded, snatching stacks of napkins, and smacking them over and over onto my chest so I would hold them. “I just thought she was dazzled by the Alpha power she sensed in you, even as a human.” She paused, turning to face me as I struggled to hold the leaning tower of napkins. “I thought she was swooning over your hard muscles and six pack, or maybe your charm and masculinity.”

  I smirked. “You think my muscles and abs are swoon worthy?”

  “Not. The. Point, G!”

  Right. Focus.

  Her scowl intensified, and she began to slap more napkins into my other hand. “Then I thought, maybe it wasn’t just her attraction to that,” she motioned widely to all of me, and I frowned. “I mean, you are obviously sweet and caring, very protective, and you did save her from that idiot. Or it could be that she was the type of girl attracted to the guardian or hero kind of guy...”

  Yeah, I had kind of thought that too.

  “But I mean, we are talking about you…”

  Wait. Was she complimenting me or insulting me? And how did she know about what girls liked? Was she reading a manual or something, because I needed it STAT.

  A heavy sigh left me as I set the towers of napkins on the counter. “Listen, it wasn’t on purpose okay? She was crying, scared, and hurting, and I couldn’t just sit there without at least trying to ease her pain. I couldn’t bear to see her that way.”

  I paused, remembering Sarah’s tears.

  “I just wanted to give her a little peace after what she’d been through.”

  Zelin sighed, the fury in her dying at my explanation, and successfully ending her rant. She reached for my chest, placing her hand over my heart. “I know.” Her thumb absentmindedly stroked my pec, causing goose bumps to rise over my skin. “That compassion inside you is one of the things I love the most about you… but you need to realize how dangerous that was. You could have turned her into one of us.”

  “No, I wouldn’t have. The intention flowing through my essence at that moment wasn’t to turn her into a wolf shifter, it was to offer her serenity with the peace my energy can provide. You know that would never happen unless I wished it. I wasn’t that careless, Z,” I answered a bit defensive.

  She nodded, remorsefully. “I know.”

  In the back of my mind I wondered if we looked like crazy people to the rest of the students, hoarding napkins and staring at each other in silence—while having our mental conversation.

  “What are we going to do now?” Zelin asked, scowling at me. “Sarah doesn’t even know she’s been ‘mesmerized’ by your supernatural ability. Whatever attraction she feels for you naturally, it’s now ten times stronger.”

  My frown deepened. “We don’t know for sure that is why she’s with me,” I replied stubbornly, and our gazes went to Sarah. She was now smelling my jacket. “Fine, I have no idea what we are going to do. Maybe I can use my ability to reverse it?”

  “Do not touch my friend again,” she warned, pointing a finger at me.

  Bundling the mountain of napkins on the counter, she pressed them against my chest, and headed back towards the table. I followed her, napkins falling out of my hold and fluttering like feathers with each step.

  A smirk tilted my lips. “So, you really think my muscles and abs are swoon worthy?”

  7

  Zelin and Sarah strolled through the Kindness Tower by my side, while Kevin, Zack, and the knights walked behind us as we were given an exclusive tour. Well, the bottom half of the building that was, aka the side the humans could visit. I was looking forwards to the end of the day, when I would be taken to the actual headquarters on the top forty floors.

  The headquarters were divided into temp residents for the shifter crime force unit, the training facilities, a health center with natural medicine for us shifters, and the surveillance floors—where representatives from the ReinheitWölfe packs all over the world monitored their country’s safety.

  We also had regular offices in the administrative floors, where the finance, the initiative department, and a few other subdivisions were located. Then there were the penthouse offices where the Chicago Alphas met, and they thought of new ways to help the humans of the city under our protection.

  Yet, right now I was most excited to enter the Counseling Center, so I could start meeting the people who came here, seeking help. We stepped into the elevator again with Hannah, our tour guide—who was also a shifter—and I watched her press the 5th floor.

  When the door opened, I thought I had died and gone to heaven—if heaven was the perfect mix between a high-end spa and a therapist office.

  The hallway was only a few steps in length. Painted in a soothing lavender-blueish tone, it was both welcoming, and warm. It opened into a large reception room with big, light gray and soft cream-colored sofas, which looked so comfy and inviting I kind of wanted to take a nap in them. I was surprised to see there wasn’t a desk, but I noticed three different women walking around with tablets in their hands. They smiled and greeted the patients like they were friends, sitting beside them and engaging in conversation.

  A peaceful feeling entered my being as I took in the sight. The people around me, the patients, were smiling and lounging on the seating areas, completely relaxed while they talked, and waited for their turn with the next available therapist. It looked more like a family reunion, were old friends were getting together.

  “Ready for the tour?” Hannah asked with a knowing smile.

  “Can I move here?” I asked in response, hearing the others laugh.

  Zelin’s hand tightened around mine as she felt my emotion, and what I knew the people who needed help also experienced when they stepped in here. They’d designed the space with the hopes of helping others feel comfortable and let their guard down, and they had achieved it.

  When my eyes connected with my guardian’s, she smiled at me, filling me with yearning.

  “This is the family room,” Hannah offered. “The patients gave it that name, not us.” She chuckled. “They know each other and often times engage in conversation, talking about their problems before they see therapist. There is no judgment here, we are all family, and everyone who comes here for the first time is immediately welcomed into it with open arms.”

  My brows gathered at her use of words. She had said “we” and something told me she wasn’t just including herself because she worked here.

  A knowing look entered her eyes and she smiled. “I used to come here for help,” she admitted freely. “Domestic abuse. My ex,” she added casually.

  My heart instantly constricted, she was so young, maybe my age. Had it been a shifter too, or human? I couldn’t really ask now, but I was happy she had found her way out of that situation.

  “My family was a great help. I moved back with them to heal, but it was the people here who had gone through the same thing, that helped me find myself again. Then they fell in love with my awesome personality and gave me a job here. I help as much as I can.”

  We all chuckled, as a I looked at her like the warrior she truly was. “I’m glad you were able to overcome that, and reclaim your life,” I offered honestly.

  “Thank you.” Her smile turned brilliant, she was obviously proud of her accomplishment, and she should be. I knew that it wasn’t easy to leave that kind of hurt behind.

  Hannah moved towards the right and we followed. An open hallway greeted us with a few of its doors open. There were couples, families, large groups, or children inside a few of them, all with someone sitting among them who I suspected were therapists. Though, it was only a hunch since they wore no uniforms or name tags, so there was no clear indicatio
n of it.

  “These are our open session rooms. When someone comes in, Luz, Marie, and Sam greet them and give them the info of available open sessions as well as closed sessions, or available Friends.” She paused, glancing at me. “That is what we call the therapists here. There are no labels, titles, or fancy degrees here. All that stays at the door.”

  My lips stretched into a wide smile at the true meaning of this place, and I was dying to be part of it.

  “Those that feel more comfortable with group therapy, can just come here and enter their preferred session,” Hannah continued. “We also have private room sessions, and scheduled sessions, for those who feel more comfortable in a one on one setting or need to come regularly.”

  We turned towards the next hallway where I could see several closed doors, and a few open ones, which were empty rooms.

  “When can I start?” I asked, feeling like a kid in a toy store. The energy became alive inside me, my enthusiasm thriving. I was itching to talk to someone, and try to help.

  Hannah looked at me surprised. “Don’t you want to finish the tour first?”

  “I can do it later; I just want to start now.”

  She grinned, clearly pleased by my disposition. “Well, I supposed we can just—”

  “Hannah!” someone called from behind us, and we all turned around to see an older woman coming from the family room area. She wiped the tears off her cheek as she approached. “I need a Friend,” she admitted, and that single sentence made my heart stop.

  I need a friend… that said more about this place than anything they could ever show me.

  “Of course, sweetie,” Hanna answered, walking towards her. “Is everything okay, Sophia?”

  The lady nodded smiling at us, and wiped her tears again. “I’m just being a mom. My baby left for New York. She’s all grown up.”

  Hannah nodded with a supportive smile. “Awe, I can imagine. You and Betty are so close. If you give me a few minutes we can have some tea and talk. I’m showing our family to Gustav,” she motioned to me, and the lady’s eyes followed. “He’s going to be our Friend too.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful. Welcome home, Gustav.” The lady spoke so warmly, as though she’d known me forever.

  “Thank you. I’m happy to be here,” I answered with a smile.

  “I’ll just be in the family room for when you can talk,” Sophia added, her gaze shifting back to Hannah.

  “Sounds good.” Hanna’s attention returned to us as the lady went to sit outside. “Do you guys mind?”

  “Not at all,” I answered honestly.

  “Thanks,” she looked at the others behind me. “Do you guys want to see the Puppy Friends section?”

  “You have puppies here?!” Sarah squealed.

  “We sure do. They are part of our emotional support therapy. Some are not puppies anymore, but we still call them that. Some people feel much better by just sitting with them and playing, or snuggling the puppies. Some even talk to them.”

  “That’s amazing,” Zelin added, speaking for the first time since we arrived, and Hannah smiled at her, clearly pleased to see her join in the conversation.

  I supposed she thought Zelin was shy.

  “I want to see the puppies,” Rod added with a grin.

  Hanna chuckled. “Come with me.”

  We followed her back to the family room where one of the girls we had seen before with the tablets walked towards us.

  “Marie, this is Gustav. He is going to be a Friend too, and wants to start right away. I have someone waiting for me, but could you please take his friends to the puppy area?”

  “Of course. Glad to have you here, Gustav. You can just sit and wait for someone to come in, needing to talk.” She turned around and gestured to one of the other girls who was close. “Gustav is a new Friend,” she introduced, and the woman waved at me. Smiling at Sarah and Zelin, Marie then glanced at the others. “Follow me.”

  “Thank you,” I answered a moment before she turned around, and began to lead the guys away.

  “So what do we do know?” Zelin asked staying by my side, her gaze roaming at the people sitting around us.

  “Hi, Luz. I need a Friend to talk to.” A female voice came from behind me, and I immediately turned around to find a young woman, probably nineteen years old, walking towards us. She was drying tears from her eyes.

  Luz, the girl who had waved at me, walked towards her and hugged her. Luz’ gaze connected with mine, silently asking me if I was ready. I nodded, seeing her pull away and hold the girl’s hand. “This is my friend, Gustav. He’d love to listen.”

  I walked closer to the girl, offering her a smile. “I definitely would. I also give amazing hugs, but don’t take my word for it.”

  The girl smiled at me. “I’m Gisele.”

  “Do you want coffee or tea?” Luz asked us.

  “Coffee, please,” we both answered at the same time and I grinned. “Oh, we are going to get along great,” I half joked. “Do you want to stay here or go to one of the private rooms?”

  “Private, please.”

  “Okay.” Reaching for her, I motioned her towards the area we had just visited. Zelin began to follow. “Wait for me in the family room.”

  “Nope.”

  “Zelin…”

  “I’m not leaving your side.”

  I stopped to glare at her. “Not happening. This is a therapy session. You are not coming with me.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, raising her brow at me defiantly. “Oh, it’s happening! I’m not leaving you alone.”

  “Is that your girlfriend?” Gisele asked amused.

  “She’s my best friend, but she might as well be.” I sighed.

  Gisele chuckled. “She can come if she wants. I could use a girlfriend too.” She made a face at Zelin. “Guy troubles.”

  With a triumphant smile on her face, Zelin dropped her arms and walked towards us smugly, hugging Gisele to her side protectively. I wanted to roll my eyes, but the sight was heartwarming. Zelin would be a great psychologist if she wanted to; I had never met anyone more compassionate than her.

  * * *

  I wasn’t sure how long the therapy session took, but at the end of it I truly felt like we had made a new friend. We listened, we talked, we even laughed as Zelin and Gisele engaged into an all-out insult rant, aimed at the ex boyfriend who had just dumped her for her cousin. Her cousin had been her best friend.

  They insulted her too.

  I had no idea what a “shitface-bony-ass-snooty-prickled-skank” was, but I was sure it was the stuff of nightmares.

  We walked back to the family room while Zelin and Gisele linked arms, and I couldn’t help but smile as I saw them together. Zelin had shown a totally different side of her today, a side only I was privileged to know, and even then she not always let me see. She was open, talkative, and joked around, which truly made me see how comfortable she had felt. She’d felt I was safe enough for her to let go, and that meant the world to me.

  This place was definitely special. I loved seeing Zelin this way.

  We walked Gisele to the elevator, and the second Zelin let her go, I pulled her into my arms for a hug. She held me tightly as I closed my eyes, and opened up myself to her, trying my gift on humans once again. The magic rushed from my essence and into her, but I focused on keeping it light this time, and offering her only serenity and relief from her pain.

  No love. I’d learn my lesson.

  I had to believe that the Great Moon gave this gift to me for a reason. Not only to infuse my essence into shifters and gain their eternal loyalty, or to be superior to others, but to offer comfort to people like Gisele, who felt heartbroken and betrayed by the ones she loved.

  We all had scars inside us, but they could be our strength and beauty, instead of bringing us down, or tearing us apart.

  A few seconds later I closed my essence to her, not wanting to overdo it. The energy receded into me, and I squeezed her one last time, placing
a kiss on her cheek.

  Gisele looked at me with a serene smile curving her lips. “You really do give the best hugs. And coming from a hot-ass Friend it makes it even better.” She winked as I laughed, then glanced at Zelin. “Hold on to that one tightly. He’s a keeper.” Gisele entered the elevator, waving goodbye.

  “Don’t get cocky,” Zelin warned, pointing a finger at me. Her lips twitched as she repressed her smile. I grinned at her, bringing her into my arms for a hug too, and kissed her nose.

  “See, I’m a keeper. You are stuck with me.”

  “Shut up.”

  I chuckled just as Sarah and the guys returned. She was carrying a golden retriever puppy. “Did you steal him?”

  She grinned, nuzzling the pup. “I wish. They let people take puppies home and return them the next day. Isn’t that amazing?” She kissed the top of his head, squeezing him against her gently.

  My lips stretched into a smile as I saw her like that. She seemed like herself again. “Yes it is.”

  “You have to give a credit card number as a backup, and sign a form, so if you keep the puppy, they charge you for it,” Rod explained from her side.

  “I’m totally bringing him back tomorrow,” Sarah assured. “My dad will kill me if they charge a puppy into my emergency credit card.”

  We chuckled.

  The pup whined when his eyes settled on me, sensing the wolf inside me, and pulled away from her trying to come to me. I reached for him, wrapping my hands around it, and happiness filled my heart. This was the best therapy ever. He was so small in my grasp, I feared I could crush him if I wasn’t careful.

  “Did you guys have a good time?” I asked, walking into the elevator while the pup gave me kisses, licking my neck. He was too freaking cute. Deciding to receive the private part of the tour another day, I pressed the button to the parking lot.

  “It was amazing,” Emory answered. “This place is truly a sanctuary for those who need it.”

  “It’s so welcoming,” Lion Heart, Len agreed. “I’m glad to see this tower has been transformed into a place of protection and love.”