Chapter 201

Cara’s POV

With the Global Princess Competition drawing near, I was running out of time to be able to shift into my wolf.

Alaric’s closeness was helping. When I meditated now, I was so much closer to reaching Lucy. I could feel her so much closer than before. Yet, still, frustratingly, I could never quite get near enough to touch her, to wake her, or to return her to me.

Things became worse when at the second rehearsal for the opening ceremony, the director asked us to shift once more. Though I had revealed to her after the last terrible rehearsal that I had been unable to shift, that didn’t seem to matter much.

The only thing that changed was that she did not call me out this time, instead ignoring me entirely. She still asked the rest to shift however, so it was obvious when I did not, especially when I was bracketed by Claudia and Charlotte, the two massive grizzly bears.

Again, I felt the curious and accusatory eyes of my fellow contenders. Though, this time, I also noticed that a few of them seemed less annoyed and more… pitying.

I had no reason to assume that the director would share my secret, especially as I asked her not to. She still could have though, or perhaps some of the more observant shifters were figuring it out on their own, just as Georgie had.

“You are all missing your steps,” the director scolded. “Where are your heads at?”

At the question, one of the wolves in the front shifted back to her human form. “I just don’t think it’s fair that not all of us have to shift,” she said. She didn’t look at me, but she didn’t need to. Everyone else did instead.

“Barbara,” the director said. “Your steps are the only ones you should be caring about.”

“I only want equality,” Barbara replied.

“You don’t want to show off your wolf?” the director asked.

“It isn’t fair that some people get to hold their wolf reveals for the actual ceremony, while the rest of us have already revealed ourselves,” Barbara said.

At that, one of the other wolves shifted. “Don’t be a brat, Barb. You don’t know anything about her. She could have something wrong with her.”

That… wasn’t the most graceful way someone had come to my defense. I didn’t know how to feel about it.

“I would like if we could just continue with rehearsal,” I said, hoping we could all move past this.

“Is it true?” Barbara asked. Turning toward me, she walked closer, abandoning the spot she was supposed to be standing as her wolf. “Is there something wrong with you? Or are you just trying to sabotage the rest of us?”

Put on the spot like this, I wasn’t sure how to respond. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of my wolflessness, but when I was being asked point blank like this, I didn’t have a backup plan.

The director was looking at us with annoyance, but she didn’t seem inclined to step in, in any way. Neither did anyone else, who was watching the scene unfold with more curiosity than anything.

At least, that was what I thought until Georgie slinked forward in her sleek panther form. Mid-step she changed into human form and stepped firmly between Barbara and me.

“You really need to mind your own business, wolfy,” Georgie said. “Didn’t anyone teach you any manners?”

“It’s a reasonable question,” Barbara said. “We all have a right to know if our competitors are hiding something.”

“Is that right?” Georgie asked. “Then perhaps you would like to share with the class about the performance enhancing drugs you have in your bag.”

Barbara paled. “You went through my bag!”

Around us, those in human form gasped. In animal form, there were a varying degree of chuffs and guffaws.

“I didn’t,” Georgie said with a shrug. “Lucky guess.”

Barbara’s eyes went red. She was nearing a rage shift. At once, the Claw Sisters stepped closer. Their massive height towered over Barbara, who, looking between them, seemed to have second thoughts.

The director finally clapped her hands, making an effort to reclaim the room. “Alright everyone, that’s enough. We all need to learn our steps or we will make fools of ourselves. That’s not what you want, is it? Get back in place.”

Barbara turned away first. The Claw Sisters moved next, stepping back into their spots.

Georgie turned to me. “Sorry, Auburn. Cats out of the bag, as they say.” She walked back to her own place.

Rehearsal began again, but curious eyes kept finding their way back to me.

At least, this time, as many distrusting eyes were also focused on Barbara.

Alaric’s POV

As everyone else went to bed that night, I stared at the couch that was too small for me. I didn’t want to complain. I’d happily take any sleeping spot that meant I would get to be near Cara. But I admittedly had a creak in my neck for the better part of the day.

Still, I stretched out the blankets and aligned the pillows. Maybe tonight, I’d find a comfortable way to sleep and everything would be alright.

Lifting the corner of the blanket, I was about to crawl underneath it, when Cara entered the room.

She was wearing a thin cotton nightgown that she probably had no idea hung to her every curve. It was everything I could do not to stare, and even more not to salivate.

“I was thinking…” she started.

“Yeah?” I asked, keeping my gaze firmly on the couch.

“You can’t be comfortable here.”

I shrugged, not wanting to confirm or deny. I resolved not to lie to her, but I didn’t want her to feel badly for this situation. I’d certainly slept in worse spots.

“So… maybe… if you want…” she said.

I turned to look at her.

A big mistake.

With the light behind her, her entire beautiful frame was highlighted, giving her an almost ethereal glow.

Gods, she was the most perfect woman I’d ever seen.

“Would you want to sleep with me tonight, Alaric?” she asked.

For a moment I was speechless.

“I know the couch isn’t very comfortable for you, and I have been having trouble sleeping too. I just mean, to sleep, mind you! I’m not ready for… more… and I… But the closeness could be good for my wolf. We are supposed to be close…”

She was rambling. Nervous? Must have been. But why?

Did she honestly think I would say no?

There wasn’t enough willpower in the world that could keep me from saying, “Yes.”

“Oh,” she said, startling slightly like she somehow didn’t expect that. “Okay.”

I abandoned everything, the blankets, the pillows, whatever was left on the television, my half-finished water on the end table.

Instead, I followed her like a moth to the flame.

I would have followed her anywhere, even if she was fully clothed and leading me straight into hell itself.

Following her in this nightgown up to her bedroom was no great ask.

Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she still looked nervous. Then she held out her hand.

Immediately, I took it and laced our fingers together.