The Long Night (Part 2)

Prince Leo said nothing as the door closed behind him. He could see the wolf already curled up on the bed resting. At the sound of him entering it raised its head with a flick of the ear. There was no reason for the wolf to use human form in order to communicate with the prince since he was one of the few who could understand him regardless of his form. Though something about seeing the wolf already in its natural form relaxing made him feel complicated.

"You're already resting." Leo loosened the collar of his clothes in order to breathe more freely.

The wolf growled slightly as if it had no intention of waiting up at all, "Should I have waited for you? Since when did I become-"

"That is not what I meant," The prince quickly intervened before the wolf could continue with his words, "I just had a rough night. I meant nothing by it."

"Is something bothering you?" Vorbuk asked while jumping down from the bed and trotting over towards the prince. The wolf was able to easily sense the frustration the prince was holding back. No matter how much the wolf tried to press the prince about holding things in; Prince Leo was not the type who knew how to share his troubles. Regardless of what they were.

Prince Leo stretched his hand down slowly and gave the wolf a gentle pat on the head. If it had been anyone else touching Vorbuk's head the action would have been rejected.

Just this once.. Since you're so troubled. Vorbuk thought to himself. The only way he could remain calm about being treated like a beast was by justifying the reason to remain calm. Accepting the prince's gentle touch with ease.

"I just spent too much time with unpleasant people tonight while you were busy." Leo answered him with no intention to speak what was really bothering him. Many things were bothering the prince. It was impossible to not be bothered by the many things he had to shoulder in his position.

I guess you could consider the time spent with Ashley as something unpleasant. Prince Leo thought to himself as he justified his answer with himself.

"How was your time with the princess?" Leo asked while preparing his clothes for rest. To sleep comfortably he had to remove his outerwear.

The wolf seemed deep in thought about the meeting he had with the princess and Chase as he answered, "I will be announcing Princess Isis as my bride."

THUD!

"W-What-?" Prince Leo nearly fell over while undressing himself for bed. His hands tightly holding him up by grasping hold of the king's dresser.

"What on earth are you doing-?" Vorbuk was startled when he saw the prince nearly face plant himself into the side of the dresser from what he'd said.

Leo caught his breath and quickly asked him, "Did she actually accept that? You already confessed to the princess?"

"She hasn't exactly accepted me," The wolf growled and jumped back into the king's bed before curling up to get comfortable, "Could you so easily accept someone who is responsible for your father's demise?"

"Wait... So you are-" Leo realized what the wolf meant.

"I will be announcing her officially to the nobles," Vorbuk paused momentarily, "But she will need time still. I can not overstep with her and make things worse."

Prince Leo walked over to the bed when he was done getting himself ready. Sitting down on the side of it as the wolf tensed up. There was a quiet growl coming from the beast as a warning to not overstep himself. The beast did not mind resting in the same bed however he had to be cautious to not treat him as a real beast.

Vorbuk was different from most beasts because he had the mentality of a mortal. At times the fact that he was a beast could be seen clear as day. When he was in a fight and his instincts took over he could become a terrifying as one. Yet there were times when the prince saw the deeper sides of the beast. Sometimes he felt almost mortal like himself.

"I can not understand if you want her politically or simply because you like her." The prince spoke honestly.

"... I want her," Vorbuk answered honestly, "But I also need her."

"Can I ask you something?" The Prince asked.

The wolf hesitated a moment as he heard the tone in the prince's voice falter a bit, it made him feel uncomfortable, "What is it?"

"Do you happen to like her because she is part wolf?" It was a rude question but the prince truly felt curious.

Vorbuk growled as he moved slightly towards the prince at a quick pace. His sharp fangs snapping at the air in front of the prince. It was only done close enough to startle the prince but it was enough.

Prince Leo's body flew backwards when he was startled by the wolf's sudden motion. For a split second he thought the wolf was going to bite into him for his words.

BAM!

The prince's back landed flat on the floor below the bed. His heart pounding hard within his chest. It took him a moment to understand what had just happened to him.

"V-Vorbuk?" Prince Leo spoke the wolf's name in a slightly worried tone.

The truth was that Vorbuk could neither deny not verify such a question from the prince. Both him and the princess were of wolf bloodline. Though she was a mortal of the werewolf bloodline they were not far off from Vorbuk. He was not a mortal but was a wolf simply from the companion species. He was a beast while he werewolves were accepted as a mortal race in this world. The princess however could still take on the form of a wolf if she desired to do so.

That strange feeling the two of them felt when they first met. It was their wolf bloodlines recognizing one of their own. If that was true then it was likely that he felt drawn to her at the beginning because they shared a bond. It did not matter to Vorbuk if that was true. Regardless of what had drawn him to her in the beginning he trusted his own heart to know what he wanted at the moment.

The wolf growled and placed his head down on the bed, "You're being disrespectful. It is time to rest."

"I apologize." Prince Leo muttered carefully as he climbed back up onto the bed and lay down beside the resting beast.

Every action the prince took was slow and cautious. If the wolf was still angry with him the last thing he wanted was to get bit. He had never seen the wolf get annoyed with him to such an extent before. It was the first time that Vorbuk had ever snapped at him even if it was done out of warning.

Peaking from his eye slightly the wolf could see how cautious the prince was acting. It made his chest ache to see Leo acting so hesitant with him. In an attempt to ease the prince's caution with him the wolf's left paw flopped down on top of the prince's arm. It was his own way of signaling to the prince that it was alright to touch his thick black fur.