Chapter 8: Foiled Plan

ARMAND’S POV

Trouble had brewed since the edict was enacted and my best friend, Prince Ulysses, had to marry the cold-hearted brutal prince from the West Kingdom. Accompanying him was Randale Rolf the second in command to the prince and his best friend and Vuk his younger brother. Prince Marrok, the army general, was also in his presence and this had me questioning his motive for coming to the West Kingdom.  

Randale Rolf bothered me the most. 

His earthy woody scent, strawberries with a scent of jasmine hit my nose every time he was near. Just a little shorter than Prince Kloud, Randale also stood tall, with short curly hair, one dimpled when he smiled, a sharp chin, and silver eyes. He was a sight for sore eyes, but his cold demeanor kept everyone at bay. I watched as he stared at my a*s and grinned sideways in a look that told me if given the chance he would seduce and f*ck me. I would have none of that!

The only solution was to avoid him like a plague or better yet turn the tables on him. I chose the latter and when he stared at me after the banquet, I grinned and winked at him. His eyes widened and he laughed. “Challenge accepted,” he mouthed and walked away. 

“What the f*ck did I just do?” I whispered to myself. 

“You just sold yourself to the devil,” Lowe snickered beside me.

“I was getting tired of him staring at my a*s,” I snapped, and Lowe howled with laughter. 

We walked back to the barracks to hold the fort but for me, it allowed me to hide from the damn devil Randale. 

Hours into the night, my ears picked up the sound of footsteps approaching the office. I opened my eyes and pushed my wolf to listen in. After a while, the scent of strawberries hit my nose. What the f*ck was he doing here? I tiptoed over and covered Lowe’s mouth to wake him up. His eyes widened and I put a finger on my lips to tell him to hush. 

“Intruder,” I mouthed. We stealthily moved to the corner of Prince Ulysses’s office and hid behind the large cabinet that had a secret door that led to Lowe’s office. After a few minutes, we heard the key lock turn and then the door slowly opened. 

“Thank God there is no one here.”

Someone was with Randale. 

“Better keep quiet. We search for what we came for and in ten minutes if we don't find it, we leave,” Randale instructed in a hushed voice. 

They began going through the desk and cabinets. Ten minutes later, Randale uttered, “It's not f*cking here. We need to leave.” 

“I told you so. There was no way Prince Ulysses would carelessly leave it just lying around. Let go,” the other person stated. 

They opened the door and left. We listened in after a minute and came out of hiding.

“Let us take the shortcut and meet them before they reach their room,” Lowe suggested. I nodded as we left through Lowe’s office door, rushed through the secret passage in the barracks, and arrived at Prince Ulysses' headquarters. 

We arrived at the guest room door and found Prince Marrok at the door. One look at us and he pretended to smile. “I couldn't sleep. So, I came out of the room to get some air.”

“You are such a bad liar,” Lowe smirked. 

Prince Marrok was about to enter the room but I moved and pinned him on the wall. He was no match for my moves though his body was built and sturdy.

“It’s two against one. But knowing Armand’s skill, you have no chance,” Lowe drawled. We heard light footsteps approaching the corridor and Lowe moved to cover Prince Marrok's mouth. We pulled him to a corner and waited. 

Finally, Randale and Vuk appeared. 

“That was close,” Vuk laughed. 

“The guard almost caught us,” Randale responded. 

We came out of the shadow holding Prince Marrok. “We caught you.” 

Randale halted while Vuk hid behind him. 

“Surprise,” Lowe laughed as Prince Marrok struggled to speak. 

“The guards will be here in a matter of minutes doing rounds. I would advise you either follow me to Prince Ulysses's room or let the guards catch you,” I smirked at Randale. 

His eyes turned cold, and I could see he was calculating whether to attack or agree. 

“I could just scream,” Lowe drawled. 

“Brother,” Vuk whispered. 

“Fine,” Randale muttered through gritted teeth. 

We moved stealthily along the corridors until we were outside Prince Ulysses’s room. We knocked on the door and waited. After a few seconds, Prince Ulysses yanked the door and then gasped. “What the hell are you doing?” 

We pulled Prince Marrok into the room while Randale and Vuk followed. Once Prince Ulysses closed the door, we let Prince Marrok go.

He huffed. “F*ck you, morons.”

“Shut up.” I pointed a finger at him. 

“Why the f*ck are you in our room at this time of the night?” Prince Kloud's voice rose from the bedroom door. He stood wearing only pajama bottoms, his upper torso was bare. 

I ignored him and turned to Prince Ulysses. “My prince, these fellows from the West Kingdom were looking for something in your office.”

“Lies,” Randale drawled and walked to sit on the couch in the corner of the room and crossed one leg over another.

“We were in the office,” Lowe explained.

Prince Ulysses turned to look at Prince Kloud who looked away in embarrassment. We were interrupted when we heard a loud voice by the door.

“Why can't I go into Prince Ulysses’s room? He needs to know why his brother threw him to that dog Prince Kloud.” It was Queen Marama’s voice. 

I watched as Prince Ulysses closed his eyes in frustration while Prince Kloud walked over to stand next to him, his eyes blazing with fury. 

“My Queen, do you want to cause a scandal?” another voice said from behind the door.

“I warned Astaroth he would bear the consequences. Do you know that he is sending my darling Ulysses to his death? I will not allow it.”

“My Queen, please,” he voice pleaded. 

“Just to unite the two kingdoms his jealousy won the better part of the deal. A marriage alliance was the only way to get rid of Ulysses just to gain power. And make him a spy too? You better tell me what you heard before I storm into this room. If you are honest with me, I will go back to my room,” Queen Marama threatened. 

“Do you promise, my Queen?”

“Spit it out,” she commanded.

“King Astaroth asked Prince Marrok to make Prince Ulysses disappear. But Prince Marrok refused,” the voice whispered. 

My hands fisted and I closed my eyes as anger coursed through my veins. 

“What?” Queen Marama gasped.

The elephant in the room was so big that noses flared, and the cracking of knuckles was the only thing to be heard. 

“What the f*cking hell is going on?” I demanded as I stared at Prince Marrok. 

“Go back to your rooms,” Prince Kloud commanded. 

I watched as Prince Ulysses walked away into the bedroom. 

“Sh*t,” Lowe whispered. “What the f*ck is this mess?”

I walked to the door and turned to Prince Kloud. “The map of the East Kingdom is not something you can possess.” And with that, I walked out leaving him fuming with fury. Lowe followed me and before I could reach the door, I scented Randale before he could reach for my hand. 

“Don't f*cking touch me,” I seethed at him. 

“We need to talk,” he growled. He moved before I could blink and yanked me away, pulling me into his room down the hallway, and closed the door, leaving Lowe standing there confused.

“What?” I seethed up him. 

“Sweetness, care to explain what the f*ck is going on in this kingdom?” 

“It's none of your business, you jerk,” I growled, clenching my fists.

He growled back and the effect of his growl made my wolf whimper in need. I staggered back and he smirked. 

“You were in Prince Ulysses’ office to steal the army map for the West Kingdom,” I pointed out.

“Yes.” His gray eyes sparked as they stared into mine.

“Are you mental? How can you not deny it?” I exclaimed. 

“Why would I lie to you, sweetness?” he smirked. 

“You think I am an easy lay? Listen to me big furry pup, I would never let you f*ck me easily,” I snickered. 

He hovered over me in an attempt to use his height to intimate me. “An easy lay would be boring. I want to see how lewd you get while moaning and demanding more.” 

“In your dreams,” I laughed, rolling my eyes.

The tension between us suddenly eased. I watched Randale as he thought of his next words. “Your prince is in danger.” He leaned back on the door.

“This is making me so angry,” I confessed. “I will never let anything happen to him. I will protect him with my life.”

“Why the f*ck do you think Prince Kloud made such wedding vows?” Randale grinned.