Chapter 36:

"Such good taste you have, my Prince," I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm as we pull up to the motel. 

The building is dull and unimpressive, the word *Motel* spelled out in flickering neon letters on a sign. 

The *O* is burned out, leaving the sign to read *M tel*. A few rundown cars are scattered across the lot, and a handful of humans loiter around, their voices carrying through the night air. 

Our car, a sleek black Audi, is by far the fanciest thing here, and it doesn't take long for us to draw attention.

As we step out of the car, the smell of cigarettes and beer hits me like a wall. It's a familiar scent, one that reminds me of Rowan on late Friday nights back when I was a kid. 

He quit smoking years ago, but the drinking never stopped. The memory makes my stomach twist.

"We need to stay low," Caspian mutters, his voice low as he scans the area. "The last thing we want is all the packs being alerted of my presence outside Goldencrest. Your uncle would be expecting us if that happens."

I scoff, crossing my arms. "Lycan Prince logic."

He glares down at me, but his eyes don't look as hard as they usually do. There's something softer in them, something that makes my heart flutter a little. 

I quickly push the feeling aside, focusing on the men who've stopped their conversation to stare at us.

One of them, a guy with a scruffy beard and a stained shirt, steps forward, a grin spreading across his face. 

"That's a really nice Audi," he says, his voice slurred. He flashes a set of rotten teeth, and I grimace.

"Fucking dumb humans," Caspian mutters under his breath, his tone dripping with disdain.

I'm a little surprised. I've never seen a human up close before—not like this. I've seen them on TV, in movies, but never in person. 

They look so... weak. Now I understand what the other wolves see when they look at me.

"And a really nice chick," another man whistles, his eyes raking over my body. "You don't see them this fresh these days."

I can feel his gaze like a physical touch, and it makes my skin crawl. 

The others mutter in agreement, their greedy smiles making my stomach churn.

"Fuck off," Caspian growls, his voice low and dangerous. 

He grabs me by the waist and starts leading me toward the motel doors, but the men don't back down.

"Who are you talking to, boy?" the leader of the group calls out, stepping in front of us. He's taller than the others, with a leather jacket and a sneer that makes my blood run cold.

Caspian stops, his grip on my waist tightening. "Who else would I be talking to?" he says, his voice calm but edged with steel.

The other men start to surround us, and I feel a surge of panic. There are five of them, and while I know Caspian can handle himself, the sight of them closing in is terrifying. 

"Are these psychopaths?" I whisper, squeezing his hand.

"No," he replies, his eyes scanning each of them. "Just a bunch of drunk men."

The leader pulls a gun from his coat and aims it at Caspian. "Say that again. I dare you."

Caspian doesn't flinch. "Which part? Telling the drunk men to fuck off, or calling the drunk men drunk men?"

The man's sneer deepens. "Listen here, boy. We don't want any trouble. We'll take your keys and leave you with the bitch. Deal?"

"Or we can take the bitch," another man adds, and the others chuckle.

Caspian's jaw tightens for a split second, and in the blink of an eye, he moves. He's a blur of motion, disarming the leader and taking down the other four men in less than ten seconds. 

The gun clatters to the ground, and the men are sprawled out, groaning in pain.

"Call her a bitch again, and I'll have your head," he says, his voice cold and deadly. "Idiots."

He turns back to me, his expression softening as he takes my hand. 

"Humans are..." I begin, but I trail off, unsure of how to finish the sentence.

"Pretty weak?" he offers, raising an eyebrow.

"I was going to say something along the sorts of stupid, but yeah. That checks out too."

I glance back at the men on the ground, their groans filling the night air. I can't help but giggle. 

They're so pathetic. I'm not that pathetic. I know who not to mess with, and I don't possess the kind of confidence that comes with power—like a Lycan Prince, for example. 

I look up at Caspian. He's not even phased by the confrontation, his expression calm and collected.

We head into the motel, and the receptionist, a bored-looking woman with too much makeup, perks up the moment she sees Caspian. 

Her eyes widen, and her smile turns seductive as she leans forward on the counter.

"How can I help you, handsome?" she purrs, her voice laced with seduction.

Caspian hasn't let go of my hand, and the receptionist's eyes drop to our linked fingers. 

The light in her eyes dims as she traces the connection to my face, her smile faltering for a moment.

"I booked a room under the name Zachary two nights ago," he says, his tone bored.

Her eyes flicker back to him, and she plasters on her seductive smile again. 

She hands him a key and scribbles something on a piece of paper, sliding it across the counter to him.

I feel a pang of jealousy as I snatch the paper from the counter before he can take it. It's a phone number. 

"In case of room service," she adds, her voice sugary sweet.

"We won't be needing that," I snap, tearing the paper into pieces and tossing it into the nearest trash bin. 

Caspian looks down at me, and there's the hint of a smile on his lips as we head up to our room.

The hallway is dimly lit, the carpet stained and the walls peeling. It's not exactly the Ritz, but it's better than sleeping in the car. 

He unlocks the door, and we step inside. The room is small, with a single bed, a small couch, a rickety table, and a TV that looks like it hasn't worked in years.

"Home sweet home," I mutter, dropping my bag on the floor.

He chuckles, leaning against the doorframe. "It's just for one night. Try to survive."

I roll my eyes, but I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. Despite everything, there's something comforting about having him here. 

Even if he is an arrogant, overprotective Lycan Prince.

"Get some rest," he says, his tone softer now. "We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

I nod, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Caspian?"

He looks at me, his silver eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "Yeah?"

"Thanks. For... you know. Back there."

He smirks, crossing his arms over his chest. "Don't mention it. What you saw back there isn't how most humans are, just to be clear. We just aren't in a friendly part of town. The best you can do is keep low."

I laugh, shaking my head. "I'll try."

He nods, his expression serious again. "Good. Now get some sleep."

He turns off the light and settles into a chair by the window, I lie down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. 

For all his flaws, Caspian has been there for me in ways I never expected. Well, I knew he wasn't going to send me alone to moonhaven, but I assumed maybe Ethan?

He's the only enforcer Caspian trust aside from them being cousins. I just never imagined a solo trip with my kidnapper, and actually having a nice time.

"Are you comfortable?" I ask into the darkness. There's silence for a while but I know he's isn't asleep.

"I'm not dying," he replies after a while.

"We can share the bed, it's big enough for the both of us."

"Is that an excuse to sleep next to me?" I can hear the tease in his voice and blood rushes up to my cheeks.

Where did that odd request come from? You're getting too bold, Delilah.

"It's coming from a place of guilt. You booked the room, so I see no reason why you should sleep on that raggy thing."

"This isn't the worst I've slept on, Lilah. Go to bed."

There's a finality in his tone. Also, did he just call me Lilah?