Chapter 18 Kiss the girl

Estelle

If anything I felt worse after my phone call. Deep down I knew it didn’t change anything really so I just pushed it to the back of my mind. That along with how nice it was sat with Leighton watching the stars. His company was unexpectedly welcome, considering I was so used to being alone. Eventually he insisted it was too cold and I needed to return.

Greer and Jackson had waited for us, after I answered enough questions to satisfy Jackson, Greer took me for hot chocolate and told me the whole story of her and Jackson. Even if I had harboured the thought it might have helped my case by revealing her I would never do it. She was just so nice and they had this perfect little family. I silently vowed to keep them safe.

I would have left immediately if Greer hadn’t suggested we hang out for the morning before heading home. The more time I spent there the more jealous I was of the strong bond between her and Jackson.

He couldn’t keep his hands of her, and she didn’t mind, happily staying in his arms or sitting in his lap whenever he wanted.

“Are they always like this ?” I asked Leighton. My parents had been mates but as royals they were much more reserved in public.

“Yeah, you get used to it. Greer has been through so much she deserves to be happy.”

Having heard her story from her I agreed and I figured she gave me the tame version. It was the little gestures that each one clearly knew and likes that made my heart ache. I would never have someone who just knew what I needed.

After promising to either throw me a party or visit me at elite training next week, they finally let us leave.

Leighton told me it took a long time to get back so I was surprised when after only a few hours we arrived at a pack.

“Where are we ?” I asked confused.

“Opal Lake.” He said smiling. “A promise is a promise and you have gone, what a few hours without getting into trouble?.”

We drove through the gates and he parked in front of the pack house which was maybe half the size of Jackson’s but looked so welcoming.

We got out the car and Leighton led me up the stairs, where we met a very excited shewolf and another wolf who had to be his brother Ashton.

“Leighton, this is a surprise.” His brother hugged him as his mate threw herself at Leighton.

“It’s been too long, you never visit !”

She clocked me. “Please forgive me for being rude, Leighton neglected to tell us he was coming or he was bringing a guest. I’m Felicity, Ashton’s mate.”

“Another silver wolf. This one has a useful power.”

Leighton clearly his throat. “This is the princess Estelle, I was just taking her back to elite training and thought I would stop by and say hello.

I saw both wolves jaw’s drop.

“Sorry for the intrusion, Leighton told me about his pack and I made him promise to show me the lake, I’m afraid I didn’t give him much time to warm you.”

I caught the strange look he gave me as I covered for him.

“Not at all princess, you are very welcome here. How about Felicity takes you for a beverage while I catch up with my brother. He can show you around after ?”

I looked at Leighton to check that was okay. Again he looked at me like I had two heads but nodded his agreement to the plan. Walking me to the kitchen, he muttered in my ear. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing ?” I replied.

“Why are you being … nice ?”

“I am nice, and you told me to behave.”

He snorted and Felicity looked over. “Since when did you do what I told you?”

I tried not to smile but I could tell he saw as he shook his head. Muttering to himself about trouble.

“You can trust them.” He whispered, his hand gazing my back before he followed his brother back out.

Felicity was nervous left alone with me. Offering me hundreds of choices of biscuits and cakes. All that she had made and all that looked delicious.

I accepted everything in a bid to get her to relax.

“Sorry I’ve not met royalty before.” She said when she finally sat down. “I was an unranked wolf here, my rise to luna was a big enough leap for me.”

She told me stories of Ashton and Leighton growing up, of how she and her sister had been split up. I realised I had met her sister Flora at Elite training, she was mated to Luke’s brother.

I scowled when she told me the story of her and Ashtons being mates, how he tried to ignore their bond and she made him grovel to win her back.

“Don’t hold it against him, he would hate that I told you. It’s a constant source of disappointment in himself that he did that because he knows Leighton never would have.”

“He would have accepted you instantly?” I asked.

“Leighton? Yeah. He is a big believer in mates, hence why he hasn’t taken a chosen mate despite his many offers. I do hope he finds her soon…?” She smiled at me like I might know something.

“He has never brought anyone to visit here before.” She continued.

“Oh he didn’t have any choice. I kind of demanded it when he told me the name.” I laughed.

Felicity was lovely and she seemed surprised when I asked about her powers but explained them happily.

“That’s a cool power to have.”

“It is but something I feel a bit helpless, just watching you know.”

Ages flew by as we chatted happily before Leighton returned. I found myself thinking it was a pity I wasn’t staying here as I could have found two good friends in Greer and Felicity.

“Ready ?” He asked.

I jumped up exited to see the Lake.

“Yup.”

Opening the door I thought he came through I went to walk into a cupboard, he chuckled and taking my hand let me out the correct way.

“

Come on them.” He didn’t let go and I tried not to pay any attention to Ashton and Felicity’s gazes travelling to my hand.

He led me out to the most beautiful lake. As the moon was coming out, it cast the most amazing iridescent illumination over the surface , making it look magical.

“Wow” was al I could manage. Maybe it didn’t look like this all the time but why would anyone ever want to leave here.

“Why would you ever want to leave?” I spoke my thoughts out loud.

“It’s not quite the same without someone to show it too, you kind of take it for granted.” He replied.

We stood in silence as I drank in the beauty of this place and he seemed content to let me.

There was a chill in the air as the night temperature fell but I didn’t want to leave just yet. As I tried to suppress a shiver, Leighton wrapped his large arms around my shoulders and pulled me close to his chest so I could steal his heat. I leant back into his arms and I could feel the steady beat of his heart.

“Thanks.” I said quietly, feeing freakishly happy in this romantic setting.

“Leighton?” My heart started to race as I drummed up the courage to ask him something. “If I asked you to do something would you do it?”

He didn’t move but I could see him choosing his words carefully and his heart beat a little faster.

“That would depend, ..but most probably.”

Just ask.

“Would you kiss me?” I held my breath as I heard his hitch. His arms remained wrapped around me.

There was a very pregnant pause and I knew the answer before he spoke.

“Princess that would be a bad idea.” He eventually replied, like I knew he would but had hoped he wouldn’t, given he kissed me the night of the battle.

“Probably.” I agreed without turning to look at him because I was struggling to control my emotions.

I cursed myself internally. Stupid wolf, you weren’t meant to fall for this beta, the one that barely tolerates you at the best of times.

Leighton

She felt like she belonged here in my arms and I wanted nothing more than to kiss the damn life out of her. But I knew it wasn’t fair to her because I didn’t think I could stop at kissing her and she wasn’t going mine to kiss. I knew she would be like a forbidden fruit and would haunt me forever. I prayed she didn’t protest because I didn’t think my chivalry would hold out much longer.

She didn’t speak after her acknowledgment of my answer but she didn’t move from my arms either. I felt like a prize fool, here was the most beautiful wolf on the planet standing in my arms and I was denying myself what would most likely be the most pleasurable kiss of my life.

But I knew it was for the best. I was already half in love with her despite my denial to brother. This was torture enough, kissing her would be beyond my control.

“For once you could just not think so much ?”

“Don’t, it’s tempting enough without you finally on board.”

Hell if I wasn’t good enough for my mate I was never going to be good enough for a princess. At least she would be out of my life soon. The smart thing would be to stay away from her once I got her back to training but for now I was going to let her have this moment, even if I couldn’t quite make it perfect for her.

Wordlessly we made our way back, but she wouldn’t make eye contact so I had no idea what she was thinking.

“I’ve made up a room for the princess, next to you Leighton.” Felicity told us upon arrival back.

“That’s no necessary. We aren’t staying.”

“Please can we stay, just tonight?” Estelle asked and looking at me sadly for the first time and I didn’t have the heart to say no.

“You don’t have any clothes.” I told her, only for Felicity to run away promising to sort that problem.

To be fair a night apart might make the long journey less awkward than getting the car right now. I had lots of questions for her on the journey anyway.

I didn’t see her again, as Ashton invited me in for a nightcap to his office.

“The princess has gone to be bed. So do you want to tell me the rest of the story?” He asked.

“I told you it all, I brought her over, we had a hiccup during …”

He stopped me.

“You told me all this, what’s really going on between you two and don’t tell me nothing I’m not stupid.”

“There is nothing going on.”

He made a show of sniffing the air.

“So you two smell like each other but there is nothing going on, you can’t keep your eyes of each other but are just what friends?”

“Technically I don’t even know if we are friends. I wouldn’t worry about it brother, she will be gone in a few weeks, married to her prince and we will forget all about her.”

Ashton snorted. “That’s wishful thinking if I’ve ever heard it. I hope you know what you are doing?”

I drained my glass and without answering the question wished him goodnight. I needed to rein my feelings in if he was noticing them.

I stoped in to check in the princess as I went to bed.

“Hey, I was just checking you are okay before I head to bed.” I said as she half opened the door.

I noticed she was trying to hide behind it.

“Yeah fine thanks, goodnight leighton.” She replied trying to close door.

“You sure?”I blocked the closure with my foot and pushed inside.

I had to stop myself laughing hen I saw what she was wearing. It was some ridiculously flimsy nightgown , all frills and ties in a horrible baby pink colour. Despite the monstrosity of the outfit she looked stunning, but incredibly uncomfortable her br*** squashed together and almost popping out.

She looked down and tried to cover up. “It’s Felicitiys I didn’t want to offend her but it doesn’t really fit and I feel …”

I didn’t think I could handle the thought of her trying to sleep in that. I pulled of the white t shirt I was wearing.

“Here. This is clean enough , you can wear it instead.”

It was worth it just to see the grateful smile on her face alone but then way her eyes were mesmerised but my now naked torso went straight to my c***. If I didn’t get out this room immediately there would be no controlling me.