“Home, sweet home,” Esther said.
The house was a single-level weatherboard home. The walls were dull green and needed a fresh coat of paint, and the gardens desperately needed tending, with tall grasses and weeds obscuring their beauty.
“We’re renovating as time and our budget allows.” Esther gestured at the house. “Dylan and I bought it together. You should’ve seen it when we first arrived.”
“It must be lovely owning your home and planning what part you’ll redo next.” Allegra climbed from the car. “The chateau is beautiful, but history is important, and we can’t make changes. Tradition plays a big part in my world.”
Dylan grabbed her bag from the trunk and insisted on carrying it inside. Allegra followed Esther and her brother, and to her dismay, her gaze wandered to Dylan’s backside. Everything about him drew her, but duty was more important than romance.
Dylan had heard much about Princess Allegra Wolfehart but had never met her, mainly because he’d had work and pack duties when Allegra had visited Esther in Scotland. The woman was gorgeous, with her black hair, blue eyes, and quiet manner. She was tired from her flight, yet a fluid grace to her movements spoke of comfort with her body.
He’d expected someone snobby who might look down on him and had mentioned it to Esther. His sister had laughed and told him that Allegra was most unprincesslike and would never use her position to belittle others. She’d told him Allegra hadn’t expected to rule, and Dylan admired her sacrifices in taking up the responsibility. Her entire life would’ve changed, and she’d have had to deal with the running of the kingdom while mourning her parents’ and brother’s death.
Which begged the question—why was she here now?
He found himself curious about this princess werewolf.
Dylan decided to give Allegra time alone with his sister. He’d promised Rory he’d help deliver a dressing table to a client in Queenstown later this afternoon. He might as well leave now.
Dylan carried the daypack to his sister’s room. Esther had told him she and Allegra had shared at school, and it would be lovely to relive old times. He returned to the kitchen and paused in the doorway just in time to hear his sister.
“All right, Allegra. It’s lovely to see you, and you’re welcome here anytime, but something is happening. You’re the crown princess with an entire country to run. Why are you here?”
Allegra lifted her chin, sending Esther an imperious stare that warned her to back off.
Esther made a scoffing sound. “Sit, I’ll make a pot of tea, and we’ll talk.”
“I’m here on holiday,” Allegra lied, her voice even and tone so controlled Dylan could taste the deceit.
“Allegra.” Esther plonked a plate of sultana scones on the table before her. “You can’t lie. Tell me everything now, so we can enjoy the rest of your holiday before you return.”
“Something’s going on with the council,” Allegra finally said.
Dylan watched the princess closely. She sat across from Esther, her hands tightly clasped in her lap as she recounted the events that had led her to flee to Middlemarch.
“I haven’t a clue what to do.” Allegra’s voice trembled so much that Dylan had the urge to scoop her into his lap to offer comfort. He restrained himself and continued to eavesdrop, feeling not the slightest bit of shame.
Allegra continued, “Someone fired at me when I was in wolf form, and I don’t feel secure at the chateau any longer.”
Esther’s eyes widened. “Who would do something like that? Are you sure it wasn’t hunters? Humans can’t tell the difference between wolves and werewolves.”
“I don’t know, but it seems strange after someone assassinated my parents and brother. But that’s not all,” Allegra continued. “The council’s decisions are worrying me. Despite my order, they’ve sold off logging rights to our forest. Our people need the wilderness to thrive in this modern world.”
Esther leaned forward, and Dylan had no difficulty reading the concern on her face. “What are you going to do?”
“I must return, but I need time to think and devise a plan. I couldn’t do that at the chateau,” Allegra said, her anxiety palpable in the twist of her fingers. She paused, her hands trembling. “I’m worried, Esther. What if I fail my people? What if I can’t figure out how to fix everything?”
Esther took Allegra’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “You won’t buckle. You’re strong, smart, and have the support of those who love you. We’ll figure this out together.”
As the conversation ended, Dylan straightened and entered the kitchen. His eyes fixed on Allegra.
“Hey there.” He offered Allegra a small smile. “Is everything okay?”
Allegra looked up, startled. “Dylan!”
Esther chuckled. “He’s always lurking somewhere. Don’t mind him.”
Dylan rolled his eyes but grinned. “So, what’s going on? Someone shot at you? That’s troubling.”
