"Hello?" I answered the phone with a frown.
"Hi! Is this the King of Ireland?" came a cheery American voice on the other end.
"One of them," I replied cautiously.
"Oh, right…" She made a considering sound. "You mentioned that Ireland has three kings in your application. But I'm seeing that you specifically were looking for marriage-minded women to move to Ireland?"
At first, I was confused. Then it clicked. "Hold on, is this about the application I sent to the North American Lupine Association for a possible Bridal Exchange?"
Naomi
A few hours earlier…
After Sea left me enclosed in the habitat, I forced myself to count backward from 1,000 while gathering everything I might need for my escape. I pulled on an extra-large fisherman sweater from Leah's closet over my t-shirt and cardigan, hoping it would protect me from the fierce wind I remembered from my last trip to the above real world. Leftover chicken from the cave kitchen’s fridge and a few remaining bread rolls from our pre-group date dinner were stuffed into an old-timey, leather crossbody tote that I'd found in the front room's closet.
Had that only been a few hours ago? It felt like centuries. I’d been so sure we’d all be returning here after that ridiculous exercise.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong. The night had turned so quickly, and the memory only made me more determined to escape the secret kingdom.
If tonight taught me anything, staying here would mean going into heat. It was no longer a matter ofifbutwhen. This might be my only chance to live out my previously planned life in Canada.
Even if it meant I’d never find out what powered the secret kingdom.
I thought of the trip I wouldn’t be taking to the castle control room tomorrow with a pang in my chest.
But then I reminded myself that the freedom to choose my own previously planned path in life outweighed my curiosity about the god tech.
“100… 99… 98…”
I whispered the last numbers of the countdown as I went to stand in the dimly lit front room, my chest pounding with determination.
"1!"
Holding my breath, I pressed a hand to the wolf knot I stole, praying that my plan would work…
The glass door opened with a quiet whoosh, and with my running speed, I made it back to the Wild Wolves' huts just a few minutes later. Fortunately, Sea and Wild were so preoccupied with tending to their pack’s needs during the heat that they didn’t notice as I slipped past, moving lightly and carefully around the far side of the encampment until…
I reached my destination. Breath catching, I stopped about a meter away from the tower’s red door. After a week of plotting my escape from the Secret Kingdom, it was hard to believe that with only a little patience and effort, I’d finally found a way out.
All that remained was to step through that red door and claim my freedom.
But as I stood at the doorstep of destiny, guilt twisted my stomach, making me hesitate.
Yes, all I had to do was walk through the red door, but…
My eyes drifted toward where Sea stood near the fire on the other side of the encampment, directing a group of elders placing a hut over the many wolves fornicating on the dance floor.
He was a good king.
And an even better kisser.
The kiss… my first ever… was supposed to be a peck. I didn’t know if I’d ever get to experience this particular milestone as a hidden werewolf in the human world, so I’d thought, why not make this my formal goodbye.
But instead of leaning back and giving me another one of those happy grins that crinkled the sides of his eyes, Sea had wrapped one strong arm around my waist and the other around the back of my neck. He held me still, tilting his head to claim my mouth in a deep, bold way that felt even more intimate than having Wild’s mouth between my legs.
No, I’d never been kissed before, but something told me kisses weren’t supposed to feel this way. They shouldn’t tug at your stomach or make your heart race like you’d just run a marathon — even though you were standing still. Should they?
I’d made myself pull back before answering that question.“Bye, Sea.”
