Shouts echo in the distance. Instinctively, I glance around at my surroundings and check on my parents. I catch Anders's eye. He nods, reassuring me they’re okay.
The shouts grow louder. I cock my head. The shouts aren’t angry or argumentative. It sounds more like chanting in a foreign tongue.
A small group of men dressed in leather crest a nearby hill. They all pull ropes attached to—what is it—the limousine. I silently laugh. What in the world is going on?
Joe quickly glances my way, then back to the group. I rest my hand on his forearm to calm his nerves.
When the limo reaches the marker of the driveway, the men release the ropes, stomp their boots in perfect synchronization, and stand at attention. I recognize a couple of faces. I bite my lower lip, stifling another laugh. These men are guards, and I know exactly who they stand to protect.
The leader steps forward and faces my parents. Placing his forearm over his chest, he bows at the waist, showing my parents his respect first.
Straightening his stance, he turns to me and bows again. In three quick strides, he stands in front of me and unsheathes a short sword from his back. Joe instinctively places his arm in front of me and pushes me back. Shouts and gasps emit from the production team.
"Joe, stand down." Anders’s command ricochets in the air. Joe doesn't stand down, not immediately anyway. He eyes the man before me, now slightly bowed over the sword, tip resting in his flat palm.
"Alpha Princess, this gift comes from our Young Alpha Prince."
Joe drops his arm and steps to the side.
"Should he win your heart and you accept him as your mate, this sword symbolizes his dedication to protect you, even when he cannot be at your side."
I know exactly what this sword represents. In their part of the world, gifting a potential mate a sword is as good as offering his woman an engagement ring. I step forward and place my hands beneath the offered heavy piece of metal. Dipping my chin, I accept the gift. The corner of his lips quirk briefly. I almost missed it.
"It is my honor to accept this gift. Thank you." I'm not sure what you're supposed to say exactly when presented with such a gift. I suppose it's better than saying no thank you. He rests the weight of the sword on my palms. Then steps back in line with the rest of his men.
Another man I recognize winks at me. I guess it's a good thing he's standing in the back because I'm not sure that that was allowed.
I hold the sword in my palms and wait for Holden to announce the contestant. They probably have no idea why I am just standing here, unmoving. In their tradition, the receiver of the gift must wait for the gift bearer to make his appearance. This gift comes from him, after all.
Holden clears his throat. "Young Alpha Prince Jan Johanssen, Denmark Territory, Fenrir Pack."
The door to the limo opens, and a tall, nearly seven-foot Viking in a suit with dirty blond hair up in a man bun steps out. His face lights up, and a wide smile graces his already handsome features. "I see you accepted my gift!"
I smile and give him a curt nod. His blue eyes shine with joy, as they did when we attended school together. When I know he's satisfied that I have accepted his gift, I pass the sword to Joe and almost laugh out loud at his scowl on his face. It’s quite evident that he doesn’t exactly approve of either the gift or the man. Maybe both. I arch a brow. He masks his face, keeping it blank, and turns away from me, but I caught that glint of disapproval he shot toward Anders. The moment Joe turns away, large arms hoist me into the air. On instinct, I wrap my arms around his thick neck and laugh.
"I have missed you, my little friend," he whispers in my ear before setting me back on the ground. He also greets me in his foreign tongue, something he knows only I can understand.
“It has been a long time,” I agree. “I look forward to catching up and hearing about your family.”
“I didn’t come here to just talk about my family, little wolf.” His blue eyes smolder with heat as they roam over my body, then back up to my face.
My cheeks burn. I open and close my mouth, but I am at a loss for words.
His wicked grin transforms his handsome face. He leans forward and kisses my nose. “I’ll see you inside. Alpha Princess.” I watch him take his leave.
He offers a deep bow of respect to all three of my parents. He swallows the space in one quick stride toward my mother, wrapping her in his huge arms, lifting and spinning her around in greeting.
Her face turns red, and once back on solid earth, she clears her throat and adjusts her dress. She shoots me a perplexed expression. I simply shrug and giggle to myself.
Chapter 79
The Young Alpha Prince of the Island of Ireland
JESSICA
The anticipation of meeting the final two contestants fills me with dread. I just want this over with—not only meeting the contestants, the whole charade. I want to put all of this behind me and focus on my potential life, if there is one when I’m done. I hate how this whole experience brings up the past, leaving a slow-consuming burn just beneath the surface. How it opens the internal scars I bear.
The limo slowly rolls to a stop at the entrance. This time, there’s no fancy entrance of guards. I hope this one is a normal Alpha, most likely forced to find a mate.
