Alexander's POV

There is a little nook carefully hidden by shrubbery, close to the castle and only I know of it. It's not a super-secret hiding place, but not letting anyone know where it is ensured that the spare clothes I leave there don't get taken by anyone but myself. While I'm making my way there, my mind drifts to the young man I met earlier, Cassidy.

A chance encounter in the woods the night of the full moon and during my monthly hunting session. 

I'd heard the scuffle in the woods, as did all the woodland creatures I was hunting; so I went to investigate. And found Cassidy. 

It wasn't the first time I've had to chase off bandits, but even I could tell that they were being far more brutal than they usually were. The full moon makes everyone crazier. 

I saved him and brought him to my cabin to rest and recuperate. For some reason, my wolf considered him successfully hunted and I didn't have to go chomp on some unsuspecting wildlife for the rest of the night. 

And then, I caught him checking me out when I woke up back in my human skin. I forget that happens when I sleep.

Cassidy's hair was such a shiny copper. His face was flushed red and his cloak was red too. This man, honestly, so much red. And he blushes so easily. As far as I could tell, he did not have much of a working brain-to-mouth filter and he was funny. 

Given the interesting circumstances of our meeting, I would have to keep the fact that my wolf and I found him incredibly attractive to myself.

Especially since I'm stuck in an arranged marriage that I'd only just been informed of last night as I prepared to spend the night of the full moon in the woods. By my own father. 

I left home feeling completely betrayed by someone I'd trusted. I left before he told me who I was betrothed to and now I'm wishing I had the freedom to even attempt a relationship with Cassidy. If we had kids, they could have those deep blue eyes that shown like night, just like his.

That sounded less romantic and more creepy than I thought.

His unwillingness to surrender to those bandits was admirable albeit really concerning. He can't fight for nuts. I think he thought he could but was quickly disabused from that notion by those horrible men.

I'm kinda glad that the bandits that attacked him didn't disfigure him. Subconsciously, I lick my own lips at thought of his soft and luscious lips.

Strangely, I have developed a stronger attachment to Cassidy than is normal upon a first meeting. Even my wolf is unusually comfortable around someone we've only just met. This seems worth investigating.

I want to see him again. But what would we do together? As I make my way to my room, I try and come up with something but fail miserably. Perhaps a bath with help.

"Please have a bath drawn for me, "I tell the guards standing outside my room. One of them nods before walking off to find a servant. And then I sit and ponder on my bed. About Cassidy. Again.

"Your bath, sir?" a servant calls from the other side of the door after knocking.

“Ah, yes. Just in time. Thank you very much."

The servant running my bath bows. "You're welcome, your highness," he replies.

I sit in my bath as he washes me. Honestly, I usually do it myself but I'm tired from the shifting. "Tell me,” I say, as he sponges my back. “What would you do if you wanted to go out with someone? Just the two of you.”

“A courtship, your highness?”

“No, unfortunately. Just as friends,” I reply.

“What about a picnic?”

“That's actually not a bad idea. When we are done here, tell the kitchens to prepare a picnic for me tomorrow morning. And have them ready my horse for my departure as well, please.”

“Very good, your highness,” he replies.

I finish my bath and get dressed. It's nearly dinner time. I decide to have it in my room, still a little upset with my father.

~

After dinner, I relax in my bed with a good book. As I read, there is a knock on my door.

"Enter, "I say, without looking up. When someone knocks like that, it's either my father or my mother. This time, it's my mother. "Mama."

"Hello, darling. What are you reading?"

I sigh audibly. "I know you want something mama. Don't try and talk to me about Father and his betrothal."

"It's not his betrothal. It's yours. And there's nothing wrong with a betrothal. Your father and I were promised to each other and look at us. We are happy and in love."

I close my book and rub my temples. "That's because you and father got lucky with each other."

"Give it chance darling. You might be surprised."

I pout at that. "But mama, what if I'm not as lucky as you and father?" What if I don't like them?

"Why don't you give it a chance? Get to know them first. You know your father and I won't force you into anything you don't want," my mother says reassuringly.

I frown. "Fine. But if I don't like them, I'm not marrying anyone."

"Of course." Mama walks to me and kisses the top of my head. "And don't ignore your father like that, you know it upsets him when refuse to speak to him."

"Only because you agreed that I didn't have to marry if I didn't want to."

Mama rolls her eyes at me and says "Whatever." Like the sassy princess, she secretly was and sat down on my bed.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing."

I stared at her.

She huffed and asked, "Did you meet someone today darling?"

I gaped at her. How did she do that? "I don't know what you're talking about Mother."

"Well, now I know you did meet someone."

My jaw dropped. How is she doing that? "How are you doing that?"

"Mothers knows everything. Now tell me, is he cute?"

"Why do you automatically assume its a 'he'?" I ask incredulously.

"Did you meet a 'she' then?"

"No," I say petulantly. "And yes, he is cute."

"Do go on, darling."

"His name is Cassidy and he has these really blue eyes. And when he talks, it's like I can't even look away, because he's so funny."

"Hm..."

"Plus he smells really good! Like honey and apples and the forest. It just suits him."

"Darling, when are you going to see him again?"

"Tomorrow, I hope? We are going on a picnic! Just the two of us. I mean, I haven't asked him yet but I'm going to ask him tomorrow when I see him. I hope he says yes..."

"I'm sure he will darling. Now, you should get some rest, seeing as you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow," mama says.

"Okay, good night mama."

"Sweet dreams, my dear," she says and leaves.

I go back to my book.

An hour later, I snuggle under the covers and think of Cassidy blushing. My cock twitched. Unbidden, I picture his mouth, his lush pink lips stretched around my cock as he looks up at me through his messy fringe.

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to think of something else instead. I don't think I could look him in the eyes if I masturbated to him.

My cock grows harder and I drag off my pyjama bottoms. Groaning, my mind pictures me thrusting into his mouth, fucking his face, Cassidy swallowing around me. I palmed my swollen member and moan.

"Fuck. Cassidy, " No... "Gods, yes..."

I'm not even trying to stop my boner anymore. Whatever guilt I have is overwhelmed by the pleasure.

My fingers wrap around my hard length and I pump myself. I give in to my imagination and mentally envision Cassidy's hot and wet mouth as I thrust into him. I fuck into my hand faster, twisting my wrist just the way I like it at the head.

"Cass, " I moan. My back arches as I come so hard into my hand that some of my seed splashes past my palm. I panted softly, lying on my back. 

Fuck, that was intense. 

Discomfort temporarily forgotten, I wipe my hands on the edge of the comforter and make a mental note to change my sheets tomorrow. My eyelids grow heavy and I drift off easily.