Chapter 3

Lola's POV

Needless to say, it was a sleepless night. I haven't told anyone of the paper not wanting to worry any of them. Maybe it's just a prank, I tried to convince myself. But who would want to pull on a sick joke like this on a princess?

I stared at myself in the mirror and groaned. There were bags under my now tinted red eyes and my face looked as pale as ever. Great, just great.

I tried to cover my tiredness with a bit of makeup and gladly, it worked. Making my way down to the opening field, I noticed two wolves standing in the amidst of it. The left wolf was of a medium grey color. It was slightly smaller than the sandy brown colored wolf in front of it.

Both growling, they charged at each other. I watched in astonishment as the wolves snapped and fought. The brown wolf was strong, very strong. He was gaining the upper hand in the fight. The color of his fur and eyes reminded me of someone. I gasped realizing who it was. Oh lord, that's Jake.

They went behind a tree and once they came out, my jaw nearly hit the floor. Jake wasn't wearing anything except a pair of pants hanging on his waist. Once I snapped out of my trance, I adverted my gaze onto his face only to see him smirking.

"Like what you see?" He said raising an eyebrow. I blushed and looked away.

"How long have you been here love?" Love, I like the sound of it.

"You wish." I argued but it only came out as a murmur making him laugh.

"Just enough to see you fighting." I replied crossing my arms. From the corner of my eyes, I saw someone walking towards us.

"You're getting stronger Jake." He exclaimed and slapped Jake on his back. I realized that their fight was some kind of training werewolves do. The man looked in his late twenties with jet black hair and light grey eyes. He and Jace were practically the same height and I could see the resemblance.

"Jaxon, this is Lola." Jake introduced me.

"She's the princess of demons and witches. Lola, this is Jaxon. He's our beta and unfortunately, my cousin." He laughed.

Jaxon put a hand on his heart and scoffed, pretending to be offended.

"Your words are daggers to my heart cousin." Jaxon's words dripped with sarcasm. He put a hand on his heart and fluttered his eyelashes at Jake. He sure is something.

Jaxon stepped forward, a smile lingering on his face.

"Pleasure to meet you princess." He took my hand and kissed the top of it. A gentleman, he is.

"You are as pretty as he-they say." He coughed eyes darting to Jake, a smile tugging the hem of his lips. I looked at Jake only to see him glaring at his cousin. I'll play along.

"And what else do they say?" I smirked.

"That you have marvelous violeteyes that one might drown in. Your hair as silky as-" He howled clutching his side.

"What the hell man!" Jaxon stared at Jake, eyes wide in disbelief. I stared at Jake, a laugh escaping my lips. I can't believe he just elbowed his cousin.

"I think that's enough. C'mon, let's go." He griped my arm dragging me away from Jaxon. I was grinning like a freak. Who would have wondered all mighty Jake talks about me like that?

I watched the sun set and sighed. I couldn't get the writing out of my mind. He will get to you, soon. I shuddered.

Telling my parents is not an option. They would triple the security and stick even more guards wherever I go. But I need to tell someone and at the moment, the only person I could tell is Jake.

'Can you come? I need to talk to you.' I typed and hit the send button.

'On my way.' He texted back.

In a matter of seconds, I heard a knock and the opening of a door.

"What's wrong?" He came near, worry evident on his face. I remained silent. He furrowed his eyebrows grasping my arm and turning me around.

"Lola, I know you and I know when something is wrong. Spill it." He growled. Jake doesn't like it when I hid things from him. By looking into my eyes, he knows when I'm lying and when I'm telling the truth. I took a deep breath.

"Someone put this on my nightstand yesterday." I handed him the paper. I knew what was coming. He stiffened, eyes turning into a darker shade of green. His knuckles turned white and I knew he was trying to control his wolf. For a moment, I swear I saw a flash of terror but it was soon gone.

"Jake, look at me. It can be some sort of joke." I tried calming him down.

"Why didn't you tell me before? Lola, this is not a game. Someone is after you and this," He held the paper up "is a threat." He rubbed his forehead contemplating what to do.

"We need to tell your parents." Opening my mouth to protest, I quickly shut it upon seeing his murderous glare.

"This is not negotiable." He snapped and dragged me out of my room and down the hall.

I sat in silence as my parents paced the room. My father has already doubled security, assigning even more guards than before. Everyone was frantic and dealt with the paper as some sort of national threat.

Jake sat right across from me and looked deep in thought. I replayed our conversation earlier spotting the significant change of behavior. His concern lately has caught me off guard.

"Lola, you are to be escorted by guards wherever you go and no buts young lady." My father's voice was authoritative and I knew I had to comply.

"That won't be necessary. I'm going to stay with her. Guards won't be able to protect her if something happens." I nearly choked in my own saliva. Did he just say that?

All eyes turned fixed on him and I saw my dad nodding in agree.

"Are you sure son?" It was king Jayden who intervened. He was just as confused as I was.

"Positive." Jake responded sitting casually in his chair.

"Well then it's settled. And Jake, thank you. Now I'm definite that my daughter is in safe hands." Father's eyes were grateful and better yet, relieved.

As soon and my father dismissed us, I trudged out of the room. I should have never told Jake. It was supposed to stay between us not for the whole castle to know.

But he did this to protect me. The logical part of me argued. On one hand, I wanted to punch him but on the other, I wanted to jump right into his arms. The good thing is that Jake will practically be my guard twenty-four seven so I get to see him every single day.

Feeling Jake right behind me, I mentally rolled my eyes. He sure doesn't waste any time.

"So, now you're my guardian?" I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face him.

"Something like that. I can't leave you all alone, Lola." The way he said my name made me shiver. He seemed to take notice and smirked getting closer.

"But why do you want to stay with me?" I tried keeping a steady breath. He stood in front of me, barely any space between us anymore. I fixed my eyes on his hoping they won't trail down to his lips.

"To protect you." He answered short. Something flickered in his eyes but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Guards can protect me. Now tell me why are you doing this." I straightened myself, daring him. He leaned forward, his lips so close to my cheek and whispered.

"Patience love, everything in the right time." With that, he disappeared into the castle's hallways, leaving me wondering what in the world just happened.

A week had passed. A week in which Jake had become a pain in my royal ass. At first, I thought him becoming my so called 'guardian' would be pleasant. Damn the day I told him about the letter.

"Lola, move it! You have training today." The banging on the door had me on my feet. I checked the clock and my eyes widened. I was already thirty minutes late. Well I wanted to get on Jake's nerves and let him wait but not this long. I wonder what he's going to do, act as if I'm invisible to teach me a lesson or just yell. Either way, I don't really care.

"Serves him right." I snickered.

Opening the door, I was greeted with Jake's flaring eyes. He sure doesn't like to wait. Trying my best to play innocent, I put on my best weapon; puppy dog eyes.

"I have training today?" The corners of his lips twitched. He knew I was doing this on purpose.

I took in his figure. He was wearing denim jeans and a plain V neck white shirt. White has become his signature color, I mused.

"Let's go. Your trainer has waited enough already." I nodded and followed him.

Training is the worst part of being a princess. I thought of skipping numerous times but my mother would just drag me down to the arena. Having to spend hours in attempt to control your element drains all energy. The only element I can control is fire. Most witches can control more than one element but I guess I've taken more of my father's powers than my mother's.

Fire of all elements, is the most challenging. If you don't know how to control it, it can burn you; literally. I've had a couple of incidents that ended up to either having a burn or burning something in the castle.

"Ah princess, you're finally here." My trainer's voice, Mark, got me out of my trance.

"I was beginning to think that you skipped." His coffee brown eyes stared at me with a glimpse of playfulness. His hands were crossed and by the looks of it, he was expecting me to explain my lateness. Like always, his hair was gelled and neat. Rolling my eyes at his snarky comment, I shot him a shut up glare. Not only is Mark my trainer, but he also is my one of my closest friends. Being a princess has its pros but it sure has a lot of cons. Mainly not being able to make a lot of friends since most want it either for the spotlight or for the money. It's devastating really.

Mark is practically the same age as Jake, only a year older.

"No, no. I wouldn't miss training with the glorious Mark now would I?" I teased, sarcasm dripping from each word.

"Just for your information babygirl, girls would die to be in your place." He grinned flexing his biceps. Before I could respond, a growl erupted from Jake's chest. Mark looked at him skeptically.

"Care to introduce us, babygirl." Jake's voice was low, almost threatening. He clenched and unclenched his fists, knuckles turning white. He was furious. Wait, do I sense some sort of jealousy?

I cleared my throat, trying my best to hide the smile tugging my lips.

"Jake, this is Mark my trainer and best friend," I turned to face Mark.

"Mark, this is Jake, the prince of werewolves." I stressed on the 'prince' to warn him not to misbehave and get on Jake's nerves but it only made things worse.

I yelped in surprise as Mark wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Immediately, I elbowed him and got out of him grasp. Narrowing my eyes, I put both hands on my hips.

"Really Mark?" He snorted. I intently watched Mark as his features turned more serious. He put his fist on his heart and lowered his gaze.

"Your highness." He addressed. It is common for warriors to put their fist on their heart as a gesture of respect and loyalty whenever they cross paths with a royal. Mark, being a warrior and one of the strongest in our kingdom, followed the notion as well.

Jake only nodded paying little attention. He was staring at me, many emotions clouding his eyes.

"Um, let's start training." I adverted my gaze to Mark, who was busy analyzing Jake's features. Trying my best to avoid Jake's death glare, I hurriedly walked to the center of the arena and waited for Mark's instructions.

"You have to concentrate Lola!" Mark yelled. It has been more than an hour and a half and my energy was drained. Opening the palm of my hand, I took a deep breath and generated fire. Mark did the same but waited for me to strike.

Jake was sitting not too far, his eyes following every move I took.

I attacked, fire pooling its way out of the palm of my hand. Mark was quick to dodge the flames and wasted no time attacking back. The ground erupted in flames as he created fire bolts. Before it could reach me, I blocked its path with a fire wall.

Next, I was surrounded by a ring of flames and fire balls were thrown in my direction. I managed to avoid most of them but one hit my left arm. Wincing in pain, I stared at the burn to check if it were something serious.

"Hold your fire!" I screamed and the fire ring instantly vanished. When I first started training, Mark and I agreed that whenever I get hurt, I would yell hold your fire.

Jake seemed to notice the pain on my face as for he was next to me in a matter of seconds. He stared at the burn worriedly.

Checking a burn, I sighed. It will need a couple of days to heal.

"We need to get that treated." He grumbled.

"It's nothing really, I've had worse." I said attempting to sound fine but failed miserably. I noticed Mark standing right next to Jake. Grabbing my arm, he stared intently at my wound.

"It's a first degree burn. We need to place a cool compress on it to avoid swelling." He stated.

"Why thanks doctor!" I snapped. I hated when this happened. Sure I've gotten used to burns but I don't want to go over the pain process again. I groaned realizing how the next few hours will pass. Just what I needed.

"I'm only trying to help, babygirl." He grinned trying to lighten the mood. This boy is something.

"Let's see who'll be needing help when I kick your ass." He snorted looking at me from top to bottom and barked a laugh. Dumbass.

Jake didn't say anything. He just looked back and forth at us with clear amusement. Maybe he'll stop feeling jealous and realize that Mark and I are like brother and sister.

Ha! As if. This is Jake we're talking about.

"Lokat, we have to-" Suddenly, he posed turning rigid. By the looks of it, he was mind linking someone. The familiar dark green eyes of his wolf appeared and straightaway, I knew bad news was coming.

"I have to go." He stiffly said.

"What's wrong?" He shook his head and ran a hand through his ruffled hair.

"I'll tell you later. Take care love." He kissed the top of my head and smiled trying to assure me sensing my uneasiness. Jake and Mark exchanged glances and Mark smiled knowingly. Jake wanted him to stay beside me until his return.

And then he disappeared into the forest.

We went back to the castle and Mark took care of my arm. The moment he placed the compress on it, the throbbing faded.

"Care to explain about lover boy?" I looked up at him and scowled.

"Drop it." I warned making him chuckle.

"We have a lot of talking to do baby girl."