18 Chapter Sixteen

Azaizal's POV:

Entering my area of the castle I watch Ella as she looks around taking everything in. I feel my heart pounding hoping she likes it. Leaning against the wall I admire her wolf, mesmerised that our wolves are complete opposites and she has the black paw that should be on my paw.

As I exit my inner thoughts I realise Ella is staring at me expectantly. 'She's waiting for you to tell her where her room is dipshit' Zeus tells me being snarky. Ignoring his comment but smiling at it, I quickly point towards the guest room. "That ones yours, it's opposite mine"

I notice Ella blush before she quickly turns and heads into her room.

After the door shuts, I head into my room to shower and change. One downside to being a royal and being in the castle, I have to wear my castle wear as to be respectful and show my status. I find it pretty stupid but I don't make the rules.

I quickly get in the shower, the warmth against my back felt good after the long trip in wolf form. Not that I'd change it. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, although if I hadn't have met Ella it definitely would not have been enjoyable. I shudder at the thought of the other she-wolves trying to force themselves on me as they had done before we left and I'd met Ella.

Hopping out of the shower I grab my towel and dig out my castle wear from the bag I took to Dark Moon. I get dressed and listen to see if I can hear anything from Ella's room. All I hear is shuffling and the sound of rummaging through a bag.

I couldn't wait to see Ella in human form. I wondered if she'd be just as beautiful. What was her hair colour? What's her eye colour? Despite knowing she wasn't my mate, feeling like this didn't feel wrong. I wish she was my mate it would make this easier and not only that, it would make sense as to why we feel so comfortable around each-other since we've not long met.

After several minutes pacing my dark grey themed room, I decide to go sit in the living room and wait for Ella there since I can see when she exits her room.

Soon enough her door opens and my eyes meet gold ones. Woah.

In front of me was a gorgeous brunette, that wore a white blouse and black jeans. As I had thought she was small but definitely taller than I guessed. She could never be called weak that was for sure. Her sleeveless arms looked toned which meant she had worked hard for her body.

I quickly realised I had been staring too long and been caught when I saw Ella blush and look away. 'You got caught, you got caught ha aha haha' Zeus announces in a sing-song voice. What is wrong with him? still I rolled my eyes at him.

"You're not as short as I thought you would be" I blurt our without thinking. I hear Zeus burst out laughing in my head. 'What the hell was that Aze?' My hand clasps against my forehead in embarrassment.

Then I hear Ella burst into laughter. I look over at her to see her leaning against the door frame while holding her stomach. "Well I did not exact that. Um, Thank you?" She says almost as a question.

Finally sobering up, Ella stands back up straight and looks at me with a small smile on her face. "Anyway, I thought we had a dinner to attend too with the king?"

My eyes widen realising I had completely forgot. "Yes we do. We need to go now" I quickly look in the mirror and make sure I'm fully ready. Royal blue business trousers check. white shirt check, royal blue suit vest with satin gold bow tie, double check.

As much as I knew I had to be smart, I also knew just how much I hated being in a suit and wanted to be either in my jeans or joggers. You always have to look your best as a royal, and I hate it.

We head towards the door and I go to reach the handle when I'm beaten to it. Ella grabs the handle and turns it with a smile on her face. I just stare at her in curiosity. She bows waiting.

I smile in awe, "Why thank you little wolf, but you really don't need to bow. She just rolls her eyes but waits for me to lead the way.

"Of course I do Azaizal, you are royalty. I need to show respect. I may not need to as much behind closed doors but especially in front of your people and everyone else, I need to. It's very rude and highly disrespectful if I don't."

I notice a new seriousness to Ella's voice as we head to the dining hall, nothing like how she spoke back in our room. She continues to walk a little behind me and has her head held high. Out of the corner of my eye I see her begin to squeeze her wrist and fiddle with her hands, while taking deep breaths. I also notice the glares from passing wolves making me want to pull her close to me, so she's right by my side.

From what I've heard about her, she should be in my team. If not I can make a few changes.

We reach the door to the dining hall and I pull it open, holding it for her, I bow to her as she passes and I see her surprise. Since she has her walls up I can't feel or sense her emotions, but just by looking at Ella I can tell she's nervous.

As we enter I can see everyone has split into three main groups, the wolves from the castle and the visiting wolves from Dark Moon and the wolves from Eclipse. However there are several small groups of the wolves talking to friends or making new ones, but several were still missing I could tell.

Continuing to walk forward with Ella behind me, I see the looks of hate that a few wolves give her including a group of young female wolves that tried to throw themselves at me. They glare and scowl at her, since Ella now stood a few feet away from them having split from me. Her being a lower rank means she can't be near me, though I still keep a close eye on her.

Ella happens to catch me looking at her again but this time she bows lowly. I smile, shaking my head. "You don't need to do that Ella." I remind her through wolf-link.

Standing up straight again, she looks me in the eye, "Yes I do, you're a prince Azaizal. If you don't want me too when we're alone then I won't. However in front of others it'll always happen so please, don't fight me on this."

Her response is kind and respectful but also firm. I go to tell her not to worry about it but I'm interrupted by an all to familiar voice. My uncle, "I am coming now" his voice is strong and powerful, though since being high royalty myself and family I don't feel the need to bow down.

I quickly make my way to the back table where myself and Alessio will sit and stand behind my seat.

Remembering many are still missing, I send a quick message down the mink link. "For those still missing from the dining hall, I suggest you all run. It's time to fully meet your king."

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Hey guys and girls,

I'd just like to say a huge thank you for over 2,500 reads on Runt to Royalty. It means the world and here is an extra long chapter for you all.