Chapter 18 Khaos
Khaos
I’ve listened to the story three times, but there is something off about it, and she isn’t saying a word. She’s just staring out the window, pretending she can’t hear this conversation.
Like we are discussing the weather.
Who is this Jonas who thinks he owns her? Is he a mate? Has she had one this whole time? It wouldn’t be the first time a woman who owned us was trying to cuck her mate.
But if she had one, we would have known about it. We would have felt it, smelled him. He wouldn’t be okay with us being here.
No, I don’t think she has a mate.
So, who is this male who thinks he has ownership of her?
Dangerous. So dangerous.
If she is owned by a wolf, then we are owned by a pack, and I need to hope that no one figures out who my family is. All it’s going to take is the wrong person recognising us, and it will bring down the entire wolf world.
I rub my chin, watching her carefully.
“Is he your mate?”
She chokes. “No.”
“Is he your future mate?”
She shakes her head. “No, what wolf would take a human to mate?”
Breeder. I don’t let the word escape my lips. It’s the highest of the low. Only humans are worse. I've heard shifters say they’d prefer to take a knife to their throats before they’d touch a human, and others would rather mate with a true wolf.
It’s sick.
For a species that has been living side by side with humans forever, you’d think that we would have grown into some kind of mutual respect, but some wolves can’t see humans as anything more than stupid food.
Except the eating of humans has been banned and abolished for a hundred years. Yet, it hasn’t changed the hate and fear.
And still, I know that people suffer for it. Clearly, Casey has no idea what power she has on her wrist right now. She could destroy us.
I turn away from her and pace the lounge. I’ve sent the others away; it’s just us. The tension in the air is thick and heavy. I can feel her listening to me in every line of her body. She is tense, alert, and ready to react.
I step up behind her, unable to stay away.
“How can I help you?” The words escape before I really think them through.
Her eyes widen in the reflection of the glass. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting that. “There’s nothing anyone can do.”
“I won’t leave you here to become that for him.”
She inhales, her breath hitches, her distress turning the menthol sweeter with a note of flowers that is much more alluring.
“Khaos, none of us are in a position to make promises.”
“I’m making this one to you.”
“You can’t.”
“I will find a way to save you.”
She spins around, staring up at me. “Frieda said making vows under the light of the moon meant that they’d always be kept.”
“I mean to keep it. I’m not going to leave you to them. No matter how long it takes, I will come and save you.”
“I will set you free. All five of you will see home, will find your freedom. I will be your last owner.”
I lift my arm. She mirrors me, and we clasp hands, palm to palm.
I duck down and brush my lips against hers, feeling drunk on the feeling of her and the promises we’ve just made.
When I pull back, her eyes are closed, and her cheeks are slightly red. She’s really beautiful.
“I wish we’d met somewhere else.”
“Me, too,” she whispers after a long pause. “I wish we meet again when all of this is done. Free.”
I don’t understand, but I lean down all the same, sealing our wishes with a kiss.
“I’m going to take everyone for a run to calm down. We’ll be back tomorrow.”
She nods, her expression hiding her thoughts. I think I see disappointment, but if I stay, I’m going to throw caution to the wind. I’m going to tell her everything, give her everything.
And what would have happened to us before today will look like a walk in the park with what comes next.
It hurts to step back from her.
It hurts to put the mask back on, to find the hard alpha who suppresses all his wants and desires. That is my job after all. I am to protect my people, protect my pack.
And Casey.
I want so badly to protect her.
I tug the bonds, and the pack falls into the room, flowing around like water. Hazard brushes up against her, kissing her cheek, murmuring sweet words that make her eyes shine.
Riot turns her cheeks red with a look that is just between them. Wrath pulls her into his arms and kisses her neck, holding on even when she laughs. Angel is more intense, hesitant, but he takes her chin and holds her face so she’s staring into his eyes.
“Howl if you need help,” he whispers.
“I will.”
They file out of the house, and I stop in front of her.
I don’t want to leave.
I don’t want to say goodbye.
I don’t want it to be like this.
With a suddenness that surprises both of us, I pick her up, kissing her hard. She meets my passion, my desperation, and matches it. She holds me to her, and her fingers curl in my hair, pulling me tight.
I don’t know how long we’re trapped in the kiss.
But I do know I don’t ever want to come out.
Which is why I have to leave.
“Stay safe. We’ll be back,” I say and set her down.
Then, without a backwards look, I stalk out and away, leaving her behind with the scent of menthol and, under that, the confusing scent of lilacs.