Chapter 8 #2
As I knelt, the room seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The majority of the wolves had a clear view of me under the table but I ignored them.
Breakfast was served but I remained silent.
I was startled when a silence fell over the room again.
A fork appeared in front of my face. The bacon smelled good.
Really good. I forced myself to look up at my enemy.
He stared down at me, pride glowing fierce as I opened my mouth and allowed him to feed me in front of his pack.
Hoots and cheers whistled through the air and I gritted my teeth.
As I ate, I focused on nothing but the sustenance this food would give me and why I needed it. I focused on nothing but my goal. Escape. I would do what it took to get there. Even if that meant eating at my ‘master's’ feet like a dog.
Breakfast was mercifully short. It didn’t escape my notice that despite finishing their breakfast, many hung around in the hall, getting a good look at me, watching every interaction between Kole and I. I ignored them.
“Alpha, I was thinking of giving your mate a tour today.” Dinah’s voice startled me out of my ruminations. A tour would be extremely useful, the more I knew about the layout of the town, the better.
He seemed to mull it over, then nodded.
“Fine. Konnor goes with you.” That was better than nothing I guessed. Turning to me, he took my chin in his hand. “What happens if you hurt any of my people?”
“You whip me and lock me up for a year.” It wasn’t a threat I was likely to forget. He nodded and turned to his mother.
“She needs new clothes.”
“I picked out a whole wardrobe for her,” Kara cut in. “What’s wrong with those?”
“She’s not a doll.” Something twinged in my chest that he’d remembered something so small yet important to me.
I kicked it away. One small kindness wasn’t going to undo the bad he’d done.
He looked at Dinah. “Take her to The Closet. Get her something sensible to wear. Jeans, a better pair of hiking boots.”
Dinah nodded. I remembered seeing the sign for that place when Konnor had taken me to my hearing, I figured it must be some kind of clothing store.
Kole stood and I stood with him. My knees ached but I didn’t let it show. He called for Konnor and immediately, his brother was at his side.
Kole passed the handle of the chain to him. “She doesn’t leave your sight.”
Konnor nodded, solemn for once.
Kole shuddered as his brother took the chain, his fists clenching. His wolf was clearly not happy with the transfer of ownership. I took a step back, wary of him losing control, and a low growl emanated from him, freezing me in my tracks.
Note to self: backing away makes it worse. I felt tension rise around us, his people watching as he fought to remain in control. I wondered what would happen if he finally lost it, knowing that was a sight I didn’t ever want to see.
I took a breath, deciding to use this as a moment for me to earn some trust.
“Kole,” I whispered, “maybe you should take the chains off. I’m not going to run.” Yet. “I’m not saying I don’t want to but I’m not stupid. I can’t outrun Konnor. I’ve barely eaten in days, I’m too weak to escape, and even if I could, where would I go? I don’t even know where we are.”
That was a painfully true detail. I knew where their show house was but I’d been unconscious when they brought me here.
“All I know is there are miles of forest in every direction and I don’t fancy drowning in a geyser or getting mauled to death by a grizzly.
” I sighed in fake defeat. “I know I haven’t exactly earned your trust, but you haven’t earned mine either.
We have to start somewhere.” I held my chained wrists up in front of me, wondering what he would do.
His chest heaved with exertion as he fought to calm himself.
Black swirled with the green of his eyes, noises of the wolf reverberated, making my skin vibrate.
Every muscle in his body was tense, trembling.
I couldn’t see his wolf trying to get to me but somehow I could feel it.
It terrified me and I wasn’t the only one.
Every creature in the room had stilled, collectively holding their breath. Waiting.
I didn’t know how he did it, how he pushed his wolf away but after several long moments, it receded. The black faded from his eyes and he was all green again.
“The chain stays in place.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You’re lucky I’m letting you out of my sight at all.”
Predictably, Elder Crowley stood, craning his neck in our direction. “Alpha, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
I glared at the old man but held my tongue. I wasn’t about to let this old fool ruin my chance at getting away from Kole for a while. I might not have gotten the chain off, but that didn’t mean the day would be a waste. Or that I was going to stop trying to earn their trust. One piece at a time.
“I understand your concern, Crowley. I’ve made my decision.” Kole glanced at Konnor. “She doesn’t leave your sight. If she comes back with so much as a stubbed toe, you’ll pay for it.”
“Understood,” Konnor answered, with all seriousness.
Kole stepped into my space, towering over me. “Betray me. I dare you.” His voice was low, emanating threat and power. With that warning he strode from the dining hall.