Chapter 17
I didn’t understand. They said the Lunar Laws were trapping them here, but what did that have to do with me? They must be confused, I thought. I was bound to Grayson, not to this island. And I wasn’t like them. Sure, I could feel the pull between Grayson and I, but it didn’t control me.
"I don’t understand, and I don’t know your laws." Nor should I have to follow them. When I got home, I hoped to never see another werewolf again. I’ve seen enough creepy eyes and shirtless men and heard enough threats, growls, and snarls to make me want to hide in the comfort of my childhood room for the rest of my life.
Grayson growled deeply from his spot at the base of the tree. A warning to the others. He mumbled something incoherent against the gag in his mouth and his eyes illuminated in the darkness. He didn’t want me to know these laws, I realized. But why?
They all looked at him but acted like he was just a restless dog and turned back to their meals.
"The Lunar Laws are like mother nature, or the bible." Jax said with soup dripping down his chin as he spoke between spoonfuls.
"They exist, we know about them, but we don’t always understand them."
I thought about the girl again who was forced to respond under my command and the crowd of people who lay presents at my feet after I demanded they acknowledge my presence.
I also thought about Grayson and his rabid heat for me despite treating me like a thorn in his foot. Or the men here who stopped at my word before running Grayson through with that spear. There was a power in this world, threading its way through the air like a right knit sweater.
"Is there like a book or something?"
Now Julien spoke, his voice soft and comforting. "Some packs have books passed down generation to generation, but it’s more like an instinct we all follow. We’re born knowing how it works without having to be taught, like how bears know to protect their cubs or newly hatched turtles know to travel to water."
"Or vipers knowing where to strike to kill their prey," Jax cut in.
"It’s in our bones, our DNA. It’s instinct," Marek added.
I thought it over, trying to understand. My father had a contract for my ownership, Grayson marked my skin with only his words. These laws, spoken or not, were complicated.
"So, why don’t I know them?" I asked, curiously.
I could tell by the way they looked at each other they either didn’t know at all or didn’t know how to tell me. I was a complicated case, not a werewolf but promised and marked by one. Eyes that glowed a strange purple color, and the pull of their laws knitted into my own body despite not knowing how it worked.
"You’re guess is as good as mine," Dominic said, brushing his hand through his silky dark hair. They had finished their dinner but waited patiently for me to finish mine before reaching for seconds. Even Jax, who seemed to never want to follow rules, treated me so politely that I felt like a glass doll.
Marek helped me up after dinner by offering his giant hand. I took it, the petiteness of my body next to his giving me an odd rise to the heat between my thighs. Their kindness was euphoria but the way they all looked, handsome beyond measure, was heaven.
He held fast around my elbow, allowing me to lean into his support as he directed me down the path. The door he pulled open was set in the middle of the other dwellings, smaller in size yet surrounded by the protection of the other huts.
The ground was smooth inside and the walls had shelves carved into the dirt walls. The roof had beams of rounded wood, and large green and brown leaves were held in place by twine. The room was empty aside from the bed and a three legged table that held a candle that smelled an awful lot like cooked meat.
The bed was suspended by stakes and a deer pelt made a hammock that was tightened to act more as a mattress. Several other animal pelts were placed on top to serve as blankets and there was even a small furry pillow.
The thought of sleeping with dead animal skin along with the smell made my stomach churn but I gave Marek a nod of approval and thanked him. He held his hands in front of him awkwardly, "If you need anything, we’ll be right outside."
For someone so large and fierce, he looked very nervous around me and I decided I did like him. The fear and distrust I had felt towards him vanished under his quirky smile.
He gave a little wave that made me smile before leaving me alone in my new room.
I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling its sturdiness. In the quiet, I could breathe. It was hard for me to believe everything that happened today and I found myself actually missing Grayson’s attitude.
I thought of him tied and gagged to that tree.
He hasn’t eaten since this morning. I wondered if this pack of rogues would allow him such comfort. I wasn’t sure what to do, on one hand I was safe from Grayson and his destructive and lustful behaviour, on the other hand I was at the mercy of these strangers who definitely intended him harm.
I just couldn’t see a good outcome for Grayson here. There was no way he would be allowed to join this pack, especially with his aggressive attitude, and the only reason they haven’t killed him yet is because I told them not to. But how long would that request hold?
I waited in the shack for what felt like hours, turning over every decision and scenario until the noise of the crackling fire died down and I no longer heard the voices of the other men.
Slowly, I pushed the wooden door open and peaked into the darkness around me. The fire had dimmed into a small glow of red embers and the benches were all empty. I knew I had to move carefully, these were trained hunters who have lived in the wild for years.
Every step I made was calculated and quiet. It took me nearly ten minutes just to limp to the edge of the firepit, as I was careful not to let my feet fall too heavy or drag against the dirt path. The bowls were still lying about and I collected them, combining what was left in them and in the large pot to make one small meal.
Grayson was slumped over his restraints. At first, I thought he may not be alive, but as I kneeled next to him he shot up, trying to kick and jerk out of confinement. I placed my hand on his shoulder to calm him.
A fresh cut marked his chest and I could see the damp blood that shimmered against the fire’s glow. His breath was quick and his eyes wild until he registered who was touching him. His expression softened with recognition and I draped an animal pelt I brought over his lap to cover his nakedness.
His breathing slowed and I put a finger to my lips before pulling the rope from his mouth. He shook his head and sighed with relief at the small bit of freedom.
"Rebel," he half-whispered half-hissed through his teeth.
"Thank the gods. We have to get out of here before they wake up. Quick, untie me so we can make a run for it."
I set the soup down beside us and furrowed my brows. "I can’t do that, Grayson. You’re dangerous, you attacked me. You were going to..." I couldn’t finish the sentence.
"Don’t be stupid, Rebel," he spat. "You really think you’re safe with them? They’re rogue werewolves, there’s nothing to keep them from hurting you and they will hurt you."
"You hurt me." I countered.
"I lost control but I was not going to hurt you. I literally can’t. Please, Rebel. I can’t protect you like this."
He leaned against his restraints, his body begging to be set free. The ties pressing into the thin skin around his navel and across his chest. I wanted to reach out and feel the contrast of rough rope against his familiar soft skin.
I sighed as he waited for my decision. I wasn’t sure what I expected, an apology wasn’t exactly something he knew how to do.
"We wouldn’t even be in this mess if you hadn’t lost control. You betrayed me, they saved me." It was almost a whisper as the words fell from my lips.
He leaned back, glaring daggers so sharp I had to look away. "And if they lose control?" He asked.
"Like it or not, we’re bound. I have a duty to protect you, but them?" His lip was upturned in a grimace. I knew he was right but I couldn’t convince myself to release him. The hurt of his actions too fresh. He was just so...rude.
"Think about it Rebel," he continued. "Would you rather be ravaged by me or the four of them?"