Marked by the Moon, Bound by Blood

Chapter 10

I looked up, gasping for air as that shout rang out. Anderson was standing there. He looked like absolute hell—pale as a corpse, his black shirt still stained with blood seeping through the bandages. Luna was gripping his arm, looking worried sick, while Anderson leaned heavily on a wooden cane. Even though he looked physically trashed, the look in his eyes still sharp.

"Anderson!" I yelled. My voice was totally rasped from all the screaming I’d done earlier.

The scarred elder didn’t lower his torch. Instead, he gave Anderson a cold, disapproving look.

"Alpha, you should be resting. That wound isn't healed, and this woman’s presence is only making your condition worse," the elder said flatly.

Anderson took a single step forward. Every movement looked like pure torture. He winced, clutching his chest, and I felt that same synchronized throb of pain in my own heart. This broken bond was really putting us both through the ringer at the same time.

"Put the torch down, Elder. I’m the leader of this pack. The final call is mine, not yours," Anderson growled.

"We’re doing this to f*****g save you! She almost killed you last night. You said it yourself—the bond is defective. If she dies, your pain stops and you can get back to leading us with actual strength!" the elder shouted back.

People around the clearing started whispering. The atmosphere was getting heated. I could feel their collective hate directed right at me. To me, they looked like a bunch of bloodthirsty judges who didn't give a s**t about the truth; they just wanted their leader back to normal.

"I don't need to be saved by cowardice like this!" Anderson shot back. He shook off Luna’s grip and limped toward the stake where I was tied up.

Wilfredo stepped out to block his path. "Alpha, please, think straight. By traditional law, if a mate endangers the Alpha’s life, the pack has the right to execute them for the survival of the group. You’re weak right now. Let us handle this."

Anderson stopped right in front of Wilfredo. He took a long, heavy breath.

"Wilfredo, you’ve been with me since I was a kid. You know I don't run from a challenge. If this woman is a monster, I’ll be the one to confirm it. But burning her alive while she’s helpless? That’s an insult to the dignity of this pack," Anderson said.

"But she turned last night! She mauled our warriors!" the elder with the torch yelled.

"The warriors attacked her first! They defied my direct order to give her three days!" Anderson turned his body and glared at the warriors who had raided the shack. They immediately hung their heads.

I stared at Anderson through the tangle of silver chains that were punishing my skin. The metal kept sending stinging waves of heat through me, making me feel faint and dizzy.

"Anderson... let me go..." I whimpered.

Anderson looked at me. There was massive doubt in his eyes. I could see him fighting his own logic. On one hand, I was a legit threat to his life. On the other, something in his gut was forcing him to protect me.

"Unchain her," Anderson ordered the guard.

The guard didn't budge. He glanced at the elders, waiting for their okay. That set Anderson off. He threw his cane to the ground and forced himself forward.

"Do you not recognize me as your Alpha anymore?" Anderson asked in a low, terrifyingly threatening voice.

The clearing went dead silent. No one dared to answer. Anderson's aura started to push out, and even though it wasn't as strong as usual, it was enough to make the guard shake. He fumbled for the keys and unlocked the silver chains wrapped around me.

*Cklek. Clang!*

The chains hit the woodpile. I collapsed forward instantly; my legs were too weak to hold my own weight. Before my face hit the wood, Anderson caught my shoulders.

"Ugh!" Anderson groaned in pain the moment our skin touched.

I felt it too—like a surge of the wrong kind of electricity hitting my system. I immediately pulled away, sinking onto my knees on top of the woodpile.

"Don't touch me... it'll hurt you," I panted.

Anderson stood tall again. He turned toward the elders and the rest of the pack watching the show.

"I’m taking her back to the main house. She’ll stay under my direct supervision. If she loses control again during the time we agreed on, I’ll be the one to end her life myself," Anderson declared.

"This is a massive mistake, Anderson," the scarred elder said, killing his torch by shoving it into the dirt. "You’re gambling your life on something that isn't even our kind. If you die, this pack will collapse in the power vacuum."

"I won't die that easily," Anderson replied coldly.

He signaled to Luna. She hurried over and helped me up. She wasn't rough, but her grip was like iron to make sure I didn't fall again. We walked through the crowd as they stared at us with pure contempt. I felt small and pathetic under those glares.

We got back to the main house, and I was taken to the same room as before. The difference was, Anderson didn't take the corner chair. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking completely drained.

"Why did you do it?" I asked after Luna left and locked the door.

"Do what?" Anderson asked without looking up.

"Save me. You know they’re right. If I’m gone, your burden is lifted. You’d heal in no time," I said, sitting on the wooden floor to keep a safe distance.

Anderson stared at his shaking hands. "I’ve been asking myself the same damn thing. My logic told me to let them light the fire. But my heart... it felt like it was going to explode if I let you burn."