Chapter Four: Lies and Pull
675 Words
Vera's wrists were sore from the rope. Marcus had moved her from the clearing to a cabin in Shadow Pack territory. Two guards stood outside the door. Inside it was Vera and Marcus. A lantern cast light on the wooden walls and the big bed.
Vera stood in the middle of the room. Her hands were still tied in front of her.
"You are a liar, " she said the moment the door closed. "My father would never hurt my mother. He loved her. You are the one who started the fight. Everyone in Crescent knows this. You are trying to confuse me because of this bond you talk about."
Marcus leaned against the wall. He had his arms crossed. He watched Vera with his eyes. He looked very calm.
"I knew you would say that, " he said quietly. "You have been hearing lies since you were a kid."
Vera laughed. "Lies? My mothers blood is on your pack's hands. I saw the bodies. I heard the stories. Now you bring me here. Expect me to believe my father did something bad to you? That he hurt his mate?"
Vera took a step forward. She looked up at Marcus. Her lips curled in disgust. "I would rather die than believe you, Marcus Kane."
When Vera said his name, something changed in the air. Vera felt it. Her skin felt funny. She could smell Marcus. Her body was reacting to him. She did not like it.
Marcus noticed. He could smell Vera’s change.
“You feel it,” he said softly. “Even when you’re angry with me, your body already knows the truth.”
Vera’s voice trembled. “Shut up.” She turned away from Marcus, as if distance alone could silence the confusion inside her. She wanted to be far from him, but the small cabin gave her nowhere to go.
Marcus stepped closer.
He didn’t touch her.
Still, Vera felt it immediately - his presence too near, too heavy, pressing against her senses until her breathing tightened and her heart betrayed her calm.
"I am not asking you to believe me, " he said. "I am asking you to look at the truth. I have letters from your father. I have a witness. I have the knife he used."
Vera turned back to Marcus. Her eyes were flashing with anger. "Then show me. Prove it. So I can call you a liar and go home."
Marcus looked at Vera for a time. Then he nodded. "Tomorrow. I will show you what I have, you have to stay here until then. You cannot go back to your father."
Vera laughed again. “You took me from my home. You tied me up. Now you want me to stay here? I would rather try to escape."
Marcus's voice was firm. "You can try.. the bond between us will get even stronger. Running back to your father is not an idea. He is not a person."
Vera wanted to hit Marcus. She wanted to scream. She looked up at him instead.
"Do not talk about my father like that, " she said. "I do not care about this bond. I do not care how I feel. You are still my enemy. When I get the chance I will make you pay."
Marcus's eyes flashed with heat. He leaned down close to Vera. "Keep fighting me. It only makes the bond stronger."
Vera's breath caught. She could feel Marcus's warmth. She did not like it.
"Stay away from me " she whispered.
Marcus stood up straight. He gave Vera space.
"Get some rest, " he said. "We will look at the truth tomorrow. You are here now and I am not letting you go."
Marcus left the cabin locking the door behind him.
She sat down on the bed. Her heart was beating fast. She was confused and angry.
"I will not break, " she whispered. "Not for him. Not ever."
She could still smell Marcus on her skin. Her body was still reacting to him.
- Writer
