The Bride Games

The Ringing Bell

I back up into the kitchen as James glowers down at me. “Why did

you leave the house, Ember? Did you not read the note I left? Did you not think

that I would be worried about you? What was so important that couldn’t possibly

wait until I got home?” Fear creeps up

my spine as he cornered me into the dining room table. In my heart, I know he

won’t hurt me, but I see the suspicion all over him. His eyes are searching

mine as if he already knows where I was, but wants to hear it contradicted.

I want to tell him the

truth; I need to tell him, but this feels like the worst time. I wanted us to

be able to sit down and calmly discuss this, but that seems unlikely now that I

have made such a mess of everything. James closes his eyes and runs his rough

hands up and down my arms as he starts to speak. “Do you know how worried I was

when I came home, and you were nowhere to be found? Horrible things ran through

my mind. Things you can’t fathom. Ember, I can’t lose you, not the way I lost

them.” I sobbed as he held onto me, his warm tears wetting my skin. I feel his

fear and desperation ring through my body. I knew he had lost his wife and son

in an attack, and I felt incredibly selfish thinking of what he must have

experienced coming home and finding it empty, especially after he had asked me

so pointedly to stay inside.

“I’m so sorry, James,” I tell

him as I take his face in my hands, kissing him softly, doing what I can to reassure

him that I’m here and safe. “It’s going to be okay. I’m here with you now.” I

tell him between kisses. “I’m safe. I should have stayed inside. I’m so, so

sorry.” He visibly stiffened, and his wounded eyes moved from my own down to my

neck, the tender place that I know Lucas has marked. He quickly pulls out of

our embrace as if I had lit him on fire, and his eyes shift from brilliant onyx

to red and back again. His fist clenches at his sides as he closes his eyes

tight, trying to regain control. His breathing is erratic, and dark hairs sprout

along his skin.

I fear he has discovered what I hoped to keep from him until we could

discuss it properly. My pounding heart matches his ragged breaths. I want to

blurt out the truth so I don’t seem as deceitful as I feel, but no words exit

my trembling lips. I know this isn’t the right time to tell him, not with him

being so raw. Not with his tears on my skin; I don’t know if I can devastate

him further with my betrayal. The last thing I ever want is to hurt him. James,

in one swift move, pushes me flat onto the table, his hands greedily taking in

my body. His mouth was on me, searing as if he wanted to suck the very air from

my lungs. It’s overwhelming, terrifying, and all-consuming the way he devours

me, and I need more. I moan into his mouth as he starts pushing the dress up my

legs, his steel member pressing into me through his slacks. I feel on the edge

of combustion when the sharp sound of the bell ringing out douses our flame.

He pulls me up from the

table so quickly that I feel dizzy. James grabs my hand and drags me from the

house, not bothering to close the door behind us. I hear the synchronized howls

ring out from the forest, and fear grabs ahold of me. If James’s strong hands hadn’t

been pulling me along, I don’t think my legs would have moved on their own. Something

serious is going on, and I fear for our little community. Before I even realize

what’s happening, I am scooped up and being carried; I can feel James' racing

heart under my palm, and that only intensifies my anxiety. If this giant of a

man is afraid, then whatever that bell means is devastating.

We continue our run towards

the shelter, yelling for the women to hurry to safety. I’m pleased to see so

many men helping the women get to the bunker. If I didn’t feel it before, I

definitely feel it now; we are treasured here and carry so much value to our

men. It fills my heart with pride to see everyone work together so well, even

if the circumstances are discomforting. We arrive at the bunker door quickly,

and James kisses me possessively, announcing, “Ember, you are in charge of the

bunker. Do not leave or open the hatch for anyone. When things are clear,

Lucas, Titus, and I are the only ones with keys; one of us will come for you.

You are the most important person here; you are this pack's heart. Watch over

our women, and please promise me that this time you will listen and that you

will care for our people in my absence.” “I promise, James. Please be safe; I

fear for you just as you fear for me. Come back for me.” “I will, Ember,

always.” I kiss him quickly and do as he says.

We have ten male warriors

who will stay with us and offer extra protection if needed. Seeing their stoic

faces helps ease some of the fear that has grabbed ahold of me. I take a deep

breath and try to calm my nerves; James needs me to help the women and keep

them safe. I can do this. I say to myself and take my first steps down. The

doors are sealed after I descend the stairs, with two of the guards staying

beside the now-locked hatch and two more standing guard at the sizeable second

door. This one opens up to the main living area where the women are waiting

with fear etched on their faces. I take note of the women cowering in the

spacious area designated to keep us from harm, and I know this is the time for

me to step up and let them know we are safe. If I want to be their leader, I

need to act like one. “Women, let’s sit quietly and calm ourselves; I want to ensure

everyone is accounted for. Then, we will settle in and get comfortable. No one

is to leave until one of the men returns for us. Know that you will be safe

here. Our warriors are up there protecting us from any threat, so in return, we

must be brave and wise for them.” The men assigned to the bunker looked at her

and nodded in respect. Ember began taking note of the women present and tried

her best to comfort them, only to realize quickly that someone was not

accounted for. Someone important to her. “Where is Ava?!”

Ava:

I hear the bell ring out and know I need to head to the safety

shelter quickly. That was one of the first things taught to us: when the bell

rings, it means danger. Lucas isn’t home; I know he is on patrol today and

probably won’t return until late. Honestly, I was glad until now that he’s been

gone. My heart is still too hurt to face him. I see women running from the

window and men helping them. I finish tying my shoes and exit my front door. I

feel a little muddled amongst the chaos. The fastest way to the bunker is to

cut through the wooded area behind the house and straight through the crop

fields. I scream when I feel a large hand clamp down on my wrist. I feel only

slightly relieved when I notice Ian’s hand holding onto me.

I know he wasn’t allowed to

participate in the games and was almost killed for a crime he committed. l

don’t know much about him, but something makes me uneasy when he is near. I

feel terrible thinking badly of him when he is here to help me. I saw many

other men assisting the women to safety, and I know how precious we are to

them. Although Lucas doesn’t love me, I feel important to the people here. I

should be happy for the help. “Ian, you startled me,” I tell him as he

continues to lead me through the woods. “Ava, you’re Lucas’s mate, right? Why

isn’t he here to help you to the bunker? You must get there quickly; hunters

have breached our borders again. I know he wouldn’t want you getting hurt.” “Lucas

is on patrol today, so he must be out there already. Thank you for helping me.”

Ian turned to me, smiling dubiously. My blood froze as he spoke to me, “I never

do anything without gain to myself.” I then realized the danger was not the

hunters closing in on us but the monster in front of me. The monster that is

supposed to keep me safe.