9.
1366 Words
Cray stepped forward threateningly, eyes flashing a dangerous gold color. "I said, what the f**k did you just say to her?"
The guards were speechless, shocked that he was defending me. They bowed their heads quickly.
They stumbled over their words, clearly intimidated. "W-We didn't realize she was with you, Young Master. We were just doing our jobs, keeping outsiders out."
"Does she look like an outsider to you?" Cray growled. He turned to me. "Are you alright? They didn't scare you too bad, did they sweetheart?"
I nodded, still shaken. Cray turned back to the guards. "If I ever hear you disrespecting my mate again, it'll be the last thing you do. Understand!?"
They bowed hastily. "Yes, Young Master. Our Apologies!"
Cray held my hand as we moved past the gates into the building. I took a quick glance at them, and made a face while they still stood there in shock.
Cray's expression softened as he turned back to me. "Ignore them."
He reached out a tentative hand. "I'm sorry for leaving you behind. Follow me."
His voice had gone low and coaxing. I hesitated, staring at his hands. "It's fine if you don't want me to hold your hands, your body, your choice."
"It..it's not that. It's just…people are just watching," I said, looking left and right nervously. People around us bowed their heads respectfully as Cray passed, but their eyes gazed at me with confusion and contempt.
I know Cray would be known around for being a womanizer, so that didn't help as it made me look like one of his whores.
Cray smirked. "Don't worry, darling. Let me show you around."
As he led me further into the pack lands, I took in the sights. The buildings here were truly spectacular. Each building proudly displayed the symbol of a Lycan monster, whether carved into stone walls or embellished upon great wooden doors.
Intricate gates were decorated with intricate lycan designs. My pack wasn't as overt in our symbols. Seeing it here in every building, it seemed like a requirement. It gives each place a unique identity.
For example, the battle ground had the image of a Lycan fighting with a werewolf and tearing it down.
Right, that was my wake up call. I was still in the chambers of the people who destroyed my pack, killed my mother and best friend, and my father was still missing.
I should get my answers quickly and find my way out. f**k any mate bond.
Just then, an old man emerged slowly from a nearby building. He lowered himself to the ground fully, bowing so low his forehead touched dirt.
"Long live Young Master Cray Volkov!"
Cray raised a hand. "Rise, Gamma. There's no need for this."
The old man lifted his head slowly, gray eyes meeting Cray's. His smile faded as he took in our joined hands, questioning in his gaze.
"I'm glad it's you here, Alpha," the gamma said, out of breath and worried. "I have to tell you about a problem in our pack."
Cray raised a questioning eyebrow at how stressed the gamma looked. "What happened?"
The gamma swallowed hard before speaking. "Last night there was an attack, but the creature that did it was like nothing our farmers have ever seen. They said it made no sounds when it killed. And when the pack doctors looked at the prints left behind on the victims..."
He paused for a moment, as if remembering upset him. Cray leaned in and motioned for him to go on.
Taking a deep breath, the gamma said, "The prints showed toes, but five on each foot."
"What?" Cray exclaimed, surprised. He took a step back, shock all over his face. "How is that possible?"
The gamma could only shake his head, confused. "I don't know, Alpha. But this strange beast doesn't hunt like any animal from around here. I'm worried it could be a threat to our whole pack if we don't look into it."
Cray ran a hand through his hair, puzzled by this unexpected news. "Five toes per foot? That means it's not a werewolf. Then it seems we need to investigate this case further.”
He then scoffed and folded his arms across his broad chest. "And why do you look so scared, Gamma?" he asked. "You should know Lycan abilities are way better than any other creature. There's no way anything could beat one of us, unless it's another Lycan."
I nodded slowly as I thought about what Cray said. His idea made sense based on what I knew about Lycan strength and abilities.
The gamma stayed stiff and gloomy. His eyes got darker like he was remembering something terrible. "That's not what happened to me, Young Master," he said quietly.
"I was attacked by this creature and it slashed my throat so badly, I collapsed from losing too much blood. By the Moon goddess's grace, my healing abilities saved me or I'd surely be dead." Shivering, he touched his neck like the wounds still hurt.
"The farmers and others may still be in danger," the gamma continued, his voice getting more worried. "This beast is unlike anything we've faced before. I'm afraid for the pack's safety, especially the children, if it's not stopped."
Cray's confident face started to crack as worry crept into his expression. The gamma's words seemed to make the strange situation more serious and urgent.
Cray put comforting hands on the gamma's shoulders. But then his phone made a noise from his pocket, briefly distracting him.
Cray took his hands away and dug into his leather jacket, pulling out the ringing phone. When he saw who it was, he softly hissed under his breath. His friendly smile went away as he shoved the phone back in his pocket without looking at it.
Turning his focus back to the gamma, Cray smoothed his face into a calming expression. "Calm down," he said in a low, soothing voice. "I will increase security around the borders and in the pack. This creature won't strike again, you have my word."
The gamma thankfully nodded at Cray's reassurance, but his worries were still visible in the tightness around his eyes.
The old gamma caught my gaze as he held a frown.
"She's new to our pack, Young Master," the gamma pointed out, giving me a friendly smile.
I bowed respectfully to the old Lycan. "Thank you for the welcome."
Cray stepped closer to me, putting a protective hand on my lower back. "She will soon be more than a guest. This woman will be my Luna, so there's no need to worry about her being here."
The gamma's face lit up. "Wonderful news! It's been too long since we had a Luna to call our own…."
Before anyone could respond, a voice growled from behind, "Excuse your finest pardon?"
My heart jumped in my throat as a big hand clamped down on my shoulder. I whirled around to find Cole looming over me, eyes locked with Cray's in a silent challenge.
Oh, f*ck.
"She will be my Luna, not yours. So remove your hands before this friendly greeting turns ugly," Cole warned, curling his own hands into fists.
I glanced between the two Alpha's nervously. The last thing we needed was a physical fight, especially in front of this old man.
But Cole didn't seem ready to back down without one.
Cray's expression became cold as he looked at the older gamma. "You are dismissed," he said firmly.
The gamma bowed obediently and hurried away, sensing the rising tension.
Oh well, how about I just leave and let them fight?
“Uhm,” I nervously wrung my hands. "I still remember Ms. Tracy sending me to—"
But the two of them kept glaring at each other intensely, ignoring what I said.
Cole tightened his grip on my arm, causing me to flinch. But Cray didn't pay attention to me, clenching his fists as he said angrily, "Take your hands off her. Now."
Cole just smirked. "Or what?" he taunted. "What the hell are you going to do? You don't f*****g claim her as your Luna, she is mine too.”
- Writer
