Chapter10
731 Words
Chapter Ten
Kael leaned back slowly in his chair. His expression gave nothing away, but something guarded entered his eyes.
“What do you remember?” he asked instead.
Rumi frowned weakly. Why was he asking her all these questions? she doesn't even know if she can trust him, neither does she know where this safe place is
“About what?”
“The power.”
Her throat tightened. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Everything happened so fast.”
That wasn’t entirely true. She remembered the feeling. The rage and the terrifying hunger beneath her skin…And worst of all that a part of her had liked it.
Rumi’s fingers curled tightly into the blanket.
Kael noticed that too. “You’re afraid of yourself,” he said quietly.
Rumi laughed bitterly. “Aren’t you?”
Kael hesitated.
“Back there you said you knew what I was?"
Before he could reply, the cabin door burst open.
“Oh thank the Moon Goddess!”
A girl rushed inside carrying a tray of steaming bowls. She stopped abruptly when she saw Rumi awake, relief spreading instantly across her face.
“You’re alive!”
Kael sighed heavily. “You kicked the door open again.”
“I used my foot because my hands were full,” the girl argued.
“You still kicked it.”
“Technicalities.”
Rumi blinked slowly, caught off guard by the strange interaction. The girl noticed immediately and grinned.
“I’m Lyra,” she announced proudly, setting the tray down. “Resident annoyance of Black Hollow.”
Rumi frowned slightly. “Black Hollow?”
Lyra looked surprised. “Oh right. You don’t know.”
Kael stood smoothly from his chair.
“It’s where you are now.”
“That explains nothing,” Lyra muttered.
Kael ignored her.
Rumi pushed herself up slightly despite the lingering pain.
“Where exactly is here?”
Lyra answered before Kael could. “A refuge.” Her tone softened slightly. “For wolves nobody wanted.”
The words settled heavily in the room. Rumi went still.
Nobody wanted, That hit too close and Lyra seemed to realize it instantly.
“Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine,” Rumi said quietly. Because it was true, she was unwanted.
“Black Hollow is a refuge camp for rogues, exiles, abused Omegas, abandoned wolves, and outcasts you name it.”
Black Hollow.
A place for unwanted wolves, a place for people like her who’ve got no one standing up for them. Something painful tightened in her chest again.
Kael crossed the room to the window
“Eat first,” he said. “You’ve barely survived three days without food.”
Lyra shoved a bowl toward Rumi enthusiastically. “It tastes horrible, but apparently healing tea isn’t supposed to taste like gourmet food.”
Rumi stared at the bowl uncertainly then back at Lyra who was still smileing brightly, her brown eyes twinkling enthusiastically.
“thank you.” Rumi almost choked with emotion. No one had ever fussed over her before much less ask whether she’d eaten before, the unfamiliar kindness felt strange and somehow made her somewhat weary.
Lyra dropped into the chair Kael had vacated.
“You scared everyone,” she said casually. “Especially him.”
Kael didn’t turn around, Rumi glanced between them.
“Lyra.” The warning in Kael’s voice was immediate.
Lyra smirked. “What? It’s true.”
Rumi looked down quickly at the bowl in her hands as heat crept unexpectedly into her cheeks.
Why? Kael was just helping her that’s all. Nobody spoke for a moment. The fire crackled softly.
Outside, faint voices drifted through the trees. Although she couldn’t make out what they were saying she wondered what they thought of her, what her presence in the camp meant.
“You should rest another day.” Kael said finally.
Rumi looked up. “I’m fine.” she tried to get up once more and almost howled in pain.
“maybe you should do what he says.” lyra said.
As much Rumi didn’t want to admit it they were right. She wasn’t feeling her best right now and it’s not like she has anywhere else to be right now.
“fine.” she grumbled and as
she did Rumi realized something unsettling.
That for the first time in years she didn’t feel afraid.
- Writer
