Page 57 of Oath of Revenge

He growled an acknowledgement but fell silent.

Part of him wished she would walk into the Growlers’ camp and find her father. But as strongly as she felt about Growlers, he wasn’t sure that she’d like her father to be one.

He didn’t want to ask her if she hoped or dreaded it.

Their stories grew further apart, and the silences lengthened. He looked over to see her head in her palm, her eyes closed. He got up and added more logs to the fire.

The temperature would drop through the night, so he put on the itchy clothes and boots.

Then he grabbed her cloak and laid down behind her. He spooned her, draping the thick, warm fabric over them both. He hoped more memories would come in his dreams, but he slept like a rock.

As dawn approached, he nuzzled into Scarlet’s back, her hair tickling his nose. She was so warm, and for the first time since being turned, he didn’t want to get out of bed. The cold on the back of his neck finally drove him to rise in the pre-dawn darkness and stoke the fire. Then he left to wash his face in the river, refill the canteen, and relieve himself.

When he came back, Scarlet was sitting up, stabbing the fire like she wanted to kill it.

“Good morning, bunny,” he said softly, handing her the container. He wanted to laugh that she was so clearly not a morning person, but the look on her face kept him silent.

She glared at him, swiped the canteen, and rubbed at her eyes with her free hand. After a few minutes, she stomped around and grumbled, refusing his help for even the simplest task. She stomped down to the river, and he let her go. There had to be a way for her to wake up happy. Would it help if he served her breakfast in bed? Did she need coffee before she was human? She obviously wasn’t a morning person, but maybe some food would help her relax.

When she stomped back into the clearing, he pulled out the dried fruit from the pack and offered it to her. She sat next to him with a grunt and began to eat.

The easy banter they’d had yesterday had given him hope. He honestly hadn’t expected to feel this kind of connection until she claimed him back. He felt like they were getting to know each other the way mates should. There was still so much he needed to know about her, her heart, her fears, her dreams.

Time was running out, though, and this morning, it was like she’d put the wall back between them. She was pushing him away again, and it frustrated and worried him more than he cared to admit.

He clung to the hope that she’d finish the mate bond, that she’d accept and love him before it was too late. The gods didn’t make mistakes. She just needed time. Maybe by the full moon, she’d realize they were meant to be together. He just had to hold out a few more days and get to know her.

He gave her space as they broke camp and hiked through the forest. He didn’t push her, instead occasionally carrying the conversation about life with the Growlers. It was easier to talk of the past ten years than the fuzzy memories of his human life.

As they marched south, the trees became larger and wider. This was the oldest part of the forest and the most sacred. The sounds of nature became more muted, the animals here used to the roaming Growlers.

By the time the sun started to go down again, hunger and anxiety were gnawing at his gut. The closer they’d gotten, the higher his anxiety had grown. How could he protect her and still gain back his alpha status? Their conversation grew more sparse as they walked.

The trees cast dark shadows as the almost full moon rose.

“We’ll be within pack perimeters soon,” he said quietly.

“We should make a plan for tonight,” she said, the first time she’d spoken in over an hour. She’d gotten more tense the further they’d gone too, which was how he’d known it was more than just waking up on the wrong side of the fire.

Perhaps they both sensed that what lay ahead could kill them both and put a stop to all their newly budding hopes and dreams.

He stopped and opened the bag. He handed her the last of the dried fruit. She ripped it in half and handed him a piece. They ate in silence as he listened to the sounds around them.

No one was nearby, which was good. She handed him the canteen, and asked, “How do you plan to take your place as alpha?”

He drank before he answered. “Fight Brody, at a minimum. In a normal alpha challenge, the Elders create a magical circle that prevents others from interfering. Everyone watches the fight to the death. Whoever lives wins.”

She frowned and pulled a dagger from her hidden sheath. She twirled it as she thought. He could almost see the gears turning in her mind.

She finally spoke up, her voice strained with worry. “I don’t like that you could die.”

He brushed a piece of hair from her eye, tucking it behind her ear. “Brody’s a pup. He knew he wouldn’t win an official alpha challenge, which is why he ambushed me with so many of his friends.”

“But still,” she paused, her eyes dropping to the dirt where she drew with the tip of her dagger. “If it’ll give you an advantage, I guess—I mean, we can finish the mate bond.”

His heart beat faster, and he froze in surprise. The lump in his throat wouldn’t swallow away, so he took another drink. He didn’t want her to mate him for just this purpose though.

He took her empty hand and kissed her knuckles, drawing her beautiful green gaze to his. “Thank you, Scarlet, but I want you to mate with me when you’re ready, of your own free will. I’ll be fine if I have to fight him before we complete the mate bond. It’s already half-done already.”

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