Page 65 of The Alpha's Fated Destiny

“I have no intention of harming the little wolf.” The mercenary looks insulted now. “She saved my life. I owe her a blood debt.”

Alex’s expression changes. “You’re claiming a blood debt? Do you realize what that means?”

“I do,” the man replies simply.

I look between the two, confused. "What's a blood debt?"

Sometimes Alex forgets that I don't have the same level of education as he does, especially about shifter laws and regulations.

"He's pledging a blood debt to you." Alex's voice sounds strange. "You saved his life and he's saying he owes you his as a result. He can never hurt you, physically or emotionally as a result, at least not till you consider his blood debt to be paid. Nobody pledges blood debts anymore!"

The aggravation in his voice has me touching his hand. "Why not?"

"Because they're as good as slave clauses," the mercenary answers. "It is up to the person to whom the debt is owed to decide when it is fully repaid."

"But you saved me from the witches as well," I remind him.

The man scoffs. "You would have been rescued ultimately. Your mate was already on his way. No, I owe you a blood debt, little wolf. And I don't want to be the kind of man who doesn't pay back his debts. This also means you have no reason to doubt me anymore."

I can tell that Alex still isn't fully on board, so I grab his hand, forcing him to look at me.

"Alex, he clearly knows this place better than we do. I don't think we have a choice here."

Alex doesn't look at me, his jaw tense.

"Can you give us a minute…" I pause when I realize I don’t know what to call the mercenary. "What do I call you?"

He presses his lips into a thin line. "I don't know my name or I would tell you."

"Why don't we use a temporary name?" I suggest, noticing the flash of emotion in his eyes.

He just shrugs.

"What do you think about Logan?"

My mate turns to stare at me. "Do you know a Logan?"

"No."

"So why was that name the first to pop into your head?"

Annoyance blooms within me. "Don't tell me you're jealous of a name. I just like the name Logan."

"But…"

"Alex!"

He looks away from me and I feel my heart sink. "Alex, not everyone is out to stab us in the back. Logan even mentioned the blood debt. You said it yourself—he can't hurt me because of it. So, what are you worried about? He can guide us to the main pack…"

"The Silver Mist Wolf Pack," Logan offers his input. "That's the name of the ruling pack."

Alex gives him a long look. "I know the name of the pack. And I'm not entirely convinced you don't have your memories. How could you possibly remember a detail like that?"

Logan scoffs. "It's written on the sign at the border."

Alex looks like he wants nothing better than to have a go at this man. I'm starting to wonder if there is some other reason for his animosity.

He opens his mouth and I scowl. "Alex, I don't want to spend another minute in this forest so you have one minute to get over whatever is biting you in the ass so that we can get moving!"

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