Page 125 of The Lands Defying
“Stay here,” I tell him quietly, “I need to get something to cover myself up with, and then we can figure out how to get home.” Though I don’t know where to go. Vokheim Keep to the Elites? Witches Rest with Belldame and my pack? Or do I go back to Eridian in hopes Darius is still there?
No, I know he will still be there, waiting for me. And hopefully not destroying anything while he waits.
I shake my head and move forward, no time to think of these things. I’m freezing and I can’t stay out here with a target on my back.
I swallow over the lump in my throat and jog over to the side of a house. I crouch below the windows and skirt along the wooden wall, keeping my senses open. Peeking around the back, I breathe out a sigh of relief as I see clothes hanging on a line.
This isn’t the first time I have stolen clothes, and seemingly, it won’t be the last. I feel bad for what I’m about to do, but I need to get warmed up.
I need to survive.
After everything, the damn winter cold won’t take me out.
I just need to get to him.
Always him.
I glance at the back door of the home, and look to the window there, noticing they have the shutters closed. I dash forward as much as my frozen legs can take me and rip off some pants and a tunic from the line, then I dive back to the side of the house, my breaths coming fast but softly as I listen for any movement.
When nothing reaches my ears, I grab the pants and pull them up my legs. The material sticks to my barely-dry skin, but I finally get them on and tie the laces there. I quickly pull the tunic over my head next and put my arms through. It’s a little big but I’m not complaining. I look down at my now dirty bare feet and wonder if I should look and see if anyone left any boots outside of their doors, but I quickly think against it.
This will do for now.
I take one last look at the back of the home before rounding the side again, wanting to get back to the wolf quickly when I crash into a solid form.
I hiss as leather smacks against my body and look up into a scowling face with stern eyes.
The male looks me over as my heart rate kicks up. His confusion doesn’t last long though and his eyes light up in knowledge.
“Well, if it isn’t the traitor of Vrohkaria.” He grabs me, fingers digging into my arms.
Fuck.
I shake my head, panic setting in. “No,” I croak, “you’ve got it all wrong.” I try to dislodge the grip he has on my arms, but he holds firm as I wriggle.
“No girl, I don’t have it wrong. Your face is drawn on posters all over the lands. You will bring in a pretty coin.”
“Let me go,” I smack him, pushing at his chest but it does nothing. “I am not a traitor, and the Alpha of the Elites wouldn’t like you touching me like this.” I try to call my magic, but nothing happens.
I am an Alpha, he can get fucked.
I kick him right between his legs instead and he grunts, his hold on me loosening.
I turn, ready to run to the wolf but a hand is in my wet hair the next moment, his other over my mouth as I’m dragged back with no care. I try to bite and kick, but my body doesn’t have the strength behind it.
He starts dragging me around the home and through the center of the village. I trip over my feet a few times as I claw at his hand, trying to get him to release me and screaming into the hand that covers me.
“As soon as I get a port stone, we are going to Wolvorn Castle, and I’ll be rewarded for my capture of the traitor.” He comes to a stop and looks over me and licks his lips. “I’m sure I could warm you up first, I am a good wolf, after all.” I gag a little behind his hand and try to bite him, but his fingers dig into my cheeks.
He pulls me by my hair harder as he continues to drag me along, my eyes stinging from the pain. I claw at his hands, my nails digging in when a deep growl comes from behind us and the male pauses, his grip tightening further as he turns around, dragging me with his movement.
The wolf stands there, teeth bared and ears low, his stare on the male.
“What the—” is all the man gets out before the wolf lunges.
Thirty Six
Rhea
