Page 7 of The Wolf Slayer

“You have endangered your pack.” His father’s voice vibrated with rage. “Leave! And don’t show your face in my home again till you’ve learned that your actions father consequences for everyone else.”

That wasn’t too bad of a punishment, Blake thought to himself and regretted it right away.

“You will not leave your home until I find you are worthy of freedom again.”

Fuck.

“Leave my sight before I lose my temper.”

Blake turned on his heels and walked out.

“No shifting within the walls of your confinement. Nor will you speak or talk to anyone but me!”

“Yes, Father,” Blake mumbled and walked out into the open.

He quickly shifted, his father’s command pulling him toward his cabin. His punishment didn’t seem too bad, but he knew that was a false assumption. From his youth, he knew the next few days would be hell. Wolves loved the outdoors–especially Blake. He spent most of his days and even nights out in the open. Being stuck inside and not being able to shift would make him lose his mind. Once, his father had banned him to his room for a week and Blake had tried to outsmart him by shifting. Since then, his father seemed to have learned his lesson.

At home, he shifted back to his human form. As soon as he walked through the front door, a shiver ran down his spine and the feeling of being trapped spread through him. He knew there was no way out and not knowing for how long made it even worse.

As he walked back into his bedroom to try and find something to keep himself occupied, Niev’s scent hit him like a wall of cold water. It wasn’t a bad smell, but rather opened up a box of feelings he hadn’t expected. He didn’t know her, yet he missed her. His heart even bled as he inhaled again.

Unable to stop himself, he laid in his bed, face buried in the pillow and inhaled again. He closed his eyes and found himself in Cliff’s gas station. He relived the night before over and over until all her scent had disappeared.

Frustrated, he let out a groan and opened his eyes. Unfortunately, the sun was still up so not much time had passed, which only worsened his frustration. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he had no idea what to do with himself. Because he spent most of his days outdoors, he had nothing to keep him occupied within the walls of his home.

Usually when he was frustrated, he would go for a run, but that was out of the question. He tried to drum up ideas, but his mind was coming up blank.

“Fuck!”

He had hoped that his father would let him out after a day or two but after seven days of agony and pacing, he was still stuck in his home. He hadn’t spoken to anyone, not even his brother who had brought him food cooked by their mother. Seth had only dropped off the food package and left. Not that Blake would’ve been able to talk to him, but company would have been nice even if it was Seth.

Tristan hadn’t shown up either, and Blake knew that wasn’t by his choice. His father had probably told Tristan to stay away, making Blake’s punishment even greater.

Blake knew he deserved it and felt guilty for his actions. Strangers weren’t permitted unless ordered by the alpha. The law kept everyone safe from detection and safe from the bad that lurked out in the world. The law had kept everyone alive for thousands of years, so he had trouble shaking off the guilt.

On the other hand, something deep within his soul told him that what he’d done was needed and it had been the right thing to do.

He’d tried to keep his body busy, exercising as well as he could, but that didn’t help his restless mind nor his wolf that was itching to get out. He’d spent the last day in bed daydreaming about Niev and what she was up to. Was she thinking about him just as much as he was about her? He still couldn’t explain his obsession with her, but that was exactly what it was. Day and night his thoughts returned to her and it was driving him mad.

On the eighth day, a few hours after sunrise, Blake heard the front door open and scented his father and mother coming inside. Blake had curled up in bed and had tried to forget about the nightmare he’d been living through the past week. He didn’t even move as he heard his mother’s soft footsteps come closer.

“Blake, my love?” His mother’s voice was timid, as if she was afraid to startle him.

He had his back turned to her. He knew it was childish, but she’d hurt him just as much as his father had. He’d expected her to stand up for him, like she’d done so many times before. She’d always protected him and now that he’d needed it the most, she’d let him down.

He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder as his mother leaned over him. “I know we’ve hurt you, but we only did it to protect you.”

She waited for him to respond but he didn’t give her that satisfaction. She sighed and with her fingers gently combed through his long hair.

“Blake whoever that woman is to you, she won’t understand you the way your own kind does. Bringing her here hasn’t just put us in danger, but her too. If she’d run off into the woods or if she’d traveled alone on your road she could’ve been hurt or scared to death.” She continued to comb through his hair and even as he tried to fight it her motherly touch calmed him. “You need to cut ties with her. If not for us, do it for her. Keep her safe by staying away from her.”

His mother’s words opened his eyes to a new perspective. All this time he’d never thought about Niev being in any kind of danger during her stay here. He felt as if he’d failed her and her safety. His mind painted a picture of Niev scared and alone somewhere in the woods, his heart bleeding and aching thinking about her being hurt.

Blake heard his father’s footsteps come closer and felt his presence as he entered the room. “You won’t leave the Timber Territory without permission. Seth will be here soon with further instructions.”

And without further explanation, he left.

“Blake, we love you very much, please understand that.” His mother leaned forward and kissed his head before following his father.

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