Chapter 10The SparkThe Origins Of The GreysDuring the late Palaeolithic period, a group of twenty hunters embarked on a hunting trip that would alter their lives and the world as they knew it. The hunting party comprised four women and sixteen men, a ratio of 1:4. While tracking a herd of deer, a fierce storm suddenly struck, compelling the group to seek shelter in a cave. Unbeknownst to them, this was no ordinary storm, and the shelter was no ordinary cave. It was believed to house the powerful force of the four seasons and was guarded by a pack of wolf spirits. As they fled through the network of caves, the party became separated into four smaller groups, each escaping into a different tunnel. At the end of each tunnel lay a cavern of precious stones. Trapped at the dead ends by the spirits of the wolves, the groups believed their lives to be over. However, just moments before their demise at the jaws of the wolves, lightning struck, bringing down the cave around them. The first
Chapter 11The telltale growl of a predator grows louder as it approaches from the darkness. I urge my feet to run, but they refuse. I try to force out a scream, but it won't come. The only thing I can do is breathe heavily as panic grips me. My legs begin to tremble under the weight of my fear. “Don't move,” A voice whispers from behind me. I want to respond that I couldn't move even if I wanted to, but words fail me. I hear a whoosh behind me and then a huge dog appears at my side, growling aggressively back at the predator lurking in the shadows. The dog moves to stand in front of me protectively, its thick black coat shining in the moonlight. It edges forward, snarling and snapping its jaws. Then I see it, bright blue eyes emerge from the shadows. Coming out to challenge my protector. It's at this moment that I realise these are not just big dogs, they're freaking wolves! Why are there wolves here? My mind goes back to the books I'd read. The originals were soulbound to the wolf
Chapter 12I try to keep my breathing steady. Not wanting to alert Mason to the fact I'm awake or that I've seen him. I scrunch my eyes closed, too scared to keep looking at those eyes. Slowly I move my hand to find Theo’s, and when my fingers wrap around his I give him three hard squeezes. He groans on the first squeeze, by the third he's fully alert. “Jose, what's wrong?” he asks, sitting up.“There's someone in here,” I whisper. I feel Theo shift on the bed before the light clicks on. “Where?” he asks. I open my eyes and look into the corner where I'd seen Mason, but he's no longer there.“He was right there,” I point with a shaky finger. Theo looks puzzled and slightly dazed. As he scans the room. He checks the window and confirms it's locked, then he checks my wardrobe and bathroom but finds nothing. “Stay here, I'll be right back,” he gives me a reassuring smile and picks up my room key before leaving. A few tense moments pass before Theo lets himself back into my room. “I t
Chapter 13“Did you bond?” Mason asks in disgust, his eyes flicking between me and Theo.“No. Why are you here?” Theo asks with a sigh and I don't miss the look of relief on Mason’s face. “Because you woke me up when you were sneaking out of my room. I came to your room and you weren't there. Then I heard you in here. What did you want and why are you here?” he asks. Theo hesitates. “Because I was checking if it was you that was watching us sleep, and I'm here to keep her safe,” “You think I was in here watching you?” Mason snorts. “Well you're the only one that has the problem with her, so yes, you were my first guess,” Theo shrugs.“I have better things to do than watch you in bed with her,” Mason snarls before storming off. Theo closes the door with a sigh and I can see how much he wants to go after Mason, how torn he is between staying here with me or going after Mason. “Go, he needs you,” I tell him softly.“No, I need to stay here and keep you safe,” he insists.“Unless the
Chapter 14I approach the door with trepidation. Has Mr Collins come to personally reprimand me for the message? Has Mason got away from Theo and has come to finish me once and for all? With my breath held I press my ear to the door in hopes I'll pick up a clue as to who it is. “Girl, open this damn door. I know you're up, Theo text me,” Dot’s voice shouts with another bang against the door, making me almost jump out of my skin. I pull the door open, “You scared the shit out of me,” “Sorry,” Dot smiles innocently. “Are you coming for breakfast with us?” “Sure, let me grab my stuff,” I rush to retrieve my bag and grab a jacket from my wardrobe, shoving my phone into the pocket. “Let's go,” I grin, joining Dot, Joe and Max in the hall.We sit at the same table we had for dinner and I choose a bowl of fruit and a croissant for my breakfast. I cast a glance over at the unbonded table. It's mostly empty and there's no sign of Mason or Theo. A guy with short brown hair and glasses gives
Chapter 15“Stop,” Theo shouts, grabbing my hand when it's just millimetres away from touching Mason.“Just let her, I don't believe any of it anyway. Nothing is going to happen,” Mason protests. “No, Mr Collins said she shouldn't touch any unbonded males until the seer has been,” Theo tells him. “When have I ever given a fuck about what Deacon says,” Mason snorts like the arrogant jerk he is. “Is this a bad time?” a polite voice interrupts and I look up to see Starbucks guy standing at our table. “Yes,” Theo and Mason say in unison. “No,” I smile at him, grateful for the distraction. He leans down and places a large Starbucks cup on the table and slides it over to me. “You looked like you needed this,” he smiles and my eyes fill with tears. “Thank you, you don't know just how much I need this,” I greedily grab the warm cup in both hands and bring it to my mouth, letting out a satisfied moan as the sweet hot liquid hits my tongue. “Damn babe, what's in that cup?” Theo laughs.
Chapter 16“Ouch, sorry,” I grimace.“Are you okay?” Luke asks, his hands on my shoulders to steady me. “Did you do that on purpose?” Theo demands, pulling me behind him and squaring up to Luke. “No, man. Chill out,” Luke holds his hands up in surrender. “Theo, it was my fault. I was trying to get my coffee, I didn't know he was behind me,” I tug on his hand to try and get his attention and diffuse the situation, but he pulls his hand from my grip.“Well if you wanted to know if you're one of her bonds I guess you have your answer now,” Theo huffs. “I guess I do,” Luke says and it's hard to read the emotion in his voice. I'm not sure if it's disappointment or anger at Theo. The guys seem to be having some kind of stare-off. I decide to leave them to it and retrieve my coffee. I move around the pair and reach for my coffee when a hand shoots out and grabs my wrist before yanking me towards him. It's one of the men I’d seen at the unbonded table. I barely have time to process what
Chapter 17The tutor ushers into an empty classroom and closes the door behind her. The moment the door closes her whole demeanour changes and she flings her arms around Luke. I stare wide-eyed wondering what on earth is going on here. “Oh my goodness, Luke, you found your bond?” she asks excitedly. “It's complicated, the seer hasn't been yet but it's unlikely, she and Theo felt The Spark, we didn't,” he shrugs.“That doesn't mean anything, if it's true, The Spark only triggers in order of the original bonding,” she reaches up and scruffs his hair. “Um, sorry to interrupt but what is going on?” I ask. “Sorry, how rude of me. I'm Alice, Luke’s sister,” she grins, holding a hand out to shake. I take the offered hand, “I’m Josie,”“Why didn't you mention our tutor was your sister?” I ask Luke accusingly.“Because it is a secret, only the staff know,” “Why is it a secret?” I frown. “We don't want other students to know or they'd accuse me of giving him preferential treatment. It's j