Chapter Five

Khai’s shirt was big and I had wrapped the sheets around my waist to cover up. When we got out, I was first overwhelmed by all the emotions I had been feeling. Pang, angst, pain and attraction at the same time, that wasn't a good mix. Secondly, I was greeted by countless eyes, eyes I didn’t know that varied in colour and intimidation, and shades of confusion. Back home, everyone’s eyes were golden like the sun, familiar and tender.

My stomach tensed. I picked up some familiar eyes from the encounter with the Azraels. Some of their hair signified their fur. What confused me was why were they all just standing there at the foot of the stairs. As if they were waiting for me to exit. I had nothing special. I was just a mediocre village girl who had washed up at their door, begging for mercy. I was in debt to them. I owed them my life.

I held on to his firm arms for balance and support, my legs were still tired and throbbing. He was tepid against me. The only warmth I've ever felt so amazing. My siblings were never warm and neither were my parents. Everyone was just room temperature or cold but he was warm, he was perfect.

Somehow him being there with me, made the situation less scary. I looked away from their curious eyes as he started walking, pulling me along with him, and forcing me to walk with him. I tried my best not to show any sign of weakness but I still was. Walking through the passage of bodies, my nerves building, making my palms damp and my stomach tighter. My eyes stuck to the floor, refusing to meet anyone.

I felt as if I was a violation or an error. I was half naked in a stranger's house being watched like I was the most interesting person there. I guess I was, I had to understand that I had been given the fate of being his mate but I couldn't. I didn't want this. It was too much. This would only bind me, hold me down to someone after losing people I was bound to. The question was whether I would stay. I couldn't be somebody's mate when I had nothing to give.

Low whispers were silenced when we stopped in the kitchen. It went ghost-town-like and I had to see what was up so, slowly I raised my head. My locks in my face as I saw the most ancient woman in the room. Her greying hair gathered at the back of her head in a fishtail braid. Her eyes were a bright brown, almost jasper. Her face creased when she smiled and smelled like cinnamon. Khai who had a straight expression was not helping me understand what was happening.

"Welcome Luna,” her old voice cracked as her head raised from a bow. She held out her hands. Then she pressed on her forehead with her thumb and pressed on mine.

"She can be trusted. I see it." The old lady said.

I let go of Khai, stepped back and with immediate effect, fell back. The crowd gasped as I fell flat on my butt. A chuckle came from somewhere and Khai's eyes went deadly in the direction. My hands shook, and my vision became blurry as this reminded me of the vivid image of being ganged up on. The Azraels surrounded me slowly. My lips quivered when I let out a shaky breath. The lady held out her hands for me and I froze.

Khai frowned at me deeply, his eyes full of sorrow. Could he feel what I was feeling? My head snapped back at the whispers behind me and then in front of me again.

"Get out of here," Khai growled, waving his hands at everyone. I felt like I was being cornered, compressed to do something and all these people around me made it worse. I looked down at my hands which shook, seeping sweat. I wanted to phase that minute and burst through the kitchen door. But I couldn't, I was too weak, too hurt, too afflicted. People around me started clearing as I pulled my knees closer, unable to shift. A warm hand laced over my back and I defrosted, knowing it was him. I felt he was the only one I could trust but was I certain of this? Could I trust these people, based on a feeling, fate?

Mom always said I should trust my mate when found him but, I always thought it would be someone I knew.

"Roman." He whispered, "Stand up.”

 He helped me to my feet. Frost bites mixed with sores from the sharp thorns beneath the snow shot through my feet. I screamed at the pain of my whole weight on them.

"Maybe she was overwhelmed. Should I get her some tea?" the old lady asked Khai who was a chest taller than her. She touched his arm and I felt the wolf inside of my flinch. Even though she was an old lady, I couldn't help the inevitable jealousy.

"Mother, give us space. Why did you tell the whole pack?"

"This is great news! We have been searching and she just ends up at your doorstep. It's wonderful news, I had to."

She clapped her hands. She was such a cute old lady and had to be a good person too. Right? Her aura was clean and pure but with a sprinkle of pain. Even her stance wasn't a hundred per cent confident. I could see she used the smiles and chirpy personality as a facade.

"Please, just go." He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. The old woman left and he walked closer. I pushed myself back.

"She is my mother."

He tried being casual. Nothing was casual about this. I didn't even know why I was scared but I was.

"I thought you’d know by now that I will never hurt you." His brows furrowed.

"I don't know you," I told him. He went solemn.

"Okay,” he said and picked me up from the floor. I struggled in his arms.

"Put me down!" I shouted but he just hunched me over his shoulder and walked, digging his shoulder into my gut. I felt the blood racing to my head as I banged my fists on his back. He was treating me like a kid.

"Put me down! Put me down!"

We entered the other side of the kitchen. Two girls were in there and I froze, about to pound on him again when I met the gaze of one with tawny hair. She smiled at me so genuinely and reminded me of the tawny wolf I'd seen before I blacked out, it had hazel eyes like hers. Freckles sprinkled her nose and cheeks but that didn't make her beautiful it was her bright grin. The other girl was older taller and neater. Her brownish hair was tied in a bun with brown intelligent eyes behind glasses. She tossed an apple in the air as Khai placed me on the counter.

"How's it going bro?" The one with the glasses asked. Khai gave me one last glance and turned, going to the fridge.

"I don't think it’s going to work out Audrey. She is too...paranoid." He dug into the fridge.

"This is why I didn't want a mate,” he said shutting the fridge and eying me severely. The pain of rejection suddenly stung. What did I care?

"You can't reject me. It's not like I feel good about you either. I'm going anyways." I spat.

The girl with tawny hair smirked at me, liking it. His eyes scanned me with precision and I refused to meet them.

The one with glasses jokingly hummed, “Shots fired.”

"Get a life, Audrey," Khai snorted.

"That's my cue,” the freckled one said, drumming the table. "I'm Yolanda by the way."

She took my hand and shook it. "Loosen him up for me, will ya?" She ended with a wink. An apple came flying her way, it could have hit her head if she didn't catch it with ease. She didn't even need to look.

"You missed" Yolanda teased him. This made me giggle a bit.

"I don't miss I wanted you to give it to her,” he sneered. Yolanda handed me the apple and left the room without looking at him.

"She's pretty. How long will she last?" Audrey asked.

"Don't you have kids to teach or something? Where is Paul? I wonder how long he will last, married to you." Khai was visibly annoyed.

"Mmmm, it’s getting hot in here. As a matter of fact, I do have somewhere to be,” she said nodding to herself. Khai rolled his eyes as she continued. "Paul has his own life."

With that, she took the sling bag from the table.

"You don't even live here, what are you doing here?" Khai folded his arms at her, leaning his brawny body on the fridge.

"I can't see my alpha's Luna,” she smiled, walking to the door.

"Go,” he snapped and she burst out, laughing. The mesh door closed behind her. I watched her walk straight into the forest without a single worry.

“Will she be okay?”

“Don’t worry, no wolves cross into our territory without us knowing.”

“I did,” I said. Khai thought for a moment.

“You caught us off guard. You were running for your life.”

He moved closer to me on the kitchen counter. I put the apple to my lips and he grabbed it. My hand refused to let go as we started a small war of strength. His icy blue eyes were colder.

"If you think being my mate will spare you, you've got another thing coming,” my chest tightened as he spoke with a foreboding tone.

"And around here, I call the shots. You will not disrespect me or try anything funny. Walter tells me all you’re thinking about is escaping." My anger flickered but the thought of me being in debt to him made me calm down.

“How do you know that?”

“He can speak into people’s heads.”

So cool.

"Do you understand me?" he asked sternly

“Are you sick or something?” I frowned at him. He had to be sick.

One minute happy, next minute annoyed, next minute a dog and the next minute something else. His eyes searched mine and he exhaled.

“Do you understand me?” he asked again.

"N-." I tried and felt myself choking inside, giving in to his superiority, "yes."

He nodded and went back to the fridge. I sat there feeling weaker than I knew I was.

"Is that how you get things done here?" I questioned.

"Sometimes,” he answered simply.

The unease returned to me. It became abundantly clear that I was in alien territory, surrounded by strangers who could read minds and use their voices to control those around them. He was right, I was in debt to him and his pack. I could’ve died out there. My father always said a wolf with honour is one who settles her debts. Either I had to save him or someone and then I’d be free.