Chapter 5: A Role

I woke up early the next morning. I kept drifting in and out of sleep. I was restless. As I stood by the bank of the river close to the village watching Cara and some other females draw water for use, I couldn't help but think about what Mason had said yesterday. He had no plans to let me go anywhere any time soon. While I was grateful that he saved me from that rogue, I couldn't be kept here against my will. The Golden Arm pack was my destination. 

"Boo!" Someone yelled from behind me.

I turned around to find Beatrice grinning at me. Seems she had a knack for scaring people because what the hell?

"The other girls always scream their heads off when I do this. Yet," she leaned closer to me, her eyes narrowing, "you didn't scream."

"I don't scare easily."

Beatrice lifted a brow. "Really?"

I nodded warily as her scrutinizing gaze turned into a broad smile. She took my hand and moved towards the ladies by the river. 

"I found someone to tell scary moonlight tales by the bonfire tonight!"

I snorted when the ladies completely ignored her like she didn't exist. I put on a poker face when she looked back at me with a glare.

"Come on, ladies! Seriously-"

"Give it a rest, Beatrice. No one wants to hear about ghosts and ghouls or furies parading about at night, taking the souls of virgins."

I turned my head to find the rogue from last night that had called me cool. 

"Pardon her, Lady. She always does. She insists on telling and coopting others into telling horror stories that no one could care less about."

Beatrice huffed. "They're really interesting prospects in my opinion. It's far better than hearing about boring things like a mate bond and romance." Facing the other ladies, she complained, "'cause that's all you girls talk about!"

"And this is why females shouldn't read books," the rogue moved closer to Beatrice.

I stepped in between them, giving the rogue a hard stare. Despite the fact that I didn't know Beatrice, I felt offended by what he had just said. "What's your name?"

"Trevor," the rogue answered with cautious eyes. I could tell he sensed my annoyance.

"Trevor, please apologize to Beatrice." I ignored the look I got from Beatrice. 

Without delay, much to my surprise, Trevor apologized to her and looked back to me, clearly awaiting further instructions. Dear goddess, this whole king's woman title really is something, isn't it? Something within me wanted to ask him to jump into the water just to see if he'd do it but I didn't do that. That was petty and childish.

"Do you know why I asked you to apologize?" 

Trevor's face scrunched up in confusion. He scratched his chin. "Because of what I said."

"Clearly, but do you know why what you said warranted an apology?" I asked him, hands akimbo. I felt like a mother lecturing a pup about right and wrong. By now, the ladies had stopped to stare.

Trevor, clueless, shook his head. "No, Lady."

"What you said was rude. Not just to her as a female but also as a person. It's understandable that you may not like her stories and they may not tickle your fancy, but she loves them. That's what matters. If she likes to read scary books on mystical creatures, then let her. As a group, it's important to tolerate each other's likes and dislikes so the bond is stronger. Okay?"

Trevor nodded and properly apologized to Beatrice, understanding better what his actions meant. 

I watched him excuse himself and walk away, only to see Cara smiling at me when I returned my gaze to the river. "What?"

Cara shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just glad you're our king's woman."

I said nothing. I had not accepted that title yet. I had not said I would stay. Yet, she wanted me to and as Beatrice thanked me begrudgingly and went to help Cara carry her own bowl of water, I felt dizzy from stress. Good goddess, overthinking would kill me before my heart disease ever did.

"That was a rather insightful talk," a voice came from behind me.

Mason. There was no mistaking that voice. "Good morning, Mason," I greeted, swirling around to meet his gaze.

Mason smiled at me, tilting his head. "Do you realize you're the only one who calls me by that name without fear?"

I paused for a moment. Indeed I was. What made me so brazen? He was a king here but I didn't feel any obligation to him other than gratitude for being the reason I was still breathing. Surely if that rogue had defiled me and left me alive, I'd have either killed him or died trying. With my weak heart, it was only a matter of time before my body would shut down. I was constantly at death's door. Was that why I was feeling bold and reckless now?

I gasped and looked up at Mason when he put his warm hand on my shoulder. 

"You went quiet on me there? You okay?"

I looked away from his eyes. The sincerity in them was too much for me. "I'm fine. Just got lost in thought."

Mason nodded. He could tell I wasn't telling the whole truth but he decided to ignore it much to my relief. "Come with me, Lyra. Let me give you a tour of my pack." He held out his hand to me.

I took it and walked beside him as he showed me around. The land was really massive. Surely not as big as my former pack but his territory was impressive for a rogue. He took me to the hut that was used as a healing house for the injured during attacks and clashes with strays and the sick. I saw Cara was in there. The woman gave me a nod of acknowledgement and I returned one back. Next, he took me to see the nursing home. At first I was shocked that there were children here but really it shouldn't have been that surprising. Of course rogues would marry amongst themselves if they were mated and have children. I saw the bathing hut which had a wooden contraption that drew water from the huge drums when the lever was pulled. That was where I had taken my bath yesterday and this morning. There was also the cooking hut. The aroma coming out of there made me salivate.

Mason chuckled when he saw my face. "You look like you would eat the house if given the chance."

"Well, that's not impossible. I haven't exactly had much to eat today," I sighed still staring at the hut. I felt a small tug then looked at Mason as he smiled. He was going to say something to me. At the moment, I actually wanted to stand there and watch him smile but the smell of food was much greater. 

"Let's have lunch at my place," he said. It wasn't an 'ask you to dinner' scenario, rather it was a declaration. I shook my head.

"Come with me," Mason said as he pulled me with him gently.

The walk back was swift and instead of going inside his hut, a table was set outside. It was a really pretty setting. I marveled at how busy everyone looked as they set the table for their king to eat. The smell of roast beef and grilled potatoes was tantalizing.

"Wow," I hadn't seen an outdoor breakfast table being set so fast in my life. 

Mason chuckled as he led me to a chair. The soft glow of the morning sun on our skin made it all seem romantic but I really doubt that this was romance. "Make yourself comfortable."

I smiled and took the seat he pulled out for me. "Don't mind if I do." I went straight for the chicken that had been placed lastly on the table. I pulled a drumstick and took the first bite. It was really good and I moaned in satisfaction. I stopped after the third bite to see Mason staring intently at me. "Mason, why aren't you eating? I can feel you staring and it's not nice," I swallowed.

"I have always been one to admire whatever needs admiration. You are not far from that."

I honestly didn't know what to say. The mood was getting weird. "Okay. Thanks?" I said just as I threw a perfectly peeled potato into my mouth.

"You know, Lyra," he continued. Finally taking a potato for himself. I realized that he hadn't eaten a single bite, whereas I had devoured half the chicken and was waiting earnestly to take a bite of the beef. "You are skilled. You were once a Beta in training and you're smart." 

Not knowing where all this was going didn't bother me at all. I picked up the table knife and cut out a bite sized chunk of roast beef. I threw it in my mouth with all happiness as Mason cleared his throat. "I like all those traits along with the fact that you are beautiful too." 

I nodded like a lizard basking in the sun. This was good beef. What was Mason trying to say?

"Without beating around the bush any further, Lyra. I would like you to be the Luna of my pack." 

I only heard the last bit but that was enough to have me choking on roast beef.