by KC Kellersen
“I got him ready for you, figured I could make this a little easier.”
I walked over to him and gave him a big hug. “Thank you, Liam.” It wasn’t enough to convey everything I felt for him. All the love, appreciation, and admiration. It wasn’t enough, but it would have to do.
“Don’t you dare cry, little one! If you do, I am not responsible for what will happen,” he threatened playfully. We both knew if I cried, he would cry as well.
I pulled away with a laugh and climbed onto Kion’s back. The dress slit perfectly to the side and allowed my legs to straddle the horse in the saddle.
“I told you,” my mother said.
I just shook my head at her. I attached my pack to the back of the saddle, and reined Kion around. “I will be back before the next moon cycle is over. I promise. Now keep an eye out for Zev. I love you all,” I said as farewell.
Murmurs of goodbye followed after me as I left the First Village. I kept my head tall as I rode towards the lion’s den with no wolf-spirit to protect me.
***
I made it to the edge of Ayorlyn forest just before the next daybreak. The night was fairly warm for an autumn evening. But with the approaching dawn, came the cooler air. I tucked my cloak around myself a little tighter and rode towards the edge of the castle wall where, I assumed, the castle backed up against the forest. I released Zev and told him to stay. He might look like just another raven, but he was smart. I knew if I whistled from anywhere inside the castle walls, he would come to me.
I turned Kion back towards the main road from Stillforest that entered the market. The rough dirt road turned smooth as the tall stone walls of the market got closer. I could feel the heavy sense of dread building with each step of Kion’s. It wasn’t just my fear this time, but a weight settled over the center of Ayorlyn. A darkness.
The market was a large circle in the center of Ayorlyn forest with tall stone walls; The treetops didn’t even reach halfway up. Four large gates led to each of the four territories, like spokes on the wheel. The only other path out of the market, was a small two horse cobblestone path that led to the castle gates. Inside the market, there was stone buildings on the outer edge and wooden structures scattered in lines through the center. The streets were laid with flat stone and filled with people. People selling fish, meat, weapons, clothing, building material, human artifacts, artwork, and so much more. It was amazing to see all the different shops and people.
I found a horse stable near Stillforest’ gate and paid for a month’s rent and board. The woman had kind eyes and the horses all looked fat and happy. I knew my gelding would be in good hands. With both of my animals safe, I headed towards the castle entrance.
I found a large crowd gathered and I shuffled my way inside. I was sad to see this many people out of work and in dire situations. I knew if I got the job in the castle, I would be taking food off of someone else’s table. I figured once I got here, I would have to remind myself of why I was here, to keep me here. What I didn’t expect to feel, was this overwhelming need to leave now, taking these people with me. I was not innocent to the suffering of the people, my own family was often a part of groups similar to this. But something in me today, really felt for the people around me.
I focused on the bustling people moving to and from in all directions. None of them looked our way. Almost as if they didn’t make eye contact, then we wouldn’t exist in their minds. Wasn’t I doing the same thing, by watching them instead of the crowd around me? Probably.
I lost myself in the people watching, I didn’t realize we had been standing here so long. My stomach was growling at the many smells coming from the market around me. I wished I could leave the group and get some food. But I knew that if I left the crowd, I would not be able to force myself to come back. I was going through with this, no matter what! I was going to be strong.
Chapter 3
Oliver’s POV
I waited in the throne room with the alphas. Lillian loved to make us wait for her, another show of dominance over us. While it irritated me to wait for the Queen, the other guys took it as a reprieve and enjoyed the time together. They always tried bringing me into their teasing and lighthearted banter, but I had too many regrets in my heart, and too many secrets to let myself really enjoy it.
“Hey Oliver, did you hear we are getting a few new servants today?” Cord asked with waggling eyebrows. He was joking, just trying to lighten the mood I knew that. The guys never hooked up with any of the servants at the castle. They were treated bad enough, they didn’t need a love them and leave them alpha to pine after as well.
“When you meet your mate, she’s going to kick your ass for being a whore. You know that, right?” I asked. And boy was she. His mate was a redheaded spitfire! He met her already, but thanks to Sarina, he doesn’t remember it. None of them do.
“Yeah, probably,” he said shrugging, then he boomed a laugh. “But… I have the moves to make her happy thanks to my experience, so maybe not!”
“Oliver, you could use some experience! Just think how disappointed your mates going to be when she realizes you have no idea what to do,” Ryan teased. As usual, he pushed too far, “Hell, she probably will have to teach you a thing or two.”
I growled at him. He should know better, even though I might never meet her. Fynn, my wolf-spirit, did not take lightly to thinking another man has touched her, whoever she was.
“Damn it Ryan, can’t you go one day without pissing Oliver off?” Dale asked in all seriousness.
“He doesn’t know how to shut his mouth for that long,” I teased, with a grin that felt foreign on my face. It wasn’t his fault I had access to my wolfs feelings and thoughts. They did not, again thanks to Sarina. I tried to keep it lighthearted for their sake, though I felt nothing of the sort on the matter.
“He’s just mad that I get all the good-looking ladies,” Ryan said pointing his nose up to the ceiling. For Cord and Dale that might be true, but I never wanted a human like they did. That’s not entirely true... The one time I did feel any sort of attraction for a woman, Fynn shut me down pretty quickly.
Save your body for your mate, she will appreciate it.
What mate? Fynn, the ever presence of a good angel to match my piss poor attitude. I thought wolf-spirits were supposed to be filled with rage and try to take control all the time, not mine. Nope his whole purpose was to keep me in line. I sighed aloud and instantly regretted it.
“Ooh looks like someone has FINALLY caught the mighty Oliver’s attention, but his wolf is beating him up about it!” Dale exclaimed, as per his usual he was right on. “Spill!”
“Nope” I said reflexively, then regretted that to. If I had just given details, I could have avoided the conversation completely. Oh, who was I kidding? They were never going to let this go. In all the years we’ve been here they’ve never seen me interested in a woman. Hell, I don’t think they ever saw me talk to anyone besides them.
“Okay let me guess. Blonde?” Ryan asked. An image of Ryan’s mate flashed through my mind; she was a blonde. Interesting... I shrugged, that was enough confirmation for them.
“Damn its true!” Cord exclaimed. “Blue eyes?” I raised my eyebrow at him. I know he doesn’t remember his mate, but her eyes were definitely blue. A sensed a pattern trending.
Subconsciously they remember their mates.
That must be why their human preferences match the actual descriptions of their mates. If they found them again without being under command, I would bet good money they fell in love, even without the mate bond. Not that the mate bond wouldn’t be there for them. It would pull them in whether they wanted it or not. That used to irk me a little, the lack of a choice. I wanted to choose my mate, not have her chosen for me. But, after what happened four years ago… I forced the thought away. I didn’t need to visit that nightmare again.
“Okay not blue, green?” Ryan asked and I laughed out loud. Definitely going to fall in love. At this rate they will never guess that a pa
ir of silver eyes had caught my interest. Not that it mattered, I would probably never see her again.
“No not green, blue or even brown. I am going to say it was something a bit more exotic,” Dale mused. “How about so light a blue that they are almost grey. Wait no! She has silver eyes!” Seriously, how did he do that? Something in my expression must have given me away, because one look at me and Ryan and Cord both gaped at Dale. I realized my jaw was slack as well, so I closed it with a click of my teeth.
“How do you do that?” Cord asked and not for the first time.
“It’s just intuition,” he said. We all knew it was more than just intuition, it was more like super insight. “But that is not the point today. Some little lady with silver eyes and blonde hair has captured our friend here. Where is she from? We’ll find her for you.”
“Yeah! You need a little action, maybe you will lighten up a little,” Ryan teased.
“Ha-ha, very funny. Never going to happen. I am not into the whole casual thing remember?” That’s not entirely true, I was interested but Fynn would never let me cross that line. Are all wolf-shifters as goody two shoes as mine? Guilt surged. I should be happy to even have Fynn with me, considering what the alphas had to go through. I should be proud of what I was left with instead of wishing it, or rather him, away.
“I am, and I am very excited about the new ladies around here.” Cord brought us back around to where the conversation began. “I, myself, am hoping for at least one little redhead.”
“What do you need a redhead for? Dale’s right there,” Ryan choked out with a laugh.
The others kept teasing each other and trying to bring me back into the conversation but I tuned them out. At times like this I wish I had their memory lapses. It would be easier to forget my dark future, to be myself. If I even knew who that was. I wanted to join in enjoy the banter but I couldn’t. The pain I can’t erase in my mind always left me with a bitter taste in my mouth, and the faces of the fallen are there every time I close my eyes. They got bored with my lack of response and kept in on each other; Joking around about each other’s women preferences. A few minutes in, I heard Lillian approaching.
“She’s here,” I warned them, and they too fell into silence with gritted teeth all around. We all hated Lillian and everything she was. Her command to stop them from leaving worked. Unless she told them they could leave the castle grounds, they were confined. Not that they would go far, with Sarina holding half their souls captive.
The doors behind me swung open, but I didn’t look. I had to be more careful than the alphas when it came to my actions, I had to monitor every movement and facial expression. Queen Lillian strode past us with Irene and Sarina in tow. Lillian sat on the throne while Irene and Sarina flanked her. I almost groaned at the sight of Irene, if she was invited to hear the conversation she would be involved. And I hated when she was involved. Sarina on the other hand, was a normal addition to these conversations. If there was anyone, I hated more than Lillian, it was Sarina. Damn devil woman.
She was powerful and Lillian utilized her wherever possible. She had the power to take down everyone in this room, aside from me, with a simple command. Her commands barely work on me, they get processed as more of a heavy request. Same with Lillian, I feel the urge to follow them, but I can fight them.
I couldn’t understand that, it made no sense. Even with Lillian’s royal power, she followed Sarina’s commands when she gave them, even though I had only witnessed it once. The guys all have alpha blood and they followed the commands as well. I have much less power in the hierarchy of wolf-shifters than they do, but I can resist. That’s the main reason I had to cautious when others were around.
Lillian interrupted my thoughts with her first order, “Alpha’s you will be going to Riverlands territory with the sentries tomorrow at dawn. Capture and bring back two wolf-shifters each. You will NOT betray me.” She always tried to be specific in her orders. Unlike Sarina’s orders they could find grey areas in her commands. I learned that early on and have continued to exploit it, carefully. If Lillian found out about me there would be nothing stopping her from killing me. I couldn’t let that happen, not because I was afraid to die. I had an important mission that was 10 years in the making.
“Yes, my Queen,” the guys responded in a monotoned unison. They turned and left the throne room.
“Oliver, you will be providing security for Irene at the market,” The Queen ordered. She stayed on the throne; her body appeared bored but her eyes screamed hatred, pure hatred. The power fell short over me like always, though I acquiesced out of both self-preservation and hope. My plans were falling into place, I just needed to bide my time. Only a little longer.
“Yes, my Queen,” I said in the same monotone as the guys, but I didn’t leave the hall. I could have, but Irene was still here and if I left it would be obvious, I wasn’t listening to her command.
“Irene bring back three new, able-bodied, servants for the staff. Now go.” With a wave of her hand she dismissed us.
I waited for Irene to walk past me before I turned and followed her out of the throne room. It was just past mid-day and we needed to get down to the marketplace. The volunteers, if any, would be waiting for work as servants in the castle. Why anyone would volunteer was beyond me. It was no great secret about Irene. They were not in for easy treatment here.
Irene waited until we were past the earshot of the human sentries before making her move. “So… it’s just us today, huh Oliver?” she asked in a nauseatingly sweet tone. I hated when she tried putting on the charm. It was disgusting in so many ways.
“Yes,” I replied shortly. I never encouraged her; she didn’t need it and I couldn’t even stomach the idea. She slowed her pace a fraction and looked at me over her wide shoulders and winked. A shutter stole over my skin.
Gross
Fynn hated when Irene tried flirting with me as much as I hated it. She was not a particularly good-looking woman, even if you discounted her absolutely horrific treatment of the servants.
“One of these days you are going to take me up on my offer Oliver. I can make you very happy,” she said saucily.
So gross.
I couldn’t even formulate a response that didn’t include a gag. I slowed my pace to match hers, leaving a large gap between us, and followed her down the cobblestone path to the market. The treelined path was not very long, thankfully. Before she could take another pass at me, we reached the castles’ entrance to the market. I smiled to myself at the small reprieve; stopping and leaning against the pillar on one side. Letting Irene take the lead as was expected, I was just the guard.
There was quite a large crowd of men and women waiting just inside the entrance at the bottom of the steps. All looking rather haggard in appearance and desperate for work. Irene surveyed the crowd thoughtfully before making her way in. She liked being the dominant female, where the staff was concerned. I could easily point out the three she would pick. A very young brunette, she qualified for able-bodied, but Irene could push her around still. Another young woman, with red hair, who had bruises on her body already, less conditioning. And finally, an older, very petite black-haired woman, she barely counted as able-bodied, but Irene would pick her anyways.
I watched Irene go straight towards the young brunette and point towards me. Choice number one walked towards me with fear in her eyes. Irene then walked towards the red head and pointed towards me again. Choice number two looked resigned as she came towards me. She was walking towards the small black-haired woman.
But a blonde with a severe hairstyle stepped in front of her. I could see Irene’s face and she was not happy. I was waiting for the slap to come, but instead Irene nodded her head and pointed towards me. Whatever she said worked and worked well. That’s the first I had ever seen someone change Irene’s mind. Irene didn’t like people talking back to her, that would make life more difficult for her. She was either stupid or brave.
Maybe she could get Irene to back off of
us?
Enjoying Fynn’s hope, I was startled when the small woman turned towards me. Silver eyes pierced mine, I could do nothing but openly gape at her. The very same eyes from Stillforest that caught my attention so thoroughly. I broke the connection and straightened my face once more. It would do the girl more harm than good if Irene saw the interaction. She was a stunning girl. Her silver eyes were the focal point of the most beautiful face I had ever seen. I wanted to scream at her to run and never join Irene’s personal beat squad. I wanted to pull her into my arms and protect her. Either of those options led to death for both of us. So, I said nothing, did nothing.
I forced my body to remain relaxed as she joined the other two near me. Followed in short by Irene who turned and dismissed the crowd. I don’t really know what she said, all my focus was on not paying attention to the blonde, just out of my reach. Something about her drew me towards her like a moth to a flame, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Something niggled my mind, but it wouldn’t come forward, almost as if Fynn was blocking me. Surely the Moon Goddess didn’t pair me with a human. That hasn’t been done in over 500 years. Fynn, what are you hiding from me?
She is a human.
Obviously, I can smell that much, you didn’t answer me. Silence. Nice going Fynn, pipe up when I don’t want you to talk and shut up when I ask a question.
Irene turned her words to the three new servants, but again I couldn’t concentrate on her words. The silver-eyed beauty had all my focus, even if I wasn’t openly staring at her. Irene started walking up the path without another word, and I almost sighed in relief for something to do. The women followed along as expected. The trip back was, for once, too short. I was enjoying the view of the pretty blonde walking ahead of me. Her eyes may hold me captive when she is facing me, but her curves would hold me prisoner if I let them. I sighed quietly, wishing we were anywhere but here. In any situation other than walking towards the castle of my hell. Somewhere I could choose for myself.
