Reluctant Guardian

by Elisha Bugg

  The hunters on the other hand made her feel anything but safe, and not just because of what she was.

  Hugh she tolerated. At least he was friendly. She just wished he'd stop trying to get close to her knowing she would never return his affection. Yet, she preferred him over Chase.

  In fact, she kind of felt sorry for Keri. Not only had she abandoned and left her to befriend the hunters, she'd also let her end up with a pig of a boyfriend like him. A guy who thought he was god's gift to women, chatting up any girl he saw. Flirting, kissing, and who knows what else behind her back.

  Maybe there was still hope for Keri, despite her claims of being a good hunter.

  Perhaps they hadn't completely brainwashed her yet.

  Then there was Richard.

  She would prefer to be in a room full of hunters, like now, than be anywhere alone with him.

  Relaxing completely out of the question whenever he was nearby. His cold eyes never left her.

  Even now, surrounded by a mass of hunters from all over, she could feel his eyes on her as he lurked among them, the strength of his gaze chilling her to the bone.

  Anya looked around the busy room, searching for a means to escape this torture, when she spotted Thane standing near the back of the room, alone and staring right back at her.

  “I didn’t think you would come,” she commented making her way toward him.

  “It would've looked suspicious if I refused, especially when this whole thing is meant for new recruits," he muttered, continuing to stare at her making her blush.

  “New dress?”

  "H-how did you know?"

  "It looks good on you," he replied, ignoring her question.

  Never had she expected him to compliment her like that. Usually he only said something nice when she was upset, or when she stood up to him.

  Maybe he was softening toward her more than she realised.

  Perhaps there was hope after all.

  She glanced back to him and saw his eyes had not left her, making her stomach flutter and her heart race.

  “Careful," he smiled, leaning forward and whispering in her ear. His warm breath tickling her sensitive skin. “You need to learn to control your emotions before they give you away.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It takes years of practice, but you’ll get there. Just don't let your guard down around these people.”

  What was he doing to her?

  "Have you begun your training?" he asked filling the silence between them.

  Anya shook her head and stared down at her feet.

  She knew she should go to Edwin and find out more information about what she was capable of, but she wasn't sure she was ready.

  Perhaps if someone else offered to train her. Someone she trusted; like Thane. Maybe then she would consider it.

  "I know it's hard to accept, Anya. But you really shouldn't wait too long. The longer you leave it, the more danger you'll be in."

  "I've managed all these years. What's a few more months?" she snapped, cringing as the words left her mouth.

  It wasn't fair of her to blame Thane for Edwin's mistake, but it was true.

  She'd survived this long on her own, never letting anything get under her skin. That was, until she bumped into Thane.

  Ever since she'd met him, she couldn't control her emotions.

  If he was really that worried about her safety, why hadn't he offered to train her?

  "I guess you're right. Just be careful who you let see your true colours."

  After almost fifteen minutes of agonising silence, she finally summed up the nerve to ask him the one question she’d been wondering the past two weeks.

  “Have you seen Lucas yet?”

  “No.”

  “Why hasn’t he taken you to him? I thought they took all the new recruits to him to show them what they’re up against. What if something's happened?"

  "I'm sure they're just being careful who they take to him. Why would they do anything now when he's been their prisoner for so long?"

  "I guess."

  But what if Thane was wrong?

  What if they no longer needed him?

  Maybe he did something after seeing her that caused them to hurt, or kill him.

  Thane told her about the bonds that mates shared with one another, how strong and powerful they could be. But she never had the chance to ask him whether family were connected the same way.

  Would she know if something had happened to him? Would she feel it?

  There were still so many questions she had about all of this, about what they were.

  She'd tried asking Tynan some of her questions, but he hadn't known how to answer them, and others he didn't appear to want to tell her.

  She wished Thane wasn't so busy. It seemed that he was the only one who told her the truth, holding nothing back.

  Anya sighed, leaning against the wall beside him, and looked up at the glass ceiling above them.

  The stars were shining brightly, filling her with a longing to be outside with friends rather than here, surrounded by people she despised.

  “I thought you planned to sneak in there whilst nobody was looking.”

  The sound of Thane’s deep voice spoken so closely to her ear made her jump, almost spilling her drink down her dress.

  He had a habit of knowing what she was thinking. She couldn’t help but wonder whether he could read her thoughts.

  “I did, but I couldn't get past the door.”

  “Why?”

  “There's some kind of glowing runes etched into the door.”

  “I see," he muttered, standing back up straight.

  “You didn’t ask anybody about them, did you?”

  “No, I’m not a complete idiot," she fumed, irritated that he thought so little of her, even after his compliment.

  “Even before I found out about everything, I knew not to ask, or mention the glow. Of course I wouldn't ask now. Even if it's changed.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Before they were glowing a faint blue colour, like y-, like ice," she stuttered, catching the words before she embarrassed herself. “Now, they seem more aggressive. Stronger even, and they’re red.”

  “You tried to get through? What happened?”

  As if she could forget the intense and agonising pain she felt as her hand wrapped around that handle. It was like a thousand small knives slicing against her skin, burning as they pressed in deep. Her mind screaming, begging her to stop as she swayed on her feet.

  Even now just remembering the pain, she could feel the knives pressing into her flesh, making her head light and her legs feel like rubber.

  “No need to answer, I can already guess from your expression.”

  Chapter Twenty Two

  "Anya! " Hugh called. "I'm glad you made it."

  Thane watched in silence as Hugh wrapped his arms around Anya’s neck, kissing her cheek as he took a step back.

  He fought the urge to growl and rip the boy to shreds like the wolf demanded.

  He couldn't lose control and blow his cover.

  "Keri and I were about to pop outside with a few others. We've got a fire in one of the gardens if you want to join us? It will get you away from certain people in here."

  Did the boy mean him? Perhaps he wasn't as stupid as he looked. He was right to feel threatened by him, but could he allow her to go with him? He had to. He had to protect her.

  "I. Erm. "

  "Well she seems bored by my company, so don't let me stop you," Thane commented.

  Anya turned and looked at him, her expression somewhere between upset and deathly.

  He knew she wouldn't be happy, he wasn't himself, but he'd started to hear talk about Richard closing in on Lucas's ‘long lost daughter’. What better way to avert their attention from Anya than to have her appear friendly with his son?

  He'd also noticed several of the guests watching them tonight, gossiping.

  He couldn't let them think anything was hap
pening, not when he was here to cause problems and free Lucas. She'd be blamed too.

  No, she needed to keep her distance when around the hunters, even if it pained him to send her away. Especially with the boy.

  "No, there's nothing keeping me here at all," she spat, staring at him whilst she said the words, "I'd rather be with you and Keri."

  Hugh smiled wide, obviously pleased that she'd picked to follow rather than stay with him.

  Thane instantly felt pain as he watched her leave, hoping he’d done the right thing.

  "Thane?" an all too familiar voice called from behind.

  Thane continued to watch her exit the room, feeling stupid and agitated.

  She was going to be pissed at him, but there was nothing he could do. Her safety had to come before anything else.

  Once out of view, Thane turned to the voice calling him.

  "Yes, Richard? "

  "I have a special surprise for you. I've been promising to show you for weeks, but I think you're ready."

  Thane knew he was talking about Lucas. Richard had told him about 'the man downstairs' many times, explaining that he couldn't go until he was ready, until the man was healed.

  He hadn't told Anya because he knew she'd worry, but even he was concerned. Usually they healed much faster than humans. A deep cut only took a couple of days or so to heal.

  What could possibly have kept him out for this long?

  "I'll need to find Miss Shaw first though. She will come in handy. Have you seen her? "

  "Last I saw, she was heading outside with Hugh."

  Thane couldn't help but wonder whether he'd just sent her into a trap as Richard snickered, obviously pleased by his son's actions.

  What was Thane thinking? The boy could be lying, wanting to get her alone so he could make a move.

  Thane closed his eyes briefly to contain the light as he fought the urge to run after her. The wolf's hunger for the boy’s blood was harder to ignore.

  "Let's go interrupt them, shall we?" Richard suggested, walking toward the patio doors which Anya had not long exited through.

  Thane was more than happy to, but after his dismissal, he doubted she would be pleased to see him.

  He followed behind Richard in silence, curious what they needed Anya for.

  Did Richard already know what she was? Was he hoping that she wouldn't pass through the door like she'd described only moments before? Would he be able to pass through either?

  His whole cover could be blown before he had chance to execute his plans.

  As soon as they stepped outside, the fresh air soothed him, allowing him to think clearly for the first time all night.

  He'd never been a fan of large parties, even among his own kind.

  There were too many different scents. Too much noise. All of which handicapped him when on duty.

  Outside where there were less people, he felt at ease, recognising each scent drifting to his nose, and although he couldn't hear her yet, nothing dulled the lure of her intoxicating odour. It alone was enough to have his body hum and make the wolf restless with the need to be close.

  It didn't take long to spot the fire Hugh had mentioned. The flickering orange hues lit up the trees and bushes surrounding them.

  Thane was relieved to see that Hugh had not been lying, there were other people with them. But that didn't stop the look of unease on her face.

  Once again he'd forced her to do something she didn't wish to do.

  He felt like the monster everybody made him out to be.

  He should be protecting her, making sure she was comfortable and happy, not sending her away into the arms of another man.

  Hugh moved in on her, placing his hands on her waist as he pulled her back toward his lap. She resisted, leaning forward to grab a drink in order to escape his hold. Until she spotted him.

  She turned away, looking at the warm fire and leaned herself back into Hugh's arms.

  Thane only just managed to stop the growl escaping his throat, making it sound more like a grunt.

  Richard didn't seem to notice as he continued to move toward them, that same reptilian look in his eyes, and that sly grin curving his thin lips at the sides.

  Nothing would bring Thane greater pleasure than wiping that hideous smile off his face. But not now. He needed to bide his time. Luring him into the trap he had already begun to place.

  "Anya. I need you to come with me.”

  Anya flinched at the sound of Richard's gravelly voice.

  She clearly hadn't seen him.

  Thane could tell by watching her that she was afraid of him, wary what he needed her for, but still she stood and asked, "What for?"

  Never had he guessed someone's character as wrong as he had with her.

  "I need your help with Lucas. He seemed to like you, changing for you without the use of violence. I was hoping you would ask the same of him now. "

  "Why not just make him change by force? " Thane asked, needing to know why Richard was sparing him the fate he knew he had to endure daily.

  Anya looked past Richard, a murderous gaze in her eyes.

  Good. It was better that she was mad at him rather than directing her anger toward the one person she shouldn't.

  Richard was a dangerous man who would stop at nothing to see her destroyed should he find out who she was.

  Thane may still not accept that she was his mate, despite all the signs clearly saying differently, but he had sworn to protect her; and that was exactly what he planned to do, even if it upset her.

  "He's not long healed from a severe wound. I would rather not injure him further whilst he's healing. He is very useful to me, and I don't want him dying, yet," Richard confessed.

  Anya hesitated to agree, confusing him. Surely she wanted to see him again, wanted them to use her rather than use violence against him.

  Thane cocked his head to the side, watching her twiddle her thumbs.

  Was she stalling?

  The door. Of course she'd be afraid to go along with him. He'd know what she was the moment she couldn't pass through.

  From her description, Thane thought he might know a way around it which would allow them both to pass, but only if she hadn't left out any important information, and he had the time to pull it off.

  "Will you assist us Miss Shaw, or will I have to resort to other means to show Mr. Marrok."

  She continued to glare at Thane but nodded and walked toward them.

  "Wait," Hugh called, jumping to his feet and grabbing her arm.

  Thane stepped forward before he got control of himself, causing both Richard and Hugh to stare at him.

  "I haven't finished talking with her yet."

  "You'll have time to after we're done. This is far more important than whatever you have to say to her," Richard insulted, turning away from him as his face turned red with rage.

  Hugh groaned loudly dragging her close briefly, slipping what looked like a small dagger into her hand.

  "For protection," he whispered, then smiled and kissed her cheek.

  Who did he think she needed protection from?

  "Wait," another boy chimed in, walking toward them. His breath reeked of whiskey, his speech slurred.

  "She should stay with us. I don't trust him."

  The boy wrapped his arm around Anya's waist and looked pointedly at Thane.

  Thane was close to seeing red when he nuzzled near her neck. She was clearly uncomfortable, shoving him back and trying to break free from his hold. But before he had chance to react, the unexpected happened.

  Richard flew past him and grabbed the boy by the scruff of his jacket, bringing him within inches of his face.

  "She's coming with me and Mr Marrok whether you like it or not, Chase. You should learn to hold your tongue and not touch what doesn't belong to you."

  For once Thane actually agreed with Richard, but something didn't feel right. How had he managed to move so quickly? Even Thane struggled to keep up with his movements and Hugh, his face
had paled as he looked away, his heart racing.

  From the moment he'd met Richard, Thane suspected there was more to him than met the eye, always hearing stories about him whilst he grew up. But never had he expected them to be true.

  Thane had been following him for weeks, hoping he would slip up and show himself for what he really was, but nothing had happened. Now he was moving faster than humanly possible, that same nothingness dulling out all the other scents around him.

  Something was definitely wrong about all of this.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  As they made their way through the corridors, Anya searched the space around her for somewhere to hide, or run away from this. But there was no escape. If she couldn't get through the door, Richard would know. If she ran, he would grow suspicious.

  What was she going to do?

  What about Thane? He wouldn't be able to pass through either.

  She looked to him and narrowed her eyes.

  How could he remain calm at a time like this; was he not worried at all?

  He may have a lot more practice than her at controlling his emotions, but sometimes he hid them too well.

  So much for them making progress.

  She felt like screaming. Especially when they rounded the last corner. That ominous red glow made her heart race with each step closer. Her breathing was rapid and irregular. What were they going to do?

  She turned to Thane once more praying he’d have a plan, only his face was pale, the muscles in his jaw now clenched.

  Great. Now he shows some emotion, but not what she was hoping for.

  “Do you have the key?” she asked Richard, grasping at straws.

  Maybe if they were lucky he'd have forgotten it somewhere, giving them time to work out a plan, or run.

  He might know then that they weren't human, but they would be outside, free from capture or death.

  “Yes of course. I always have it on me. The only other person with a key is Hugh.”

  That wasn’t entirely true.

  In Hugh’s haste, he’d forgotten to take back the key he'd given her before. She still had it. It was the only reason she’d attempted to get in there by herself.

  Anya was out of ideas, and the door was just ahead of them. Each loud step on the marbled floor echoed inside her head as they seemed to move in slow motion.