Food

Hunter’s POV

Wrapping her in the towel, as I tried to control my wolf. Emily was so beautiful, all of her. Innocent and humbled. Why my wolf stirred beats me. After all, she is human, but I think having so many humans, we have lost what a wolf should feel—his mate. I felt so attracted to her, and I wondered how she saw me.

Her long, light brown hair was tangled. As I pulled, she gasped. Guilt twisted my stomach.

She turns to me, her eyes feline, green as spring leaves. I never tire of looking at them. She must have questions, and she's probably terrified. I feel the tension between us; she’s unsure whether to run or stay, but chooses to linger. I lean in and wait, and after a moment she leans too, trusting me for now. I kiss her. Her lips taste sweet, like wild strawberries. I want more, but I have to go slow, or I’ll scare her.

Let's eat. I'll introduce you to the pack. You're with me; no one will dare touch you.

She looked up at me, curiosity in her voice. "So, you're the lead of the pack?"

I’m the alpha of the pack, yes. I took her hand, and we walked to the main dining area. Most of the ranks were there. I lifted my hand, and then there was silence.

This is Emily, my mate, yes, she is human. She will be my luna, and no one, I mean, no one will disrespect her or touch her. I will mark her, so we don’t have misunderstandings. Marking means leaving my scent and a small symbol on her skin, a sign the whole pack can sense, binding us together both physically and spiritually. After that, everyone will know she belongs with me.

They gasped. Will you mark a human? A younger man said, approaching him.

I growled, "Kaden, yes. Have a problem with that?" Emily hid behind me, well, most of her body.

No, brother, of course not, I’m happy for you. She smells good, he said, chuckling.

"Remember your place, brother," I told him. "You should’ve been on the mission you were sent."

Oh, I was busy breeding, but I’m leaving now.

I glanced at a woman. "You, bring us food, please."

Yes, alpha, then she turned and walked through the kitchen door.

Emily’s POV

Seeing so many wolves, the reality hit me. I will be dead before I even try to escape. I liked Hunter; I felt warm when he kissed me. He smells so good, and his eyes look at me kindly.

The man he calls his brother walks closer to us, and I feel a chill down my spine, bad man. I always trusted my gut feeling. That was the first word that came to mind. Bad. Dark soul. He looked different than Hunter. He was lighter-haired and short, with black eyes that looked scary, and I sensed rivalry.

His eyes flicked to Hunter, something sharp behind his smile. Tension filled the space between them without a word. They dared each other to move first, a grudge, old fights, unsaid words. I wondered whether Hunter distrusted him or vice versa. The air chilled whenever his brother was near, and Hunter stiffened beside me.

But who was I to question it?

I want to know what marking means. Do I get a number? Like alpha two? Oh, maybe he has other women, since breeding is so important. I don’t think I would like that, him touching someone else.

Why do I care? I sighed. I do care, and I’m stuck here now.

We walk to the table, and I don’t want to let go of his hand. He smiles at me, and I smile back, then he touches my face softly.

The ones at the table stared. My hands shook. I dropped them in my lap. He lifted my right hand and kissed it. "Eat, now! Or I will feed you."

I shook my head and picked up the spoon. It tasted good, and I wanted more, but I was afraid to ask. As he sensed it, he handed me his bowl, half-eaten. You need more nutrition. What have you been eating?

Herbs and canned food, but I ran out, and I was going to hunt.

Can you hunt? One of the men across from me asked.

And fish, but I haven’t seen a river, yet I tell him excitedly.

He added, "She won’t be hunting, Bernie, unless she is with me." Then I smiled.

Thank you for the food, it was so good. I hope you won’t be hungry since I ate yours.

He laughed. I loved his laugh, natural, it lit up his face and eyes. I won’t, he said. Now get up, I will give you a tour and go over the rules. Memorize them, or you get punished.

We walked outside, and I tried to keep up with his big strides, mostly running. Here are the rules: one, and the most important, never lie to me, no matter how painful the truth will be.

Stay in the pack; you’re safe. Never go out without the guard. I will find a simple job for you…

No, I want to contribute to the food, so no special treatment, I tell him. He stops. I bump into his chest, lose my balance. He catches me and holds me close.

He sighs. Emily, look at me.

I look up at him. I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.

I’m not mad you bumped into me. I’m mad you think you’ll work. Remember who’s in charge.

You are, I say to him. Sorry, I will follow your rules.

Good girl, then he places a small kiss on my lips. I close my eyes.

When I open them, he smiles. Can I ask you something personal?

Yes, I say as my brows furrow. I’m thinking, how personal?

Who raised you? Where do you come from? He chuckled. So many questions, sorry.

I don’t remember that part of my childhood, actually, nothing. I was fifteen when a group of women took me in.

They told me I was in a small coma for two weeks, and I was delirious; they thought I would die. Then one day I opened my eyes and had no idea who I was. They named me Emily. But sometimes, I remember the strangest things: a sharp scent that isn't from this world, the feeling of running through the forest fast and wild, the echo of a howl on the edge of sleep. None of it makes sense, and maybe it's just dreams, but it feels real—like a piece of my real story is just out of reach.

Interesting, he said. We will talk more tonight, before we sleep.

We? I sleep in your bed? Hunter?