The small travelling party was making surprisingly good time. It helped that there were no unexpected delays, minus an ill-fated attempt by bandits to steal their food and supplies. With any luck, they would make it to port within a fortnight, nearly a week earlier than anticipated. As for Ariyan, Erik found the boy to be quiet and obedient. Two qualities he could actually appreciate in his new mate. The Alpha had anticipated a modicum of defiance, but the fight in Ariyan’s eyes had dimmed in the days following their departure. The fiery emerald orbs had dulled to a pale sage, and, for the first time since their mating, Erik felt like he might be able to coexist with the foreign beauty.

“You sent for me, Lord Alpha.” Anatoly peered into the tent from behind the flap, waiting for permission to enter.

Erik glanced up from his food, nodding for the doctor to come in and take a seat. The doctor was as old as dirt, so thin and frail, it looked as if a gust of strong wind might blow him away. A healer was an honored position within the pack; the ability to save a life revered by all. Add the fact that Anatoly was considered an elder, and the respect he was shown multiplied exponentially.

“Is… everything alright, Lord Alpha?” Anatoly asked, his withered frame taking a seat on one of the cushions.

“You gave the boy your tent,” Erik said, taking a bite of his roasted pig.

“I-I… I wanted our Luna to be comfortable,” Anatoly replied nervously, his head bowing in automatic submission. “I assumed you would approve, my lord.”

Erik regarded the man as he chewed, wondering why the doctor seemed so interested in the boy. Clearly it wasn’t sexual, but Anatoly had gone above and beyond his duties to care for Ariyan.

“How is he?” Erik asked, taking several gulps of his ale.

Anatoly’s head shot up, his eyes going wide with shock. Erik wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, ignoring the male’s dramatic response. True, he didn’t want the boy, but the Alpha had an obligation to at least make sure Ariyan’s basic needs were met. Regardless of their personal feelings for each other, Ariyan was his mate and the Luna of his pack. The title, no matter who it belonged to, deserved respect.

“He is… struggling,” Anatoly replied carefully. “He does not eat or speak. He drinks more than his share. And based on the constant exhaustion and the bags under his eyes, I fear he is not sleeping either. At this rate… I don’t see him surviving the journey home.”

Erik’s face remained expressionless as he considered the doctor’s words. He’d seen the state his mate was in, which is why he’d summoned Anatoly. Already the boy was wasting away, proving once more how weak these foreigners truly were.

“He will take his meals with me,” Erik said, the command in his voice clear. “You will return to your tent, and he will sleep here from now on.”

“Forgive my boldness, Lord Alpha, but I don’t think-”

“Bring him to me now,” Erik ordered, ignoring the other’s protests. “And make sure he brings all his belongings.”

“Of course, my lord.”

Anatoly stood slowly, bowing once before excusing himself to fetch the boy. Erik ate in silence, wondering how he was going to keep Ariyan alive. First things first, he needed to make sure the boy wasn’t intentionally starving himself. Yelling for Utgar to bring more food, Erik waited for his mate to arrive.

                                                                ~*~

“Lord Erik has requested you in his tent," Anatoly told him as he entered their tent.

'Does he plan to breed me every night?' Ariyan shuddered at the thought. It felt as if he'd just warmed Lord Erik's bed, and yet, the Lord called for him once more. Ariyan made for the wine in order to prepare himself for the lord, but Anatoly’s next words stopped him.

“The Lord has commanded that you take your meals with him every night until we reach the Port Town,” the doctor began. “In addition to that…” he paused. “You will no longer be permitted to share my tent. Lord Erik has ruled that you share his bed.”

Ariyan pressed his lips together. ‘Traitor’, his eyes said as he narrowed his gaze on Anatoly. He must have run and tattled on him to Lord Erik about his eating habits. It was the only explanation as to why the Lord had suddenly taken an interest in him outside of sex.

“I didn’t ask him to watch over you, Ariyan,” Anatoly continued, answering Ariyan’s thoughts. “Nor did I think the lord would be so…. accommodating of your circumstances.”

Accommodating? Ariyan scoffed. Lord Erik fucked him senseless every chance he got, using him for pleasure before tossing him aside like a mere bed treat. 

“As I said before, it is tradition that bonded mates share a bed. Lord Erik is only just requiring that you share his bed.” Ariyan had to hold back the tart retort he had in mind. If Anatoly thought for one moment that Lord Erik had excused him from sleeping next to him out of concern for Ariyan’s well being, the old man was delusional. The truth was that Lord Erik simply tolerated him. With as much interest as one would regard pigs for slaughter…the lord used him and kept him as necessary.

“Might I suggest, you use this opportunity to strengthen your bond with Lord Erik? It will benefit you to have a connection with the lord outside of a physical one…”

Ariyan shook his head slowly. He didn’t even want the physical connection he and the lord shared. The bite on his neck was a reminder that the demon had ripped a hole through his body and heart. That was more than enough.

“If you talk to him I think you will find that there is more to Lord Erik than what meets the eye.”

Ariyan uncapped the lid of the container and poured himself a healthy goblet full. He drank thirstily. Anatoly moved toward him. Before Ariyan refilled his goblet, Anatoly squeezed his bicep and grimaced.

“Lord Erik will not abide you drinking yourself stupid in his presence. You can shut me out all you want. You can ignore me, and refuse to speak if that gives you comfort, Ariyan, but you cannot refuse your lord and alpha.”

Ariyan grit his teeth before he glared at the doctor, and snatched his arm away. He placed the cup to his lips and took another sip. Anatoly stood up and waited only momentarily before Otto entered the tent and began to gather his things.

“He’ll be expecting you now,” the doctor said before he left the tent. Ariyan followed him with his eyes before they landed on Otto. The man was not as tall, but beastly as the lot of these warriors.

Otto just gazed at Ariyan as he finished the second goblet of wine. Then he placed his items in the trunk the man had provided for him, taking care to hide the herbs his mother had given him. He doubted Lord Erik would be able to recognize them, but given the healers background, Anatoly certainly would.

When Ariyan finished, he stood, and made his way across the tent and toward the exit, taking care to avoid the man’s leering stare. He could feel it all over his body. Not as intensely as the way Lord Erik stared at him, but certainly with more carnal intentions. If Lord Erik ever looked at him the way Otto looked at him, how would he feel? If Lord Erik desired him in this lascivious way men desired their mates? Would he enjoy it when the alpha took him? Would he get wet with slick if Lord Erik actually wanted to lay with him?

The thoughts and the answers made Ariyan sick.

Anatoly held the flap of Lord Erik’s tent open, allowing Ariyan to step inside first. Otto followed behind him carrying the trunk with his belongings.
                                                          ~*~

Anatoly held the flap of the tent open, allowing Ariyan to step inside first. Otto followed, carrying the trunk containing the boy’s belongings in his arms. Erik looked up from his food just in time to catch Otto leering at Ariyan.

“Sit,” Erik ordered, clearly speaking to Ariyan. “Leave us,” he said to the others.

Anatoly looked terrified to leave the boy alone, but he did as he was told. Otto as well, but once again the male lingered a moment, watching Ariyan sit gracefully on the cushion vacated by the doctor. Otto had become a problem of late. According to Utgar, the male followed Ariyan entirely too closely.

“Eat,” Erik commanded, gesturing to the platter of food Utgar had brought in. Ariyan looked at the plate, but made no move to take it. “Eat,” Erik repeated; the warning in his voice unyielding.

This time Ariyan took the food, but pushed it around on the plate instead of eating it. Erik took a good look at the boy. His eyes were empty, and his skin was so pale it looked paper thin. The Alpha sighed heavily, trying to think of something his mother might say in this situation. When nothing came to mind, he decided to just be honest instead.

“If you don’t eat, you will die,” Erik said. “If you don’t sleep, you will die. The journey across the sea is perilous. Men stronger than you have been claimed by its waters. If you want to live, you will eat. If you want to survive, you will sleep.”

It was too soon to tell if Erik’s words had truly reached the boy, but Ariyan slowly began eating. They ate together in silence, and while Erik quietly examined the boy further, Ariyan refused to meet the Alpha’s gaze.

“You may bathe this evening,” Erik said, climbing to his feet. “I’ll have Anatoly accompany you.” Bathing seemed to be something Ariyan enjoyed, so it was a luxury he allowed his mate to partake as often as desired. “After, you will sleep,” he added gesturing to the pile of soft furs in the corner. With that, Erik let the boy to his meal.

“Everything alright, Lord Alpha?” Dag asked, jumping to his feet the moment Erik stepped outside.

“Fetch the healer,” he commanded. “Your Luna wishes to bathe."