Chapter Eleven

 At some point, Luca went in to the infirmary to speak to our mother. I had to go to work, so I could only hope that she managed to talk him out of challenging Trist.

Everything seemed normal at the inn. No whispers or furtive glances were thrown my way by gossip hungry werewolves. They thankfully seemed entirely ignorant of Luca’s confrontation with Trist.

As for Trist himself, he never showed up for the evening meal. I couldn’t feel anything strange through our bond. His anger had simmered for a little while, then suddenly it was gone.  At least he seemed safe, so I tried to push away any thoughts of him and focus on my job.

It was late when I finally returned home. The hall was quiet and dark, the fire in the pit reduced to a pile of glowing ashes. I made my way upstairs, walking softly so that I wouldn’t disturb my parents or sister.

When I reached my bedroom I was surprised to see a sliver of light shining through the cracks of the door. Surely I hadn’t left the lamps on? Before I could react, the door flew open. A hand grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me inside. I was blinded for a few seconds because my eyes had not adjusted to the light, but I was not afraid. I could smell Luca as soon as the door had opened.

“What are you doing in my room?” I asked, completely unfazed by his deep scowl.

“I want to talk to you.”

I almost laughed because it was so unusual. Luca and I never really had much of a talking relationship.

“I can’t give you any advice. I’ve never been in a situation like yours before,” I said.

“I don’t want your advice! I only wanted to talk to you.”

I sighed. It was late and I was tired, but Luca was my younger brother so if he wanted to get something off his chest I had to listen to him. I pulled my heavy cloak off and dropped it onto the floor. Then I climbed onto my bed, kicked my shoes off and made myself comfortable.

“All right. What did you want to say?”

“I wanted to tell you that you need to get that guy under control!”

Luca’s voice was full of rage.

I used my arm to cover my tired eyes. It seemed like I was in for a long, painful night.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumbled.

“He’s supposed to be your soulmate! He’s supposed to be in love with you! But because you’re… you! He’s going around the pack and ruining everyone else’s lives!”

“Listen,” I said sternly, pulling myself back up to sit on the edge of the bed. “I know that you’re angry, but Trist said that he didn’t know. Maybe you should direct your anger at Mellie? She’s always been…” I suddenly trailed off, realising that I might have said too much. But it was too late.

“Always been what?!” Luca asked venomously.

“… obsessed with hierarchy,” I finished.

“What does that mean?” he asked, but it was obvious by the dark look in his eyes that he already knew.

“I’m not trying to imply that she didn’t genuinely love you,” I foolishly continued, “it’s just that, for a while, you were the strongest in the pack other than our mother. And now you’re not.”

There was a moment of silence as Luca absorbed my words. He seemed stunned, almost like he had received a hard knock on his head. Then the corners of his mouth twitched upwards into a sort of smile, but when he lifted his head and looked at me, his eyes were still dark with rage.

“They may all think that the alpha is strong,” Luca said, “but I know that he has a secret weakness.”

Suddenly, Luca grabbed me by the chin. He tilted my face upwards, his fingers painfully digging into my skin, and bent his own face down so that we were staring directly into each others eyes.

“I can’t beat him in a challenge, but I can easily destroy you.”

My heart froze. I stared back at Luca without blinking, not quite believing that what I was looking at was real.

“You tell him that. Tell him that if he doesn’t keep his hands to himself, then I’ll rip your throat out. Understood?”

“Yes,” I replied weakly.

“Good.”

Luca released my face and stepped back. I did not even dare to breathe.

“I’ll let you get some sleep now. Good night.”

I stayed frozen while Luca walked out of the room, shutting the door behind himself. Once the sound of his footsteps faded away, I let out a shaky breath and wrapped my arms tightly around myself.

Luca had always been annoying and hot-headed, but never, ever had he been cruel. Yet he threatened to kill me, just because he was angry at Trist. And if my own brother was willing to threaten me, then what would other werewolves do?

I was no longer safe in the pack. My fingers involuntarily dug into my arms and I began to tremble. There was nothing that I could do to protect myself.

Where had Luca gone? I didn’t remember hearing the main door open. Was he still in the hall? My heart began to race. I was no longer safe in my own home, either. I had to leave.

I stood-up, still trembling slightly, and approached the door. I knelt down and pressed my ear against the wood, waiting and listening. After a minute of silence I decided that the coast was clear, and I cautiously left my bedroom. This time, my quiet footsteps weren’t to protect my family’s sleep but to keep Luca from noticing me. If he was still here, I did not want to face him again.

I made it outside and began to walk. The night air was cold and I had forgotten my cloak, but I kept going. I had to get away from everyone and everything. That was the only way that I could be safe.

I walked and walked, my fingers going numb from the cold. I got to the edge of the village and paused. Realistically I knew that nowhere would be safe for me now. Anything away from the pack would be just as bad as anything within it. I realised that I was trapped, so I sank down to the ground and held myself tightly, burying my head against my knees.

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps approaching. I could smell that it was Trist, so I didn’t bother lifting my head.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said into my knees.

“No, you’re not. I can feel it through our bond so there’s no point in lying. You’re frightened of something.”

Of course he could. The stupid bond strikes again.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled.

I had hoped he would just accept me answer and go back to bed, but he just continued standing there watching me expectantly. I groaned and unfurled myself, pulling myself back to my feet.

“I had a fight with Luca,” I finally said.

“Oh,” he dumbly replied.

“Yeah, so don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”

“But you’re so scared…”

“I can deal with it,” I insisted.

“Ok, but you don’t have to do it alone. Can I…?” He lifted his arms awkwardly. “Can I hug you? That’s what friends do, right?”

“All right,” I conceded somewhat warily.

Trist wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. He was warm, so very warm. My arms went around his waist and I collapsed against his chest. All of my anxiety seemed to drain from my body. Trist rested his chin on the top of my head and I realised that I had finally found it; the place that I would be safe.