Page 30 of Moon Guardian
A female joined him, then more filtered out from the balcony and from below, coming from behind the staircase, making me feel extremely outnumbered.
Still holding Althea’s hand, I eased closer to her, not enjoying the position she’d put me in.
“Isn’t that sweet,” said a female, eyeing me with a sharp predatory gaze. “Althea’s found herself a little human pet.”
A male sniffed. “Are you sure she’s human? There’s something… off about her.”
Althea raised her chin. “I have brought her to speak with Kane. She is under my protection.” She glanced at the nearest male. “So keep your paws to yourself.”
All of the wolves looked at me like I was dinner, which made me question what delicious-smelling meats were tickling my nose.
Glancing up at her, I wondered why she didn’t tell them who I was to her.
Moon Guardian.
Uniting the packs is the only way to bring about peace.
Now, though, I wondered if this was an opinion not all of the wolves in her pack shared. After their lands were burned and they were forced into hiding, maybe not everyone wanted peace.
But revenge.
That was a sentiment I could relate to. Glancing up at the variety of white-haired males, I wondered how their alpha would perceive me.
If I wouldn’t be welcome here, then we had a problem.
I clutched the string of my bow, ready to pull it over my chest. The wolves growled at the aggressive movement and Althea squeezed my hand. “I said you’re safe here. I meant it.”
I stared her down for a long moment, then nodded and released my hold on my bow.
She moved me past the others, ignoring their snarls and aggressive postures as she led me around the staircase and into the living area.
A massive fire roared on the other side of the huge room, boasting rows of luxurious sofas and long, cushy rugs. The extravagance made me feel uneasy. How had a pack that had lived in hiding accumulate so much wealth?
“Living without fear of invasion has allowed us to focus on ourselves,” she said, answering my unspoken question. She guided me to the fireplace and sat me down on the rug. I relaxed at the warmth that seeped into my bones, diminishing a cold sensation deep inside of me that could finally thaw. The chill night and myriad of rivers and streams had beaten me down, making me feel like I’d never warm up again.
Althea snapped her fingers at the pack crowding in around us. “Food,” she demanded, the single word betraying her station.
She wasn’t alpha, but she held a position of authority.
A rumbling of snarls followed, but the wolves backed off and it wasn’t long before food appeared.
They placed the offerings all around us. Slabs of meat. Bowls of steamed vegetables seasoned with herbs.
One dish in particular caught my interest.
A blue liquid with floating petals glowed with an unmistakable light.
Althea offered me the meat, but I glanced up at her, suspicious.
She grinned and ripped off a bite, chewing as she offered it to me. “It’s safe,” she promised. “And delicious.”
I gave in to my hunger and took a bite. The meat melted on my tongue and I sighed.
Althea brought each dish under my nose and had me sample everything.
When she took the ladle and poured a cup of the blue liquid, the pack snarled. “That’s not for her,” a female said.
Althea kept her gaze locked on the shifter as she offered it to me. “Kane puts me in charge when he isn’t around. Don’t forget your place, Galadria.”
