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Snapping my gaze in the direction of the voice, I find Daniel standing there, staring at me through sorrowful eyes.
“I’m okay,” I answer, not really sure that I am or not. Death coming to me as he did has me more than a little shaken up. More so, considering he’s giving me a timeline to come back to him.
The blood moon.
If I’m not mistaken, it’s within two weeks. This isn’t good.
Blood moons to those like Death, as well as those who follow him, is when they’re not at their strongest. Supposedly, they can harness the moon itself with the right ritual. That’s why he needs pure, innocent shifters. It’s why Death took Corbin’s niece. It’s why he’s done everything else he’s done. He’ll also come for the little girl I saw earlier. If the other girl is anything like the girl who called Corbin daddy, she needs to be saved and kept safe in every way possible.
Neither of those children would be able to go without protection. Not until they learned to protect themselves and shield their gifts from others. How they haven’t been found before now is anyone’s guess.
It’s truly remarkable.
“Why don’t we get some food in you,” Daniel suggests, coming closer. “You need to eat. Get your strength back.”
My stomach growls loudly at the mention of food. What I wouldn’t do for a thing of bread and broth. Even better, herbal tea. I’ve never been much for eating anything else.
How pathetic am I that I would be half-wolf yet I’m not. I don’t eat meat. Not because I don’t like it, but rather due to my surroundings and never having been given the chance. Growing up, my mother and I were always on the run. It was easier to have salads . . . to eat from the earth. Sometimes, when we had the breathing room, that’s when she would make bread and broth.
“That would be nice,” I answer, nodding. Scooting to the edge of the bed, I get to my feet, thankful for the warm socks I’d taken out of Corbin’s dresser last night. The floors don’t feel as cold to me as they normally do.
Daniel wraps an arm around my shoulders and guides me out of the room. I lean deeper into his side and use his body for the support I need, causing him to chuckle. “It’s a good thing I’m your pops, otherwise, your mate would not take too kindly to having another’s scent on you when he gets back.”
“I don’t understand any of this.” Admitting this isn’t easy for me, but it’s the truth. This whole situation I find myself in is completely strange and not what I’m used to. Then again, what I’m used to is fear and running. Never knowing what to expect—hiding to keep myself alive.
Here, with Daniel’s arm around me, a sense of warmth and safety surrounds me. This is something I never thought I’d ever feel. My mother did the best she could do. As amazing as she’d been, it was never like this.The way Daniel keeps me at his side, his touch is completely different from what I experienced with Corbin. Where Daniel’s is about safety and warmth, Corbin’s is more so, even with the furious rage surrounding him.
Daniel guides me out to what has to be the main room of the clubhouse. It’s where I’ve noticed they all congregate when not in the bedrooms. Moving me to one of the tables where the little girl and a man, who not only shares looks with Corbin but also an aura of fury, sit. I can smell the power that radiates from this man and know he’s not someone to be trifled with. This must be his father, meaning he’s an Alpha and could easily kill me.
“Big Daddy,” Daniel greets.
“Daniel.” The other man nods, taking his eyes off me long enough to meet Daniel’s. “What are you doing with her out here?” There’s no missing the contempt in his voice.
“Want you to meet mine and Karoline’s daughter, Karsyn,” Daniel says, sadness filtering in his voice at the mention of my mother.
“Karoline?” Big Daddy blinks. “The mate who disappeared on you all those years ago?”
“Yes.” Daniel pulls out a chair for me to sit in and looks over to where a couple other men are standing. “Salem, go grab Karsyn something to eat from the kitchen. A sandwich and chips.”
Baffled by his command, I tilt my head back to look up at him and whisper, “I’ve never had a sandwich or chips. Could I just have . . .”
Daniel’s eyes flash, and he looks back at Salem. “Change that. Go grab her something from Raider’s Hook. Entire meal.”
“Me too,” the little girl pipes up, eyes shining in excitement. I’m taken aback by the brightness in her eyes as she looks at me.
Daniel finishes the order and sits down next to me. “I’m guessing you haven’t eaten much of anything. Especially with you saying you’ve never had a sandwich and chips. We’ll get you situated with something better than that.”
“Raider’s Hook is one of the best damn restaurants in Redwich,” Big Daddy announces, voice filled with pride. “It’s one of the first businesses the club established when I created it.”
I nod, unsure of what to say.
“Big Daddy used to be President before Daddy took over,” the little girl says beamingly. “He started this club with Daniel. Uncle Cyrus, though, started his own club too.”
“That he did,” Big Daddy agrees, pulling his granddaughter into his side, sensing what even I sense. The turmoil took hold of her again. It hurts me that she’s so upset. “Your daddy is going to help Uncle Cyrus, and they’re both going to get your cousin back, Sage.”
“But what if they can’t?” Sage whispers.
“They’ll get her back,” Daniel remarks. “When have you known them never to get what they want? Both those two are stubborn as hell.”
