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I suddenly become more on edge as the feeling of being watched over comes me. The same feeling I had the day I was attacked.
Right before we venture into the trees, I notice short, shadowy, faceless figures creeping through a cluster of rose bushes.
“Don’t worry, they won’t hurt you,” Jules says, tracking my gaze.
“What are they?” I whisper, unable to tear my eyes off the moving shadows.
Sadness consumes Jules. “They’re a group of wolf cubs that wandered into the vines.”
“That’s what the poison does?” My heart constricts when Jules nods. “Those poor cubs. And your mom.”
Jules looks away, his hand tightening around mine.
I keep my eyes on the shadow cubs until we enter the forest. Then they disappear from my sight. But the images of their poor faceless figures haunt my mind.
Maybe I should help Jules find a cure?
Yeah, how are you going to do that, Lake? You’ve known you were a werewolf for a whole couple of days and you know nothing about this world.
I blink from my thoughts, unsure what to do.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we hike farther into the trees.
“To the fighting pit,” Shade throws over his shoulder. “I need to pick up a few weapons.”
Fighting pit? That sounds … violent.
“It’s where we train to fight,” Jules explains, as if reading my mind.
“Oh.” I trade a glance with Legend, and he gives me a pressing look, urging me to ask Jules to train me. “What do you train to fight against?”
“Other paranormals.” Tension ravels in his shoulders. “Honestly, our biggest threat is other werewolves. But only from different packs.” His fingers stiffen in mine. “My father has a way of pissing off other werewolves.”
“Because his father is a prick,” Shade adds, slowing down to walk beside Jules and I.
Jules winces, his free hand curling into a fist. “Careful. That’s our king you’re speaking about.”
“I’m not afraid of your father, like everyone else in this kingdom is.” Shade draws out a knife and carries it at his side. “Besides, one day he’s going to be our ex-king.”
“When he dies,” Jules stresses. “Which could be decades from now with how slow he’s aging.”
“He’s aging slow? Is that normal for a werewolf.”
Jules shakes his head, frowning. “No. And more than likely he’s doing something to slow down his aging process, probably so he can rule for longer. Paranormals do that sometimes. Find spells and potions to chase immortality.”
“But Jules’ father isn’t the kind of werewolf you want to become immortal.” Shade raises the knife up in front of him, the silver blade glinting in the sunlight. “If only we could find a way to end his reign.”
My hand spasms in Jules’. “You’re going to kill him?”
As birds scurry from the trees, I inch closer to Jules.
“Shh …” Shade hisses at me. “That’s not what I’m saying at all.” He exchanges a wary look with Jules. “You should probably warn her about him.”
The veins in Jules’ hand bulge as the silver rings char his skin. “I’d rather not tell her just yet.” Smoke funnels from his skin. “Tell her about … him.”
The scent of burnt flesh stings my nostrils. My eyes begin to water, my stomach twisting with nausea.
“Okay, I can’t take this anymore.” Slipping my fingers from his, I swing around in front of him and snatch ahold of his hand.
