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Chapter Twenty-Four
Eris
I wasn’t sure whether our leaving was going to be a problem or if we would be assisted off the property with violence. But neither prospect was appealing, so we’d need to get going soon. I lifted my hand and touched the place he’d marked me, which was not low enough to be hidden under my dress. My hair could fall over it, but keeping the locks in place could prove challenging.
My mate assumed they would try to stop us from going, and while he might be right, especially if Zeke protested, since I was already claimed and marked, I leaned toward the being-kicked-out scenario.
I didn’t have much to pack, just a few items of clothing and a couple of bits and pieces I’d managed to hang onto since I had been of rapidly lowering status, and I was tempted to leave it all behind, but common sense wouldn’t allow it. The clothing might be old and tattered, but it was all I had, and I couldn’t bring myself to leave with nothing.
This place had been my life as far back as I could remember, an orphan who was cared for absentmindedly at best and lately rather cruelly. But they’d kept me alive in a time when they didn’t have extra stores to share. And if we could leave in peace, then it would be fine. I didn’t want us hurt, but neither did I want anyone in the pack to suffer because they tried to stop us.
Returning to the cave, I encountered Zeke again. Of course. And this time, I couldn’t lie to him. It served no purpose, since he’d see us leaving in only a few minutes.
He stepped into my path and eyed the bag over my shoulder. “More of our resources for that stranger?”
“No.” I tried to go around him on my right, but he moved along with me. “Zeke, just let me pass.”
“No, you promised he was dying. And now you’re bringing him more food.”
“I’m not. I promise you that.” I stayed where I was, hoping he’d move on his own.
But he didn’t. Instead, he moved closer to me. It was only a matter of time until he noticed my mark. And I didn’t want that argument. I just wanted to leave. “Then what’s in the bag?” He made a grab for it, and I ducked back, but he got hold of my arm instead. “What are you trying to hide? Are you stealing?”
“No,” I whispered, hoping not to attract any more attention than necessary. “It’s only my few things.”
“And where do you think you’re taking them? Moving in with the dying guy? Planning to live with a corpse to get better housing?”
And then a hand came down on his shoulder and jerked him around to face the other direction and I was able to pull free. “Not quite a corpse. Zeke, is it? I’ll thank you not to touch my mate again. It’s the kind of thing that bugs my wolf.”
Silence from Zeke. He must have been stunned. Finally, he stammered out, “Y-you’re supposed to be dead.”
“Sorry to disappoint. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my mate and I are going to leave, and we’d rather do it without a big fuss if possible.”
“What do you mean, your mate? You have no mate here.” Then he spun to face me. “Eris, the fever must have gone to his brain. Tell him his mate is not here.”
I pulled the strap of my dress aside to reveal my mating mark. “Yes, she is. Or rather, I am.”
Oz moved past him, managing to give him a small shove in the process. I wanted to say don’t get him mad, but that wind had blown. He took my elbow, and we started for the edge of the oasis. I was quietly praying that nothing would happen, that we would be able to leave without a fight, and it might have happened. We were so close…and then Nelts’ voice rang out.
“Son, what is going on here? Are you letting this stranger take your mate while you stand there like a cowardly bunny rabbit?”
“Father, no, I…”
“Then what are you going to do about it?”
“I challenge the stranger.” I’d never thought it would go this far, that the lazy son of the alpha would be brave enough to issue a challenge. He must think Oz was truly at death’s door.
My prayers were echoing in my brain. I didn’t want much, didn’t want to take anything with me. “I want to leave in peace,” I blurted out.
Zeke and Oz were glaring at one another, the tension thickening by the second. They were going to fight. And by they, I meant that once it began, others would join in and my mate would be killed. I’d waited my whole life for him.Please. Please. Please.
And then, I heard my mate say, “Alpha, if it comes to a fight, your pack may be able to kill me, but I will kill your son first. You decide.”
Nelts’ teeth ground audibly before he snarled, “And this is how you repay our kindness?”
“Yes. It is.” He met the alpha’s snarl with one of his own. “Your son challenged me for my fated mate, the one granted me by the Prophesy. I am giving you a chance to keep him alive. You decide.”
We walked through a gauntlet of silent pack members. Zeke lived. Nobody stopped us. But nobody said goodbye, either. When we were out of sight of the oasis, Oz fumbled in his bag then frowned.
“What do you need?” He looked so upset I was concerned. “Did you leave something behind? Because I don’t think we can go back…”
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “Just a rock. I found it along the way, and it seemed important. But I guess I dropped it somewhere.” He reached for my hand and linked our fingers. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Will you tell me about your journey? While we start our own?”
And so he did.
