Five

ELARA’S P.O.V.

Talons dug into my skin as the woman examined my mark, holding me like prey as more pack members flooded into the room.

They surrounded us, all wanting to get a good look at the burning wound on my shoulder blade.

I hated it. I felt like a show dog on display, being examined, measured, and judged. The shock and horror from them made my stomach turn over.

“That can’t be his. The last time…”

“She’s doomed.”

“That’s not a claim, that’s the marking of death.”

Every time I tried to stand to get away from them all, the woman over me would tighten her hold, keeping me down.

It was humiliating to be forced to remain on my hands and knees as strangers gawked at me. I moved to stand once more, but her nails dug into the flesh of my collar as she continued to talk to the old man.

“This has to be able to be removed.” She insisted, but while I agreed with her on that, I was losing my patience. “The mark couldn’t have been intentional. He can’t…”

“Release me,” I demanded, and her grip tightened.

“…have a mate.” She said, only pausing for a moment while I spoke before continuing like I hadn’t said anything. “The very idea of it is absurd, and the effect this could have on the pack…”

I reached up, grabbing her hand and prying her nails from my skin before snapping two of her fingers back quickly.

“Ah!” She screamed as I released her and got to my feet. “Are you insane?!”

“Insane would have been biting them off! Touch me again, and I will show you just how insane I can be!” I growled, looking around and taking in all of the faces staring at me with amusement, horror, and curiosity.

There was no way out. The room appeared to be a throne room of sorts, but every inch was filled with a body, and my breathing became faster as my wolf bristled in irritation.

“Easy now, Luna.” He said, raising his calloused and weathered hands in my direction, as if surrendering or approaching a cornered animal.

Admittedly, that was exactly what I felt like.

“I am not your Luna,” I said, as the weeping woman screeched. “Don’t call her that!”

“I fear your welcoming may have been a bit overwhelming. We weren’t expecting you, and the pack is just a bit excited.”

“Today seems to be full of surprises,” I said, staring through the door and down the hall where Death had just disappeared.

I couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could Death be my mate?

It felt like a cruel joke.

“I’m sure it has been.” He said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Let’s get you settled into your room for tonight.”

I flinched, glaring at his hand as he moved to place it on my lower back.

My affinity had been healing, but I didn’t know anyone here or what their gifts were. There were hundreds of them, some innocent and weak, and others could bring an Alpha to his knees.

“Apologies.” He said and gestured for me to walk forward instead.

The crowd parted, and I eyed them cautiously before walking through, brushing my hair back over my shoulder nervously to hide the mark.

“Don’t just stand there. Call a healer!” The brunette woman snapped at the woman next to her. I rolled my eyes, about to lift my hand to offer to help her out of instinct for my duty, but I lifted my chin instead as I walked right past her.

The room erupted into conversation the moment the door started to swing shut behind us. Still, I ignored it and continued forward, turning when told, and climbing two sets of stairs until we reached a large set of double doors with a shimmering, dark film covering them.

“This is your room.” He stated, and I raised my eyebrows at him. “This is as far as I can take you, but I’ll allow you to get cleaned up and settled in. Someone will be up to collect you for dinner shortly.”

He turned to walk away, and my heart stopped as I noticed the shadow behind him didn’t quite move right.

I needed to get out of here. Turning back to the door, I lifted my hand. The darkness split, a hole forming and spreading quickly until it hovered around the borders of the doorframe, allowing me in.

Footsteps sounded behind me, and I rushed forward, not wanting to be surrounded by strangers again.

I was here for answers, not to make friends. If the man who ran the house didn’t even have full access to it, I knew it would be best not to trust him.

I sighed in relief when the sheer, black film once again covered the doorway. I wasn’t familiar with the magic, but I could assume it was a protective shield.

From the color, I didn’t need to ask to know who had placed it, and that I wouldn’t have this room to myself.

Turning, I looked over the ample space, my eyes landing on the king-sized bed against the back wall, and a shiver went down my spine as my wolf perked up with excitement.

I couldn’t think about that. I needed to do what I was told, get cleaned up, and dressed for dinner.

If I could make a good impression on the Shadow Wolf, then maybe he would be more willing to tell me what I wanted to know.

I moved to the attached bathroom. The shower was located to my left, while the sink and mirror were positioned to my right.

Unable to resist, I turned, placing my back to it and glanced over my shoulder as I pulled my hair to the side.

The black links of the design were almost vibrating, and the skin around them was dark red.

I had never seen anything like it. The intricate design looked like a knot of thorned vines and chains dripping with blood. It was nothing like the romantic markings I had seen before.

Goosebumps rose along my skin, and I looked up in the mirror to see dark brown eyes staring back at me. His large form loomed over me, and I swallowed hard as I felt the heat of his body against mine as he stood chest to chest with me.

His eyes locked on the same mark mine had been on.

His warm breath hit the side of my neck, and I licked my lips as I tried to clear my head enough to form a coherent thought.

For a moment, I felt peace until I remembered who he was, and terror filled me.

I had no reason to feel safe or at peace.

I was in the claws of Death.

“Why?” I whispered to him, still staring at his reflection in the mirror. The muscles above his jaw twitched as he clenched it in anger, but he didn’t respond.

He stared back at me in the mirror, his eyes unreadable, as if he were able to see into my soul and found me lacking.

After a moment of silence, my frustration grew, and I turned my head quickly to glare at him face-to-face.

I stumbled back when I saw the room was empty, my hands gripping the edge of the counter tightly.

“I told you I was owed a soul.” His voice filled my mind, and my heart hammered against my chest quickly.

“You killed Jason.” I whispered back, feeling crazy for speaking to myself. “You got your soul.”

“He’s not dead. Not yet. You’re mine now. No one escapes me.”