04

RHYS

I saved a trespasser. I spared her life, and I had the option not to.

I had the option to leave her to my men, to tear apart and do as they please with her. It was a rule. Whatever trespassed into rogue territory was ours for the taking—they never made it out alive.

The fire had died out by the time I looked back at her. She was curled under the oversized shirt, half asleep against the small tent we had created under the tree, shaking even with the fire close. Her scent carried through the air and for some reason, it enchanted me.

I had no idea what was going on, but I had touched her and felt like I was burned. In a good way. But maybe it felt like that because I was a man that romanticized pain.

She was beautiful, too, but I had seen many beautiful women in my life. Her pristinely pretty face was not the reason I had kept her alive, no. It was her guts, I admitted. She spoke with so much determination, reminded me of young Rhys and his decision to rebel.

Goldie would be a temptation to a good number of my men, I knew this. I saw their eyes when they had first seen her underdressed, stirred a strange kind of anger in me, and she was not even mine. At least, not mine to claim, even if she was my property now.

Took an unholy amount of self-control for me to stay in character—that creamy skin and huge titties almost had my eyes transfixed. Couldn’t even tell how I managed to keep my eyes on her face.

It was little wonder her own brother had knocked her up. Disgustingly so, but no truthful person could deny that this woman was one of the goddess's show off pieces.

A Silverfang heir.

I ran a hand through my hair and looked toward the woods. My wolves stood guard in the shadows, silent as smoke. They didn't like this, didn't like her, and I didn't blame them. Bringing a Silverfang into my territory was the fastest way to start another bloodbath.

Marlo, my second, walked up to me with a frown on his face.

"I don't feel good about this."

"Me neither. But we have to take great risks to have great results."

"Rhys, you are making a mistake."

I frowned back at him, "And when have I ever let you all down?"

He said nothing in response, simply giving me a singular nod before walking away. I knew everyone else was worried, Marlo was just the only one who could walk up to me and say his mind about something like this.

I walked back to the tent where she lay, and my gaze momentarily landed on her bare thighs which were unable to be covered by my shirt. She smelled like me, but different. Even better than Elira smelled when she had my clothes on.

Goddess, this was pathetic.

Goldie turned to stare at me while I crouched down beside her.

The night's glow was soft on her features, had her light blue, doe eyes glowing as she stared.

"I thought you would kill me."

I sighed, laying on my back with my arms under my head and shutting my eyes,

"Not here for a chit chat. Sleep."

It was quiet after that but I could feel her eyes on my skin. Somehow, without an iota of doubt, I knew this woman was trouble, but never in my thirty two years had I ever let my pack down. Little Goldie was only an asset for my pack's gain, nothing more and nothing less.

The next morning, it was time to get going.

She was awake first, her curious eyes flickering around like she was trying to make sure we were not about to do something sneaky. Her hand stayed on her flat stomach, trembling a little.

"She looks hungry." Marlo spoke from behind me as the others packed up the tents.

I shrugged. "She knew what she was up against, running into the woods like this. She could have died by now, if I didn't show her mercy."

"But you want the child in her womb. Shouldn't you try to keep the pup alive?"

Our eyes met just then, and for some reason I could not look away. She didn't either. We stood like that for long minutes until Marlo tapped my shoulder, freeing me from the confusing trance.

"Are you okay?" He asked with his brows drawn together. I nodded once.

"Give her something from the bag to eat." I said, walking away from there.

The walk to my pack house was a distance. We had come out like this on a hunt—which was successful by the way—and we had meant to go back today, race back in our wolf forms, but unfortunately, the princess amongst us was too weak to even walk in her human form.

"I can pick you up if you want." I heard Draven offer from behind and I continued to walk, even if I was compelled to grab him by the neck and push him forward.

A soft chuckle, then, "Oh don't worry, I can manage. Is it very far off, still?"

"Not really. But we are not almost there."

"Oh."

"Let me pick you up. Don't be shy. You didn't eat much, and if you faint you'd be heavier."

I heard some muffled little arguments still, and then a small grunt which told me she was in Draven's arms now.

Would Elira be so pissed if she found me carrying a woman in my arms, wearing my shirt?

"I knew Draven would cave first. We should have placed a bet." I heard Marlo say. I did not bother with a response.

We walked in silence, my imagination filled with images of Draven's arms under her bare thighs and her head on his chest.

Should have truly killed her the moment I spotted her.