Damsel in Distress

I breathed in the scent of pine and the night's wind. I found it almost blissful. I inhaled again, and a soft smile curved my lips. A faint pain tensed my body, but it was strangely bearable. More than that… I wasn't cold.

I opened my eyes and saw a bright linen fabric hovering above my head. A tent—I was inside a tent. It must have been dawning since the early sunrays slipped through the linen, illuminating the small space. Inhaling slowly, I looked around—looked at myself. I was lying on a soft blanket, covered with thick furs. Then I glanced underneath and noticed I was wearing a black tunic—a far too large tunic.

My heart began to race. How the hells had I found myself in someone's tent? I lifted my aching body to sit and released a breath, gathering my thoughts. The black wolf… He saved my life. Was he the one who had brought me here?

Sucking in a shaky breath, I rose to my feet and walked toward the flap before slowly stepping outside. My eyes instantly drifted to the dying campfire and a dark-haired man sitting on a rock with his back to me. “You're awake,” his deep, velvet-like voice sounded. He didn't turn around—didn't need to. It was yet another thing telling me how dangerous he was.

I glanced down at the tunic I wore; it must have been his. That would explain why it ended at my mid-thighs. I stepped closer, breathing in more of the sweet, soothing pine scent—his scent, I realized. My wolf stirred, her ears perking up. Why was she suddenly interested in this stranger?

I walked in front of him, my lips stretching into a nervous smile. “Um… you were the one who saved my life… weren't you?” I mumbled, staring at the ground.

“I was.” I couldn't miss the amusement filling his tone.

I drew a deep breath, mustering the courage to look at him. I slowly took in his strong legs clad in leather pants, the black jacket emphasizing his broad shoulders, his muscled chest and arms. Finally, my gaze drifted to his face. I carefully traced the sharp lines of his jaw, his full lips, his deep blue eyes… He might have been the most dangerous predator I had ever seen, equally intimidating and alluring.

Swallowing hard, I managed, “Thank you… for saving me.”

“No need for that.” He gestured for me to sit on the rock next to him. “Let's say it's part of my job.”

My brows rose. “Your job is killing rogues and saving damsels in distress?”

A breathy chuckle escaped him, and gods, that sound did funny things to my lower belly. “You can say that,” he all but purred. “Although saving damsels in distress is kind of a new thing to me. I usually just kill those who shouldn't live.”

Slowly, I walked to sit beside him. “So, why not leave me in the middle of the forest?”

“For the record, we didn't leave the forest,” he corrected, pointing at the trees around us. “I merely moved you to a more… comfortable location.”

I gave him a look. “Fine. Then, why did you bring me here? Why did you let me sleep in your tent and give me your tunic?” My cheeks flushed as soon as I realized he must have seen me naked… for quite a while.

As if knowing exactly where my mind went, he said, “You look good in my tunic.” A feral grin appeared. “Not that you don't look good without it.” He leaned closer, his blue eyes fixed on mine. “And I brought you here because… I found you interesting.”

I blinked. “Interesting? Was I… bleeding out in an ‘interesting’ way?” I couldn't restrain the sarcasm in my tone.

“I actually enjoyed watching you rip out that rogue's throat.” His dark smile made my breath hitch.

“Oh,” was my only manageable response.

He inched closer, his proximity sending a pleasant shiver down to my core. “What's your name?”

“Kaira,” I breathed out.

“Kaira,” he repeated as if needing to taste it. “You can call me Dearon.”

My heart tripped over itself, and I wondered how it was even possible. Jarith had broken me merely hours ago, and now? I was drawn toward an absolute stranger, as if my heart was desperate to be whole again.

Clearing my throat, I leaned back slightly, adding more space between us. “So… Dearon, do you travel around killing rogues?”

A soft chuckle escaped him. “Something like that. The rest of my team will arrive here shortly. Then we'll be heading east to catch more of them.”

“I see,” I muttered, studying him. He must have been a mercenary, although I wondered who could have paid him to kill rogues in a broken kingdom such as Korendorr.

“And what's your story, Kaira?” he asked, scanning me from head to toe as if he could find the answers written there.

“My story…” I mumbled as images of all recent events flashed in my mind. My chest tightened, and my gaze dropped to the ground. I had yet to voice it out—name my new reality. I sucked in a shaky breath and turned to him. “I was exiled from my pack… I had to run, and…” I trailed off, recalling every second of my fall from the cliff and my encounter with the rogues.

His deep blue eyes fixed on mine. “What crimes did you commit to be exiled?”

A bitter laugh bubbled, but I clamped it down at the last moment. “I gave my heart to the wrong man.”

His brows rose. He was about to say something, but before he could, the sound of hooves echoed through the forest. Dearon rose to his feet and grinned. “They're coming,” he said, looking at the sandy path stretching through the forest.

“Your… team?” I asked nervously.

He didn't reply. He didn't have to. I merely drew another breath before three men on horses appeared. Their eyes found Dearon, then quickly drifted to me. “Well, hello there!” An auburn-haired man sang. “I wasn't aware that our precious leader has such a lovely companion.”

Grinning, he jumped off his horse and sauntered toward me. Dearon gave him a meaningful look. “Torin, don't scare the lady.”

Torin's grin only widened. “I wouldn't dare.” He sidestepped his leader and gave me a low bow. “Torin, at your service, my lady.”

I couldn't help but chuckle. “I'm Kaira,” I said.

“Lovely name.” He winked before gesturing at his companions. “That one with short black hair and squinted eyes is Nazo, and the blond one with an idiotic grin is Rafe.”

“Have you just called me an idiot?” Rafe stomped toward him.

Torin snorted, raising his hands in surrender. “I said no such thing.”

Dearon pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “For fuck's sake…”

I bit my lip, barely resisting a smile. Then, something bitter flooded me as I couldn't recall the last time I'd smiled or laughed with ease…

“Here's our breakfast.” Nazo strode toward us, carrying two bags.

A moment passed, and the five of us sat on the rocks and a large fallen trunk. Each one of us was given a portion of food. It wasn't much: a slice of bread, some cheese, and dried meat. Still, it was food, and my growling stomach was grateful for it.

“So…” Rafe drawled, teasingly wiggling his brows. “Where do you come from, Kaira?”

All eyes landed on me, and my muscles tensed. They were mercenaries. I doubted that any of them had fought in the war. Still, it felt safer to lie. “I'm from Dagonrel.” My lips twitched into a nervous half-smile.

“Then you're far away from your kingdom,” Nazo muttered.

“She's been exiled from her pack,” Dearon told them.

Torin's eyes shone with curiosity. “Really? What did you do?”

I was about to answer, but it was Dearon who said coldly, “It's none of your business.”

“You're no fun,” Torin grunted.

Grinning, Rafe leaned toward me. “Are you joining our group then?”

“W-what?” A nearly hysterical laugh escaped me. I was certain this wasn't a serious question, but then I looked at Dearon and saw a sly smirk curving his lips.

“Where are you heading, Kaira?” he asked after a moment.

Honestly, I had yet to plan my next step, but since I was forced to decide… “Eudoris,” I choked out. “I was planning… to go to Eudoris.”

His brows rose. “Do you have friends there?”

A dry smile twisted my lips as I thought of the three elders from the Fiery Mist Pack, not that I could call any of them a friendly acquaintance. Quite the opposite. I shoved those images away and slowly released a breath. “Not really,” I admitted. “I'm merely looking for… a new home.” Gods, these words tasted incredibly bitter.

He studied me. “You're a warrior, aren't you?”

My breath caught as I felt all eyes on me again. “You're a warrior, Kaira?” Torin's lips curved into a savage grin.

I cleared my throat. “Well, yes… I am.”

“Have you killed rogues before?” Nazo fixed his eyes on me.

“I have.” I nodded and winced as I recalled the actual amount of blood I'd shed…

“Then work for me.” Dearon's words nearly knocked the air out of my lungs.

“You're… joking, right?”

He only smirked. “Join us. Help me clean the lands off rogues for two weeks, and after that…” His blue eyes fixed on me. “I'll help you find a new home.”