Chapter 5

Who's the girl?

“Gather up the captured rogues. We'll have them burnt on the Pack's pyre at dawn tomorrow.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty,” the elders bowed. “Do we burn the captured intruder alongside them?” The oldest elder quizzed, bringing my thoughts to a halt.

“Who?”

“The girl you found in our borders. The one you brought back.”

My brows arched. “I still don't know who you're talking about.”

That was a lie. I knew who he was talking about. I just didn't wanna indulge that conversation.

“The wounded girl. The one you brought back in your arms. The one that's still unconscious?” The elder spelt out at my silence.

“Oh. Her.” I tapped a finger on my lower lip. Pretending to be pondering over the issue was kinda silly because I wasn't.

My mind had just shamelessly wandered off to the girl. The damsel in distress I'd rescued in the woods.

Hunting down rogues has been more of an obsession than a duty these past weeks. After they very carelessly killed one of my men who'd gone on a midnight hunt, I've been so much fuelledwith rage and revenge. It led me into killing as many rogues as I could find scavenging the woods.

But in all my hunting, I've never been so aggressive as I was today.

Hearing her weak but gut-wrenching cries to be saved plunged me into a beastly mode that I traced her scent…

Her scent…that. Why was it so vividly mesmerizing? The beautiful mixture of tulips and vanilla tortured my nostrils, pulling me to her.

My Lycan has never felt as much adrenaline rush as it felt tonight. I got to her at a crazy speed. Seeing her sobbing and curled in fear sprang up a beastly aggressiveness that led me into tearing those rogues up the way I did.

She blacked out and I morphed back into my human form before gently picking her up into my arms. I couldn't stop sniffing her on my way back here at the Packhouse.

Now I've been thinking. Who is she? Why did she have such an alluring secnet and why did it pull me in like that?

The last time a scent fucked with my head that way, it led me to my mate, Janet. She was my only love and I still mourn her death even though our time together was short and it's been five years since she died a horrible and ugly death.

I try not to think about it too much, but yeah, only her scent ever had such effects on me. That's why I can't seem to understand what happened back there in the woods.

Why was my Lycan clamoring for her? Why did my heart swell with a crazy urge to protect her? Why do I wanna rip off Elder Hamilton's mouth for suggesting she gets burnt alongside the captured rogues?

Like fucking why?

“Maverick,” A voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Elder Hamilton. The oldest and only elder in the Kingdom who could address me with my name and not have his neck snapped instantly.

“Yes?” I replied gruffly, feeling irked by his very blunt suggestion of having her burnt alongside those vile creatures.

“The girl. What do we do to her?” He asked again. “I suppose she's already locked in the dungeon?”

“In the dungeon? Heck, no. She's…uh..” I ran a tongue over my lips, as I formed the lie in my head. “She's in a more secluded place. And she's gonna remain there until I figure out what to do with her.”

“What? But..”

“I believe that's all for tonight!” I silenced him, getting to my feet. ”Have a goodnight, elders. See you all tomorrow.” My eager, long strides led me halfway to the door. But I halted at Elder Hamilton's voice.

“But Maverick, she's supposed to die. She's an intruder. And the law demands it.”

I turned to him with a scowl. The man knew just how to get on my most sensitive nerves.

Anyone else and the person would be long dead and rotting away. The only reason he's still standing here alive is that he was my father's advisor. They had a beautiful bond. That's just why I cut him so many slacks.

“We never let intruders live. What's with the hesitation about her?” he continued persistently.

“You’re stepping on thin ice, Hamilton. I suggest you watch your steps. I will not be held responsible for what I'll do to you if you question me about the girl again. Do you understand?!”

He didn't reply.

“Do you understand?!” I bellowed.

His stubborn ass was pushing him to say more things. But he was also sensible enough to understand the seriousness of my tone.

“Yes. your majesty. Please forgive my impudence.” He bowed.

I tore my gaze away from him and hurried out of the hall, heading to the east wing which was also my quarters.

“Maverick!”

It was my Beta, Jarvis, running to meet up with me. I slowed my strides so he could catch up.

“What is it?” I asked with a gruff.

“Tough night?” He chuckled lightly.

“Hamilton keeps getting unbearable. That old man is pushing me to hurt him.”

“Try to ignore him, like you've been doing.”

“It's getting harder.” I took another turn in the hallway, approaching my quarters.

“Right. Uh, I saw the doctor heading to your quarters. Who's sick?”

“No one.” I replied laconically. His questioning gaze was still on me so I had to explain. “The girl. I want her examined. She has bruises.”

“What’s the point? She dies tomorrow…”

“Shut it,” I seethed, with fisted hands. “She's not dying anytime soon.”

“Whoa, hold on. I don't understand. What's going on?”

We got to my bedroom door but I didn't go in. Jarvis stopped at the door, then arched his brows.

“Why aren't we going inside?”  

I took a rough breath, hating how all these questions were poking me.

“Nothing…”

“Who's inside your room, Maverick?” He quizzed again, trapping me with his gaze.

I had no choice but to confess.

“The girl.”

“What?!”

“And the doctor.” I shouldn't go inside until he's  done with her.

“What??! Dude!” His eyes popped dramatically. “What is she doing in your bedroom? She's an intruder. She's supposed to die tomorrow!”

“Shut the fuck up!” My Lycan took over, and I got violent and slammed Javis' back against the wall, putting him in a chokehold.

“Maverick!” He struggled to speak, tapping my hand. “Dude, I…I…can't…breathe…”

I wanted to let him go but my pissed off Lycan was still charging me to kill him. It took a lot of control to push back my Lycaninto the farther part of my mind and take my hand off Jarvis's neck.

He fell to the corner, coughing hysterically. I dashed to another corner, controlling my labored breathing.

“Who is the girl…?” he asked, between coughs. “Who is she to you? She must mean something for you to wanna kill me so bad.”

“I’m sorry. It wasn't me. It was my Lycan..”

“That’s even worse.” Jarvis straightened, but still rubbing his sore neck. “WHO IS SHE?”

I shook my head, refusing to say anything. But the signs were clear. My Lycan was feeling it just as much as I was. But I didn't wanna admit it just yet. Just until I've spoken with her.

I wanted to be sure that it wasn't all in my head. That I wasn't going crazy.

“Tell me, man. Who's the girl?”

Knowing Jarvis too well, I know he won't stop until he gets his answer.

Another deep breath and then I forced the words out. “I think she's…” I paused, feeling very jittery about my new reality.

“What? Say it.”