Eryn - 5

I lay on a huge bed, the softest bed I have ever felt in a lavish room after Abel gave me the grand tour of this great Winchester mansion. He insisted that I get cleaned up before lunch, so I did. Now it has been about an hour, and I can't help but worry about Abel's intentions. Is he really wanting to help me? Or is he using me by pardoning me from execution? Or is the execution just postponed? A million questions circle in my mind when suddenly, there is a tapping at the bedroom door.

"Eryn? Lunch is ready," I hear Abel's voice through the door.

I jump up, ready for food and hoping for insight of his plans. Opening the door, Abel stands up straight and smiles at me. He turns and offers his elbow as if it is some honor to escort me, a rouge Brinshire she-wolf, to lunch. Desperate for food and answers, I take his arm and let him lead me to the dining room.

We eat lunch, me hocking every bite down like a starving pup who hadn't eaten in a week, while Abel sits quietly sipping on a cup of tea. Once I am full enough, I stop and wipe my face.

"Feeling better?" he asks with a grin.

"Yeah," I take a drink of water then ask again, "What is going to happen to me? Will I be executed for my crime? Or what?"

"To answer you frankly, no, you will not be executed. Nor will you be sent back to Asher."

Shock strikes me down, "What?"

He goes on to explain that he was unable to execute me at the border, as it would normally have happened. He just couldn't bring himself to do it. And now, knowing me and why I crossed the boundary into his territory, he really can't because he now understands that there truly are things worse than death.

We circle the grounds a few times as he tells me of his pack, his city, his ancestors before him. I find myself intrigued by the history that is so vastly different than our own in Brinshire. There are a few times that we touch hands and I feel a pull deep inside of me to this man. I don't understand it, but it is a powerful feeling that keeps me by his side, not wanting to lose it.

I carefully avoid giving any information about my pack or town, only talking about myself. I tell him about my father being killed when I was young and my mother who raised me to be of importance. She had been high-maintenance and she expected me to be the same, though I was happier being alone, locked away with my thoughts.

"Alpha," I hear a man call to him as I am talking. This older man is one of six, Nyko, I recognize, being one of them.

Abel turns toward them and nearly drags me with him. I am pretty sure that these older men are his Elders, and they probably want to talk to him about business. Something that I shouldn't be a part of. I tug at my hand, trying to free it from his grasp, but he just smiles and winks at me. We approach these Elders and the man who had first called to Abel glances at me as if I am some disgusting new pet to his Alpha.

"Yes, Elito?"

"Is there something you would like to discuss with us?" he subtly motions toward me.

Abel then glances over at me and announces, "I think I'm gonna keep her!"

We all gasp in unison. Did he really just say that he is keeping me? As if I really am some little pet! Who the hell does he think he is? But then, I think of the alternatives. I could be put to death or worse, I could be sent back to Asher. I shudder at the thought and Abel looks back at me.

That's when I feel it again, this pull in my heart to Abel. I am lost in this feeling again when this Elito says probably the worst thing.

"She is a traitor! She should be executed for breaking the treaty. For trespassing!"

Instantly, I see a fire light in Abel's light blue eyes and his jaw clenches. He turns back to Elito and bows out his chest as he brings his shoulders back. "She is not a traitor!" his roar echoes off the walls as he glares deep into Elito. "She is a refugee seeking asylum from a tyrannous Alpha! Consider yourself lucky to have had the pleasure of respect from your Alphas! But remember, to get respect you must first give it. You should respect my decision in pardoning Eryn!" He takes a deep breath and glances quickly at me before finishing, "I will hear no more about this. Understood?"

I stand astonished at Abel's outburst. He is taking up for me! No one had ever stood up for me before. Now I realize that I really can trust him! None of this is a ploy or a trick, he is genuine. He is good. Then something happens.

I feel and hear Keira, she howls in my mind the name Miro. At that, Abel turns to me and as we peer into each other's eyes, it happens. What I had always dreamed of happening. My heart skips a beat and butterflies flutter in my stomach. The world around us fades away as the chatter of the Elders mutes to a drone. All that matters in this moment are two bright blue eyes and that heart beating in time with mine. The pull is back, but now it is stronger and is pulling all of me to him, not just my heart. Now I know with every fiber of my being that Abel, this Alpha of what is supposed to be my mortal enemies, is actually the true Alpha of my heart.