Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Kieran:

The moment Tatiana agreed to follow me, I knew she had no idea what she was walking into.

She wouldn't have followed me if she knew. Maybe she would have, but I doubted that she would be thought foolish to do so.

But I was not going to let her go. No, no, not ever.

She was mine.

The mate bond snapped into place the second I laid eyes on her in the forest. I had felt it, the pull, the connection, the need to protect her. But as I studied her, watched the way she held herself together despite the clear pain she carried, I realized something.

She didn’t feel it.

Not yet.

So, I kept my mouth shut.

If she hadn’t noticed, then she wasn’t ready to. And I wasn’t about to scare her away before I figured out who the hell she was and why she was alone in rogue territory.

And I wasn't going to do so until she was willing to respond to the questions that I was going to ask. And judging by her briefest of answers, I could tell that she was still lost and whatever she was thinking. Whatever she had done to get kicked out of her pack, I knew not to press on her to actually find out. The truth eventually found its way to come out, and I was going to understand what it was that she did.

I had put on a pair of shorts which I hid in one of the bushes. It was one of my beta’s ideas. I had to pat him on the back for that. The last thing that I would have wanted was to walk around her little lady being nude. And then again, I doubt that she would actually mind. She might, but I wouldn't.

“Keep up, little wolf,” I called over my shoulder, my voice laced with amusement as she trailed slightly behind me. “Unless of course, you're aimed to be left behind. Which I doubt.”

Her scowl was immediate. “I’m not little. And you don't need to doubt anything, you are the one who invited me to come with you.”

I smirked. Feisty. I liked that.

The estate came into view, its towering walls and stone exterior standing tall against the night sky. I could sense Tatiana stiffen beside me, her steps slowing.

I didn’t even need to look at her to know what was goingthrough her mind.

She expected filth. She expected savages living in ruins, scraps for food, blood staining the floors.

Not this.

“Surprised?” I asked, glancing at her. “Not exactly what you expected to see, is it?”

She blinked at me, clearly not wanting to admit it. "No."

I chuckled. "Liar. You thought rogues were nothing more than animals, didn’t you? Just like most of you pack members actually think.”

Tatiana pressed her lips together, staying silent, which was as good as a confirmation.

I let out a deep laugh as I pushed open the heavy wooden doors, revealing the grand hall inside. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the stone walls, and warmth radiated from the large hearth at the center of the room. Rogues of all ranks walked freely, speaking, laughing, sparring, not the rabid, broken wolves she was expecting.

I refuse to let that happen, not within my pack. No matter what the rank was, everyone was an equal here. I was the alpha, but even I had a moment where I could stay with my pack members.

I glanced at her again, watching her reaction.

She didn’t look impressed. She looked conflicted. Like she wasn’t sure if she should believe what she was seeing. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to contain whatever it was that she was feeling.

Interesting.

“Welcome to my home, little wolf,” I said, stepping aside so she could take it all in. “Or should I say, your new home. I believe that you might want to get yourself more familiar with the area, make yourself feel a little more welcome in your new home.”

Tatiana hesitated, as if she wasn’t sure she wanted to step in. I smirked at her reaction.

“What, expecting a trap? Do you expect me to hang you or have your head on a stake.” I was the last part as I looked at her, leaning into her ear.

“I don’t trust you,” she admitted, crossing her arms. “And I don't think that this is some kind of game that is funny, whatever it is that you're trying to play, I don't like it.”

I liked her honesty. It was better than blind submission. “Smart girl. I will admit I like the fact that you have a mouth on your Omega.”

I nodded toward one of the maids, who immediately hurried forward. "Prepare a room for her. Make sure she gets a proper meal. Add new clothes. I doubt that you're going to want to stay in this filth, whatever it is that you're wearing.”

I could tell that Tatiana had stiffened, seeing the way that I was acting around, seeing the order that was around us. She did not react, nor did she speak.

Her reaction amused me.

“Go on,” I said, motioning toward the staircase. “Unless you’d rather sleep outside in the mud?”

Her glare could have melted steel. “You really are insufferable.”

I grinned. “Oh, you have no idea. But I wouldn't want to keep my guest out, nor would I want her to feel like she's not welcome. Plus, there's a storm coming and I don't think that you want to be caught up into it. Though you are safe here, you're still going to end up getting wet and the grounds can get a little muddy in the rain, you know, forest and all.”

She walked past me, following the maid up the stairs, but before she disappeared, I called out, “Get some rest, Tatiana. You’ll need it.”

She paused on the steps. “Why?”

“Because you start training at dawn.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

I leaned against the railing, smirking. “You don’t think I’m just going to let you sit around, do you? You’ve got weak arms.You'll end up dying the second you get into a fight.”

“I dodged you.”

“I choose to allow it. You might not be so lucky the next time.” I winked before watching her with more amusement than I should.

Her nostrils flared, and for a second, I thought she might throw something at me. Instead, she turned and stormed up the rest of the stairs.

I chuckled to myself. This was going to be fun.