Chapter 8: The Arie

An Arie? Here? Without a direct order from his alpha? No, that made no sense.

The Arie are what we call “wolves married to war.” They don’t take partners so they won’t experience the Wave, and they can always be ready for combat. They are a portrait of loyalty. Warriors who dedicate their lives to fighting and protecting the pack, close to the alpha like intimate friends, like true soul-brothers.

So it made absolutely no sense for the Arie captain to be here hidden from his alpha. It could only be another one of Rayan’s little games.

“You’re an Arie and you’re here against your alpha’s orders?” I asked, trying to trigger some reaction from him.

“Well… not exactly.” He averted his gaze for a moment, then returned it. “Rayan ordered me to keep an eye on you, to make sure you don’t die or that no one touches you. So I’m not exactly breaking orders, you need to drink something to stay alive.”

He raised again the skin pouch he’d been carrying, pressed the fresh water to my lips. I was still suspicious, but my thirst was far from quenched. So I accepted, keeping my eyes fixed on his, completely alert.

I took the chance to study him while I drank. He had medium-length curly blond hair and a beard that framed his face. Physically he seemed as large as Rayan, broad shoulders and strong arms.

But still he seemed… different.

His eyes were kinder, more careful. He didn’t seem to carry hostility or violence inside him. Which didn’t mean he was defenseless, because to be the Arie Captain, besides the oath of loyalty and devotion, you also had to be the pack’s best warrior, second only to the alpha in strength and skill.

I finished drinking and he screwed the cap back on while I coughed a little, my throat clearly had become unused to liquid.

He reached out his hand and I recoiled instinctively. After so long there, bombarded with violence and images of lust, I only imagined he wanted to hurt me.

He kept his hand still as if waiting for my permission; I let my eyes travel from him to the hand and noticed a cloth. I relaxed a little and gave a permissive look. He brought the cloth to my face and wiped me.

I accepted, frowning, none of this made sense. Why were they caring for me out of nowhere?

“Rayan told you to clean me too?” I asked, still suspicious, my tense.

“No.” He withdrew his hand and rested it on his knee. “I just don’t see any reason for you to be left like this.”

“If you’re so worried about me, why don’t you let me go?” I asked, nodding toward the chains.

He gave a small chuckle and lowered his head. “You know there are limits to what I can do, Luna.”

I gave a faint smile, tilting my head. Luna? It was the first time anyone had called me that since I’d arrived. He was treating me with respect, as the respectable representative I should be when I became the Alpha’s Luna.

I allowed my eyes to run over his body while he was distracted, unwrapping a roll of bread from his clothing. Maybe it was the Wave’s heat talking, maybe it was my needs, but he was attractive… very attractive.

He broke off a small piece of bread and brought it to my mouth. I knew I wouldn’t get anything from him. Besides my wretched state, I was the Luna of his alpha and he, a faithful warrior, he wouldn’t touch me.

Still, I held a locked eyes with him holding a suggestive look while I bit the bread he offered. In other circumstances, I’d probably be devouring the bread, but the hunger in me asked for more than food; it asked for something only his body could give.

He seemed to notice and avoided looking me in the eyes while feeding me. He was probably smelling my arousal, he knew I was in heat.. Arie were forbidden to marry, but that didn’t stop them from experiencing periods of heat; they just weren’t as intense and damaging as the Wave.

So he definitely desired me. Loyalty or not, instinct spoke louder.

“So… Hertor.” I said, using whatever charm I had left. “You gave me water, cleaned me, fed me, treated me with respect… Why are you doing this?” I asked, trying to forge some connection in a provocative tone.

He lowered his gaze with a certain sadness. “I don’t think keeping a woman, a Luna, imprisoned in these conditions is an acceptable cruelty.” I finished chewing the last piece and he wrapped the cloth and put it away.

“Luna, I—” He began in a serious tone, but I interrupted him. “Violet. You can call me Violet.”

He was silent for a few seconds, looking at me, then said, “It’s not appropriate; you are the Alpha’s Luna and must be treated as such.”

“Oh My, the Karin have a peculiar way of treating their Lunas.” I said, rattling the chains. He shook his head negatively with a chuckle and returned to his serious posture.

“Luna, I need you to pretend I was never here. If you seem stronger or if you tell him, I won’t be able to come back and your situation will only get worse. Not to mention I’d be in trouble too”

“Don’t worry.” I said, nodding. “I would never betray someone who did me good. Especially when they were the first to treat me with any dignity since I arrived here.”

Hertor smiled and nodded, standing up. “If you allow me, I must withdraw, ma’am.”

He left the room and took all the light with him. He was the complete opposite of Rayan; there was respect in him, loyalty, dignity, honor… all the traits of a true Arie.

Something that reminded me of Howard, Lyun’s father.

Howard was my father’s Arie captain, so naturally Lyun grew up as my best friend. The Arie were not forbidden from having children and when Lyun’s mother died in childbirth, my father took her in as his niece and she stayed in the main house of the pack with us.

Howard had always been like an uncle to me; he lived by his oath.

Unfortunately, he also died for it.

Hertor had brought more than water and food, he had brought light, warmth, and good memories. I felt slightly guilty for flirting with him, but, well, a woman needs what she needs.

Hours passed and I found myself thinking: if Hertor disagreed with Rayan’s actions enough to help me, perhaps… Just perhaps… If I played my cards right, I could use him to my advantage.