Chapter 7

"I can’t find shit." Francis pouts Through the mind link.

"Try harder than Francis."

"I need more time"

"I’ll see what I can do" I tune him back out, focusing on getting Ali to stay with me just a little bit longer.

“Well, I’m good for today. I’ll head back, I have a call with the committee and I can’t wait to tell them how swimmingly we are getting along.” She says sarcastically, turning to face to me. I snap my eyes to hers and I know she can see it, my panic at thought of her leaving. Her face darkens as she walks closer, eying me suspiciously.

“How about I take you to my favorite spot?” I stutter. She looks shocked by the invitation and her steps slow.

“You look irritated, Alpha. Bad news through your mind link?” she asks.

“Nope.” I respond too quickly. I walk and my leg twinges again. Jolting forward a small step. She is next to me in a second, muttering under her breath, annoyed. I hate how weak she makes me feel. I shove her off in a fury. My one weakness is flaunting itself and I can see her annoyance with it.

“I don’t need your help,” I growl out. She steps further back, her hands up in defeat. I can feel a cold sweat on my forehead as the pain wracks through my whole body. My leg is far worse than it has been in months. I bend over, nauseated from the pain, and I can see her stepping closer to me tentatively.

“This injury is from the rogue attack? I don’t remember you being injured there.” I look up, startled by how gentle she sounds. Immediately, I regret the decision when I look into her cold eyes and I can see her pity. I don’t want her to know this isn’t an unusual occurrence for me. I can’t stand feeling weak before her, not when she is a warrior.

“It will heal soon enough.” I snap, dropping my head again. She sighs, kneeling down before me. Reaching out, she timidly touches my chin and makes me look at her. Our eyes lock.

“I will take your pain for today, Alpha. Not because I believe you to be weak, but because I should have protected you sooner during that fight. This is a penance for me. I’m not asking you to accept this offer. My honor dictates that I must do it.” She removes her hand from my chin, leaving behind it little tingling sensations, as if being poked by tiny needles.

She places her hand once more on my chest and looks right into my eyes. Her hazel eyes shift and swirl again, flashing colors of green and lavender. This time I can feel it. The weight of the pain lifting from my body as my muscles relax and my body sings, happy to be rid of the toxic pain from the wolfsbane forever stuck in its fleshy tomb of my leg. She gasps slightly and winces, breaking our eye contact.

“I need to head back to the pack house.” She says as she promptly stands and turns to walk away. I stand with more speed than I have had in years and grab her wrist. I can see the pain in her eyes. The flecks of lavender look like they are glittering in the sunlight. Who knew pain could be so beautiful.

“Let me help you.” I offer sincerely. She smiles weakly and shakes her head no.

“I have my pride to get me back, Alpha.” She turns and limps away from me, bearing my pain better than I have ever been able to.

I hesitate for a moment panicking. Should I chase her down and try to make her stay or should I tell Francis to get out. he has about 6 minutes if she continues to limp her way to the pack house. About three minutes if she runs. She stumbles in the distance and a wave of guilt washes over me, she took my pain as a penance for an injury she didn't prevent. I lied to her and allowed her to take it knowing exactly what she would feel. I jog over to her watching as she steadies herself. Her skin is pale and sprinkled with sweat. She looks at me with determination.

"I don't need your help" She says her words clipped.

"I thought I would walk with you since I'm heading the same way." I offer. She just nods as she looks forward and trudges on. She is about as tough as she is stubborn, and after only a few days I can say with complete confidence she is one of the most stubborn people I have met.

"Can I ask you some questions?" I ask

"Depends on the question."

"Guardian related questions."

"That's fine." she says through clenched teeth.

"How did you become a Guardian?" I ask

"I was selected."

"Well, that much is obvious but I mean how?"

"Samuel, Lead committee member found me in the woods when I was a kid. The next day I was in guardian training." she shrugs

"Ok but what is a Guardian?"

"Have you not heard the stories?" she stops to look at me.

"I don't pay attention to Lore." I respond. She laughs at me, even when she laughs she is intimidating.

"You are a werewolf. you ARE lore." she taps me in the forehead with her finger and then sighs. "Guardians are an elite group of people who are trained to be the best in every respect. We are the ultimate weapon and gift."

"So a glorified bodyguard then?" She scoffs at me.

"No. We provide more than safety. We provide guidance, healing, both mental and physical, safety and companionship." she says it with so much conviction I can feel how much she believes in what she does, she loves her occupation even if she seems stoic and, at times, bitter about it.

"Companionship?" I raise a brow at her. She rolls her eyes.

"Friendship, we are great for giving advice and confiding in. You will see Alpha. We will be great friends, even if I find you obnoxious." She looks forward and continues to walk again. I glance down at my watch. I tap into the mind link.

"Francis. Be done. we are coming back" I say quickly ending the link and starting back up behind her.

"So when will you give me my pain back?" I ask her curious to know how long my little reprieve will last.

"It will slowly leak back to you through the night. I only have partial use of my trained abilities until you agree to do the ceremony."

"Who says I will agree?" I ask scoffing. I'm being stubborn, I know that but I cant help but feel like I don't have enough information about what I am getting myself into if I accept her as my guardian.

"Oh you will agree, everyone always does. it would be stupid to refuse help in your situation."

"what's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't mean any offense. I'm only stating the facts."

"And what facts are that?" I ask angry.

"You are very clearly injured still, your warriors are barely average at best and you repeatedly keep getting attacked by the rogue king himself."

"There is no rogue king, he is just a myth" I snort in annoyance.

"Oh there is definitely a rogue king, and with your denial I would say he is the least of your problems, you seem to lack a functioning view of reality."