𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑾𝒂𝒓 | ✓

𝑺 𝑬 𝑽 𝑬 𝑵

Esmeray's scanned the treeline, a soft look on her face. She was enjoying her time away from the group for this short moment and she savored every bit. The gentle breeze ruffled through her brown hair and sent wisps of it into her face. She tucked her hair behind her ear and sighed. This was the last day of their journey for the herb, and she had a feeling this would be anything but easy.

"Beautiful day, isn't it, m'lady?" a voice asked softly so as not to break the beauty of nature.

Esmeray swung her gaze to the side and her eyes met the pale golden one of Jasper's. His whitish pink lips were cracked with a friendly smile and his arms hung loosely at his sides. She gave him a once-over, slightly weirded out over his sudden appearance as she faced him. "It is. I'm enjoying it."

"Oh I'm sure." A look Esmeray didn't like edged his eyes and licked his bottom lip. He took a step toward her and she took one to back , his gaze searching over her face and body. "Tell me, Esmeray, have you been paired?"

Esmeray's heart gave a little leap when her back met the rough bark of a tree. She inwardly cursed herself for backing herself up in such a position. She looked at him with a slightly raised brow, trying to keep her confidence. "And what's it to you?"

"Because," he said quietly, his eyes glinting as he took a step and firmly pressed her body against the tree, pinning her thighs with his knees and pressing his hands into her arms. He leaned in and took a deep breath. "I want to feel you."

"Excuse me?" Her eyes flashed and she shifted to get loose from him but his grip only tightened.

The tip of his tongue touched her neck and he smirked. "I didn't stutter, little fierce one."

"You'll think little fierce one if you don't let me go," she growled out, her wolf's glint showing in her eyes.

He smirked and lifted his face from her neck to look into her eyes. His canines peaked out from his lips. "Oooh, a spitfire are you?"

She jerked her arms and felt his grip ease before it tightened like an iron vice. Her face flushed with anger. "Go fuck yourself."

"Ah, but only if you join me." He chuckled and shook his head, nosing around her neck as he searched it. She struggled under him and he pinned her tighter while he brought a hand up and pulled her shirt to the side, leaning in to place a bite before he recoiled. He looked at her with near disgust. "You've been marked."

"Damn right she has so get your ass away from her. Right fucking now," Tobias's voice commanded.

Jasper immediately stilled and raised his hands, slowly taking a step back and turning to face Tobias. "Well if it isn't the alpha."

Esmeray ran to Tobias's side when he signalled her and he pulled her behind himself, keeping her out of Jasper's line of sight with his own body. He tilted his head, his eyes now completely red. "What made you think you could touch her, huh?"

"Well, I did touch her. Would've marked her too," Jasper sneered, his face and demeanor no longer friendly, but challenging. "Why does it matter? It's not like you care."

"I care," Tobias growled and stepped forward to Jasper while Nadia stood with Esmeray. His fist balled at his sides and he showed his fangs. "I also care enough about my pack to know you're a traitor. Fucking Bloodborne spy."

The coyness left Jasper's face instantly and his eyes narrowed, his lips parting as he showed his fangs. "How the hell do you know that?"

Tobias flashed his canines in response. "I'm not stupid. Do you know the penalty for betrayal, mm?"

"Death," Gabriel spoke from behind Jasper.

Jasper spun around, his eyes wide with fear at the unexpected turn up of the beta. And turn was the last thing he did, for Gabriel ripped out his throat with one swift movement of his clawed hand.

Tobias's brow raised and lowered while Jasper gurgled and his body hit the ground. He gave Gabriel a look. "I could've handled that without you but thanks."

"Just glad we finally got rid of him." Gabriel rubbed the blood from his hand on his jeans and walked past Tobias to the others. He stood before Esmeray and looked into her face. "Are you okay, Luna?"

"Just fine thank you," Esmeray answered before biting her lip.

"Did he hurt you?" Nadia asked, finally able to ask questions. She looked over Esmeray with concern.

Esmeray nodded and looked at both Gabriel and Nadia. She took in a steady breath and blew it out. "I'm fine, I promise."

"Good," Tobias spoke up as he walked up beside them. He trailed his gaze to Esmeray. "From now on, I don't want you outta my sight. Clear?"

Esmeray took a deep breath and looked into Tobias's eyes. She saw the concern and protectiveness that he was trying to force down. Funny he was giving orders as the first thing he'd said since the night of her marking. She raised her chin a little. "Fine."

Tobias nodded at her before turning his gaze over Nadia and Gabriel. "This leg of the journey is gonna take us straight into the neutral zone which, might I add, is usually full of rogues and mercenaries. Pack wolves could be there too. Keep alert at all times. If anything goes wrong, Esmeray is priority, protect her at all costs."

"With my life," Gabriel acknowledged, his chiseled features the embodiment of seriousness.

Nadia nodded curtly. "Will do, alpha."

"Esmeray," Tobias said, looking down at her once she turned her gaze to him. "Don't put yourself in danger."

Esmeray snorted, a feeling of boldness coursing through her in the presence of her prospective mate. "Danger is my middle name."

Gabriel chuckled dryly. "Aye, your Luna is a spunky one, Tobias."

Tobias shot Gabriel a look but even that glare didn't deter the look of amusement on his beta's face. He took a breath and squared his shoulders, locking his gaze straight ahead. "She better be."