Nashira has been a blood slave for five years when she finally escapes the grasps of Vampires. As soon as she is free, she runs straight into the hands of a handsome Wolf.
Out of the frying pan into the fire, she thinks. The warm and exciting feelin...
"Nashira," Orion mused. A beautiful name for a gorgeous woman. His physical reaction to her touch just now seemed nothing in comparison to the sensation that went through him when she had said his name and hers had rolled off his lips.
He studied her carefully as she ate the omelette with such relish that he regretted it wasn't him. He shook his head at the alien thoughts and quickly began his meal. As soon as she was done, she let out a very unladylike burp and smiled sheepishly at him.
"Sorry, but that was the best thing I've eaten in five years."
He laughed good-naturedly and shook his head until the words she said registered. "Five years?" he asked incredulously. "Have you been a blood whore for five years?"
"Slave," she bit back. "A blood slave. You can say a lot about me, but not that I'm a whore."
Disarmingly, Orion raised his hands. "I didn't mean it like that... I..."
"You're all the same. Immediately passing judgement without even knowing anything. Thinking you're better..."
He saw that she was starting to tremble and did the only thing he could think of. He touched her. Wolves needed touch to survive. A pack was only as strong as its weakest link and no one was weak if they had the support of others around them. If someone was struggling, man or woman, child or adult, another was always there to offer support in whatever way was needed.
He patted her hand awkwardly and said: "Goddess, please don't cry." He couldn't bear to see a woman cry. It awoke something primal in him that he didn't like.
She leaned into his touch and the intoxicating fresh scent of her reached his nostrils. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it smelled familiar, citrussy, fresh. His eyes fell on the fruit basket with oranges in it. He convinced himself it was his favourite fruit he smelled and not the enticing female in his arms. Her smell enveloped him and he needed to be closer to her, to feel her.
The little Witch wrapped her arms around his body. Her form moulded against his body, but the excitement he expected did not materialise. He felt compassion and affection for Nashira. He wanted to help and protect her. His Wolf and he agreed that they would do everything in their power not to see her cry again.
After a short time, she calmed down and looked up. Orion's heart broke when he saw the sad eyes of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Even with red eyes and a blotched face, she was breath-taking. However, there was not a tear to be seen on her face. She had sobbed in silence and not shed a single drop.
He stroked her cheek with his thumb and she instinctively opened her lips. His eyes were drawn to her mouth. He wanted to taste her to see if it was as delicious as her smell. Her eyes were focused on his lips as well and he leaned in.
It seemed as if she only now realised that she was in his arms and quickly moved back. Orion was relieved with the distance because otherwise, he might have done something he would have regretted. Levi wasn't satisfied with his action. A low muted growl escaped his throat, but fortunately, it was buried by the cute little hiccup from Nashira.
She rubbed her eyes with her hands and said, "Pfoe. Sorry but that was the first hug I've had in a long time."
The thin smile she produced eradicated the light-hearted way she had said it. Before he could say anything else, she yawned, trying to suppress it. She rubbed her face again and smiled apologetically.
"I haven't really had a good night's sleep in two days. Whatever you have planned for me, can it wait until tomorrow?"
Normally, he would have persisted and demanded the payment she owed the pack, but he could not bring himself to insist, letting his heart overrule his brain. The brave little Witch was completely out of it. He knew she would probably make an escape attempt tomorrow, but for now he would give her the rest she deserved.
He led her up the stairs to one of the empty guest rooms that lay next to his. Since he himself travelled frequently and did not have a home, he always stayed in the packhouse. Most Wolves moved in with their Mate as soon as they had mated, so there were always rooms available.
After a brief tour, he closed the door behind her and, after a short hesitation, locked it. It felt wrong to lock her up after she had just escaped from the Vampires. But he knew she would take the first chance she got and they needed her intel.
He continued to watch the door thoughtfully. There was something about her... Something he couldn't put his finger on, but....
His thoughts were interrupted by Adam, linking him through the pack's mind link. He wanted an update. For the first time in his life, he was not eager to go to his Alpha and do his job. He lingered outside her door until he got a second message from Adam and, judging by his impatient tone, he obeyed quickly.
He walked down the corridor and up one floor. "She's settled in," Orion said matter-of-factly.
Adam grinned. "I am sure she will be a handful for you. But also full of valuable information for our benefit."
"Five years," Orion said quietly. "Five years' worth of information."
Adam looked taken aback by that statement. As far as they knew no blood slave had ever made it past two years. They tracked the missing persons and the bodies that came up voided of their blood. And certainly no one had ever escaped. Until her.
"She might be more valuable as an asset," Adam said. "An enemy to Vampires..." he let his voice trail.
The saying that the enemy of their enemy was their friend did not always apply to shifters. Humans and Vampires would betray anyone in order to maximise their opponents' casualties. All they knew about Witches and Warlocks was that they were usually impartial, but you certainly didn't want to hurt either of them.
After his update he found himself at her door again. He listened and heard her soft breathing which indicated that she was asleep. He suspected she would be sleeping for a while now.
After one last look, he turned to his room and, with a sigh, dropped into his own bed. Adam wanted answers and so did he. Not the same ones as his Alpha did but perhaps just as important to the pack. As long as she was useful, they would treat her as a guest. Hopefully over time she would become more than just a guest. With that last thought Orion fell asleep.
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