Warlord's Ward

Reckoning

Do I want him?

Bad enough to stay with the male that killed my family? I had much to think on.

I was free now.

And he's saying he'll let me go.

There was such tension in him as we lie there. I could feel his body nearly quaking in apprehension as he awaited a response.

I tried to remove every other point from my mind. How cruel he'd been on occasion. That he killed my family and took me captive. I needed to take out all the things that had bloomed because we were captives and focus on the man.

Do I want Killian Gallion?

Do I care for the man I've gotten to know?

I considered it a long moment. Taking my time as I thought about it.

"Do you want to go, Jade?" He prompted softly. "It might be safer for you far away from me."

"Why do you say that?" I asked in surprise. Thinking that I had to be safer next to him then out roaming without family where I could quickly become someone's pack bitch.

I winced at that horrendous thought. That's every she-wolf's worst fear.

Because I am going to stir up our world.

"How do you mean?"

"I am going to push the Gallion's agenda, once we are free."

I was quiet. Waiting for him to say more.

"My father trained me that the tending of our species was a precious honor and combatting any who'd threaten that was a necessity. That's what I'm going to do."

"King Detry threatens are species."

"Yes. He does." He was quiet a moment. "But we now have some of his most powerful mages in our keeping."

"Do you think that will make a difference against his army."

Killian was quiet so long I had to twist to look at him. His face was tight.

"I've destroyed entire villages on my own." He said softly.

We both knew that me saying that would immediately make him think of my village.

And what he did.

But, unfortunately, it was something I was always thinking of.

I'm a wolf. And we were known for being infinitely loyal.

I no longer had a family so I had to decide if that loyalty would be to Killian or to myself. Or if they're one and the same.

I thought about if I left him.

Where would I go?

Who would take me in.

"What are you thinking?" He prompted.

"Where I would even go if I wanted away from him."

I could feel pain rolling off him that was why his next words surprised me so much.

"You'd go to my sister, Jade. She would take care of you, and I would know you're safe."

"How do you know she would?"

"Because I know my baby sister and she loved nothing more than taking in a stray." There was the hint of fondness in his voice. And in many ways I couldn't wait to meet her. To see them interact.

Perhaps glimpse yet another side of him.

Would he be cold and reserved with her? Or would all that fondness I hear in his voice dump all over her?