The Imprinted Maiden (18+)

Chapter Ten

If what he said was true, and the werewolves were mine, I wouldn't know what to do.

I knew that silver did terrible things to werewolves, and that I would have to try and set them free on my own.

I kept close to him as he hurriedly walked in different directions. Not too long after, we approached what looked like a farm. There was a barn and a large house.

There were three men and two women on the porch, and they all looked at us the moment the boy said, "I'm back!"

I barely had time to dodge when someone fired at me.

The boy stepped in front of me and yelled, "She's fine, she's fine!! She's with me!!"

The old man who aimed at me lowered his gun and frowned, saying, "You know better than to bring some stranger home." "She was on her own," he pressed, "Shoot, she even dropped her knife when she saw me. She's safe."

Another man, one with blonde, short hair, asked, "Was she really alone?"

He nodded softly and said, "I ain't seen no one else but her."

Another, seemingly older than the other man, but younger than the old man, said, "Bring her in."

The boy smiled at me and said, "See? No harm, I assure you. We're as harmless as flies. Just don't touch Chris' sword; he likes it a lot. He's my brother, you see." I was confused as to who Chris was, until he pointed at the man with the short blonde hair.

I slowly walked with the boy towards his family, feeling awkward and nervous at the same time.

I didn't see either werewolf anywhere.

The boy smiled at me and said, "My name is Josh. That right there be my grandpa Louie, the one who shot you." The old man grunted and said, "Apologies." The boy pointed to the man with the blonde hair down to his back and said, "That's my pops, you can call him Mr. James Fione, and the other one next to him is my older brother, Ezekiel."

The man gave me a charming smile, all the while Josh's brother scoffed and looked elsewhere.

Josh said, "Don't pay any attention to Ezzy. Anywho, over there is my mother, Melinda," he pointed to a woman with brown and grey hair, "And that over there is Annie, my sister." He pointed to a girl with long blonde hair.

I smiled shyly and said, "I'm Lyra.. Honestly though, I don't mean to barge. I was just waiting on my brothers, but I haven't seen them yet."

Melinda said, "Oh you poor thing. And you look like you haven't had a bath in days. Please, we don't mind."

I hesitated. I wanted to see if Xain and Connor were alright, but my stomach was growling painfully.

I nodded a bit and said, "Oh fine, if you insist. I'd like to keep my clothes on though, thanks."

Louie said, "You'll be sleeping out in the barn with 'dem wolves if you insist." My heart lurched. 'So that's where they were,' I thought. I huffed and said, "Lycos don't scare me." Annie shivered at the term and asked, "Wouldn't you rather use the other word?"

I shook my head and said, "Either or."

James said, "We'll be doing no such thing."

I bit my lower lip before saying, "To be honest... I can't stay long... I'm hungry, and I'm tired, and I really must meet up with my family if they're there."

James smiled and said, "A girl dedicated to her family. Alright, tell ya what, we'll give ya something to eat and then you can go back to wherever you came from. However, if they don't show up in over an hour, then don't hesitate to come back and spend the night, okay?"