Mixed Blood (Wattys2015)

Chapter 2- Over a plate of stew

Kara was awoken by the distant sound of a galloping horse. She found herself in the familiar warmth of her bed.

"You're up!" Said a cheery voice she did not recognize. She turned her head to see a girl sitting by her. She had black long hair and grey eyes. The combination made her think of a stranger, who had held her gently... Marko.

"I'm Yenive," the girl said with a wide smile as she handed Kara a glass of water "He's on his way." Kara looked at her confused "Marko... you know tall, black hair, grey eyes like me, looks like he could wrestle a bull, or ten men for that matter.... you were calling for him in your sleep but he was out searching for more rogues."

"I was calling him?"

"Yes you were," said a deep voice. She sat up clutching the sheets to her slender body. Even when fully clothed and hidden under the sheets she felt exposed to those powerful eyes. He looked at her from the doorway, his body tense as he surveyed every inch of her face.

"Brother," Yenive said tossing her arms around Marko's neck. He leaned down to her and kissed the top of her head. The adoration in his eyes was tender and bright. His eyes quickly returned to look at Kara. "Well, how about I go find something to do out there? I'm sure some of our wolves are misbehaving instead of helping out the villagers, they might need a little scowling," Yenive said with a sweet yet mischievous and dangerous glint in her eyes. She turned to her brother with a serious face and whispered something, in response he nodded, and she walked away.

Marko stared at her with an intent look in his eyes, his body seemed stiff and his jaw was clenched.

"She seems nice, your sister," she said breaking the silence. "Will she be alright, with... them?" she didn't know what to call the men from the forest, calling them werewolves felt like comparing him to them and they were not the same.

"Yenive? Oh yes she might seem small but she can handle my men," he said with a small smirk. The simple expression made her heart quicken. He was simply gorgeous. He chuckled "In fact," he said moving to sit in the chair beside her. "She is one of the few people who can actually scare me."

She laughed, imaging the girl scowling at Marko like he was a child. The thought of him being afraid of anything simply seemed outrageous.

He let out a quiet growl, so low that she couldn't have heard it. His wolf was excited to have her so near him, to hear her laugh and see her smile. The fact that she was relatively safe was the only reason he was okay with leaving her in that bed. If it weren't for that he would have her securely in his arms. Hell, if it weren't for the fact that she looked so tired he would be in that bed with her rolling around in a mess of sheets. The thought of her soft skin made his whole body tense. His wolf was growling and pulling at the restraint he had towards her.

"How do you feel? You slept all day yesterday," Marko said, a hint of guilt and worry in his deep voice.

"Well, I'm tired, but I'm fine." Especially with you near me. Kara thought. Suddenly her stomach growled, begging to be fed. Her face reddened with embarrassment and he laughed a deeply.

"Your stomach begs to differ," he shook his head rising to stand beside her. "I should have thought to feed you some time ago. The cook has made a lamb stew, I'll go get you some," he said heading for the door.

Before he could get too far Kara got out of bed, assessed her tunic and her hair and followed behind him.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked turning and making her stop in her tracks.