Loving the enemy

Chapter 14

I don't tell Shane what me and Dan shared that night. I don't ever want to, I feel as if what he asked me to do and his reasoning for wanting death was sacred and private. From the deepest part of his soul.

Daniels body is being carried on a stretcher by two men I have never seen before, me and the rest of Shane's pack are trudging through the forest together, trying to find a place to settle down. Some women are going slightly off track to pick medicinal plants to help numb Dans agony, but other than that we trudge together.

We are walking to the lake me and Shane first met, its isolated and uncommon, perfect for us to hide tonight.

Naturally, people are spreading rumours about me. I am known commonly as "the mysterious wolf from the other pack who saved Dan, is Shanes mate and saved them all from the vampire attack". And I guess except for the wolf part, the rumours are right.

When we reach the lake many of the pack dive into the water, washing the dirt and on some occasions blood from their coats and skin. I walk over to where they have laid Dan on the ground. He is in pretty bad shape. Multiple flesh wounds, blindness, deep scars, possible minor concussion, broken legs, arms, ribs and other potential breaks and fractures. He has been very unresponsive since we were found, so the healers of the pack are unable to tell where the pain is. They do not think he has any majorly damaged organs or internal bleeding, but they are unsure on what the future will hold for him. Shane comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, he places his head on my shoulder and whispers in my ear.

"You were so brave today." I don't respond.

An unknown man walks up to me, "sorry to interrupt, but alpha would like to speak with you." he pauses for a second and looks over my shoulder at Shane "both of you."

••••••••

My hand shakes as I walk over to the Alpha, Shane knows I have every reason to be nervous, I have killed his people, are mated with his son and as soon as I show up members of his pack have been attacked and even killed. But Shane does not know that the man I am about to confront is the reason my life has happened this way, the reason I am living in the trees in the first place.

When I reach the Alpha he is in human form, and his power is still as radiant as it is when he is a wolf. He has dark hair and eyes which seem to look through my soul, unravelling all my secrets. He has broad shoulders and well defined body, but you have to fit so survive this way. Stubble grows along his jawline and even though I hate to admit it, he is attractive.

"It's nice to finally to meet our saviour." he says in a husky voice that reminds me of winter afternoons in front of a fire, while sitting in a large chair with a glass of whiskey. He reaches his hand out and I take it, masking my disgust incredibly well.

"The pleasure is all mine." I say, my words sounding much less forced than they did in my head.

"What is your name, child?" for a moment I consider a fake name, I instantly decide against it. Too much news has spread of me, of course he knows my name.

"Max." I say simply. He looks over at Shane.

"Son, you never told me you found a mate." Shane opens his mouth to respond, but words don't seem to come out. The alpha looks back at me "let alone one as beautiful as her." that compliment coming from anyone else probably would have made me blush and laugh off the compliment but from him, I was fighting the urge to attack him. God, I never thought the encounter would be like this. Small talk and compliments. I always imagined blood and vengeance. "How did you know of the coming attack?" He asks, his tone suddenly all seriousness.

"I was told by someone who watches over me, an angel, if you will." Alpha smiles smugly.

"An angel? There are no such things." I lock gazes with him, my eyes flowing with challenge.

"People could say that about us." Shane places a warning hand on my shoulder, discreetly telling me to back down a little bit. The Alphas amused grin fades back into seriousness.

"What pack are you from?" he asks. I reply instantly, not having to even think of a lie.

"I live alone, I'm more of a lone wolf. I don't usually mesh well with others." His eyes drift upon my weapon slung across my back before falling back on my face.

"I see." He says bluntly, "either way, thank you for helping us. You saved many innocent people." I bite my tongue, stopping myself from snapping at him that if he cared about the lives of innocent people he would have spared my parents. I only nod once, not trusting my words. The Alpha looks over at Shane "go, I dismiss you." Shanes grip tightens on my shoulder slightly.

"I don't think that's a good idea." he says, obviously sensing the tension radiating off of me.

"That's an order son. Leave us." Shane looks at me reluctantly before giving me a 'be good' face. Then he walks away, over to his wounded friend. I look up at the Alpha.

"What is this about?"

"You are deadly familiar, I swear I've seen that face before." his hand reaches out and takes my chin, he examines my face. I yank my head out his grip.

"How dare you touch me." I spit, viciously angry. He smiles, letting his hand fall back to his side.

"Why, you do have quite a bite on you don't you?" I don't move or respond, only glare up at him my eyes blazing. "I am starting to understand why you survived so long on your own. Your story seems to match up, but people like us, my people, we don't need weapons to survive. And those arrows, the ones in your bow, I have seen them multiple times." My heart starts to race in my chest, but I still stare up at him with blazing eyes. "I do not understand what your motive is, killing us off then helping us survive. Maybe it's my son, maybe it's not. I just want to warn you, if anyone here dies at your hand, I'll deal with you myself." Without another word he turns around and walks off.

••••••••

"So, he knows you have been killing us, but doesn't know you're human?" Shane asks as we sit up high in the trees, nobody can hear us up here.

"I think so, he said werewolves didn't need weapons to survive. I think he believes I am either a strange werewolf or a vampire." I don't mention the fact he recognised me. "Shane, it's not safe for me here." He takes my hands in his, rubbing his thumb gently over the back of my knuckles.

"I will not let anyone hurt you, Max. Not ever." I meet his gaze, his eyes are so sincere that my chest tightens.

"I am not worried about him hurting me." I say, and it's true. I can handle myself, I am worried about what I might do. If I blow this, I could ruin Shane's life. I don't want that.

"Then what are you worried about?" I look down, averting my gaze from his face. I look down at the pack, they seem miserable and they have every right to be. They had to leave most things they owned .behind and were torn from their homes in a matter of minutes. "Max, I can't help you if you don't open up to me." I feel his hand touch the side of my face, I flutter my eyes to him. Tears build in my eyes as I speak.

"I'm going to do something terrible." I whisper, my words fading into the air as soon as they leave my lips. "I can't tell you what, but I only hope you can forgive me."

"It's okay. Nothing you do will be unforgivable. Not to me." I shake my head.

"You don't understand. Just know that I have to, and I have reasons." He smiles at me and wipes away a rebel tear.

"It's okay. I can forgive you, the pack will forgive you."

"No, they won't. I will never be able to show my face here again.."

"Calm down, Max. It'll be okay, trust me" and I nod without another word, just because I don't want to argue anymore.