"Run, Ray, run!"
I shrieked with laughter as I sprinted through the bustling marketplace, Reighlin straggling behind me. Dodging another person - a woman who cursed when I nearly ran into her - I looked over my shoulder and through the legs of the crowd. Reighlin was hardly visible as she shouldered her way towards me, her arms cradling a dozen or so hot bread buns. Giggling, I grabbed half of her load and together we made our way to the outside of the flowing throng of bodies.
Checking to make sure the coast was clear from any suspicious eyes, I sat at the base of a massive oak, Reighlin plopping down besides me. Her normally fair and calm face was red from running. Glaring at me, I met her fiery gaze with my own toothy grin. She couldn't hold back the smile that threatened to show, but she huffed irritably as I bit into one of the honey-glazed treats. Swiping at the golden syrup running down my chin, I sucked it off my fingers, savoring each drop.
"Y'know, some of us can't run as fast as you." Amusement shown on her face, but her eyes said she hadn't forgiven me yet.
"I would've come back to save you", I replied, crumbs spilling from my mouth and sticking to my cotton dress.
"Sure."
Rolling my eyes, I popped the rest of my bun into my mouth and started on my second. Ray picked up her first, giving a throaty moan as she took her first bite. A few quiet moments of content passed between us as we enjoyed our pastries until I broke the silence.
"Did you see how red his face got?" I laughed, Ray sharing the amusement until our cheeks hurt and our guts ached from laughter. "His eyes looked ready to pop outta his head!" Wiping away a tear from my cheek, I looked up to find those same bulging eyes glaring down at me. Halting our mirth, Ray followed suit when she saw the bear of a man standing in front of us with his arms crossed.
Time seemed to stand still as we locked eyes.
Reighlin let out a girly scream. Scrambling up, our stolen desserts falling into the dirt, I squealed as a huge, meaty hand grabbed my wrist. Pulling my feet straight up off the ground, I watched with despair as Reighlin ran down the path, away from me and my captor. I almost felt betrayed, but I couldn't blame her.
"You lil' thief, found you sticky handed." Mr. Bernar, the Pack's baker, growled, shaking me until my teeth rattled. I swear I heard my brain banging around in my skull. "You can't make up any damned excuse and slip away this time. Bastard child. Why the Alpha took in a scrap like you, I'll never know."
His grasp on me started to hurt and hateful tears burned in the back of my eyes. I'd never let him see them. Spitting at his feet, I snarled back with as much ferocity as a ten year old could muster.
"He's actually got a heart, unlike your ugly arse." His eyes widened in shock, which quickly turned to rage, letting out an inhuman roar. Bystanders turned to watch, but none stepped up to stop him from reeling back his arm. Gritting my teeth, I yelped in pain as the back of his hand met my cheek, snapping my head to the side.
Through my tears, the same damned tears that haven't relented since Bernar snatched me up, I could only watch as he pulled back for another swing, but slender fingers on his flexed bicep stopped him. His anger dwindled as he met the steady gaze of our Alpha.
"Richard, let her down."
Bernar complied, setting me as gently as he could on my feet. Scrunching my face, I stuck my tongue out at him, but sucked it right back in when my Alpha gave me a disapproving look. My tormentor's face was emotionless, but his dark eyes spoke for him. If the Alpha weren't present, he would've ripped my tongue out with hot prongs.
"I apologize for Fae's behavior, but I will take care of her," His golden eyes found mine. He spoke the next words slowly, making sure the point was clear, "Punishment included." Clenching my fists at my side, I fought against the shiver that slowly trailed down my spine and the cold sweat that followed it. The Alpha was known for being merciless, even in small matters such as this.
His normally gentle hand grabbed mine harshly, leaving me in a silent state, wincing from the slight pain. It was tiny compared to my punishment soon to come. Leon tugged me away, bowing his head slightly to Bernar, who seemed to have calmed down a considerable amount. Veins no longer buldged under his chocolate skin and he was running a hand over his salt-and-pepper hair.
As I was dragged back to the Alpha's den, I determined how I was going to evade punishment. I chose that crying - no, bawling - was the best way to go. Sucking in a breath, preparing for the waterworks, my head snapped to the left, abruptly ending my lil' charade. I raised a trembling hand to my burning cheek, the same on that Bernar had abused.
"This is utterly ridiculous," a sharp voice rebuked.
Leon'steeth were bared, showing off both of his elongated canines. My eyes never left them, even as he grabbed my chin between his fingers.
"How many times have I had to come and save you, just this week?" He spit each word out like he was chewing sour tobacco. I wasn't capable of words. Realization hitting me, I knew there was no getting out of this. Leon had never been this venemous, let alone raise a hand to me.
Pinching my ear between two fingers, Leon repeated his question with a hiss.
"How. Many. Times."
Shaking slightly, I mumbled until he pinched my flushed cartillage, making me yip out the answer.
"Four! Four times!"
He released me with a snarl, turning to pace the sunlit foyer. Legs quaking, all that I could do was watch and wait as he milled over what to do with me. Standing for what seemed like hours, I jumped when Leon grabbed my shoulders, making me bite my tongue. A pitiful whine escaped past my teeth, but nothing else followed. Leon's hands cradled my thin shoulders like they were a fragile chick, his past aggression suddenly dissipated.
"Fae," he whispered, soothingly, a gentle hand caressing my honey-brown locks," you're no longer a child. You're old enough to accept responsibilities like any other pack member."
Nodding slowly, I wondered where this was going.
"So I have a very, very," he put emphasis on that last 'very'," important job for you. No one else can do it. Only you." He lead me to one of the windows that faced the dust field - the field where the older kids played sports - and I spotted Carter, Leon's only son and heir.
Smiling, I lifted a hand to call for him, but Leon squeezed my shoulder, shaking his head. Confusion shown on my face like a beacon and he chuckled, ruffling my already unkempt hair. Looking back out at Carter, I watched him as he ran around strategically, kicking around a dusty, deer-skin ball. His tan skin shone like gold with sweat and his blond tresses made him appear like a fourteen year old Leon.
"Fae, I need you to protect him."
Jerking my attention to Leon, I scowled and clenched his tunic in my small fist.
"Why, is Carter in danger?"
Leon smiled and shook his head once more.
"No, but he'll need you. He won't realize it for a long time, but you are going to save him from himself one day. You need to stand by him and help him lead the pack."
His steady gaze held mine until I started nodding my head like a crazed chicken. With my famous toothy grin on my face, I held out my pinky finger to Leon. The powerful and menacing Alpha gave me a gentle turn of his lips and hooked his pinky with mine.
I never realized what that promise meant in the long run.
