MARKED | COMPLETED

Chapter 10

His first name was Quinn. But to Deering, simply using his first name wasn't frightening enough, and so those he terrorized only knew him as that. But as I walked passed him, Reece not far behind me, I saw beneath his split lip and bruised eye that he was just a very angry Quinn.

"I gave him that split lip," Reece told me. I could hear it in his voice how proud he was.

"I gave him the bloody nose he had a few days ago."

Strange—just a few days ago, I was pummeling away at Quinn for placing a few bets on whether or not I would die. After all that's happened it seemed innocuous. Having a few people guess whether or not I would die didn't seem as terrifying as it did now.

Who knew how long it would be before I had a price on my head? Our pack was supposed to be cursed—to the other packs, the death of our last Luna was fate; we were strong for too long, and we needed to be struck down.

We weren't strong now... but, who knew? Maybe they didn't see it that way.

Everything was simply different now.

With much disdain, I pulled my gaze away from Deering and his friends that surrounded him. I wondered if he was telling them about how unjustified the trials were—his reasons for being unfair didn't seem to match mine, but at least we both had the same idea.

"You know, I thought this would be different," Reece mused. "My best friend would be the Luna, I'd be the guardian of said Luna—but nothing feels different."

"I was about to say the same thing."

In truth, I didn't feel any different. I didn't feel this strange surge of strength that I was told that I would feel. I didn't feel taller. I didn't feel bigger. I felt—well, I felt the same, just with a better-looking title. Unfortunately, the title I was given was one I didn't feel I deserved.

The pack didn't look any different either. We were all the same. Divided—whether that division was hidden or out in the open, we were still divided, and that was what made us so weak. One-half might stand beside the Alpha, but the other would question any command he made. It was as simple as that.

It was up to me to change that—though I had no idea where to start.

It was a demanding job, I realized, and for someone who'd never done much aside from washing dishes or mopping floors, I was given more responsibility than I'd ever had before. I drew in a heavy breath, continuing to look ahead... and for a simple second, I assumed that I was hiding my worries well.

"How do you fix something that's been broken for about a hundred years or so?" I asked, my steps slowing as we neared the end of our path.

Reece shrugged. "Lots and lots of duct tape. Maybe love."

I began to doubt if we had that much duct tape in the territory.

"I don't think the fates chose the right person for this job," I admitted. In all honesty, they could've have chosen an infant and they'd be better at this.

At least, then, they'd have years to prepare for the problems I was facing at the moment. An infant would have years to create a bond with Alpha Aisling. I wasn't even sure how long I had—was it a day, a week, a year? Did I have mere hours to create a bond, a friendship that was stronger than all others? What if I had only seconds?

If it were seconds, then I'd lost that small opportunity.

"You have people who are willing to help." Reece placed a hand on my shoulder. His warm touch seemed to sink into the wool, comforting me for a short while before reality hit me once again.