Her Shadow Rogue Mate

Midnight Blues

BRIAR’S POV

—

The walk back to the Greenvale pack was silent— mostly because for the last two minutes, I’ve been ignoring anything he said, and I guess he finally caught the hint of needing to shut the hell up because I’m not going with him to wherever for him, but for my mother— but one thing I do hate is how very aware I am of him. He’s walking slightly behind me, holding my arm, his fingers slack and isn’t threatening at all, and for some reason, I’m not scared even though I think I should be.

Maybe it’s because I’ll be seeing mom soon.

I hope she’s okay.

The closer we get to the pack that they’ve probably destroyed, I see the bright orange-red light burning bright, and my breath hitches in my throat at the sight of all the smoke filling the air.

Did they set every building on fire?

My chest hurts at the sight.

All those people…those children.

Nausea hits me, and memories of the past come flooding back— but the difference is that I’m not running away this time, but walking back to that fire.

What are the chances of anyone surviving?

I tense when I see a few males standing around, waiting, looking impatient, no one saying a single word, but all of them are looking at me.

Staring. Eyes burning into my skin, into my soul.

‘What the f**k are they staring at?’ Cora growls. ‘Shut up!’ I scold her. ‘You are the reason we’re in this mess.’ I seethe. ‘Me?’ She scoffs, getting defensive. ‘Yes.’ I retort without hesitation and shove her back into a box.

“You’ve caught a plaything, Fenrys.” A blonde male beams, but the glee doesn’t reach his eyes. “Not a plaything, Column.” Fenrys snarled. He literally snarled and he’s protecting me.

Why? I don’t know. But I’m grateful.

Fenrys subtly pulls me closer to him as this Column fellow takes a step towards us, “Then kill her.” He says daringly, and the blood drains from my face. Fenrys sighs as if he’s overstimulated and frustrated at the same time, his chin tucking in as he pinches the bridge of his nose. He lets loose a shuddering breath, meeting Column’s stare, “She’s a key,” Fenrys explained with restraint, and my heart flips.

A key? A key to what?

“A key to f*****g what?” Column snorts, turning to grin at his friends, and then he faces Fenrys again, eyebrows raised, “I doubt there’s a big enough hole for her to go into and turn.” He chuckles, pride shining in his eyes, and he glances at me, clearly looking for some sort of reaction, but I don’t give him one.

I don’t even look at him.

I could feel his gaze sharpen on me, and I noticed Fenrys tensing as Column strode over, and he snapped his fingers in front of my face.

My eyes roll, but I still don’t look at him.

“Fen, did you smack the s**t out of her or something?” Column joked, and it was the joke that made me realize that I made him uncomfortable.

Fenrys snorted, and then laughed, “You’re the pro with that, why would I do it?” He speaks as if he didn’t like hitting people, but I heard the punches he threw at Rust— Rust, the future of this pack, who’s probably dead.

‘I doubt that loud crack was stone.’ Cora chimed, but I ignored her, and the gut wrenching feeling in my stomach at the idea.

Before Column could say anything, Fenrys changed the subject, “Let’s go. We’re done here.” And I realized that no one actually questioned him, but were talking like friends, especially the blonde goof.

Fenrys tugged me along, and no one else really spoke as we walked towards the pack’s border, and each step nearing that invisible line made my chest ache, fear creeping in.

I’ve been initiated into this pack, on this very land, land that’s a living thing beneath my feet, land that I am bound to for the rest of my life, and the second my foot stepped across that invisible border, I felt it.

A cold chill crept down my spine, intertwining with every vertebrae, squeezing and the memories of that feeling when I fled home came rushing back in, crushing my confidence, ruining my balance, and it was like something hard and cold smacked right into me, changing me, again—for the worse.

I stumble as that agonizing pain ripped through my chest, tears swelling in my eyes, and Fenrys yanked me upright before I tumbled to the ground, “Walk, stupid girl.” He growled, loudly, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment because I could feel the attention of the other males like they were physically rubbing their eyeballs against the back of my head.

Steps inched closer, and my stomach turned, “Is she mute?” Column asks Fenrys, and I bite my tongue, stopping the foul words that wanted to roll from it.

Fenrys snorted, “No, she’s angry.” Fenrys cooed, and I could hear that wicked grin in his voice.

“Oh, little miss piss poor lady is angry that she got caught?” Column chuckled, and I am convinced that he gets off on belittling others, and then I felt it, hands, rougher than Fenrys’ touching my hair, ruffling it.

Fenrys nudged his arm, “She did beg a little, said please in the most pitiful voice I’ve ever heard,” Fenrys snorted, shaking his head, and anger burst in my chest, clawing up my throat and I have to bite down on my teeth to keep my mouth shut.

He is so full of it.

I begged to get clothes. I begged to have my hands tied in the front. I didn’t beg for whatever the hell he’s indicating.

Column laughed, his smile wide, and inside, I was screaming— but I knew I couldn’t just scream.

I want to see my mom.

“Come,” Fenrys tugged me to the side, “You ride with me,” he says, and that’s when I see the horses tied to the trees, all except one. A dark midnight horse, large with powerful legs, the tail braided perfectly.

“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice coming out hoarse and broken.

Now that was pitiful.

I reach up to remove a strand of hair from my eyes, and I bite back a hiss as the rope digs into my already raw wrists. Fenrys made sure I couldn’t get loose.

Prick.

“My horse.” He said, leading me towards the black one that wasn’t tide. “I’m not giving you one, and to be frank, we don’t have any to spare.” He shrugged, patting the dark coat of the beast before us.

Fenrys patted down her saddle, tugging and I guess it’s to make sure it’s secure.

“Look boys, I think we scared the Alpha after the other day’s prank.” Column howled, some chuckling along and others smiling as they too made sure everything was still in tact.

Weird. Wouldn’t they have remembered if they loosened the saddles?

Fenrys turned to face me, grinning, “They undid my saddle,” he explained, leaning in towards me, whispering, “And now they’re afraid I’ll get them back.” He grins.

He stood there, watching me, expecting a reply, but what am I supposed to say?

That’s funny? It isn’t. They’re grown males acting like teenagers.

His eyes narrowed, and something shifted in his eyes. He reached for me, yanking me towards him, and nodded towards the saddle, “Get on.” I stare at the saddle, and as if the horse could understand, it whipped his head back and looked at me. I startle from the sudden movement, thinking it wanted to bite, and jumped right back into Fenrys’ chest.

His hands grabbed my arms, steadying me, caging me, and he leaned in, his nose brushing the shell of my ear, and my back stiffened, straightening. “She won’t bite.” He purred in a soft whisper, but then his fingers tightened their hold on my arms, “But I do,” And then he nipped at my ear. I jolt from the feeling, and turn to face him, staring up at him with wide eyes.

My chest rises and falls unevenly, but I bite my tongue.

Fenrys nodded towards the mare behind me, and my teeth dug into my bottom lip as I turned and stared at the horse’s back.

Sighing, I raise my arms, grabbing the horn of the saddle and jump, but my hands slip, and I slide right back down.

These stupid f*****g restraints.

I stood there hopelessly, trying to figure out where to grab on tightly and try again, and again, failing each time.

Fenrys sighed behind me, and then he grabbed my hips, his hands large upon my body and he pushed me up, holding onto my leg so I don’t slide over.

I sat there, half out of breath, staring into the dark woods, my heart pounding.

My eyes flick down towards the reins. I could run. I’m sure mom would understand. I can grab the reins and run.

My fingers twitch, but Fenrys’ voice cuts my ideas short, “Before you think of any ideas…” He whispered, reaching for the reins and taking them, “Creseda is trained to love me, live for me run for me. Me only.” He dragged a veiny hand over the horse’s neck, and then looked up at me with raised brows.

Is he waiting for something?

Does he want me to deny thinking about riding away?

“Alright.” Fenrys sighed, and hopped on right behind me. “Feet in the stirrups.” He patted my leg, but my feet can’t even reach, so he leans down, adjusting the length on either side and then tapped my leg again.

I slipped my feet right in.

I wanted to say thank you, but then Column rode over, stopping beside us and asked, “When are we camping?”

Fenrys shrugged, saying, “When we’re far enough from this place,” And I didn’t miss the disgust in his voice.