Kellen swallowed. “I vow to protect all Ravager females from any threat, within or without the clan.”
Eric gave him a nod. “If you stay, you’re a temporary Savage. And you’ll need to prove yourself to earn blanket freedom in the compound.”
That sounded a lot like putting chains around Kellen, but chains he could handle. Death, not so much.
“Logan.” Dominic nodded.
Logan removed the bands restraining Kellen, and as he leaned close, Kellen caught a whiff of something pleasing. A scent that called to him on another level.
He didn’t trust it, so he forced himself not to react, especially when he felt his new prime’s lingering gaze.
Ignoring the offered hand to help him stand, he managed to get to his feet on his own and stood a good head taller than Logan, which pleased him.
Eric motioned for Kellen to come closer.
Kellen took a step before Dominic forced him to his knees in a move Kellen hadn’t anticipated. Fast and deadly. Kellen approved.
Eric shoved a claw into Kellen’s chest, twisted, and removed his claw to suck the blood off it while his gaze remained on Kellen. “I know you, Ravager. By scent and by taste. You will follow our rules and abide by our laws.”
Kellen felt a new connection grow over the stagnated pool of Lawless power inside him, now an echo of what once was. The prime had made a blood-tie, an offering of acceptance but not a true bond of clan recognition. Kellen was a Savage, but for now, in name only.
Dominic helped him to his feet, and this time Kellen let him, suddenly weak at the knees. “Logan, take him to eat and settle in. Come see me when you’re done.”
Logan nodded and escorted Kellen toward the main house.
Kellen glanced over his shoulder to see Eric and Dominic watching him walk away, their stares a little too intense. They wanted him for something. He had a feeling their approval would be contingent upon a set of conditions they had yet to explain. He’d make sure to remain on his guard.
“So, you’re Kellen Savage now.” Logan smiled, and to Kellen’s surprise, he found the male more than attractive.
Kellen was no stranger to appealing sexual partners. As a Ravager, he’d had his share of encounters, mostly to stave the building aggression his kind worked to control. As a berserker, it was even more imperative that he channel his violence. But sex in the Lawless clan had been brutal, and dangerous. Fortunately, he’d only been there a few months before Nev had sent him abroad.
In the time since, he’d kept to himself, only engaging with others to fight or gather information. Despite his size, he’d been pretty damn good at being inconspicuous. Yet here, he felt as if standing in the middle of a spotlight, with plenty of people watching him.
Logan seemed to be waiting for him to respond, so Kellen nodded. “I’m now Kellen Savage, I guess.”
“Like I said, I’m Logan. I’ll introduce you to a few key people, and Eric will make an announcement to let everyone know who you are.” Logan continued into the house, so Kellen followed, aware of Logan’s breadth of shoulder, his trim hips, and the Ravager’s big, strong hands.
He blinked, unsure of his sudden fascination. “I, ah, this is the main house?”
A large mansion set in the middle of acres of woodland on the outskirts of town, the Savage compound had been a point of contention for Nev, who’d believed that Ravagers should remain mostly in theirguerstate, living off the land. Frankly, Kellen preferred a bed and indoor plumbing, so he could appreciate the Savages’ niceties.
“Yep. This is where the prime and his pack live. A bunch of other permanent residents as well, though most Ravagers spend temporary time here when on duty or an assignment. We have a bunch of smaller homes for individual packs around the compound, tucked into the trees. And a barracks-style building along with a gym and range for keeping in fighting form. We’re Ravagers who live and die for each other. We’re family.”
They walked through the large living area, passing Ravagers in all states of form and dress, continued past a room where the scents and sounds of sex told him clearly what went on in there, and finally found the kitchen, a large, spotless room where three males and a female were taking turns making sandwiches, platters, and dishes that smelled delectable at a large island.
Kellen’s stomach rumbled. It had been a day since he’d last eaten, and even before then his meals had been spotty, since at the time he’d been on the run from Watchers and a crime boss he’d accidentally crossed.
“Hey, Rule. Feed him, would you?” Logan clapped Kellen on the shoulder. “One other thing.” Logan yanked Kellen down and stared into his eyes, his expression fierce. “We protect our own. Touch anyone without permission here, you’ll die. And it won’t be quick or easy.”
Kellen, unlike his old prime, treasured females and wanted to protect those less in power. Nev, unfortunately, had expected rape and conquest as his due.
“That’s good.” Kellen cleared his throat, wishing he could clear his memories of some of the things he’d witnessed and experienced while under Nev’s charge. “I understand.” He continued to stare into Logan’s eyes, which were a lighter brown than he’d thought, the darkness of his irises woven with threads of amber. Beautiful.
Logan blinked and smiled, as if he hadn’t just threatened Kellen’s life. “Okay then. Rule will get you fed, and Jacinta will get you settled.”
Kellen nodded, surprised they’d just leave him without guards. Until he noticed the large Ravagers entering to eat with him. Four warriors who no doubt planned to keep an eye on him.
Good. At least this prime had a head on his shoulders. He might appear soft to someone like Nev, but he wasn’t stupid.
