“You can tell him I appreciate his thoughtfulness when it comes to my companions’comfort.” Rhael responded, his hand lingering on my lower back as if he was displaying some kind of affection.
My eyes shot up to meet his, seeing only the familiar cold silver gaze.
This was an act, it was always an act.
“Well, I will leave you to get settled, the Alpha will be in touch when he is ready to meet,” the wolf smiled, already stepping backwards giving us space.
“Thank you Eirik.” Rhael nodded his head in a sign of respect. His eyes narrowed as the wolf turned on his heel. Disappearing from view and back down the hall away from us. Leaving us alone once more.
“What now?” I asked him quietly, looking from Rhael to the door as if going inside would open up a can of worms I was not ready to deal with.
“We go inside.” Rhael’s tone was flat, as if he was stating the obvious. Without breaking eye contact he stepped closer, placing his hand flat against the door and pushed it open.
Chapter Ten
The door shut behind me with a deep, echoing thud. The sound settled into the bones of the room.
Warmth coiled though the space. Firelight flickered in a large stone fireplace on the far right hand wall. Thick pelts hung as decoration on both the walls and floors, trophies of violence and dominance, a silent reminder of what the wolves were capable of.
I kept my eyes away from the bed. It loomed in the centre of the room, far too large, draped in furs. From what I could see, it was large enough for two people to sleep without touching. Hopefully.
Rhael moved further inside, his presence sharpening the air. His gaze swept every corner, every shadow. Every movement earnt his attention as if expecting something to emerge from the walls.
If anything, his tension only grew. It was clear neither King trusted one another, both were waiting for the other to strike first.
I knew very little about the Lycanthyr Wolves, I had never needed to. My survival had always been about what was directly in front of me. Aspecies I never thought I would encounter became insignificant. Now I wished I had listened to the stories my mother had told me as a child, I remembered fragments, but it wasn't enough.
Wolves ruled Lycanthyr, that much was obvious. They were also self sufficient. Everything they needed was grown, hunted or forged within their own borders. They did not rely on outsiders and rarely looked for alliances.
Humans were beneath them, like all species, they saw us as wastes of oxygen. My presence alone was likely an insult, but it was not as if I had any choice.
“I was a fool to bring you here,” Rhael muttered, finally breaking the silence. “You don’t know enough.”
The words stung. I wanted to roll my eyes, to tell him that much was obvious. The only thing that stopped me was his posture. This was not his court, not his realm. Here he was not untouchable, and I was far more vulnerable than usual.
“Then enlighten me,” I offered, resting against the wall near the fireplace. The heat ran over my body, relaxing my bones, easing the ache from hours of riding.
Our bags had been discarded on the floor, although the wardrobes lining the walls suggested we would not need them. I could already see glimpses of clothing waiting within. Outfits prepared long before we arrived.
“Magnus and his people do not keep secrets. They are open, honest. What is good for theindividual is good for the pack. They don't tolerate secrets from others either.” He explained, his expression hardening as he looked out of the arched window to the grounds below.
“Everyone keeps secrets.” I blinked, turning my body so I was facing him fully.
“Not here, not in their home. Everything is shared. Space, breath, touch.” Rhael told me, his eyes returned to mine as he stepped closer.
“That is what you meant when you said they smell everything. I know that.” I said, swallowing. Repeating the words as he had explained them before. I tried to keep my tone flat, but I couldn't help the usual sarcasm that lingered.
“You know nothing,” he snapped. The sharpness in his tone cut clean through the room. I took a deep breath as he closed the distance between us in two strides. Instinctively I stepped back, pressing my back to the wall.
“I know nothing because you tell me nothing,” I shot back, crossing my arms as I leant away from him. Narrowing my eyes, although I kept my voice low. If the wolves were listening, I would not make it easy.
“I am telling you now. They will not be honest with us, and they will do anything to protect their own. Their key nature is to hunt, to find weakness.” Rhael sighed, as if explaining to me was taking physical effort.
“But you are not here as an enemy? Neither am I.” I questioned, my head tilting to the side. Yes, I was human, but it made no sense in my mind forMagnus to believe I was his enemy before he had even met me.
“Magnus does not trust me as he once did. He does not know if I come as a friend or to overturn his rule. They will want proof that you are what I say,” he replied.
His reasoning was logical, as always. I hated it when he was so fucking logical. It boiled my blood that he could not even display emotion when he was discussing life and death.
