7. Kandra

Two hours had passed, two hours of nerve racking fear. I was currently pacing my small cabin trying to calm my wolf. I wanted so badly to run it was nawing at my insides like some demon possessing me.

I hadn't heard from Ereni or Grunter since this morning and the not knowing if they were alright was killing me. I gripped my phone in my hand so close to breaking it. Why hadn't they called? Why hadn't they come to get me yet? I was going crazy and there was nothing I could do about it.

Just as I was about to turn to do another lap of the cabin something grabbed my hair and slammed my head into the kitchen bench. My body sank to the floor stars clouding my vision. My hand went to my head something wet staining them. Looking down at my fingers fear overcame me as I saw blood.

Some one chuckled behind me making me turn my head too fast the world spinning with it. My eyes widened as the stranger from earlier slowly came into focus.

I tried to stand up but my head pounded making me slump back to the ground. The stranger took one slow step at a time as he bent down to my level.

"Wh....what....?"

I tried to talk but the swirling in my head wouldn't stop. Reaching out he grabbed my hair lifting me to my feet. His grip on my hair was making my head hurt more forcing a small yelp out of my mouth. I tried to push him away but it was like trying to swat a fly. His eyes glowed as he stared down at me. His lips spread into a smile showing his canines.

"I found you."

I glared at him through my pain induced haze. This only seemed to make his lips spread wider.

"Don't look at me like that cherry blossom. It's your own fault. you know how I get when your not with me."

I tried to speak again confused by his words.

"Wh...who....are...you?"

He let go of my hair quickly wrapping his arms around me the movement jolting my already spinning head. My hands were trapped between us as he reached with his hand touching my face. His fingers tracing my jaw line.

"You really don't know do you?"

Terrified my voice shook as i cringed away from his touch. I could only manage one word but it was enough for him to know what I was asking.

"Why?"

He laughed grabbing my hair again pain making my body shake. His face twisted making his handsome face turn ugly. Leaning closer his lips pressed up against my ears like it was a secret.

"Because your mine."

A low growl escaped my throat that was cut off as he started to drag me to the door by my hair. What was he doing? Where was he taking me? Why did he want me? Was he someone from my past? Is this what I was running from when I ended up in the woods four years ago?

I tried to grab whatever I could but everything just slipped through my fingers. I couldn't let him do this, I had to fight. I was stronger then this. I heard the door to the cabin swing open as he dragged me outside. Taking a deep breath I used the incline of the stairs to kick off as I grabbed his hand that was tangled in my hair I swung my leg around kicking him in the head.

His grip on my hair loosened enough that I could get free. Forcing myself to my feet I ran, as I ran I shifted into wolf mid stride. in wolf form the pain in my head started easing the shift exhilarating the healing process. Now that I could think straight I dug my paws preparing to pick up the speed.

I never got the chance however as I was hit from behind. The weight of his wolf pinning me to the ground as he dug his teeth into the scuff at my neck. I yelped at the pain as his teeth sank into the flesh beneath. He stopped biting down before he snapped my neck. Pulling back he bit down again this time on my side. Pain enveloped my whole body the ground turning red with my blood.

I tried to get him off, snapping at him. Tried sinking my teeth into his black and white coat to the flesh beneath but my strength was weaning. He was too strong and I was loosing too much blood. There was nothing I could do as my body went still. I lay panting exhausted with no way out. Whoever this was had won and was going to take me. Every fibre in my being knew that once he did I'd never return again.

Just as my eyes started to close my exhaustion starting to make me loose consciousness the pressure that was digging into my side was ripped away. With effort I forced my eyes open as the sounds of growling filled the woods. My eyes followed the sounds to see the biggest wolf. His pure black pelt the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

He fought against the black and white wolf as they rolled around through the trees. The black wolf was stronger that was obvious. But my attacker was fast as he sank his teeth into the black wolfs tail. Turning his head the black wolf sank his teeth into the the others back sending him flying only to slam against a nearby tree. The black wolf stood his ground. The white wolf glanced at me quickly then as if realising he couldn't win turned and ran.

I fought against my eyelids that just didn't seem to want to work. My saviour seemed to be debating whether to go after the wolf that ran away or stay. Turning his eyes met mine and that's when I realised who the black wolf was. The last thing I saw as my eyes closed was two red orbs.

Darkness swelled at the edge of my vision when a voice penetrated the dark.

"You have to stay awake!"

Hands grabbed at me as a sense of weightlessness over took me. What's happening? Am I dying?

"Your not dying but you need to stay awake."

Did I say that out loud? I groaned as something jolted me the pain shooting through my entire body. The pain weirdly giving me the strength to open my eyes. I was pressed against the bare chest of a male. I started to flail around in a panic that I'd been captured. The arms around me tightened the male holding me looked down.

"STOP!"

I froze as my eyes met his, those red irises shining in the light like rubies. Even though I was still loosing blood my body racked with pain I couldn't stop what came out of my lips.

"So pretty."

The look he gave me was one of bewilderment. Like I was the strangest thing to cross his path. Hell even the rational part of me thought I was insane. I mean seriously this was the tyrant king. The king of all werewolves feared by everyone and I'm calling his eyes pretty.

What was wrong with me? Another bump broke our eye contact as the pain brought me back to my senses. I started to shiver. I heard him swear as he picked up speed. My eyes started to close again this time not even his voice could stop the darkness from taking over. His rough voice fading with each passing second til there was nothing but black.

"KAN!"

My eyes snapped open on hearing Slo's voice. I tried to find where his voice came from but I didn't have the strength.

"Don't try to move we're almost there."

I realised I must have passed out as the diner came into view. Running towards me was Slo, Ereni and Grunter behind him holding the door open. Once he reached us Slo made to pull me from the kings arms but a deep growl vibrated from the chest beneath me. Backing away he let the king carry me inside where another wolf I didn't know had cleared off the counter.

"Lay her down here, Ereni get me some towels and a bowl of boiled water. Grunter gather whatever alcohol you have and a needle and thread."

The counter was cold as I was gently placed on top of it. The wolf I didn't know reach towards me scared I clung to the kings arm as he started pulling away. My heart started pounding fear taking over. My wolf starting to push to the surface. Suddenly hands cupped my face red eyes filled my vision.

"You need to calm down your safe now."

I don't know what it was but as I looked into those red eyes I instantly felt better. Slowly I nodded as my heart rate returned to normal. Gently he put me back down as another set of hands inspected my wounds.

"She's not healing like she should be."

"How is that possible?"

I looked from king Vericus to the wolf seeing to my wounds. Hands gently turned my head to inspect the wound on my neck.

"There's only one explanation she must have been bitten by the lunar eclipse alpha."

"Shit."

Slo's voice sounded from somewhere behind King Vericus.

"That can't be id have recognised him if he was the lunar eclipse alpha."

"It's been ten years Since you've seen their alpha Vericus. There's no other explanation only the lunar eclipse alpha has venom like this."

It was like they were talking in riddles. Lunar eclipse alpha, venomous wolves? What the hell were they talking about?

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Slo push his way to my side but addressing the wolf with blonde hair.

"Owen please tell me you can save her."

The wolf called Owen placed a calming hand on Slo's shoulder.

"Sloane relax she was poisoned with the venom but it's not going to kill her. All the venom does is slow the healing down. As long as I can stop the bleeding she should be fine."

Slo breathed a sigh of relief as he took my hand in his. I smiled at him forgetting about the pain momentarily as I stared into my friends eyes.

"Hey Slo poke."

He chuckled.

"Hey Kan Kan."

I growled at the name causing a wave of pain making me cry out. Slo's hand slipped from my grasp as Ereni and Grunter returned.

"Slo help hold her down."

Hands grabbed at my shoulders and legs as a cold substance was poured over my wounds. I screamed in pain as the alcohol hit my skin and the now open wounds.

"Sorry Kandra but it's only going to get worse."

My eyes met Owens tears forming in the corners.

"Just do it."

He nodded. The worst thing about being a wolf antiseptics didn't work on us. So when we got hurt as bad as this there was no easy fix for the pain. While the others held me down I couldn't stop the screams as I experienced the most horrific pain imaginable. Owen worked fast though as he cleaned the wounds until he finally started stitching the skin back together.

By the time he'd finished I was close to passing out again. A blanket had been thrown on me to keep me warm.

Ereni and Grunter had left to grab some clothes from the cabin. Owen was talking with King Vericus outside leaving Slo beside me holding my hand once more.

"I'm so sorry Kan this is all my fault."

I shook my head my mind still groggy from the pain.

"Don't say that Slo none of this is your fault. I should never have come back."

Slos eyes were starting to tear up as he stared down at me. I was struggling to keep my eyes open.

"Can we argue about who's fault it is later? I'm really sleepy."

Slo made a sound like a chuckle but it didn't reach his eyes that were so full of worry.

"Your right. Get some sleep Kan."

I sighed my eyes starting to close only to snap back open as warm hands lifted me into familiar arms.

"Ver?"

"Go clean up I'll take her upstairs to sleep somewhere more comfortable."

Slo seemed to hesitate letting me go so I gave his hand a squeeze.

"I'll be fine Slo honestly I feel better already."

Leaning in he touched his forehead to mine.

"Howl if you need anything."

I nod as he disappears from my line of sight leaving me alone with the king. Not being able to left my head any more I slump back into king Vericus's arms. Something like a purr rumbles in his chest. I knew I should be afraid of this unbelievably powerful male. However the more he touched me the safer I felt. My body tingling with sparks everywhere our skin touched.

Maybe it was just the blood loss that was messing with my senses. Most likely I was delirious because only someone who was delirious would feel safe with the tyrant king.

He carried me upstairs to the couch in Ereni's office. As he lowered me I noticed how gentle he was being with me. It surprised me considering his bulky frame. All hard muscles his bare chest showing tattoos across his pectorals centred around a red eye pack brand. He now wore pants which I was remembering he hadn't been wearing the whole time he'd carried me back here.

He started to leave, with the last of my strength I grabbed his hand making him turn back. My eyes taking in the scars beneath his tattoos all the way up to the three clawed scar across his left eye.

"Why did you save me?"

He growled gently but at the same time forcefully pulling his hand from mine.

"Don't get the wrong idea, your only alive because for some reason my enemies want you. Until I figure out that reason I'm not letting you out of my sight."

If I had the energy I would have growled at him as it was my eyes were already starting to close. This time I welcomed the darkness anything to escape his piercing glare.