Chapter 46 Forty-Six
Arlo didn't bother looking up as Danica and Mason closed the distance between the office door and his desk. He was busy scribbling something on a piece of parchment in front of him with a frown deeply etched on his face. Clearing his throat, Mason tried to get Arlo's attention as Danica remained silent.
As if remembering they were there, Arlo looked up, placing his pen on the desk beside him. He continued to frown as he met Mason's eyes.
"Something wrong?" Mason asked curiously.
"Nothing for you to concern yourself with, Alpha Mason." Arlo said, "Have a seat, please."
Motioning to the two chairs in front of his desk, he waited as Danica and Mason took their seats.
"Thank you." Danica said politely, keeping her gaze firmly locked on Arlo.
She couldn't deny the fact that the elf had a domineering presence, and ever since their last encounter, she couldn't seem to calm down when she was around him. Why they even had to humor and deal with him during their stay in the Elven village was beyond her.
"I hope you find your accommodations to your satisfaction." Arlo said, feigning politeness. "If you need anything, let my steward know."
Steward, was he referring to the man who had just shown them to Arlo? Sighing, Danica tried to ignore the feeling of annoyance that was already beginning to grow within her.
"Everything is fine." Mason assured the elf. "But is something wrong? It is pretty unexpected to be called her to speak with you."
"Nothing gets past you." Arlo responded, chuckling. "I wanted to ask you a favor in exchange for my hospitality."
"I figured as much." Mason said, sitting up straighter in his seat. "What can I help you with?"
"There has been unrest on the outskirts of my village recently." Arlo began placing his elbows on the table in front of him. "The abaasy have been sneaking around at night, killing live stock."
"Live stock?" Mason asked, confused. "I thought they only went for human flesh."
"Usually they would." Arlo confirmed. "But recently, they have been killing any source of meat we have been raising."
"Could there be more to what they're doing?" Mason mused, becoming lost in thought. "Could they be trying to drive your villagers into a corner?"
"I do not know." Arlo said, shaking his head. "That is why I want your help getting rid of them. I'd rather eliminate the problem early on before it gets worse."
"I don't blame you; what would you like for me to do?" Mason asked, smirking. "I know that it is a very big ordeal for an elf to ask for help."
Arlo grunted at Mason's words, "Usually, but if I don't do something soon, my people may be sent into a famine, and I can't have that."
"So, you're willing to set your pride aside then." Mason confirmed. "Fair enough, I will help you."
"And in return?" Arlo said, slowly beginning to look anxious.
"Just remember this favor if ever there comes a time for me to ask something of you." Mason said simply, standing up. "If that's all I should get going, I'm pretty exhausted."
"That's it?" Arlo asked, rushing to get up as well. "When will you do something?"
"Don't worry, I said I would help, and I intend to keep my promise." Mason assured Arlo. "Be patient and wait for my good news."
Letting out a long sigh, Arlo flopped down in his chair, watching until Mason and Danica exited his office. Outside, Mason's warriors looked relieved when they returned.
"Everything alright, Alpha?" Chris asked, rushing towards him.
"Everything's fine." Mason said, placing a hand on Chris' shoulder, "However, it seems we have a small mission while we are here."
"Small mission?" Chris asked, looking confused.
Danica remained silent as she listened to Mason begin to explain to Chris and the rest what exactly was said between them and Arlo. She had been caught off guard by Arlo's words about the abaasy. It seemed that even though she had hoped that they wouldn't even encounter the things they were about to go face.
Within her, she could feel the dark being awakening; the feeling of bloodlust began overtaking her with each passing minute. It seemed that the being was ready for a fight and was delighting in the upcoming trouble.
Shivering Danica tried to ignore it, but the being was refusing to be ignored; it wanted her to know it was there and that it would stay.
"You okay?" Mason asked, drawing Danica's attention back to him.
"Yeah, I'm okay." She responded, faking a smile.
"Don't lie to me." He warned, fixing his gaze on her. "Did you forget that we have the mate bond?"
"Occasionally, yes, I do forget." Danica chuckled, shaking her head. "That thing is waking up; it wants blood." She said quietly so only Mason could hear her.
"The dark being?" Mason asked for confirmation. "Does that mean it expects this to get dangerous?"
Danica nodded. "Otherwise, it wouldn't even bother stirring."
To Danica, it was still odd talking about the darkness within her with Mason; she fully expected him to eventually find her a freak and be done with her. However, that hadn't happened yet, and she appreciated his understanding.
"I will make sure this is quick and easy." Mason promised, kissing Danica's cheek. "Come on, why don't we go back to our room?" He trailed off as his eyes flashed.
Blushing Danica couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Leave it to you to have a serious mission ahead, and yet all you can even think about is sex." She huffed helplessly.
"Better to live in the moment; tomorrow isn't promised." Mason shrugged as they began to head out.
A rush of fear ran through Danica at Mason's words. He was right; tomorrow wasn't promised to anyone, and given that they lived in a completely different world where vicious creatures resided, it was even more true for them.
As a human, she had nothing to worry about aside from sudden illness or freak accidents. She couldn't quite help but miss it suddenly. As a werewolf, she now had to watch her back at all times. If it wasn't a rogue trying to attack her, then it was the elders or some other person trying to do her in.
"Stop worrying." Mason murmured, grabbing Danica's hand and squeezing. "As long as I'm here, nothing is going to happen to you."
"You can't be sure; did you forget everything that has happened?" Danica didn't mean to be pessimistic, but she just couldn't help it.
The look that formed on Mason's face made her regret her words instantly; however, she just couldn't shake the sudden feeling of foreboding that was beginning to form.