Chapter 10: Ten

Kole’s POV

I walked away from Karina. I was disappointed; I expected better from her. She could have tried to stand her ground more.

A part of me wanted to turn back and take it easier on her. But I know if I did. I would've softened. And softness was the one thing she couldn't afford. Not here. Not at this point in her life.

The soft could not thrive in my world. And if she wanted to be part of it, she had to do better.

Her voice played in my mind as I remembered how helpless she looked, sitting down and begging for help instead of fighting. It was pathetic. a pitiful sight.

I had seen it many times in my wolves. The same panic. The same fear. What made them different from her was that they realized the cost of fear and weakness quickly and adjusted.

And that's exactly what Karina will have to learn. Or she wouldn't last long here.

I had seen something in her the night I found her. Her eyes were as dead and hopeless as they looked. They had a fire in them.

I just needed to spark it in her. And this was the only way.

I clenched my jaw and kept walking.

Behind me, I could still picture her on the ground. Her clothes stained with dirt. Blood on her arms. Eyes wide like the world had finally proven everything she believed about safety was a lie.

She wasn't ready. Not even close. But I can tell that she will be one day. Hopefully, that day came sooner.

Focus, I whispered to myself.

She’s just another responsibility for you. Another soul you've decided to save from the cruelty of death and life. Treat her as sure.

\---

The elders were already waiting when I arrived at the hall.

A long wooden table stood at the center of the room the elders sat around it.

I walked slowly to my seat as they greeted me. And continued their conversation. Deliberations had started without me.

That was good. I liked my members to be proactive, I always encouraged them to take initiative.

They spoke amongst themselves as i sat down.

“Border patrols have been slacking,” one said.

“Also, there has been news about rogue movement near the eastern line,” another added. “They’re testing boundaries again.”

I listened without interrupting as one of the elders stood up to debrief me.

He gave reports on my oscad activities, from movements. To supplies. To Injuries. To disputes about territory.

I listened and nodded; these were all normal issues, predictable and Safe in comparison to what I’d just left on the training grounds.

“Okay, we'll set up double patrol at night and rotate guards every four hours. To make sure there are no gaps.”

They nodded, scribbling notes.

Another elder cleared his throat and spoke. “What about the southern pack negotiations?” he asked.

“Postpone. They’re not negotiating. They’re probing, and I won't entertain or encourage it.” I replied firmly.

A few of the elder murmurred around the table. I could tell some of them weren't in support of my decision.

After a few more minutes of discussing, I got up, and declared the meeting closed.

When I got out I met Peter outside, waiting for me.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, he was. I knew why he was here, and I wasn't looking forward to his endless questions.

He grinned the moment he saw me. “You look like you just finished ruining someone’s life,” he Said patting my shoulers. I did my best to hide my smile.

“I didn’t come here for jokes,” I replied coldly.

“That’s unfortunate, because I have plenty,” he replied, ignoring my tone. Peter was one of the only people here who dared to speak to me this way.

I walked past him, shaking my head. And of course, he followed.

“You’re still thinking about her, aren’t you?” he asked teasingly, like a child who had just discovered a big secret.

I stopped. And turned to him.

“What did you say?” I asked my voice daring.

Peter raised both hands like I was already halfway to snapping his neck. “Relax. I'm just making an astute observation kole." He replied, still grinning.

"An astute observation that's very wrong," I replied quickly. Peter rolled his eyes at this.

"I’m just saying you brought her in instead of letting the wolves finish the job. That’s not your usual style,” he continued.

“It was strategic,” I replied plainly.

“Right, I totally believe you.” He nodded like he didn’t believe a word. “So what’s the strategy? Train her? Keep her? Break her until she becomes useful? Or..” he asked, his eyebrows raised.

I didn’t answer. I knew what he was hinting at, and I couldn't answer because I didn’t have one clean answer.

And Peter noticed.

“That silence is loud,” he said, smirking. “You usually don’t hesitate. She must be quite the catch then.”

I turned away again. “She needed discipline, and that's what I'm going to give her,” I replied.

“Sure.” He pushed off the car and followed again. “But you could’ve given discipline from a distance. Instead, you dragged her into your territory, your training grounds, your mess. It's unlike you.”

“I made a call in the moment; it was either I saved her or left her to die. You saw her, she wasn't going to last a minute longer outside that place.”

Peter leaned closer to me and lowered his voice slightly as he spoke. “Be honest, Kole. What’s your plan for her?” he asked.

“I don’t have one,” I said finally. Pushing away a thought that rose in the back of my mind. Something that was born the very moment I set my eyes on Karina.

Peter looked at me and smiled slowly, shaking his head at my denial.

“Well, this is new,” he said.

“It’s nothing.”

“Oh, it’s something. You don’t bring broken things into your territory unless you intend to fix them or keep them,” he replied, finally spilling his mind.

My eyes narrowed on him.

“Careful,” I said it playfully, a bit threatening.

He held my stare, still amused. “Or what?” he asked.

Then he laughed once, as he’d already won something. “Relax. I’m joking,” he said, even though I know he wasn't. I smiled.

“You like her, don't you?” he asked.

I looked away, trying to hide the fact that my expression had changed before I could control it.

“What did you just say?” I asked

Peter lifted a shoulder. “Come on. It’s obvious.”

“It’s not. And I don't like her. Besides, why would I? When I met her a few days ago.” I replied.

“You’re acting defensive. That alone is suspicious.” Peter replied, laughing. He clearly enjoyed torturing me like this.

“I’m not having this conversation,” I replied. And started walking again.

“Why, because I’m wrong? Or because I'm right?” he called after me.

That was mistake number one.

Because Peter didn’t stop.

“You’re denying it,” he said lightly. “That’s even worse.”

I took a deep breath. Returning control to my voice. “You’re reading too much into nothing.”

“Mm. Sure,” he replied, shaking his head to let me know her didn't believe me.

I started walking again. This time, faster before Peter added anything, but of course, he did.

“She’s getting to you, Kole. I can tell. Right from the moment you decided to bring her here.”

\---

My drive back to the main house was silent as always, but my mind was louder than it has ever been.

My hands stayed firm on the wheel, but my thoughts weren’t cooperating.

My mind replayed the moment I saw Karina. The way my heart skipped a beat. The way my wolf stirred inside it.

I've been trying to ignore it, but I know Peter was right. That was why I brought her here. And now I wish I hadn't.

I arrived at the main compound and parked. I tossed the keys to the guard standing by and walked to the dining table to eat.

I tried my best to get Karina out of my mind as I ate. But it was becoming harder by the minute. My wolf stirred within me once more.

This can't be true I whispered to myself. There must be another reason my wolf is stirring, and I was going to find out why.

After a few minutes of picking at my food. I pushed the plate away from me. It was clear that I had lost my appetite.

I sighed loudly and walked to my room hopefully a quick shower and nap would silent the endless questions about Karina.

I took of my clothes and walked into the shower. It had been a cold day so a warm shower was just what I needed to ease my mind.

But even as I stood under that shower. The questions remained.

Who was this Karina, and why did her presence make me so unsettled?

Most importantly, why did I bring her here?