Chapter 4 The Bond Of The Damned

Elysia's breath hitched at Kaine's words.

"Because I don't think I can."

The way he said it-quiet, almost reluctant-sent a shiver down her spine. She studied him, searching his face for any hint of deception. But Kaine Valen was impossible to read.

Her heart pounded. "What do you mean by that?"

Kaine didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pushed himself to his feet, towering over her as he turned away. The firelight threw his sharp features into stark relief, his expression unreadable.

Elysia's fingers curled into her palm. "You just said I was never meant to exist. That the Council wants me dead. So why are you hesitating?"

Kaine exhaled through his nose. "Because you're not what I expected."

She frowned. "Expected?"

His golden eyes flicked back to her. "I've seen the Council's kill orders before. I've followed them myself." His voice was steady, but there was something dark beneath it, something laced with regret. "They only issue them for threats. And you... you don't seem like a threat."

Elysia forced herself to hold his gaze. "And if that changes?"

Kaine was silent for a moment.

Then, with quiet finality, he said, "Then I'll do what I have to."

Her stomach twisted, but she wasn't surprised. Whatever mercy he had shown her so far wouldn't last forever.

She needed to get out of here.

Elysia shifted slightly, testing her body's limits. The earlier struggle had left her sore, but she wasn't injured. That meant she still had a chance-if she could find an opening.

"Where are we?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Kaine watched her warily. "You're in my territory now."

A rogue's territory.

Elysia knew that meant they were far from any major werewolf city. Rogues lived on the outskirts, outside of pack laws. Some were criminals, some exiles. And some...

Some were worse than that.

"Are you planning to hand me over to the Council?" she asked, masking the fear creeping into her voice.

Kaine's jaw tightened. "That depends."

"On what?"

He crouched again, this time closer, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"On whether you give me a reason to keep you alive."

Elysia swallowed hard. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

Kaine tilted his head slightly, his gaze flicking to her Lunar Scar before returning to her face.

"Tell me what you really are."

She stiffened. "I don't know."

His eyes narrowed. "Lying won't help you."

"I'm not lying," she shot back. "I have no idea why I have this mark. I have no idea why it started glowing tonight. And I sure as hell don't know why the Council wants me dead."

Kaine studied her for a long moment, searching her face for any sign of deception.

Then, unexpectedly, he let out a low chuckle.

Elysia tensed. "What's so funny?"

Kaine shook his head, standing once more. "You really don't know, do you?"

"I already told you I don't."

His golden eyes gleamed in the dim light.

"Then I'll make this simple," he said. "You have two choices. Stay here, under my protection, until I figure out what the hell you are."

Elysia's pulse quickened. "And the other option?"

Kaine's expression darkened.

"I let my wolves decide what to do with you."

Her blood turned to ice.

She didn't need to ask what that meant. The wolves outside-they didn't trust her. To them, she was a threat, an anomaly. If Kaine handed her over, they wouldn't hesitate to rip her apart.

He was giving her a choice. But it wasn't really a choice at all.

Elysia exhaled slowly. "I stay," she said. "For now."

Kaine nodded, satisfied. "Then you better hope you're worth the risk."

As he turned to leave, she spoke again.

"And what about you?"

Kaine paused in the doorway, glancing back. "What about me?"

She met his gaze. "Are you worth trusting?"

For a moment, he didn't answer.

Then, with a ghost of a smirk, he said, "You'll find out soon enough."

And with that, he was gone.