Chapter 8 The Bloods On His Hands

Quinn's POV

My left side was hurting so bad and so, even though I didn't want to, I turned around-but my eyes just wouldn't stay closed.

I stared emptily at the ceiling for a good five minutes before jolting to my senses.

"I was in the palace. And not just any palace-the Lycan King's palace."

"Oh, Quinn!" I said out loud, covering my face with my palm. But the next second, my eyes shot back up to the ceiling again.

"...and again, you'll need all the strength you can gather for the pup..." His words reverberated in my head.

I had thought of it all night before drifting into sleep.

Can I really be pregnant?

"No! No!" I said immediately, chuckling like a fool. Sure, my body felt different-dang, even my wrists still hurt-but it's from pain, right?

I mean, I've never been so thrashed in all my life, so it's natural that I'd feel different.

"Uhhggg, Quinn, get it together."

"I need air," I said, shifting off the bed. I walked up slowly to the window and opened the curtains.

My breath caught in my throat as a gasp escaped my lips. If I had thought this place was beautiful yesterday, then the view from up here is absolutely mind-blowing.

Nope! I snapped myself out of it immediately. Sure, it's beautiful-but it's still a cage, and I can't get distracted.

Alexander was only a means to escape Bloodmoon, and now the task is to escape him.

For the first time since I woke up this morning, my wolf shifted in me and whispered that annoying word that had become her favorite:

"Safe."

I sighed. I really have to be careful because my wolf is clearly delusional because of the mate bond.

The room felt constricting, so I decided to take a walk outside.

I pried my door open slowly and took a sneak peek around before walking into the corridor.

And even as I walked, only one question kept spiraling in my mind: "What does Alex want from me?"

I walked down several halls, but not a single soul was in sight-not even the guards. My intuitiveness took over when my eyes caught a piece of painting.

It looked spectacular, so I diverted from the direction we had come yesterday and walked toward the painting.

Who knows? This might be my one-in-a-lifetime chance to experience luxury. But as I walked in that direction, I began hearing voices. Then I heard footsteps. Startled, I hid behind a pole in the hallway for a reason I don't know.

It's not like I was doing anything wrong, but I heard the footsteps become louder. They were coming in my direction, and now their conversation was clear to my hearing.

"The king was so angry..." the first man said.

"Of course he should be. How dare a common Blood Moon soldier enter Lycan territory to seek a traitor?"

"Exactly. So audacious. It was right that he got slaughtered on the spot without any trial. That'll teach the rest of them!"

My blood ran cold as the smile on my lips turned upside down. I watched their backs as they walked away.

The kingdom's soldiers. I let out a scoff as I turned around and marched back to my room.

Fuck. Seriously, I am so dumb to believe that shit just for a second.

Justice? Is this what he sees as justice? Executing a man without trial?

I could feel my wolf stirring.

"Don't say it!" I said out loud, raising my voice by a notch. I heard her whimper before settling back. I didn't want to hear that crap about being safe.

This is the justice I was promised? Justice, my ass. Was this man even any better than Dylan?

I plopped onto the bed, my hand gripping the edge tightly. I don't care about his handsome face-I won't let him be my new captor no matter what.

I was still in the middle of my resolution when two strong knocks came at the door... It swung open before I could even respond.

His annoyingly handsome face was the first thing that came into view, then his sharp jaw-and my eyes trailed downwards and landed on his armor. It looked sticky with blood.

Right! My senses returned to me. This man just slaughtered a possibly innocent man.

"Why?" I said outrightly.

His brows shifted together, as if he didn't know what I was talking about.

"Why did you execute that man without trial?" I said, and his face relaxed. He got it.

"Because I cannot afford to show mercy."

"Why can't you afford to show mercy?" I asked, cutting him off.

"Because my curse has made me ruthless. And that is what I am."

"...and besides... even if I decide to show mercy, it won't be to those that are hellbent on touching what is mine..."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice croaking. "So you won't hesitate to hurt me?"

"I will never hurt you."

"I will never hurt you."

"Because I'm your mate?"

"Because you're not just my mate... you're something more... something that quietens the madness in me!"

I looked at him intently. No. I don't believe him. I can't. I've heard promises before, and I've been failed before. Not again.

I heard the sounds of boots shuffling and looked up to see him turning around to leave. I watched his back and noticed as he paused at the door.

"You'll see the pack's healer soon."

I felt myself stiffen. "Why?" I asked, but he didn't say anything. He just gave me a once-over-but I could swear his eyes lingered on my tummy.

Before I could demand answers, he was already out the door, the same way he came.

My hand slowly lifted and landed on my stomach.

"Could I really be pregnant?" I asked out loud to nobody in particular. But it was just one night... could that reckless night really have sown a seed inside of me?

I heard a knock... a softer one compared to the last time.

Did the maids bring food? Or a change of clothes?

I walked to the door and opened it.

"Hello, Quinn. I'm Monty, the pack's healer," the middle-aged lady at the door said with a smile...

But I just stood there, gaping at her.

He said soon. He didn't say this soon...